The Boards of the Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS), Library Information Technology Association (LITA) and the Library Leadership & Management Association (LLAMA) have all voted unanimously to send to members their recommendation that the divisions form a new division, Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures.
ALCTS, LITA and LLAMA will vote on the recommendation during the upcoming American Library Association (ALA) election. If approved by all three memberships, and the ALA Council, the three long-time divisions will end operations on August 31, 2020, and merge into Core on September 1.
Members of the three Boards emphasized that Core will continue to support the groups in which members currently find their professional homes while also creating new opportunities to work across traditional division lines. It is also envisioned that Core would strengthen member engagement efforts and provide new career-support services. If one or more of the division memberships do not approve Core on the ballot, the three divisions will remain separate but continue to face membership declines and financial pressures.
In order to share pertinent information and facilitate discussion regarding the possible merger, ALCTS, LITA and LLAMA will each lead separate town halls, as well as focus groups. In addition, the divisions invite feedback and discussion through Twitter using the hashtags #TheCoreQuestion and #EndorseCore. Visit the Core website for full details for all upcoming events and past Core discussions.
Join us Monday, February 24th, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. CST for a LITA Town Hall meeting to learn details about the ALA election vote to combine the three divisions, LITA, ALCTS, LLAMA into the new proposed division Core. The election runs March 9 – April 1, and all members of the three divisions are encouraged to vote. Register for the town hall meeting today!
The Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS) is the national association for information providers who work in collections and technical services, such as acquisitions, cataloging, collection development, preservation and continuing resources in digital and print formats. ALCTS is a division of the American Library Association.
The Library and Information Technology Association (LITA) is the leading organization reaching out across types of libraries to provide education and services for a broad membership. The membership includes new professionals, systems librarians, library administrators, library schools, vendors and anyone else interested in leading edge technology and applications for librarians and information providers.
The Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA) advances outstanding leadership and management practices in library and information services by encouraging and nurturing individual excellence in current and aspiring library leaders.