Professional organizations should play an important role in the career of all school library media specialists. Whether participating in local activities or joining international events, these groups help individuals keep in touch with important issues, enhance professional skills, and develop leadership skills.
Check out the following resources on this page:
- Key National Organizations and Divisions
- Indiana
- State School Library Associations
- Other Library Associations
- Other Education Associations
Also visit the IUPUI - SLIS website for Professional Associations, Scholarships, and Awards.
Key National Organizations and Divisions
AASL (American Association of School Librarians), a division of the American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/aasl
A professional organization of school library media specialists from around the world. Their mission is to "advocate excellence, facilitate change, and develop leaders in the school library field." They publish two journals: Knowledge Quest and SLMR.
Association for Educational Communications and Technology
http://www.aect.org/
A professional organization that provides leadership in the "use of educational technology and its application to the learning process in the K-12 school environment." Awards the School Library Media Specialist of the Year award. AECT has aSchool Media and Technology Division.
Journals: Tech Trends, Educational Technology Research & Development
International Society for Technology in Education, The
http://www.iste.org/
A professional organization that provides a community for school library media specialists to gather and learn about technologies to improve school library media programs. ISTE has a SIG (Special Interest Group) Media Specialists SIGMS.
Indiana
Indiana Computer Educators
http://www.iceindiana.org/
Professional organization for educators improving learning through technology.
Indiana Library Federation
http://www.ilfonline.org/
Professional organization for library and media center staff and supporters in Indiana. The Association for Indiana Media Educators (AIME) has merged into the ILF organization.
Indiana Department of Education
http://www.doe.in.gov/
Selected IDOE Resources:
Current School Data for Indiana Schools
Learning Connection
Library Regulations and Standards
Office of Learning Technologies
Office of Educator Licensing and Development (OELD)
Indiana State Reading Association
http://www.indianareads.org/
Affiliate of the International Reading Association
Middle Grades Reading Network
http://mgrn.evansville.edu/
Network dedicated to the promotion of voluntary reading among young
adolescents; the reinstitution of reading as a subject taught in Indiana's
middle-grades schools by licensed reading teachers; and the updating
and expansion of
Indiana's school library book collections.
Midwest Colaborative for Library Services
http://www.incolsa.net/
MCLS is a non-profit membership organization comprised of all types of libraries in Indiana and Michigan. MCLS provides libraries training, group purchasing, and technical support for electronic resources (Jan. 2010 INCOLSA merged with Michigan Library Consortium to form MCLS).
State & Regional School Library / Educational Media Organizations
AECT State Affiliates from Association for Educational
Communications and Technology (AECT)
http://www.aect.org/Affiliates/states/default.asp
State & Regional School Library Organizations
Alabama School Library Association http://www.alaima.org/
Alaska Association of School Librarians http://www.akasl.org/
(Arizona) Teacher Librarian Division of Arizona Library Association
http://www.azla.affiniscape.com/display . . . 7
Arkansas Association of Instructional Media http://aaim.k12.ar.us/
Arkansas Association of School Librarians (AASL)
http://arlib.org/organization/aasl/index.php
California School Library Association http://www.csla.net/
Colorado Association of School Libraries (formerly Colorado Educational
Media Association)
http://cal-webs.org/CASL_.html
Connecticut Association of School Librarians http://www.ctcasl.com/
Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME) http://www.floridamedia.org/
Georgia Association for Instructional Technology, Inc.
