ALA Liaison

Each year, YALSA identifies a member to serve as liaison to ALA groups for a 12 month period. This person's role is to strengthen ties between YALSA and ALA by sharing information between groups, representing YALSA's interests to ALA, and seeking opportunities for collaboration. This position liaises with the following ALA groups both virtually and in person at ALA's conferences:

•    ASCLA Accessibility Assembly
•    Conference Program Coordinating Team
•    Freedom to Read Foundation
•    Intellectual Freedom Committee
•    Legislation Assembly
•    Literacy Assembly
•    Professional Ethics Committee
•    Website Advisory Committee

If there's financial need, up to $1,000 in total funds can be provided to the liaison to defray the cost of attending two of ALA's signature Meetings.

Qualifications

Those interested in serving as Liaison should have:

  • Current personal membership in YALSA
  • Ability to attend 8 - 10 ALA committee meetings at both the ALA Meetings
  • Ability to attend virtual ALA committee meetings
  • In order to accomplish work in a virtual environment the Liaison must be competent users of digital tools, including but not limited to wikis, e-chats, Skype, Google docs, and Zoom
  • Prior experience serving on a YALSA or ALA committee, and/or the YALSA Board of Directors
  • Knowledge of ALA and YALSA processes
  • Passion for YALSA's mission
  • Knowledge of current YALSA initiatives, programs, and services
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Ability to speak and write clearly
  • Ability to work well in a team environment
  • Enough free time away from work and family to dedicate to the extensive demands of this position
  • High degree of ethical standards
  • Minimal other concurrent responsibilities, committee work, affiliations, leadership positions, appointments, etc. within YALSA or with other organizations

Application & Deadline

To be considered for this opportunity, members must submit an application no later than March 10.

Liaisons

2023 - 2024: Ziba Perez

2022 - 2023: Ziba Perez

2021-2022: Kelsey Ford 

2020 - 2021: Elizabeth Nebeker

2019 - 2020: Gina Seymour

2018 - 2019: Amanda Barnhart

2017 - 2018: Amanda Barnhart