Black Caucus of the American Library Association - Chicago Chapter
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NLM/AAHSL Leadership Fellows Program

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) and AAHSL are pleased to announce the opening of applications for the 2019-2020 Leadership Fellows Program. The Program is focused on preparing emerging leaders for the position of library director in academic health sciences libraries. The application deadline is June 22, 2019.

Both fellows and mentors have reported how valuable the program has been to them for their own personal growth as a leader and for shaping their career as an academic health sciences library director. The program has also had a high success rate with 52% of fellows being hired as academic health sciences library directors or interim directors, and many others being promoted to positions with higher administrative responsibilities.

The Leadership Fellows Program recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching and supporting the mission of academic health sciences libraries, and actively seeks applications from individuals with varying identities and backgrounds.

Eligibility:

Fellows: Candidates for Fellow should have a strong interest in pursuing a directorship in academic health sciences libraries, as well as prior management experience. The program welcomes applications from professionals working in academic health sciences libraries, hospital libraries, or other library-related settings. Applications from qualified minority candidates are encouraged. In its commitment to diversity and inclusion, the program actively seeks applicants from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds More information on program design, the program schedule, and the application are available here. Please help us continue this successful program by sharing this information with prospective applicants you know; and consider sharing your expertise as a mentor.

Please contact the Program Director if you have any questions or need more information: Patricia (Pat) L. Thibodeau, Program Director, NLM/AASHL Leadership Fellows Program, plthibodeau@gmail.com, 919-619-6906. AAHSL Leadership Fellows Program: https://www.aahsl.org/leadershipfellowsprogram#apply

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Join an ILA Committee!

ILA seeks to recruit new committee volunteers who are enthusiatic, eager to make a difference and committed to enhancing the role of ILA in libraries of all types across the state. 

They are seeking volunteers for the following committees: 

Advocacy: 3-year appointment

Supports the targeted advocacy efforts set forth by the American Library Association and the Illinois Library Association. Strives to unite ILA members behind advocacy efforts set forth by the ILA Executive Board. Works in tandem with the Public Policy Committee (PPC) to implement an annual legislative agenda. Provides ILA members with the tools to make local, statewide and national advocacy an integral part of their professional life. Develops a long-range advocacy plan in conjunction with PPC and the Executive Board.

Best Practices: 2-year appointment

Promotes excellence in Illinois libraries by identifying and making known innovative services, community outreach initiatives, and management procedures. Selects an annual award winner and finds methods for encouraging communication among libraries about their best practices, and, using the ILA Web site, features the best of what our libraries are doing.

Conference Program 2020: 18-month appointment

Coordinates program planning for ILA Annual Conference. Membership will be made up of individuals representing the diverse nature of our association with appointments for eighteen months.

Diversity Committee: 3-year appointment

The Diversity Committee initiates and promotes training and library services that address issues of diversity, equity and inclusion in Illinois libraries. They provide mentoring and support for ALA’s Spectrum scholars, and identify and promote best practices and resources for diversity and inclusion in the library profession and services.

Fundraising: 2-year appointment

Identify fundraising strategies that will provide long-term financial stability for the association, to include, but not limited to, such areas as grants, the endowment, and scholarships. Oversees the Illinois Library Luminaries program, which includes monitoring contributions.   

ILA Reporter Advisory: 2-year appointment

Works with the ILA Executive Director to help ensure quality content in the ILA Reporter and to assist in obtaining that content.

Intellectual Freedom: 2-year appointment

Works to resist all attempts to censor library materials or to restrict public access to information. 

iRead Advisory: 2-year appointment

The Illinois Reading Enrichment and Development (iREAD) program is a coordinated, self-supporting effort to develop and provide high quality, low cost resources, and products to enable local library staff to promote reading.  The program’s primary audience is kindergarten through grade eight, but provides supplemental materials for preschoolers, teens, and adults.

Public Policy: 3-year appointment

Provides the association’s focus on legislative matters; recommends studies on projects designed to advance the development of all types of libraries; advocates legislative action which advances library service for all residents of Illinois. Works closely with the Advocacy Committee to implement an annual legislative agenda. 

Additional Details

ILA holds an orientation meeting for all committee members and chairs every July. The annual ILA Orientation for Committees and Forum Leadership will take place in Peoria, IL on July 24th. More details will be available on the ILA website: https://www.ila.org/event/1/411/2019-ila-orientation-for-executive-board-committees-and-forum-leadership. Attendance at the orientation is encourage but not required. 

Committee members and chairs are expected to maintain current personal membership in ILA for the duration of their term. 

Committee meetings typically occur once a month, with remote participation – teleconferene or videoconference options – available through the ILA office. 

Please feel free to contact Vice President/President-Elect Molly Beestrum directly at molly@beestrum.com for more information or complete the committee interest form on the ILA website: https://www.ila.org/about/committees. 

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Have you Applied for an ILA Scholarship?

ILA has four scholarships available this year for individuals interested in furthering their careers in librarianship.

Scholarships may be used for classes, registration fees for workshops, seminars, conferences or other educational opportunities. Apply today and forward to a friend so they can apply! 

Scholarships
(click on the scholarship name below to view additional information)

For any questions regarding scholarships,
please email ILA. 

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Join the RAILS Board!

Would you like to work with a committed team of colleagues representing all types of libraries to help shape the future of a member-driven, vibrant library system? RAILS invites nominations for the following positions on our board: 

  • Two public library trustees (to be filled by board members at RAILS public libraries)
  • Two at large members (to be filled by individuals representing any type of RAILS library- academic, public, school, or special)
  • One special library representative (to be filled by an individual employed by a RAILS special library)

Terms for all positions begin on July 1, 2019, and end on June 30, 2022. The RAILS Board meets 11 times per year at sites throughout the RAILS service area (travel costs are reimbursed). Board members may attend meetings in person or at a RAILS videoconference location.
 
RAILS is looking for candidates that reflect the diversity of the RAILS membership in terms of race, ethnicity, age, geographic location, background, and other factors. For more information on duties and responsibilities, view the RAILS Board Member Job Description. After you have read the job description, complete this nomination form. The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 29, at 5 p.m. Questions? ContactMary Witt, RAILS Communications Director.

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Book Discussion and Fundraiser

Do you swear sometimes, all the time, or just in your head?

Well, research shows that people who swear are actually smarter and have larger vocabularies!*

Join a group of foul-mouthed librarians as we discuss the The Joy of Leaving Your Sh*t All Over the Place: The Art of Being Messy by Jennifer McCartney. After mimosas and talking about the book, you’ll care less about what others think of your word choice.

This is a fundraiser event for the Chicago Chapter of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (CC:BCALA). We support its mission to empower all library and information workers. All ticket sales and donations benefit the CC:BCALA.

The Acme Hotel is in easy distance of public transportation (train and bus) as well as discounted parking through SpotHero and other parking apps.

Tickets available at Eventbrite.

(*Here is the citation. We are, after all, librarians. #nofakenews)