http://www.gait-inc.org/
Georgia Library Media Association, Inc. http://www.glma-inc.org/
School Library Media Division of the Georgia Library Association http://gla.georgialibraries.org/div_media.htm
Hawai Association of School Librarians http://hasl.ws
Illinois School Library Media Association http://www.islma.org/
Iowa Association of School Librarians http://www.iasl-ia.org/
Kansas Association of School Librarians http://kasl.typepad.com/kasl/
Kansas Association for Educational Communications and Technology
http://kaect.org/
Kentucky School Media Association http://www.kysma.org/
Louisiana Association of School Librarians http://llaonline.org/sig/lasl/
Maine Association of School Libraries http://www.maslibraries.org/
Maryland Association of School Librarians http://www.maslmd.org
Massachusetts School Library Media Association http://www.maschoolibraries.org/
Michigan Association for Media in Education http://www.mimame.org/
Minnesota Educational Media Organization http://memotech.ning.com/
Missouri Association of School Librarians http://www.maslonline.org/
Nebraska Educational Media Association http://www.schoollibrariesrock.org/
New England School Library Media Association (NESLA) http://neschoolibraries.org/
New Hampshire School Library Media Association http://nhslma.org/
New Jersey Association of School Librarianshttp://www.njasl.org/
(New York) Section of School Librarians of New York Library Association
http://www.nyla.org/page/slms-school-library-media-section-301.html
North Carolina Association School Library Media Association http://www.ncslma.org/
North Carolina Association of School Librarians http://www.nclaonline.org/ncasl
Ohio Educational Library Media Association http://www.oelma.org/
Oklahoma School Librarians Division http://ola.oklibs.org/organization/Divisions/oksl.htm
Oregon Association of School Libraries https://oasl.memberclicks.net/
Pennsylvania Association for Educational Communications and Technology http://www.paect.org/
Pennsylvania School Librarians' Association http://www.psla.org/
School Librarians of Rhode Island http://www.slri.info/
South Carolina Association of School Librarians http://www.scasl.net/
Tennessee Association of School Librarians http://www.tasltn.org/
Texas Association of School Librarianshttp://www.txla.org/groups/TASL
Utah Educational Library Media Association http://www.uelma.org/
Vermont School Library Association https://sites.google.com/site/vermontschoolibraries/
Virginia Association of School Librarianshttp://www.vemaonline.org/
Washington Library Media Association http://www.wlma.org/
Wisconsin Educational Media Association http://www.wemaonline.org/
Wisconsin Educational Media & Technology Association
http://www.wemtaonline.org/
(Wyoming) Teacher-Librarians Interest Group of Wyoming Library Association
https://sites.google.com/site/wlateacherlibrarians/
Other Library and Related Organizations
ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) a division of the American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/alsc/
A network of children's and youth librarians.
The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF) is a division of the American Library Association (ALA)
http://www.ala.org/altaff/
Mission is to motivate and support local Friends groups across the country in their efforts to preserve and strengthen libraries.
Canadian Association for School Libraries
http://www.cla.ca/casl/
A professional organization to provide Canada's school-based teacher-librarians
information about school library programs and services. Publications include
School Libraries in Canada. Oher Canadian organizations:
Alberta School Libraries Council http://albertaschoollibraries.blogspot.com/
British Columbia Teacher-Librarian Association http://bctf.ca/bctla/
Manitoba School Library Association http://www.manitobaschoollibraries.com/
Ontario School Library Association http://www.accessola.com/osla/
Saskatchewan School Library Associationhttp://www.ssla.ca/
School Library Information Portal (SLIP) (Canada) http://www.clatoolbox.ca/slip/ (Gateway portal to documents for school libraries OF Canada and not widely available)
Voices for School Libraries Network for Canadian School Librarieshttp://caslnetwork.ning.com/
Center for International Scholarship in School Libraries from School of Communication, Information and Library Studies at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
http://cissl.rutgers.edu/
Children's Book Council
http://www.cbcbooks.org/
A non-profit trade organization dedicated to encouraging literacy and the use and enjoyment of children's books, and is the official sponsor of Young People's Poetry Week and Children's Book Week each year. The Council's Members include U.S. publishers and packagers of trade books for children and young adults.
Children’s Literature Network
http://www.childrensliteraturenetwork.org/
Non-profiet organization serving the Upper Midwest , provides connection, encouragement, education, camaraderie, and programming for adults who are passionate about encouraging kids to read.
Children's Literature Web Guide (CLWG)
http://www.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/
Internet resources related to books for children and young adults
Education and Library Networks Coalition
http://www.edlinc.org/
EdLiNC formed in 1995 to represent the viewpoint of public and private schools and libraries in the FCC proceeding dealing with the implementation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The Coalition seeks to expand the use of educational technologies in schools and libraries by making sure that these entities receive affordable rates guaranteed to them in the Universal Service Provisions of the Telecommunications Act.
International Association of School Librarianship - School Libraries Online
http://www.iasl-online.org/
International forum for those people interested in promoting effective school library media programmes as viable instruments in the educational process.
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
http://www.ifla.org
The Section of School Libraries and Resource Centres concerns itself with the improvement and development of school libraries and resource centres worldwide, especially advocacy for their qualified and adequate staffing.
International Reading Association (IRA)
http://www.reading.org/
Also vist their website for their peer reviewed journal: Reading
Online at http://www.readingonline.org/
Libr.org http://www.libr.org/
Exists primarily to support small organizations and groups of librarians.
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
http://www.nbpts.org/
An independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization focusing on national certification for teachers including library media.
Information for candidates http://www.nbpts.org/for_candidates
Read Write Think from International Reading Association
http://www.readwritethink.org/
Mission is to provide educators, parents, and afterschool professionals with access to the highest quality practices in reading and language arts instruction.
Reading Is Fundamental (RIF)
http://www.rif.org/
Nation's largest nonprofit children's literacy organization.
