submitted by Jan Watkins, ALSC Priority Group VII Consultant
The main mission of the Priority Group VII (Partnerships) committees is to communicate with other organizations that serve young people in order to encourage partnerships. We are charged to identify, evaluate and recommend ways of working with other organizations and groups that have children as their focus on a local, state, and national level.
There are three committees, one discussion group, and one task force in this ALSC priority group.
AASL/ALSC/YALSA Interdivisional Committee on School and Public Library Cooperation is a newly formalized collaboration. The chair of this committee will rotate among three divisions of the American Library Association: the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), ALSC, and Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). The 12 members of this committee will be appointed, four by each division’s President-Elect. This group of professionals will identify, develop, promote, and disseminate information on effective projects that link schools and public libraries.
Liaison with National Organizations Serving Children and Youth Committee works on developing a relationship and possible partnership with other organizations that serve children or work for their benefit. The members promote libraries and reading to these organizations and promote awareness of these organizations and their services, activities, and materials to ALSC members.
Quicklists Consulting Committee functions ELECTRONICALLY. Chairs, however, are expected to attend conferences. It promotes books and other resources through compiled lists of recommended titles, and related services for mass media, individuals, and organizations that are involved in producing programs, films, or other materials and services for children. Requests are made through the ALSC Office.
Public Library School Partnership Discussion Group provides a forum for the discussion of cooperation between school and public libraries for projects and services to students.
Every Child Ready to Read (ECRR) Task Force is a joint task force between ALSC and the Public Library Association (PLA) that is charged to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the Every Child Ready to Read project.
Collaboration is one of the main goals of the ALSC Strategic Plan. The plan states, “ALSC will work collaboratively within ALA, the profession, and the wider community to ensure excellent library service for all children.” The important work of Priority Group VII’s committees helps ALSC reach its goals.