Partnerships and Collaboration with PLA

POLICY STATEMENT:

  1. The Public Library Association will look for and respond to requests for partnerships and collaborative projects that:

    • Match PLA’s mission and roles in the public library community
    • Conform to ALA policy and directives
    • Provide a benefit to both PLA and the partner/sponsor through expanded services, new opportunities, increased recognition or similar benefits
    • Contain a statement of the purpose, responsibilities and expectations of the partnership for both PLA and the partner/sponsor

  2. A partnership is defined as a long-term project which includes the following considerations:

    • An ongoing relationship between PLA and the proposed partner
    • Enables PLA to fulfill its mission and roles in the public library community in new or expanded ways
    • Requires involvement of PLA staff, officers and/or members to successfully carry out the project
    • Requires funding from either the partner or PLA or both
    • Requires significant recognition of the partnership
    • Requires a written agreement to clearly define project costs, expectations, responsibilities, evaluation and promotion

  3. A collaborative effort is defined as a short-term project which includes the following considerations:

    • Matches PLA’s mission and roles in the public library community, but is not an expansion or new effort
    • Is a one-time or limited project
    • Requires only limited involvement of PLA staff, officers, and/or members
    • Requires no PLA funding, or requires only regularly approved PLA funding
    • Requires limited recognition of the project through regular PLA mechanisms
    • Does not require an extensive evaluation or report to the PLA Board or project sponsor

    1. Partnerships must be approved by the PLA Board.
    2. Collaborative arrangements may be approved by the PLA staff with notice to the PLA Executive Board.
    3. Partnerships and collaborative arrangements must be in writing and on file in the PLA office.

Approved by the PLA Board of Directors, ALA Midwinter 2000.