Wisconsin Library Association
Encyclopedia
The Wisconsin Library Association (WLA), is a Wisconsin
, United States
non-profit,
professional membership organization which has existed since 1891 --- more than 100 years of service to the library community and Wisconsin's citizens. WLA represents nearly 2000 members statewide --- primarily librarians and library
staff from school, public, academic, and special libraries, in addition to students, trustees and library Friends. Because of its broad membership base, WLA is concerned with the needs of all types of libraries in the state. Based in Madison, Wisconsin
, WLA is a chapter of the American Library Association
.
of the Milwaukee Public Library, became the first member of the American Library Association from Wisconsin. After attending the 1890 American Library Association conference and learning of the creation of state library associations in some Eastern states, she returned to Wisconsin and began promoting a Wisconsin state library association. This idea came to fruition on February 11, 1891, when she, along with Reuben Gold Thwaites, Edward Asahel Birge (Madison Public Library Board member), and Frank Avery Hutchins, gathered in the office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to organize the Wisconsin Library Association.
The WLA and its successor, the Wisconsin Free Library Commission (WLFC) established in 1895, were the main bodies promoting the establishment and improvement of public libraries in Wisconsin, seeing libraries as essential to the intellectual and moral development of children and young adults.
Today's Wisconsin Library Association consists of over 2000 members who represent many kinds of libraries and library staff, including public
, academic, school
, and special libraries, as well as friends of the library, trustees, and other community members and corporate library supporters.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
non-profit,
professional membership organization which has existed since 1891 --- more than 100 years of service to the library community and Wisconsin's citizens. WLA represents nearly 2000 members statewide --- primarily librarians and library
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
staff from school, public, academic, and special libraries, in addition to students, trustees and library Friends. Because of its broad membership base, WLA is concerned with the needs of all types of libraries in the state. Based in Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
, WLA is a chapter of the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
.
Mission
WLA unites and supports people from all types of libraries to develop and advocate for dynamic, responsive Wisconsin libraries.Vision
- The Wisconsin Library Association membership mirrors Wisconsin's diverse population and represents all types of libraries.
- Together, WLA members - library workers, trustees, and friends - find the support and the tools they need to deliver forward-looking library service to the people of Wisconsin and promote lifelong learning, quality of life, and equal opportunity.
- Members are part of a dynamic community that focuses on educating and communicating with other members, political leaders, and citizens.
- WLA is recognized as a leader and advocate working to make the promise of libraries more visible and valued throughout Wisconsin.
Programs and Services
- Conferences and workshops on a wide range of library issues
- Networking and leadership opportunities available within more than 20 special interest units, including the Wisconsin Library Trustee & Friends; Association of Wisconsin Special Librarians; Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries; and the Wisconsin Association of Academic Librarians
- Unified statewide advocacy for libraries, including an annual Library Legislative Day , co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Educational Media & Technology AssociationWEMTAWEMTA is the Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association. It serves school library media and instructional technology professionals and is affiliated with the and the .-Mission:...
- Awards and scholarship programs
- Online Membership Directory, listing approximately 2,000 members, plus other library community contacts
- Automatic WLA Foundation membership to all WLA members. The Wisconsin Library Association FoundationWisconsin Library Association FoundationThe Wisconsin Library Association Foundation is the charitable arm of the Wisconsin Library Association . The WLA Foundation, incorporated in 1996 as a 501 charitable public foundation, is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, United States....
(WLAF), the charitable arm of the WLA, conducts the Campaign for Wisconsin LibrariesCampaign for Wisconsin LibrariesThe Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries is the state level public relations and advertising campaign that seeks to promote a wider understanding of the value and importance of Wisconsin libraries...
, awards continuing and library education scholarships, and carries out other programs in support of Wisconsin libraries.
History
In 1882, Theresa West Elmendorf, Deputy LibrarianLibrarian
A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs...
of the Milwaukee Public Library, became the first member of the American Library Association from Wisconsin. After attending the 1890 American Library Association conference and learning of the creation of state library associations in some Eastern states, she returned to Wisconsin and began promoting a Wisconsin state library association. This idea came to fruition on February 11, 1891, when she, along with Reuben Gold Thwaites, Edward Asahel Birge (Madison Public Library Board member), and Frank Avery Hutchins, gathered in the office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to organize the Wisconsin Library Association.
The WLA and its successor, the Wisconsin Free Library Commission (WLFC) established in 1895, were the main bodies promoting the establishment and improvement of public libraries in Wisconsin, seeing libraries as essential to the intellectual and moral development of children and young adults.
Today's Wisconsin Library Association consists of over 2000 members who represent many kinds of libraries and library staff, including public
Public
In public relations and communication science, publics are groups of individuals, and the public is the totality of such groupings. This is a different concept to the sociological concept of the Öffentlichkeit or public sphere. The concept of a public has also been defined in political science,...
, academic, school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
, and special libraries, as well as friends of the library, trustees, and other community members and corporate library supporters.
Publications
The WLA publishes a quarterly newsletter (January, April, July, and October) that reflects the purposes and responsibilities of the association and reports the activities and developments of the library profession in addition to keeping members informed about the organization’s current activities and initiatives. Other WLA communications include e-news reports, blog postings, Twitter updates, and online bulletin boards.Divisions
- Association of Wisconsin Special Librarians (AWSL)
- Wisconsin Association of Academic Librarians (WAAL)
- Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries (WAPL)
- Wisconsin Library Trustees & Friends (WLTF)
Sections
- Media and Technology
- Readers Section
- Reference and Adult Services
- Support Staff
- Technical Services
- Youth Services
- Circulation Services
- Government Information
- Intellectual Freedom
- Library Research
- Library User Education
- Outreach Services
- Resource Sharing
- Social Responsibilities
- Wisconsin Genealogy & Local History (WIGLHR)
- Wisconsin Small Libraries (WISLR)
Committees & Task Forces
- Appointments
- Awards and Honors
- Conference
- Finance
- Library Development & Legislation
- Nominations & Elections
- Organization
- WeLead Task Force
Member Resources
External links
- American Library Association (ALA)
- Wisconsin Library Association (WLA)
- Wisconsin Library Association Foundation (WLAF)
- Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries (CFWL)