Black Caucus of the American Library Association facts for kids
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| Nickname | BCALA |
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| Formation | 1970 |
| Founded at | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Headquarters | Hyattsville, Maryland, United States |
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President
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Nichelle M. Hayes |
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Parent organization
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American Library Association |
The Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) is a special group that works with the American Library Association (ALA). It helps African-American people who work in libraries. BCALA encourages more people to become librarians. It also helps fund programs that teach people to read. Plus, it offers scholarships to students.
Contents
What is the History of BCALA?
People started working to create the Black Caucus in 1968. This effort grew in 1969 when E. J. Josey joined an important committee at the ALA. Black librarians were asked to find good leaders for the 1971 council.
At a meeting in 1970, the Black Caucus was officially formed. It was created to help African-American library professionals. E. J. Josey became its first chairman.
BCALA became an official part of the ALA in 1992. That same year, the first National Conference of African American Librarians (NCAAL) was held.
BCALA works to support libraries and librarians. For example, it helped save the library studies program at Clark Atlanta University. This university had trained many African-American librarians. After the 2010 Haiti earthquake, BCALA started a fund to help people in Haiti. In 2015, BCALA planted a tree in Ferguson, Missouri, to honor Michael Brown.
In 2006, BCALA joined other groups for the first Joint Conference of Librarians of Color. These groups included the American Indian Library Association and the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association. This was the first national meeting held by these groups.
In 2015, the Joint Council of Librarians of Color (JCLC, Inc.) was formed. This group works for all the different ethnic librarian associations. BCALA is one of these important groups.
What are BCALA's Main Goals?
BCALA has a clear mission. It works to improve library services and resources for African-American communities. It also helps recruit and train African-American librarians. This helps make sure libraries serve everyone well.
How Can You Join BCALA?
Joining BCALA helps support their work. There are different ways to become a member:
- Student: $10
- Library Support Staff: $20
- Retired: $25
- Regular: $45
- Institutional/Institutions: $60
- Corporate: $200
- Lifetime: $500
What Awards Does BCALA Give?
BCALA gives out several awards. They honor great books, e-books, and amazing leaders. They also offer a scholarship named after E. J. Josey.
Awards are given for different types of books. These include Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry Collection, and First Novel. The first award for a new novel went to Alexs Pate. His book was called Losing Absalom. Recent book awards have gone to The Twelve Tribes of Hattie and If One of Us Should Fall.
In 2015, BCALA started the SELF-e literary award. This award is for self-published poetry and fiction. It was the first e-book award from an ALA-affiliated group.
BCALA also sponsored the Black Books Galore! contest. This contest encouraged public and school libraries. It helped them create programs about African-American children's literature.
What Kind of Conferences Does BCALA Hold?
The National Conference of African American Librarians (NCAAL) is a big event. It has been held twelve times since 1992. The first conference was in Columbus, Ohio. It had 70 programs. These programs helped black librarians support each other. They also highlighted the work of African-American authors.
These conferences help black librarians connect and build community. They also discuss important topics. For example, they talk about how to make it easier to find African-American collections in libraries.
The August 2015 conference was held in St. Louis, Missouri. In 2020, the conference was held online. The next conference, NCAALXII, will be in New Orleans, LA, from July 24 to July 27, 2024.
In 2006, BCALA also took part in the first Joint Council of Librarians of Color (JCLC). Other groups like the American Indian Library Association were also there.
What Does BCALA Publish?
BCALA publishes an Annual Report and a Membership Directory. They also have a Newsletter to share updates.
How is BCALA Organized?
BCALA has a president who leads the group. They also have many different committees. These committees help with various tasks.
Who Were Some Past Presidents?
Most presidents serve for two or three years.
- 1970–1971: E. J. Josey
- 1971–1973: William D. Cunningham
- 1973–1974: James R. Wright
- 1974–1976: Harry Robinson, Jr.
- 1976–1978: Avery Williams
- 1978–1980: Dr. George C. Grant
- 1980-1982: Doreitha R. Madden
- 1982–1984: Robert L. Wright
- 1984–1986: Barbara Williams Jenkins
- 1986–1988: Marva L. DeLoach
- 1988–1990: Edith M. Fisher
- 1990–1992: John C. Tyson
- 1992–1994: D. Alex Boyd
- 1994–1996: Stanton F. Biddle
- 1996–1998: Sylvia Sprinkle-Hamlin
- 1998–2000: Gregory Reese
- 2000–2002: Gladys Smiley Bell
- 2002–2004: Bobby Player
- 2004–2006: Andrew P. Jackson (Sekou Molefi Baako)
- 2006–2008: Wanda Kay Brown
- 2008–2010: Karolyn S. Thompson
- 2010–2012: Jos N. Holman
- 2012–2014: Jerome Offord, Jr.
- 2014–2016: Kelvin A. Watson
- 2016–2018: Denyvetta Davis
- 2018–2020: Richard E. Ashby, Jr.
- 2020–2022: Shauntee Burns-Simpson
- 2022–2024: Nichelle M. Hayes
See also
