American Indian Library Association facts for kids
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| Formation | 1979 |
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| Type | Non-profit organization |
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Region served
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United States |
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President
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Richenda Hawkins |
| Website | ailanet.org |
The American Indian Library Association (AILA) is a group that works with the American Library Association (ALA). It helps libraries meet the needs of Native American and Alaska Native people. Members include individuals and organizations who want to make library services better for Native American communities across the United States.
Contents
History of the AILA
The American Indian Library Association officially started in 1979. This happened after a special meeting in 1978 called the Indian White House Pre-Conference. This meeting in Denver, Colorado, focused on making library services better for American Indians. People from many different Native American tribes attended.
The idea for AILA actually began earlier, in the early 1970s. In 1971, at a big library conference, Lotsee Patterson, Charles Townley, and Virginia Mathews started a special group. This group worked on library issues for American Indians. Around the same time, another ALA committee also focused on library services for American Indian people.
Other reasons for creating AILA included the growth of tribal libraries. Also, new United States laws showed more concern about poor library services for Native Americans. AILA held its first meeting as its own group in 1980. Its rules were approved in 1981. Finally, in 1985, the ALA officially recognized AILA as a partner organization.
In June 2015, the Joint Council of Librarians of Color (JCLC, Inc.) was formed. This group supports and helps different ethnic library associations. AILA is one of these groups. Other partners include the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association and the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. The Chinese American Librarians Association and REFORMA: The National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking are also part of it.
Joining the AILA
Becoming a member of AILA helps support their work.
- For organizations like libraries or tribal governments, it costs $40 each year.
- Individuals pay $20 per year.
- Students can join for $10 per year.
Members get the American Indian Libraries Newsletter, which comes out twice a year. They also join AILA-L, an online discussion group. Members are encouraged to join one of the AILA committees.
How AILA is Run
The AILA is managed by an Executive Board. This board meets once a year. It guides the different committees of the Association. The Board helps these committees create and carry out programs and activities. These programs follow the rules set by the Executive Board.
AILA Committees
AILA has several committees that help with its work. These include:
- Budget and Finance Committee
- By-Laws and Constitution Committee
- Children's Literature Award Committee
- Communications and Publications Committee
- Development and Fundraising Committee
- Distinguished Service Award Committee
- Nominating Committee
- Programming Committee
- Subject Access and Classification Committee
- Scholarship Review Board
AILA's Main Goals
According to Loriene Roy, AILA works to achieve several important goals:
- It helps create and improve libraries in or near Native American reservations. It also supports libraries in other rural and city areas.
- It creates guidelines for Native American libraries. It works to have other groups accept these guidelines.
- It offers help to Native American tribes for setting up and keeping historical records.
- It supports the creation of Native American information networks. This helps tribes share information with each other. It also helps them connect with major places that keep Native American records.
- It teaches lawmakers, public officials, and everyone else about the library needs of Native American communities.
- It brings together people interested in Native American libraries and cultures. This happens at ALA conferences and other educational events.
- It helps people in Native American communities use existing libraries in the best way.
- It works to help libraries assist tribes and Native American authors. This includes writing tribal histories and other related works.
- It encourages and helps plan courses, workshops, and internships about Native American library services.
- It writes grant proposals and raises money for these and other library projects.
- It helps people understand that Native American people want library resources. These resources help them reach their full potential.
AILA Activities and Programs
AILA is involved in many programs, awards, and conferences. They also produce publications. Here are some of their most important activities.
Awards Given by AILA
American Indian Youth Literature Awards
The AILA American Indian Youth Literature Awards honor great books. These books are for children and young adults. They are given in three groups: picture books, middle school books, and young adult books. The awards started in October 2006. They celebrate the best writing and pictures by and about American Indians. Winners receive $500 and a special plaque.
Honoring Our Elders Award
This award is called the Distinguished Service Award. It honors AILA members who are active or retired. The award began in 2003. Lotsee Patterson was the first person to receive it. To be considered, a person must have shown great and ongoing service to AILA. They must also have helped Native American communities. Their work should have greatly improved library services for Native American people.
Virginia Mathews Memorial Scholarship
This AILA Scholarship is given every year. It started in July 2000. The first award was given for the 2002-2003 school year. It helps encourage Native American students to become librarians. In 2012, it was renamed the "Virginia Mathews Memorial Scholarship." This honors one of the founding members of AILA.
One reason for this award is the need for Native American library professionals. These professionals can help people find facts about Native Americans. They can also make sure Native American viewpoints are included in education. To get the scholarship, a person must be an American Indian or Alaska Native. They must live and work in a Native American community. They also need to be studying or planning to study library science. People working in tribal libraries are preferred. This scholarship is very important. A 2004 report showed that only about 0.3 percent of library school graduates were American Indians.
AILA's Outreach Efforts
Working with the ALA Office for Diversity
AILA is one of five ethnic groups connected to the ALA. The others are the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) and the Black Caucus of American Library Association (BCALA). Also, the Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA) and the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking (REFORMA). AILA works closely with the ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS). This office helps make libraries welcoming for everyone.
Conferences AILA Attends
American Library Association Conference
AILA holds its yearly business meeting during the ALA's annual conference. AILA also helps organize the popular ALA Annual Conference.
International Indigenous Librarians Forum
AILA supports this conference, which happens every two years. It discusses important issues for libraries and groups dealing with indigenous information. The conference also looks at how Native experiences are similar in the library field. It encourages talks about different indigenous viewpoints. Past conferences have been held in New Zealand, Australia, Sweden, Canada, and the United States.
Joint Conference of Librarians of Color
In 2006, AILA took part in the first Joint Conference of Librarians of Color (JCLC). Its theme was "Gathering at the Waters: Embracing Our Spirits, Telling Our Stories." This conference happened in Dallas, Texas. It took the five ALA ethnic groups about eight years to plan. Over 1,200 people attended, including library directors and staff. AILA helped sponsor the event and gave $2,000.
The groups planned for future conferences. JCLC2012 was held in Kansas City, Missouri. The third Joint Conference of Librarians of Color took place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in September 2018.
AILA Publications
American Indian Libraries Newsletter
AILA publishes its newsletter, American Indian Libraries, four times a year. It shares news from AILA meetings. It also includes information on programs, projects, and resources about Native American culture. The newsletter features book reviews, job openings, and other important details about AILA's goals.
Press Releases
On February 1, 2019, AILA released a statement. It showed support for people at the 2019 ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits. These people had experienced racism and unfair treatment. AILA said it would keep working with the American Library Association (ALA) to fight against discrimination and bias.
