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DECEMBER PREVIEW ALA Seattle COGNOTES 5
ACRL Events Planned in Seattle
Designing Educational Opportunities on the Intersections of Scholarly Communication and Information Literacy
Today’s shifting academic information landscape provides many challenges and opportunities for librarians to become change agents for campus-wide initiatives and competencies. As we educate and inspire diverse communities of scholars, librarians are encouraged to seek and explore collaborative opportunities that arise at the intersections of scholarly communication and information literacy.
The day-long interactive pre-Midwinter Institute “Designing Educational Opportunities on the Intersections of Scholarly Communication and Information Literacy” will empower participants to leverage the intersections to develop education and outreach initiatives that address the aspirations and needs of scholars, students, and researchers at their institutions. The institute will be held from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 25. Complete details are available at www.ala.org/acrl/conferences/roadshows.
ACRL Presidential Forum: Climbing the Stairs to Diversity & Inclusion Success
Join ACRL President Lauren Pressley for her Midwinter Presidential Forum “Climbing the Stairs to Diversity & Inclusion Success.” Featuring Dr. Terryl Ross, assistant dean of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the University of Washington College of the Environment, this interactive workshop will present a new diversity and inclusion organizational model. Together, attendees will discuss all five levels of this model and what it takes to realistically move your organization to the next level. The workshop will be held from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 26.
Save the Date
The 20th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Observance and Sunrise Celebration will be held Monday, January 28 from 6:30 – 7:30 a.m. Join us in celebrating 20 years of this hallmark event commemorating King’s legacy and recognizing the connection between his life’s work and the library world. Attendance is open to all attendees of the 2019 ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits.
The Celebration is co-sponsored annually by ALA’s Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Task Force of the ALA Social Responsibilities Round Table, and the Black Caucus of the ALA, Inc.
Washington Office Encourages Congress to See Libraries as Top Priority
Washington Office Midwinter 2019 Programming
Washington, D.C. is in transition. Just a few weeks ago, ALA began the process of encouraging freshman legislators in the 116th Congress to take our issues on as their own. Likewise, we are making sure our longstanding champions continue to put libraries at the top of their priority lists.
In other areas, our advocacy efforts are already in progress; for example, making sure libraries are prepared for and participating in plans for the 2020 Census. The upcoming census will be the first in its 230 year-history with an online response option. In anticipation of this historical shift – and because 99% of the hard-to-count census tracts have a public library within five miles – ALA is working overtime to investigate what this will mean for public libraries across the country.
Whether you are interested in examining where new elected officials and returning decisionmakers across the country land on library issues, or you already have plans to serve on your local Complete Count Committee, these two sessions provide key information and resources to make sure libraries have a seat at the table.
Saturday, January 26
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Libraries & Public Policy After the Midterm Elections & the Midpoint of the Administration (ALA Washington Office)
Librarians have been politically energized and engaged throughout the first two years of the Trump Administration. As the Administration hits the midpoint, and the new 116th Congress begins, library issues will be on the table – including funding, copyright, privacy, education, and telecommunications. So, what can the library community expect over the next two years? How can you prepare for the inevitable battles and opportunities on the horizon? Hear from ALA’s policy experts about what Congress and the Administration mean for your bottom line.
Alan Inouye, senior director, Public Policy and Government Relations, ALA
Kathi Kromer, associate executive director, Advocacy and Public Policy, ALA
Kevin Maher, director, Government Relations, ALA
Follow the conversation online: #FundLibraries
Sunday, January 27
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Library Advocacy and Community Engagement in the 2020 Census (ALA Washington Office and PLA)
Communities across the United States are preparing for the upcoming 2020 Census, and libraries should have a seat at the table. Library staff and supporters can increase awareness of library services and strengthen community relationships by participating in a Complete Count Committee. Hear from librarians who have been involved with Complete Count efforts and learn about a new advocacy publication from ALA’s Washington Office.
Gavin Baker, assistant director, Government Relations, ALA
Larra Clark, deputy director, Public Library Association/Public Policy and Advocacy, ALA
Follow the conversation online: #Count OnLibraries
Come Early for PLA Programming at Midwinter
Planning to attend the 2019 ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits in Seattle? Be sure to arrive early to take advantage of the outstanding programming from the Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association.
PLA will offer two preconference programs on Friday, January 25. PLA is partnering with the National Network of Libraries of Medicine Pacific Northwest and the ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services to present a halfday preconference called “Implicit Bias, Health Disparities and Health Literacy: Intersections in Health Equity.” This halfday session runs from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Participants will explore how libraries can deepen their work in health literacy to ensure a lasting impact for improving the health of their community. Tickets cost $50 if purchased by January 18. Add event code ODL2 to your ALA Midwinter Meeting registration. For details, click here.
PLA will also present a full-day (8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) preconference titled “Advancing Racial Equity in Public Libraries: Normalizing, Organizing, and Operationalizing.” Practitioners will share their experiences using racial equity tools, setting up racial equity initiatives for success, barriers to anticipate, and how to sustain these efforts through challenging times. PLA personal members may purchase tickets for $130 through January 18. Add event code PLA1 to your ALA Midwinter Meeting registration. For details, click here.
From 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 26, members of the PLA Task Force on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and representatives of the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) are presenting a program as part of the Symposium on the Future of Libraries. This program, “Racial Equity: Libraries Organizing to Transform Institutions,” will explore public libraries’ work to identify and address institutional racism and structural inequities.
PLA is also offering three “News You Can Use” sessions: “PLA Inclusive Internship Initiative” (Saturday, January 26, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.);” Project Outcome: Public Library Trends, Results & Impacts” (Sunday, January 27, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.); and “Libraries and Open Enrollment” (Monday, January 28, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.).
