Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS)
50 E. Huron Street
Chicago, Illinois 60611-2795
(800) 545-2433 ext. 4294
Fax: 312-280-3256
Email: olos@ala.org
Mission
The Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS) serves the Association by identifying and promoting library services that support equitable access to the knowledge and information stored in our libraries. OLOS focuses attention on services that are inclusive of traditionally underserved populations, including new and non-readers, people geographically isolated, people with disabilities, rural and urban poor people, and people generally discriminated against based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, language and social class. The Office ensures that training, information resources, and technical assistance are available to help libraries and librarians develop effective strategies to develop programs and service for new users.
OLOS provides resources to library and information workers who serve traditionally underrepresented groups. Our outreach areas include:
- Adult New and Non-Readers
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender People
- Incarcerated People and Ex-Offenders
- Older Adults
- People of Color
- People with Disabilities
- Poor and Homeless People
- Rural, Native, and Tribal Libraries of All Kinds
- Bookmobile Communities
Visit our Outreach Columns blog for stories from our members!
Oversight Groups
Committees
- OLOS Advisory Committee and subcommittees
- Committee on Literacy and subcommittees
- Committee on Rural, Native, and Tribal Libraries of All Kinds
Roundtables
- Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT)
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table (GLBTRT)
- Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT)
Affiliate Organizations
Popular Resources
OLOS Toolkits
- The American Dream Starts @ your library
- Extending Our Reach: Reducing Homelessness Through Library Engagement
- Handbook for Mobile Services Staff
- How to Serve the World @ your library
- Keys to Engaging Older Adults @ your library
- Literacy for All: Adult Literacy @ your library
- The Small but Powerful Guide to Winning Big Support for Your Rural Library
- Guide to Building Support for your Tribal Library
- TRAILS - Tribal Library Procedure Manual 3rd Edition 2008
Staff
Dale P. Lipschultz
Literacy Officer
800-545-2433, ext. 3275
dlipschultz@ala.org
Manages OLOS adult literacy projects and partnerships; coordinates the development of literacy resources for libraries, facilitates literacy-related discussions across library types; and represents ALA on the National Coalition for Literacy.
John Amundsen
Program Officer, Outreach and Communications
800-545-2433, ext. 2140
jamundsen@ala.org
Collaborates with OLOS member leaders in the development of outreach programming and resources in support of local library staff and stakeholders’ efforts to address information needs of traditionally underserved populations; Administers OLOS communication efforts including press release preparation, Web pages, ALA Connect communities, blogs, and social networking tools; develops resources and promotional materials; shares in OLOS liaison responsibilities; and assists in planning of special events.
