ALA Policy Corps Member Spotlight: Hannah Buckland

Features

Libraries are social institutions; when we advocate for library services, we advocate for people. I look forward to being an active part of the network Policy Corps creates while providing advocacy tools for other library workers. Living in northern Minnesota and working in a tiny library can be isolating, so I really value these connections. The Policy Corps also affords the opportunity to bring the tribal college library perspective to the national platform. I am humbled to have landed in this role.

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Interviews with ALCTS Leaders: Margaret Mering, International Relations Committee Chair

Columns, Interviews with ALCTS Leaders

Because of my interest in international librarianship, I am especially excited to be serving as the chair of the International Relations Committee, which oversees ALCTS Online Grant for Librarians from Developing Countries. Librarians selected for the grant participate in ALCTS Fundamentals courses. The goal of the grant is to assist library professionals from developing countries to stay current with the latest trends and developments in technical services areas and to enhance their professional knowledge and skills in librarianship and information science. The fall 2017 grant cycle was the first time that more than 100 people applied for the grant.

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Survey for Potential New ALA Division

Columns, From the President

Three ALA divisions—the Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS), Library & Information Technology Association (LITA), and Library Leadership & Management Association (LLAMA)—are currently discussing how we might work together to create a new division. We’re asking you to complete an online survey to tell us a little more about your job, work environment, educational needs, and professional aspirations. The survey will close at the end of the day on Sunday, May 20, 2018.

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Consortial Cataloging: e-Forum Summary

e-Forums, Features

The ALCTS e-Forum “Consortial Cataloging: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Sharing Data” took place February 27–28, 2018 and discussed benefits and challenges of shared cataloging in consortia. Cynthia Romanowski (Governors State University Library) and Natalie Sommerville (Duke University Libraries) facilitated. Over the course of two days and 108 posts, 33 participants contributed their expertise and experience.

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