We are the Student Chapter of the American Library Association (ALA) at the UW iSchool

Welcome to the University of Washington's chapter of sALA. We have an active student body composed of both undergraduate and graduate students in the informatics, Master of Library and Information Science, and Ph.D. programs.

sALA's purpose is to facilitate and encourage participation in the American Library Association. Past events have included Banned Book Panels and ALA conference preparation. We also work hard to increase awareness and use of the resources of the American Library Association, including publications, promotional materials, scholarships, and conferences. All/any scholarship opportunities are shared via our Twitter feed and Facebook page.

Our chapter provides a local forum for the exchange of ideas and information about trends, issues, and opportunities in the profession through programs like panels, brown bags, and happy hours. Other programs like Book Arts help students develop skills and relationships that will enable them to have a creative impact on the profession.

It is also our goal to promote involvement in professional activities beyond the classroom and to increase awareness of national issues in library and information science.

See the sALA-UW Constitution for more details.

Questions? Contact us at sala_uw@uw.edu.

News and Upcoming Events

Brown-Bag Lunch with Librarians - Friday, January 27, 12:30-1:30 pm - Mary Gates Hall, Room 420

Nancy Huling has lined up another stellar group of librarians. This is a great opportunity to talk with practitioners to learn about their work and get their advice about classes, directed fieldwork, job searching, etc. This is an informal event--just bring your lunch and sit down and chat. Based on feedback from the last lunch, we will have table-top signs to indicate who's who (among the librarians) so you can make a beeline for whomever you're most interested in speaking with.

• Theo Gerontakos - Metadata/Cataloging Librarian
• Charles Chamberlin - Senior Associate Dean of University Libraries Administration
• Heidi Nance - Head, Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Services
• Lauren Ray - Research Commons Librarian
• Mel DeSart - Head, Engineering Librarian
• Maureen Nolan - Science Reference Coordinator & Head, Friday Harbor Library
• Helice Koffler - Manuscripts & Special Collections Materials Cataloging Librarian
• Nancy Huling - Head, Reference & Research Services Division

Library Legislative Day - RESCHEDULED - Meetingplace TBD

sALA is joining WLA’s annual Library Legislative Day in Olympia. This is a great opportunity to network with library supporters from around the state and meet with State Legislators and their staff to discuss the value of libraries and the impact laws have on them. Your participation on Thursday, January 19 will help raise awareness about library services and ultimately enhance our ability to establish and sustain long-term relationships with key elected officials. Sign up at http://wla.org/legislation/legislativeday/. Pre-arranged transportation available through SALA.

Brown bag lunch with UW librarians - Thursday, November 10, 12:30 pm - Mary Gates Hall 420

Directed Fieldwork Student and Alumni Panel - Wednesday, October 19, 5 - 6 pm - Mary Gates Hall 420 and via AdobeConnect at this link

sALA iWelcome Week meeting and Happy Hour! - Tuesday, September 27 · 5:00pm - 8:00pm - Did you miss it?!?! Thats ok, you can see the recording at http://uwconnect.adobeconnect.com/p6p2ug5h0n1/

Faculty and students who attended this year's ALA Annual Conference will be part of a roundtable discussion that will give you the opportunity to learn and ask questions about what went on at ALA in the Big Easy, what’s next in our field, and what we might expect at ALA Midwinter 2012 in Dallas. Afterwards, we’ll head to Shultzy's for happy hour, first round on sALA!. Thank you to everyone who participated in the raffle. Congratulations, Eli Rood, on your new membership!

sALA at the iSchool Fair- Friday, September 23, 2011 - 2:30pm - 4:00pm - Mary Gates Hall, 3rd and 4th Floors

Students are welcome to come by our booth to learn more about the student American Library Association University of Washington chapter. You will have an opportunity to sign up for a raffle to win an ALA membership. The drawing will be held at the iWelcome Week meeting (see above)..

Join the Washington Chapter and ALA all for one low price!

Not an official member of ALA yet? You can join the WLA and the national organization for the low registration fee of $35. This low rate is good for students until August 31, 2011! You can read more about joining on our Membership page or on the ALA Student Membership Blog.