Arizona Library Association

AzLA has partnered with State Forty Eight to offer conference t-shirts! You can choose white or navy as the color and short sleeve or long sleeve as the style. Available sizes are Adult Small through Adult 3XL. Pre-order your t-shirt(s) and pay online before October 1 and your t-shirts will be ready for you at the registration desk when you check-in for the 2024 AzLA Annual Conference at We Ko Pa Casino Resort. (Note: No separate delivery is available, you must plan to pick up at conference on October 16, 17, or 18). https://lnkd.in/gys-wfV5

The deadline for Advance Registration is extended to Friday, September 20th Don't miss this opportunity to attend Conference at the Advance Rate. Register today and save! https://buff.ly/47gHQkT

Pre-Conference registration still underway! We are excited to offer three Pre-Conference Sessions on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. Registration for the full day session is $135.00 and half-day session is $75.00. Registration for a pre-conference session is handled separately from conference registration. Note: You can register for a pre-conference session even if you are not planning to register for the annual conference. https://buff.ly/3z5LmS9

2025 MPLA Leadership Institute, taking place May 4-7, 2025, at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, CO. This institute is your chance to develop essential leadership skills, guided by our expert co-facilitators, Sharon Morris and Jamie LaRue. You'll engage in hands-on projects and collaborate with peers from across the MPLA region, all while building a strong foundation for your future leadership in the library community. Fellow Qualifications: ? Current MPLA or AzLA member. ? At least 5 years in a library-related role with progressive experience. ? Demonstrated leadership potential. Application Process: Applications will be open Sept. 2-Oct. 4 and must include 2 letters of recommendation. For more information, visit https://buff.ly/3TdpFql. Cost: The fee includes lodging and meals. Don’t forget, the State Library offers scholarships that will help cover the costs. Double room: MPLA Member = $1000; Non-member = $1200 Single room: MPLA Member = $1235; Non-member = $1435 Don't miss this opportunity to grow your leadership skills and make a lasting impact on your library and community! Amber Kent, MPLA Representative

Human Rights & Banned Books Week: Internationalizing Banned Books Week with Amnesty International Programming with Ed McKennon and Ash Gohr Date: Thursday, September 12, 2024 Registration Link: https://buff.ly/4dNFE6P Program Description: Attendees will learn strategies for broadening Banned Books Week (BBW) programming through the inclusion of Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) BBW materials and focus cases. Program will include a presentation of new programming materials and related strategies for inclusion in libraries at all levels (school, public, academic), a discussion of how the human rights framework and international issues of censorship can deepen BBW programming and, perhaps, deflect criticism, and a brief review of the current Amnesty International Banned Books Week focus cases. Learn about featured authors and resources for Amnesty International’s Banned Books Week 2024. Presenter Bios: Ed McKennon has served as an academic librarian for over 20 years. He has collaboratively organized Banned Books Week activities with Amnesty International student groups alongside library faculty and staff at Arizona State University beginning 2002 and Glendale Community College since 2008. Ed was a catalyst in re-starting the annual Amnesty International USA Banned Books campaign in 2018 and has served as a volunteer on the AIUSA Banned Books Week Working Group ever since. He has presented about the relationship between Banned Books Week library campaigns and international human rights action via poster sessions at ACRL and AIUSA Annual General Meetings and contributed to related IFLA blogs. Apart from his work related to Banned Books Week, Ed is library faculty at Glendale Community College where he previously focused on web development and e-resources management and currently leads collection development efforts. Additionally, he contributes to instruction, reference, and diversity, equity, and inclusion work at the library. Michelle Ashley Gohr (they/she) is a Youth Services librarian with a focus on pre-teens at Prescott Valley Public Library and formerly a First Year Experience Librarian with Arizona State University where they taught information literacy to first year students and provided research assistance to students and faculty in women and gender studies, social justice/human rights, and other subject areas. They have served as a volunteer librarian on the Amnesty International USA Banned Books Week Working Group since summer 2022. Their research primarily focuses on young adult literacy, censorship, and critical pedagogies.

Special invitation from your AzLA Regional Representatives. Join Us at the Arizona Library Association Annual Conference! Rising to the Challenge: Building a Sense of Belonging We are thrilled to invite you to the Arizona Library Association Annual conference, where knowledge meets opportunity and professionals from across the state come together for a dynamic experience of growth, networking, and fun! Date: October 17 & 18 (pre-conference workshops available October 16) Location: We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort: Fort McDowell, AZ More info: https://lnkd.in/gA4uCP4z This year’s conference promises to be an exciting event, featuring a range of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches. Whether you are looking to enhance your skills, explore the latest trends in library services, or connect with fellow librarians and professionals, this conference is the perfect place to ignite your passion and rise to the challenge. Highlights of the conference include: ? Professional Development Workshops: Enhance your skills with hands-on sessions and gain insights from professionals in the field. ? Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers and leaders, exchange ideas, and build lasting relationships in the library community. ? Engaging Keynotes: Be inspired by thought-provoking presentations from distinguished speakers, featuring Mychal Threets and his Library Joy! ? Fun and Relaxation: Enjoy social events and activities designed to entertain and rejuvenate. ? Meet and Greet: Board members will have tables dedicated to connecting with you. This is a perfect opportunity to introduce yourselves and update us on your libraries. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of an exciting conference dedicated to advancing the future of libraries. Register today to secure your spot! Don’t Delay: Early Bird Registration ends Friday, September 6. We look forward to seeing you there! Warm regards, Bob Diaz - Southern, Debbie Winlock - Northern, and Gloria Moreno - Central. AzLA Representatives

Call for Volunteers - AzLA Conference 2024! We are thrilled to announce our 2024 AzLA Annual Conference, Rising to the Challenge, is set and scheduled for October 16-18, at the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort in Fort McDowell. This event will bring together library leadership, staff, and friends for an exciting time for learning and exchange of ideas. Why Volunteer? ? Network and Create Career Connections: Meet and interact with attendees, speakers, and other volunteers. ? Support AzLA : AzLA is a volunteer organization. Volunteering at the conference is a great way to serve your professional organization with low-time commitment. Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities: ? Registration Desk: Assist with attendee check-in, answer registration-related questions, distribute name tags, and provide event information. ? Raffle Booth: Sell ribbons and raffle tickets. ? T-shirt Booth: Sell and distribute conference t-shirts. Details: ? Date of Volunteer Shifts: 10/16, 10/17, 10/18 ? Time Commitment: Multiple blocks available from 1-3 hours. If interested, please email the Volunteer Committee at [email protected]. We’ll follow up with additional information on signing up for volunteer shifts.

Reader. Voter. Ready. As we approach another series of local, state, and national elections, every eligible American should be informed, registered, and ready to vote. Join ALA's campaign to get every community Reader, Voter, Ready! Use our action form to sign the pledge and commit to voting. https://buff.ly/46M8amO

Enjoy this special message from our AzLA Annual Conference Keynote - Mychal Threets, Literacy Ambassador. Full conference schedule now available on the conference website - https://buff.ly/3wQHRxE #AzLA2024 #LibraryJoy #LibraryLove #ArizonaLibraries

Do you know an Emerging Library Leader? Nominate them for the AzLA Emerging Leader Service Award at https://buff.ly/4atuOkI by August 16, 2024. This award is open to any person working in a library who shows exceptional promise as a leader in the field. Having between 2 - 5 years full-time library service in Arizona prior to nomination. The purpose of the award is to recognize individuals with strong leadership potential in order to encourage them to take on roles of increasing responsibility in library work. Individual is not required to have an MLIS degree.