Library Journal - Rural Libraries Get Official ALA Committee

Library Journal - Rural Libraries Get Official ALA Committee

Rural libraries now have a new platform within the American Library Association (ALA). During the ALA Midwinter Meeting, Council voted to approve the creation of the Standing Committee on Rural School, Tribal, Native, and Public Libraries. The committee is charged with addressing the needs of rural libraries, advocating for them, and collaborating with them. "The approval of the new ALA standing committee gives a larger and more forceful voice to libraries and library workers in rural America," said Satia Marshall Orange, director of ALA's Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS), who worked with the task force that brought the proposal to Council. Committee members will be selected by the ALA president and leadership of the Public Library Association, American Association of School Librarians, American Indian Library Association, the Legislative Committee, and OLOS.

As the Task Force on Rural, School, Tribal, and Public Libraries, which began at Midwinter in 2003, prepared take the standing committee proposal to Council, it moved to add the word "Native" to include indigenous peoples who prefer the term. The new committee will aim to secure $50,000 for advocacy efforts from ALA sources. Also, the task force discussed asking ALA to create a membership category for rural library directors without the MLS.