Professional Organizations and Professional Growth Plan

Professional Organizations and Professional Growth Plan

Tara Ikner

Department of Education, University of West Alabama

LM 564: Critical Issues in School Library Services

Dr. Michelle M. Wilson, NBCT

July 26, 2020

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Introduction

Professional organizations are important because they offer development and

connections with others in the same field. These organizations offer insights into new and

changing ideas and are a great way for professionals to stay informed and up to date on trends in

their professions. As school librarians, our roles in the school setting are varied, the following

professional organizations are resources that we can seek to help make sure our libraries are

productive and current.

American Association of School Librarians

The American Association of School Librarians(AASL) is a division of the American

Library Association. It is the only national professional membership organization that is focused

on the school library community. The AASL is one of the strongest voices for school libraries

when it comes to lobbying efforts to ensure funding. They offer advocacy tools and resources.

Members of AASL are provided access to eCOLLAB, which contains professional

development resources such as podcasts, webcasts, and issues of Knowledge Quest, which is

AASL’s official journal that is published bimonthly. They also offer discounted rates on various

professional development and continuing education opportunities.

American Library Association

The American Library Association(ALA) works hard in providing resources and

programs to help promote and improve library and information services. In 1988 the ALA

established five key action areas that they would use as guiding principles of their focus. These

action areas are diversity, equity of access, education and continuous learning, intellectual
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freedom, and 21st-century literacy. With these action areas in mind, the ALA can offer its

members new and innovative professional and leadership development opportunities. An

interactive membership community is also available through ALAConnect which allows

members to build and connect with other library professionals.

Association for Educational Communications and Technology

According to aect.org, the Association for Educational Communications and Technology

(AECT) is a professional association of instructional designers, educators, and professionals who

provide leadership and advise policymakers to sustain a continuous effort to enrich teaching and

learning. Members of this organization can be found worldwide promoting technology and

learning. The mission of AECT is to provide international leadership by promoting scholarship

and best practices in the creation, use, and management of technologies for effective teaching

and learning. The organization recognizes five core values that lead to their success, leadership,

collaboration, professional standards, sustainability, and financial stability.

For those that are actively involved in the design of instruction, AECT offers professional

development opportunities and resources for educational technology. Their website, aect.org, has

added a special section for COVID-19. Many resources have been curated for educators to help

ease transitions into remote learning. The AECT 2020 Convention will be held virtually this year

and will offer workshops and demonstrations of new technologies in teaching and learning.

Regular members can join for $150 per year, which includes a one-year subscription to Tech

Trends. Members will also have access to other technology journals and receive reduced rates for

their convention.
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Alabama School Library Association

The Alabama School Library Association(ASLA) is an affiliate of the American

Association of School Librarians, Association for Educational Communications and Technology,

and the Alabama Education Association. This organization advocates for school libraries on the

state and national levels. The ASLA members range from library media specialists,

administrators, curriculum specialists, teachers, and students who are currently working toward a

career in the library media profession. Members are connected with other professionals

throughout the state of Alabama who is working toward the same goals and standards.

Membership is ASLA is $40 per year. ASLA members have access to current

professional development. The organization collaborates with the Alabama State Department of

Education to make sure that professional development opportunities are offered that are

meaningful and relevant for the needs of Alabama educators. Although their annual summer

conference was canceled due to COVID-19, they do have plans to reschedule for the Fall of

2020.

Alabama Library Association

The Alabama Library Association(ALLA) is a non-profit corporation formed to

encourage and promote the welfare of libraries and professional interests of librarians in the State

of Alabama. The mission of The ALLA is to provide leadership for the development, advocacy,

and improvement of library and information services and to promote the profession of

librarianship, to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.

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Membership fees for ALLA depend on membership types and salaries and budgets of

members and organizations. Members will be entitled to reduced fees for workshop registrations,

opportunities for networking with other library professionals in the state, and notifications of

important news and issues concerning the libraries in the state. ALLA COMmunicator is the

quarterly newsletter for the organization and will keep members informed of upcoming events

and Executive Council meetings.

Alabama Leaders in Educational Technology

Alabama Leaders in Educational Technology (ALET) was formed in 2017. ALET is an affiliate

of the International Society for Technolgy in Education and the Consortium for School

Networking. The mission of ALET is to promote the positive impact of technology in education.

Basic membership for ALET is $25 per year.

ALET offers opportunities for professional development workshops and webinars, many

of which have been offered virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By visiting their website,

go-alet.org, you can access a list of school closure resources that have been compiled for

educators. Awards programs for outstanding leadership in educational technology and

scholarship opportunities are also available for members of ALET.

Professional Growth Experience

The ALET Fall Symposium will be held September 20-23, 2020 in Orange Beach,

Alabama. This event is sponsored by the Alabama Leaders in Technology and is scheduled to

include national guest speakers and a full sponsor hall.

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As we begin our 2020-2021 school year, we are faced with many uncertainties about how

instruction will look and be administered. We do know that we will rely heavily on technology to

help us communicate and deliver information and resources to our students and parents.

Attending the fall symposium will allow me to collaborate and work with other educators and

librarians across the state. I expect to learn about new resources and ideas that can be brought

back to my school. I believe the timing of the symposium is beneficial for me. Our students will

begin classes on August 12, 2020. This will give me and my fellow teachers time to reflect on

our delivery of instruction and communication. While attending the symposium, I can attend

workshops and talk with other professionals about specific needs for our school. I would have a

wonderful opportunity to share ideas and learn about new resources for our school.

Conclusion

As an educator and lifelong learner, it's important to be involved and active with

professional organizations. Technology changes by the minute, as educators we must stay

informed and educated in the use of technology. By becoming a member of the organizations for

library media specialists, opportunities for professional development and growth are endless.

These organizations are some of the best curators of resources for library media specialists.
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References

About the American Library Association. ALA.org. (2019). http://www.ala.org/aboutala/.

About Us. Alabama Library Association. (2017). https://www.allanet.org/about-us.

ABOUT US. Association for Educational Communications and Technology. (2020).

https://www.aect.org/about_us.php.

Alabama Leaders in Educational Technology. https://go-alet.org/.

American Library Association. (2020, February 7). About AASL. American Association of
School Librarians (AASL). http://www.ala.org/aasl/about.

Home. Alabama School Library Asssociation. https://sites.google.com/view/aslalibrarians/home.