The Federal and Armed Forces Libraries Round Table (FAFLRT) is the primary voice for federal and armed forces libraries in the American Library Association (ALA) and has embarked upon a number of initiatives to assist federal libraries and educate ALA on the needs of federal libraries. These initiatives include:
See notes from the Brainstorming meeting.
Proceedings from the Annual Conference now available in PDF packages (large files):
FAFLRT has established four awards to encourage the best and brightest in federal librarianship:
Started as a workshop, this initiative has grown into a series of national events designed to encourage and educate potential applicants on the benefits of Federal librarianship. Some library schools are bringing these events to their campuses. If you would like a Federal librarian liaison to work with your school or library, describe your needs and availability in our quick survey. Please also check out our collaboration site hosted on Google Groups.
San Jose State University was the first library school to hold a mini-Careers in Federal Libraries event in November 2008. See the article from Joyce Lee as a great recap of that content, "Do you want a Future with the Feds?" Florida State University followed with a mini-Careers in Federal Libraries event a week later. What a great program from Pamala Doffek (FSU, Goldstein Library) and Tyler Evans (Air University Fairchild Research Information Center, Chief Information Systems Branch). You can watch the streaming webcast from this program, just download real player to view it. Thanks to Alma Quinn and Michelle Demeter for their efforts in creating a great program!
To strengthen the Round Table and to improve communications, the Federal and Armed Forces Libraries Round Table (FAFLRT) Executive Board voted to establish a Committee on Legislation in 2008. The purpose of such a committee is to draft resolutions to go before the General Assembly of ALA. Typically resolutions seek ALA advocacy on behalf of federal libraries. This Committee will also improve communications with membership by holding listening sessions at various venues and seeking input concerning the most pressing issues facing Federal and Armed Forces libraries. [Send input to the Committee on Legislation] Please also check out the Federal Libraries wiki focused on highlighting Federal libraries at risk.
Each year, FAFLRT holds workshops at the ALA Annual Conference to educate and encourage Federal librarianship. A listing of previous workshops with links to the presentations is available online.
In looking to the future of Federal librarianship, FAFLRT decided to change its dues structure to attract new librarians (free round table membership for students). In doing so, FAFLRT hopes to not only attract highly qualified librarians to bring fresh ideas and energy to the round table, but we hope that we can influence and mentor new librarians to pursue careers within the Federal sector. [Full story...]
Are you a Federal librarian that would like to speak at a library school on Federal librarianship? Are you teaching a class at a library school? Are you associated with a library school that could use a federal librarian as a resource for classes and job fairs? Describe your needs and availability in our quick survey. Please also check out our collaboration site hosted on Google Groups.