School Libraries Group of Chartered Institute of
Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) (United Kingdom)
http://www.cilip.org.uk/specialinterestgroups/bysubject/school/
School Library Association (United Kingdom) http://www.sla.org.uk/
School Libraries Making A Difference (United Kingdom)
http://www.schoollibrariesadvocacy.org.uk/
Website promoting school libraries (No longer being updated as of 2009).
Society of School Librarians International
http://societyofschoollibrarians.webs.com/
Mission is the development of school library programs to meet the needs of a literate citizenry in an Information Society.
Young Adult Library Services Association(YALSA) a division of the American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/yalsa/yalsa
A national association of librarians, library workers and advocates whose mission is to expand and strengthen library services for teens, aged 12-18.
Other Education Organizations
Professional Education Organizations at EduScapes Teacher Tap
http://eduscapes.com/tap/topic41.htm
List of major general education and specific content area professional
associations.
American Association of School Administrators (AASA)
http://www.aasa.org/
AASA members range from chief executive officers, superintendents and senior level school administrators to cabinet members, professors and aspiring school system leaders.
American Federation of Teachers
http://www.aft.org/
The American Federation of Teachers, an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, was founded in 1916 and represents local and state affiliates nationwide and has 1.5 million members.
Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE
http://www.acteonline.org/
Organization dedicated to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for careers.
Association for Middle Level Education
http://www.amle.org/
Voice for those committed to the educational and developmental needs of young adolescents. AMLE is the only national education association dedicated exclusively to those in the middle grades.
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
Journal: Educational Leadership
http://www.ascd.org/
An educational leadership organization dedicated to advancing best practices and policies for the success of each learner. Members are professional educators from all levels and subject areas––superintendents, supervisors, principals, teachers, professors of education, and school board members.
Education Resource Information Center (ERIC)
http://www.eric.ed.gov/
An online digital library of education research and information. ERIC is sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the U.S. Department of Education.
Ed Tech Action Network (Organization launched Mar. 2004) sponsored by the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) & International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
http://www.edtechactionnetwork.org/
Site encourages educators to lobby legislators for adequate school technology funding. Provide tools and training to be a powerful advocate for improved technology learning and teaching at the local, state, and federal levels.
EDUCAUSE
http://www.educause.edu/
Nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology.
GoENC (formerly Eisenhower National Clearinghouse)
http://www.goenc.com/
A resource for K-12 math and science educators.
National Association for the Education of Young
Children (NAEYC)
http://www.naeyc.org/
Association for those working with and on behalf of children from birth through age eight.
National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)
http://www.nagc.org/
NAGC invests its resources to train teachers, encourage parents and educate administrators and policymakers on how to develop and support gifted children and what's at stake if high-potential learners are not challenged and encouraged.
Northeast and the Islands Regional Technology in Education Consortium
http://www.neirtec.org/
NEIRTEC focuses on helping educational leaders at the state, district, and school levels put technology to effective use in schools. Serving Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont and the U.S. Virgin Islands, NEIRTEC places a particular emphasis on the needs of schools in underserved urban and rural communities.
National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)
http://www.naesp.org/
Organization of elementary and middle-level principals.
National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)
http://www.nassp.org/
Organization of and national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and aspiring school leaders.
National Education Association (NEA)
http://www.nea.org/
An organization of professionals in education.
Office
of Elementary and Secondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education
http://www2.ed.gov/
ED's mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.
Phi Delta Kappan International
http://www.pdkintl.org/
Organization dedicated to improving education, including teachers, principals, superintendents, and higher education faculty and administrators.
Selected Kapppan articles available online http://www.kappanmagazine.org/
PTA (National Parent Teacher Association)
http://www.pta.org/
A volunteer child advocacy association in the nation, Parent Teacher Association (PTA) reminds our country of its obligations to children and provides parents and families with a powerful voice to speak on behalf of every child while providing tools for parents to help their children be successful students.
Content Area Organizations
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education,
Recreation & Dance (AAHPERD)
http://www.aahperd.org/
American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) http://www.aapt.org/
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) http://www.actfl.org/
Computer Science Teachers Association http://www.csta.acm.org/
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) http://www.mtna.org/
National Art Education Association (NAEA) http://www.naea-reston.org/
National Association for Bilingual Education http://www.nabe.org/
National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) http://www.nabt.org/
National Association for Music Education (NAME) http://www.menc.org/
National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) http://www.socialstudies.org/
National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE)
http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/
National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) http://www.ncte.org
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) http://www.nctm.org
National Middle Level Science Teachers Association (NMLSTA) http://www.nmlsta.org/
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) http://www.nsta.org
Related web resource: The NSTA Learning Center http://learningcenter.nsta.org/