Florida Library Association

The Florida Library Association (FLA) is a regional, non-profit organization that promotes professional discourse and opportunities for the library community in Florida.[1] The FLA publishes the Florida Libraries Journal.[2]

The organization's mission shares similar goals with the American Library Association (ALA), in that organization members promote adapting to the new information age. This mission of the FLA is as follows: The Florida Library Association (FLA) develops programs and undertakes activities to earn it a leadership position for all areas of librarianship. To do this, the Association works with other professional organizations and professions that are relevant to librarianship; provides increasing opportunities for librarians and support staff in Florida to advance their skills so that they can maintain their effectiveness in the new Information Age;[3] works closely with the information industry, facilitating productive links with the library community; and continues its role as legislative advocate for excellence in all types of library service within the State of Florida and beyond.

The Florida Library Association began meeting in 1906, but it was officially formed in 1920 by Helen Virginia Steele, director of the Tampa Public Library.[4]

The Florida Library Association is an excellent resource for librarians. Membership fees are reasonable, especially for students. In addition to its publication, the Florida Libraries Journal, the FLA provides a forum for issues and advocacy.[1] The FLA is also a great resource for job seekers looking for employment in a Florida library.

Advocacy

The FLA addresses important or impactful issues that affect Florida's libraries or intellectual freedom.[5] Their Statement on Professional Education states that Librarians and Library Directors must have a Master's degree in Library and Information Sciences or Studies to uphold professional standards. The Statement on Privatization of Publicly-Supported Libraries advocates that efforts to privatize libraries by for-profit organizations should be opposed.

FLA organizes a yearly Library Legislative Day where librarians, library advocates, and other supporters meet at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee to speak with legislators in order to raise awareness of library issues.[6]

Court Cases

In 2006, the FLA filed an amicus curiae memorandum in the United States District Court in support of an ACLU and Miami-Dade Student Government Association lawsuit. The Miami-Dade County School Board removed the book Vamos a Cuba and "A Visit to..." book series from the Miami-Dade School Board libraries and classrooms. In early 2009, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the decision to return the book to the school libraries.[5][7]

Public Awareness Tools

The FLA strives to show the benefits of Florida's libraries. On their website, the Association promotes several tools and information sources, including Return on Investment information, data to support advocacy messages, Access Studies, and recommended readings.[8][9]

In 2013, a study was conducted to figure out what the return was on tax payers investment in Florida Public Libraries. The study concluded that for every tax dollar the Florida Public Libraries received they were able to in turn provide $10.18 value.[8]

Friends of Florida Libraries Honor Roll

The Friends of Florida Libraries Honor Roll supports FLA advocacy activities within the state government. Every year, the Friends of Florida Libraries sponsors a Library Day in Tallahassee in order to advocate for funding, library related legislation, and awareness.[10][11]

Awards

The FLA offers several awards for outstanding librarians, advocates, and leaders every year.[12] The awards include the following:

* 2006. Mary Jane Little, Director – St. Johns County Library 
* 2009. Doreen A. Gauthier
* 2010. Linda Allen, Pasco County Library System
* 2011. Paul Clark. The Library Guy.
* 2012. Jim Morris. For strong leadership on the Task Force on the Future of Academic Libraries in Florida 
* 2013. Carolynn Volz. Hodges University
* 2014. Susan Dillinger. New Port Richey Public Library.
* 2015. Ellen Schellhause. Director of the Maitland Public Library.[13]

Scholarships

The FLA offers multiple scholarships each year. In 2014, there were seven scholarships offered. There were 3 FLA MLS Graduate scholarships for $2,000 each. The first one was the FSU Scholarship that was for a student attending the Florida State University MLS graduate program. The second scholarship was the Bernadette Storck/USF Scholarship that was for a student who was attending the University of South Florida MLS graduate program. The third scholarship was the Minority Scholarship that was for a MLS graduate student who was attending either Florida State University or the University of South Florida. To qualify for this particular scholarship 'the candidate must belong to one of the following ethnic groups: Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander, or American Indian/Alaska Native.' There was two Ingram Coutts Academic Scholarships for $1,000 each. These two scholarships were made available to MLS graduate students attending Florida State University or the University of South Florida and who want to work in an academic library in Florida after their graduation from the program. They also offered two scholarships for undergraduate students. One scholarship of $750 for a student pursuing a bachelor's degree and one scholarship of $350 for a student pursuing an associates degree.[14]

