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 helps libraries serve Native Americans and Alaska Natives. It's connected to the American Library Association (ALA). AILA works to make sure Native American people have great library services and resources. Its members include people and organizations who care about this goal.
Contents
- AILA's Story: How It Started
- Joining AILA: Membership Info
- How AILA Works: Governing Structure
- AILA's Teams: Committees
- AILA's Goals: What They Aim For
- AILA's Work: Activities and Programs
- AILA in the News: Press Releases
AILA's Story: How It Started
The American Indian Library Association officially began in 1979. This happened after a special meeting in 1978 called the Indian White House Pre-Conference. This meeting focused on making library services better for American Indians. People from many different tribes attended this important event.
The idea for AILA actually started earlier, in the early 1970s. In 1971, some people like Lotsee Patterson and Virginia Mathews formed a special group within the ALA. They wanted to improve library services for American Indians. New laws and the growth of tribal libraries also showed a need for such an organization.
AILA held its first meeting as its own group in 1980. Its official rules were approved in 1981. Finally, in 1985, the ALA officially recognized AILA as an affiliated group.
In 2015, AILA also became part of the Joint Council of Librarians of Color (JCLC, Inc.). This group works to support different ethnic librarian associations. Other groups in JCLC include librarians from Asian Pacific American, Black, Chinese American, and Latino backgrounds.
Joining AILA: Membership Info
Anyone interested in AILA's goals can join.
- Organizations (like libraries or tribal governments) pay $40 per year.
- Individuals pay $20 per year.
- Students pay $10 per year.
Members get the American Indian Libraries newsletter twice a year. They also join AILA-L, an online discussion group. Members are encouraged to join one of AILA's committees.
How AILA Works: Governing Structure
AILA is led by an Executive Board. This board meets once a year. It guides the different committees to create and run programs. These programs help AILA reach its goals.
AILA's Teams: 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 Goals: What They Aim For
AILA has many important goals. They want to:
- Help create and improve libraries for Native Americans.
- Develop high standards for these libraries.
- Offer help to tribes for setting up historical archives.
- Build networks to share information among tribes and institutions.
- Teach leaders and the public about Native American library needs.
- Bring together people interested in Native American libraries at conferences.
- Help Native American communities use existing libraries better.
- Support libraries in helping Native American authors write tribal histories.
- Encourage and plan training for library services to Native Americans.
- Raise money to support library projects.
- Help others understand that Native American people want library resources to grow.
AILA's Work: Activities and Programs
AILA is involved in many activities, awards, and conferences. Here are some of the most important ones:
Awards for Excellence
AILA gives out special awards to honor great work.
American Indian Youth Literature Awards
These awards celebrate the best books by and about American Indians. They are given in three groups: picture books, middle school books, and young adult books. The awards started in 2006. Winners receive $500 and a special plaque.
Honoring Our Elders Award
This award celebrates AILA members who have shown great service. It honors active or retired members. The award began in 2003, and Lotsee Patterson was the first person to receive it. It recognizes people who have served AILA and Native American communities.
Virginia Mathews Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship helps American Indian and Alaska Native students become librarians. It started in 2000 and was renamed in 2012 to honor Virginia Mathews, one of AILA's founders. The scholarship helps make sure there are Native American librarians to share accurate information. To get the scholarship, students must be enrolled in a library science program. They should also live or work in an Indian community.
Connecting with Others: Outreach
AILA works closely with the American Library Association (ALA). It is one of five ethnic groups linked to the ALA's Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS). This office helps promote diversity and good library services for everyone.
Gathering Together: Conferences
AILA takes part in several important conferences.
American Library Association Conference
AILA holds its annual business meeting during the ALA's big yearly conference. AILA also helps sponsor this large event.
International Indigenous Librarians Forum
AILA supports this conference, which happens every two years. It brings together librarians from different indigenous groups around the world. They discuss common issues and share different viewpoints. Past conferences have been held in places like New Zealand, Australia, and Canada.
Joint Conference of Librarians of Color
In 2006, AILA helped organize the first Joint Conference of Librarians of Color (JCLC). This big event brought together over 1,200 librarians of color. It took eight years for the five ALA ethnic associations to plan it. AILA contributed $2,000 to the event. Later conferences were held in 2012 and 2018.
Sharing Information: Publication
AILA has its own publication to keep members informed.
American Indian Libraries Newsletter
AILA publishes its newsletter, American Indian Libraries, four times a year. It shares news about AILA meetings, programs, grants, and resources. It also includes book reviews, job openings, and other important information related to Native American culture and library services.
AILA in the News: Press Releases
On February 1, 2019, AILA released a statement. They showed support for people who faced racism at an ALA conference. AILA stated they would keep working with the American Library Association to fight against discrimination and bias.
