United for Libraries Committees

Committee Charge

Exercise oversight of all aspects of award administration and promotion including but not limited to: application materials and procedures; evaluation of costs and benefits of current or new awards. Coordinating with the Leadership Development Committee, ensure awardees are cultivated as member-leaders and with the Partnerships and Fundraising Committee pursue corporate sponsors for awards and honors. Ensure all activities and efforts are in alignment with the ALA Awards Policy.

In alignment with United for Libraries’ EDI statement, the Awards Committee will endeavor to work with internal and external partners to promote opportunities in a way that will recognize diverse awardees/honorees and reach a more diverse audience.

Deliverables

• Review and update the list of existing awards/honors.
• Make changes, as needed, to application materials and procedures.
• Create a publicity plan and collateral materials for all awards/honors.
• Make recommendations to board for new award/honors programs and/or termination of old programs, if deemed necessary.
• Make recommendations to board for approval of awardees/honorees in accordance with committee’s charge.

Expectations of Members

Attend 4-6 committee meetings per year. Actively participate in committee meetings and engage honorees/awardees as appropriate.

Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

Have basic working knowledge of and/or a willingness to learn about all awards and honors United for Libraries bestows.

Intellectual Freedom, Advocacy,  and Public Policy Committee

Expectations of Members

Attend more than 50% of monthly committee meetings. Promote awareness of issues facing libraries and United for Libraries’ members. Assist in the creation of and encourage participation in United’s programs on advocacy, as needed.

Committee Charge

To engage and support member-leaders in the work of United for Libraries; build a pipeline of member talent to aid in board succession planning; and provide for the orientation and continuing education of United for Libraries board members.

To promote and publicize leadership opportunities on the United for Libraries board. To prepare a slate for open positions for United for Libraries Board approval and inclusion on the ALA election ballot. To maintain an up-to-date board recruitment matrix that informs United board members of strategic criteria for recruitment of new members. 

In alignment with United for Libraries’ EDI statement, the Nominating Committee will endeavor to recruit a diverse group of leaders, taking into consideration role, library type, geography, demographics.

Deliverables

• Solicit recommendations and recruit nominees for open Board positions.
• Educate nominees about United for Libraries and expectations of the positions for which they are being considered.
• Obtain permission from all nominees considered for office to be placed on ballot.
• Finalize slate of at least one person for each open position to be presented for approval at the summer United for Libraries board meeting.
• Ensure that all nominees complete the ALA forms necessary for placement on the ballot by ALA deadline.

Expectations of Members

Attend 2-4 committee meetings per year. Speak with candidates to educate them about United for Libraries and answer their questions.

Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

Strong networking abilities. Knowledge of United for Libraries’ organizational structure, goals, and needs.

Committee Charge

To plan and implement fundraising appeals and campaigns; to promote and coordinate board giving; to identify, pursue, and recommend to the board opportunities for partnerships, both corporate and non-profit; to advise the United for Libraries board on policies relating to partnership and sponsorship; to identify, pursue, and maintain positive relationships with current and prospective corporate sponsors; to coordinate with the Programs Committee in identifying prospective corporate sponsors for United programs; to coordinate with the Awards and Honors Committee in identifying prospective corporate sponsors for awards.

In alignment with United for Libraries’ EDI statement, the Partnership and Fundraising Committee will endeavor to seek out partnership opportunities with organizations that also align with United's commitment to EDI.

Deliverables

• Set targets for fundraising and sponsorship and monitor progress against goal.
• Create and execute plans to increase sponsorship revenue.
• Make recommendations to board for partnership opportunities.
• Recommend policies related to partnership and sponsorship for board approval, as needed.

Expectations of Members

Attend 4-6 committee meetings per year. Hold meetings with current and prospective sponsors and partners. Support efforts to raise awareness of fundraising needs and/or goals.

Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

Experience in fundraising and/or corporate partnerships is a plus. Understanding of development strategies and/or willingness to learn. Willingness to assist staff in soliciting gifts and/or contacting potential partners with whom United may collaborate.

Committee Charge

To solicit, develop, coordinate, and implement programs sponsored by United for Libraries at ALA and PLA’s annual conferences that address the issues and concerns of library Trustees, Friends of Libraries, and Foundations; to determine which conferences beyond ALA and PLA should feature United programs and identify and recruit presenter talent to submit program proposals; to develop, coordinate, and implement free member programs; to develop, coordinate, and implement fee-based webinars, virtual events, and other revenue-generating programs; to plan and execute an annual United for Libraries virtual conference featuring content relevant to emerging issues among its members; to work with other United Committees and staff to funnel their work-product or content into United programs.

In alignment with United for Libraries’ EDI statement, the Programs Committee will endeavor to provide programs that reflect the diversity of the libraries (academic, school, research, public, rural, urban, suburban) we serve; ensure accessibility to all members in attendance; and be inclusive when identifying program presenters.

Deliverables

• ALA Annual Conference - successfully jury the required number of programs as dictated by ALA Conference services.
• Virtual United Conference - work with United staff to present a two or three day virtual conference.
• Learning Live - work with United staff to curate programs for Learning Live webinars series held monthly September to May.
• Revenue-Generating Programs - plan and execute content and programs that will generate income for United.

Expectations of Members

Attend 4-6 committee meetings per year. Assist in the recruitment of programs and presentations for various conferences or events. Participate in the ALA jurying process to select programs for ALA Annual conference. Take on leadership roles in United’s own virtual conference and other in-person and virtual programs.

Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

Committee members are familiar with issues facing libraries, Friends of Libraries, Library Trustees, and Library Foundations, and will utilize personal networks and spheres of influence to recruit quality programs to present on behalf of United.