Past Conference Topics

Florida Libraries: Inspiring Innovation (2015), Envision Excellence (2014), New Possibilities and Partnerships (2013), Florida Libraries: Vibrant and Vital (2012), Open Libraries...Open Minds (2011), Thinking Outside the Book (2010), Libraries... Connecting People, Information, and Knowledge (2009), Celebrate the Leader in You! (2008), Libraries Tell Stories (2007), Better Together (2006), Common Threads - Libraries... Heritage... Museums... Culture (2005), Vibrant Voices! Vital Libraries! (2004), Libraries? Priceless (2003), Libraries Link Lifelong Learning (2002), Building on the Past... Embracing the Future (2001), Diverse Libraries United to Serve Floridians (2000), Florida Libraries: Leader in Service with Innovation and Style (1999), Some Things Don't Change... The Importance of the Library (1998), Libraries - The Heart of Community Partnerships (1997), Today's Libraries Transform Tomorrow (1996), Opportunities Unlimited (1995), Florida Libraries: Gateways to the Future (1994), Partnership in Success (1993), Information Access: The Key to Discovery (1992), Each One Reach One (1991), Your Link to the Information Future (1990), Progress through Unity (1989), Quest for Quality (1988), A Cooperative Effort (1987), Florida's Libraries - A Renewable Resource (1986), Towards Excellence in Florida Library Service (1985), Management/Legislations/Services: Don't Let the Big Ones Get Away (1984), FLA is Florida Libraries in Actions (1983), The Florida CE Experiment: Managing Libraries in the 80's (1982), Florida Libraries - Resources for the Future (1981), FLAME - Trailblazing for Tomorrow (1979), Libraries In Our Future (1979), Libraries in the Sunshine (1978), Liberty & Justice for All (1976), Cooperation (1975), Do It Now! (1974), Florida Librarians Coping with Change (1973), Threshold of a New Decade (1969), The Challenge of Excellence (1968), Reading Is What's Happening (1967), The Enlightened South (1966), Festival of Knowledge (1965), Program Cover for 1952 through 1964: Better Libraries for A Better Florida (1952), Toward These Goals... (1951), Florida Libraries Make Progress (1950), Florida Libraries Take Action (1949), Florida Libraries Take Stock (1948), Florida Libraries Come Alive (1947) [15]

List of Presidents

Year President
2015 Gene Coppola
2014 Gladys Roberts
2013 Barbara J. Stites
2012 Gloria Colvin
2011 John Callahan
2010 Wendy Breeden
2009 Mercedes Clement
2008 Charlie Parker
2007 Sol Hirsch
2006 Nancy Pike
2005 Derrie Perez
2004 John Szabo
2003 Marta Westall
2002 Betty Johnson
2001 Mary Brown
2000 Madison Mosley
1999 Mary Jane Little
1998 Patricia DeSalvo
1997 Eileen Cobb
1996 Elizabeth Curry
1995 Helen Moeller
1994 Susan Anderson
1993 Ann Williams
1992 Alphonse Trezza
1991 Linda O'Connor-Levy
1990 Thomas Reitz
1989 Althea Jenkins
1988 John D. Hales
1987 Lydia Acosta
1986 James Wheeler
1985 John McCrossan
1984 Jean Rhein
1983 Harold Goldstein
1982 Ada Seltzer
1981 Sam Morrison
1979-1980 Bernadette Storck
1979 John DePew
1978 Glenn Miller
1977 Eloise Harbeson
1976 Ed Sintz
1975 Virginia Grazier
1974 Dennis Robison
1973 David Kantor
1972 Leo Meirose
1971 Lynn Walker
1970 Cecil Beach
1969 DeLyle Runge
1968 Verna Nistendirk
1967 Elizabeth B. Mann
1966 Margaret Chapman
1965 Harry Brinton
1964 Thomas Dreier
1963 Ruth Rockwood
1962 Betty S. Lunnon
1961 Elliott Hardaway
1960 Frank B. Sessa
1959 Archie L. McNeal
1958 Helen L. Keepfe
1957 Dorothy Dodd
1956 Elizabeth Peeler
1955 William Frieze
1954 Dr. Louis Shores
1953 Alice Pearce
1952 Paul A.T. Noon
1951 Clara E. Wendel
1950 Stanley L. West
1949 Sara Malcolm Krentzman
1948 Betty W. Service
1947 Ida Kelley Cresap
1945-1946 Eulah Mae Snider
1943-1944 Wesley Summers
1942 Bertha Aldrich
1941 Olive Brumbaugh
1940 R.W. Severance
1939 Henrie Mae Eddy
1937-1938 Mary Bright
1936 Carl Bohnenberger
1934-1935 William F. Yust
1932-1933 Louise Richardson
1931 Helen V. Stelle
1929-1930 Joseph F. Marron
1928 Olive Brumbaugh
1926-1927 Anne VanNess Brown
1924-1925 Cora Miltimore
1923 Louise Gamsby
1922 Helene V. Stelle
1921 Joseph F. Marron
1920 Helen V. Stelle (Convener)
1907-1910 George B. Utley
1905-1906 Carolyn Palmer

[15]

References

  1. 1 2 "FLA Mission Statement". flalib.org.
  2. "Florida Libraries". flalib.org.
  3. "Introduction to Information Literacy". ala.org.
  4. Storck, Bernadette (2006). "From the FLA Archives: a Collection of Events, Facts and Personages from the Past". Florida Libraries 49 (2): 23.
  5. 1 2 "FLA on the Issues". flalib.org.
  6. "FLA Home Page". flalib.org.
  7. http://www.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinions/ops/200614633.pdf
  8. 1 2 "FLorida Public Library ROI - Home". state.fl.us.
  9. "FLA Public Awareness Tools". flalib.org.
  10. "Honor Roll Campaign". flalib.org.
  11. "Library Day at the Legislature". flalib.org.
  12. "FLA Awards". flalib.org.
  13. "2015 FLA Annual Awards" (PDF). Florida Library Association. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  14. "FLA Scholarships". flalib.org.
  15. 1 2 http://www.flalib.org/history.php
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