September is Library Card Sign-up Month, an observance started in 1987. Over the past two decades, thousands of public and school libraries have joined forces each fall in a national effort to encourage more families to get library cards. Library cards are generally free to those living in the library's service area. Some libraries may require some form of identification, proof of residency or the signature of a guardian. For information on promoting Library Card Sign-Up Month at your library, visit the ALA website.
In other ALA news:
- The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is supporting the Emerging Leaders 2007 initiative. ALSC will provide stipends of $500 per conference to one selected applicant to attend the Emerging Leaders curriculum designed by ALA President Leslie Burger. Emerging Leaders 2007 will select and train 100 new librarians to get a jump-start in leadership. The initiative will kick off with a day-long session during the 2007 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Seattle, and it will grow and develop virtually for six months, culminating at the 2007 Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. More information about the Emerging Leaders 2007 initiative and instructions on submitting an application, can be found on the Princeton Library's website or ALSC's Emerging Leaders webpage.
- The Association for Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) is accepting nominations for its 2007 awards program. ASCLA awards recognize outstanding achievement in networking, enrichment and educational opportunities, and service by library agencies, libraries serving special populations, multi-type library organizations and independent librarians. Nominations are due Dec. 15. The award criteria and submission information is available on the awards program section of the ASCLA website or see the call for nominations.
- The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) is taking nominations for its 17 awards for 2007. RUSA is interested in learning about innovative, outstanding achievements in the field of reference and adult services librarianship. All award criteria and submission information is available on the awards section of the RUSA website. Also see ALA's Press Release.
- Nominations are being accepted for the 2007 Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS) awards. ALCTS presents 10 awards to honor individuals whose work represents the finest achievements in research, collaboration, creative work, leadership and service in the field of library collections and technical services and to support travel for library support staff to attend the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference. The deadline for nominations is Dec. 1. For additional information on the ALCTS awards, see ALA's Press Release.
