The first ALA Student Chapter was created in 1980 at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Each Student Chapter has its own character and purpose. ALA Student Chapters enhance students’ ALA membership by providing leadership and programming opportunities on the campuses.
Eligible participants
ALA student members at the master’s level and beyond are eligible to form official ALA student chapter groups at schools offering ALA-accredited programs of library and information services, or a master’s degree with a specialty in school library media from an NCATE/AASL-accredited program.
Fees
Student Chapters pay no fee to ALA. Individual members of the student chapter group pay ALA student dues. Each ALA student member is entitled to all the regular ALA personal membership benefits at a substantially reduced dues rate. The chapter may support its programs through fund-raising activities, dues paid to the student chapter group, or contributions from the school administration.
Benefits
Student-to-Staff Program
Each student chapter is entitled to nominate one student to go to the Annual Conference to participate in the Student-to-Staff program.
ALA materials
Catalogs, , posters, ALA Placement Center handouts, and other materials will be mailed to the student chapter president by the Staff Liaison in Chapter Relations upon request.
Student chapter plaque
A plaque will be sent to the student chapter by ALA upon receipt of an approved, ratified constitution and bylaws.
ALA student chapter group and other student groups
There are often several student groups on the library school campus to handle student problems and concerns. The student chapter is concerned with external relations with ALA as a professional organization. All groups can exist side-by-side without any role conflict. In fact, if time constraints or other considerations seem to dictate it, groups can be combined, sharing officers and activities.
How to get started
Designation of advisor
A faculty advisor should be designated to work with the organizers on chapter formation.
Information and organizational meeting
Arrange an informational and organizational meeting at the school for all interested students. The officers of existing groups can serve as a steering committee and can be of great assistance in helping to promote the chapter group. Students who have already joined ALA as student members should be identified and included in the chapter group. At the informational meeting, distribute membership forms and sign up students. Once a nucleus of members is established, a constitution should be drafted. Sample constitutions are available from the ALA Chapter Relations Office. A nominating committee should be appointed and a meeting held to elect officers and approve the constitution. A chapter group program committee should be appointed to work with the officers to develop program ideas.
Notification of ALA
The approved constitution, name of advisor, and list of officers should be sent to Don Wood, the staff liaison. The student chapter group’s information will appear on the ALA Student Chapter website.
Helpful contact people
Chapter organizers may well profit from the experience of local ALA members and others including:
- Your state’s ALA Chapter Councilor.
- The presidents and faculty advisors of existing student chapter groups. (Frequently updated information is available from ALA Chapter Relations Office.)
After your group is founded
Local programs
These will vary from chapter to chapter and should be designed to meet the needs of each particular group.
Here are some suggestions:
- Arrange campus visits from ALA program staff, ALA Officers, ALA Councilors, or ALA committee chairs. Visitors may be invited to visit classes or give a formal presentation, with informal gatherings either preceding or following the presentation. In order to keep costs to the student chapter to a minimum, such a campus visit might be added to a previously planned trip or draw on ALA members in your area. The Staff Liaison can help you to determine which ALA staff or members would be available to visit your school on a certain date.
- Student tours of local libraries might be arranged with active ALA members, giving students an opportunity to investigate current library practice from a professional perspective. Brown-bag lunches on campus where local ALA members are invited to share experiences and career development ideas with students in an informal atmosphere.
- Student attendance at local events sponsored by NMRT Affiliates, AASL Affiliates, ALCTS, ACRL Chapters, and ALA Chapters and Affiliates.
- Start a website, e-list, blog, Facebook, or other social networking tools for student chapter members, with news from conferences, a calendar of campus events, and interviews. Include articles on curriculum changes, new faculty members, and fellowships available to students from off-campus sources. Use chapter communication tools for humorous articles and to publicize student chapter programs.
Relationship with the state library association
Whenever possible, make a connection with the state library association in addition to ALA. Many library school students are more oriented towards their state than they are to the national scene and plan to remain in the state after graduation. Student chapter connection with the state association allows students to learn the workings of a smaller association, to make contacts with professionals in their area, and to attend local conferences and workshops. Many individuals begin their association “careers” in state associations.
Contact the president of the state library association or the executive director if there is one. Ask to be put on their mailing list to receive publicity for their programs. A list of state associations and their presidents and/or executive directors will be found on the online directory maintained by the Chapter Relations Office.
For further information
Good luck organizing your new student chapter. If you need help or further information, don’t hesitate to contact the Student Chapter staff liaison: Chapter Relations Office, American Library Association, 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611, or call: Toll-free 1-800-545-2433 x2429, in Chicago (312) 280-2429, or FAX: (312) 280-4392, Email: Don Wood.