Kirkwood Observatory Tour October 7, 2010

Congratulations to the SLIS American Libraries Association Student Chapter (ALA-SC). They have been named the national ALA Student Chapter of the Year. Information about the award was compiled by the current ALA-SC President (see below). The SLIS chapter was also honored with this national title in 2005, and was selected as the national runner-up in 2006.

SLIS faculty member Pnina Shachaf, and IU Research and Discovery Services Librarian Mary Popp co-advise the ALA-SC.

Read the formal announcement by the American Library Association:
• NMRT Notes: Student Chapter of the Year Announced (4/12/11)

• notes about the award -
  submitted by Kelsey Cole, current President, SLIS ALA Student Chapter:

The American Libraries Association-Student Chapter of Indiana University has been awarded the prestigious and high honor of the ALA Student Chapter of the Year for 2011 for the work accomplished in 2010.

The award was given by the parent organization American Libraries Association and the New Members Round Table (NMRT), the latter of which helps ALA members of less than 10 years and develops programs for library school students that encourage professional involvement and networking.

According to Leo Lo, chair of the NMRT SCOTYA Committee, “the committee was impressed with the great turnouts to most of your events, an impressive number of Emerging Leaders in your chapter, and a good mix of technologies used in communication, especially posting meeting videos to the Facebook page.” Lo went on to explain that the “chapter leadership has also demonstrated strong continuing involvement with state and national organizations.”

The strong leadership of 2010 included Cara Stone (President), Whitney Hasler (Vice President), Carolyn Caffrey (Treasurer), Mary Schoenfelder (Social Chair), Sarah Hines (Secretary), Matt Butler (Webmaster), with the aid of Mary Popp and Pnina Shachaf as ALA-SC’s advisors.

Due to these SLIS student leaders and the enthusiasm of the members involved, membership in the IU ALA-SC increased 44%. Approximately 540 participants attended 20 events sponsored or co-sponsored by the student group. These events included a Bloomington Night Life Tour, a four member panel discussing volunteer opportunities, Nighttime IU Observatory Tour, and a Career Panel co-sponsorship with Beta Phi Mu.

Upon reflection, Stone said “Throughout my time at IU, I have been impressed by the level of commitment and involvement I saw from ALA-SC members, SLIS students, and student leaders. This award not only recognizes student involvement, but also the efforts put forth to create an open, welcoming environment where students come together to share professional ideas. I am pleased the ALA-SC can share our experiences with the New Members Round Table, and represent Indiana University and SLIS in New Orleans at the ALA Annual Conference this summer.”

The purpose of the ALA-SC is to serve as an overarching librarian group set to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information about the trends, issues, and opportunities in the library profession. Additionally, the group serves to organize programs and activities which contribute to the professional development and social interaction of its members and SLIS students.

Posted April 27, 2011