We’ve Gone Virtual! In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have decided to move our conference online. AzLA values professional development, and as such we are hopeful to create an inclusive online experience for our annual conference.    Conference Theme:   Vision 2020: Libraries Moving Forward What will your library look like in 2030 ?  How are you preparing?  The Arizona Library Association invites all library and information professionals to submit program proposals for the 2020 AzLA Annual Conference. When: October 14th and 15th, 2020 Where: Virtual Conference via WebEx Conference Cost: $65, or Free to AzLA Members Call for Proposals Share what you are doing at your library to prepare for the future! NEW Submission Deadline: July 29, 2020 “Vision 2020: Libraries Moving Forward” is going to be about engagement, discovery, big ideas, and connecting in order to create our future together.   Are you taking action to build future skills for your library team?  Are you a change agen

Dear AzLA Members and Leadership Team, I regret to inform you all that  Corey Christians, the AzLA President, has resigned effective June 20, 2020. I would like to thank Corey for his service this past year and wish him the very best in his future endeavors.  According to Section 6; Paragraph A of the AzLA bylaws, in the event a vacancy occurs in the office of President during the term for which such officer was elected, the President-Elect shall serve as President for the remainder of such term, but this shall not be deemed to create a vacancy in the office of President-Elect. So I will be serving in both roles till a new president-elect is elected. I would like to restate here that AzLA represents the interest of all libraries in AZ and our mission is to   promote library service and librarianship in libraries of all types. As we proceed through these uncertain times I believe it will take a collaborative effort of all libraries to unite and overcome the challenges we will face in su

The Executive Board of the Arizona Library Association (AzLA) stands in solidarity with the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) and endorses the American Library Association's (ALA) statement condemning violence and racism toward Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). The Arizona Library Association strongly condemns the institutionalized violence and racism that has been exposed, yet again, in our society. We mourn for the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Philando Castile, Alton Sterling, Walter Scott, Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, and Eric Garner, among others, and press for reflection and action. As the professional organization representing libraries of every type (academic, public, school, and special) across the great State of Arizona, we believe in working together with our communities, with those looking to expand opportunities, improve quality of life, promote public safety, enhance learning and access to information, but we cannot

As devoted public servants, library staff always want to be there for our patrons in a crisis.  Libraries across Arizona are finding innovative ways to serve, while protecting both staff and patrons from spreading the COVID-19 virus.  The last thing we want to do is close our doors, but if temporary closures will be of greater benefit to public health, that is what we must do.  The ALA is recommending library closures at this time to minimize the spread of the virus and to protect patrons and staff from getting sick.  If your local officials determine the best course of action is to close your library, I encourage you to continue working to provide resources and value to your communities in ways that allow library staff to remain safe and continue working.  Here are some innovative ways Arizona libraries are maintaining service in the midst of this pandemic:   ·         Offering additional online resources   ·         Providing curbside or drive-thru pickup of ma

Hey students! Interested in getting free money for college? SIRLS students can win a $2000 scholarship from the Louise A. Stephens Memorial  Scholarship Fund to pay for attendance at the UofA School of Library & Information Science. For more information see the Louise A. Stephens Memorial Scholarship Page . Apply online by March 31, 2020.   Apply Now!

The Professional Development Committee wants to add more voices to our group. If you are ready to help shape the direction of AzLA professional development, contact Patty Jimenez at development@azla.org . We are interested in adding librarians from all types of libraries, from all over Arizona.  Want more professional development? Check out the sources below! Children and Young Adults Mar 2-29:  Exploring STEAM Concepts through Storytime (Library Juice Academy) Mar 3:  Springing Forward:  Books for Young Readers (Booklist) Mar 6:  A bsolutely Fabulous Picks (YA + Adults) (Booklist) Mar 10:  Introducing Penguin’s New Kids on the Block (Booklist) Mar 12:  Cultivating Voice Through Youth Leadership Programs (ALA) Mar 17:  Stellar Series:  Nonfiction (Booklist) Mar 25:  Imagine your Story:  Summer Reading 2020 workshop (Eloy) (Arizona State Library) Mar 26:  Imagine your Story:  Summer Reading 2020 workshop (Chandler) (Arizona State Library) M