Frequently Asked Questions

Updated: Friday, 12-Mar-2010 15:46:35 MST

Alaska Libraries Directory

Q: Where can I purchase a copy of the Alaska Library Directory?
A: The Alaska Library Directory is a directory of libraries and library personnel in the State of Alaska. The first part is a listing of all libraries in the state of Alaska with contact information, key personnel trustees, if available. The second part is a listing of all AkLA members; Personal, Institutional and Commercial with contact information. The personal members listing includes place of work, home address, and both work and home phone numbers and e-mail addresses.

The price for the Alaska Library Directory as set by the Executive Council is $25 for non-members and $10 for members. For quantities of eleven of more the price is $5 each. Contact the Executive Officer to purchase your copy.

Authors to Alaska

Q: Where can I find information about upcoming Authors to Alaska visits?
A: The Authors to Alaska website has an Events page that lists upcoming visits.

Q: May I suggest someone for consideration for an Authors to Alaska visit?
A: A2A is comprised of AkLA members interested in coordinating author visits within the state. To join or make suggestions you should contact the rountable's current chair.

Battle of the Book

Q: How can I nominate a book to participate in the Battle of the Books?
A: There are registration forms available from the "Program" dropdown menu on the AkASL website.

Q: Where are the winners of the Battle of the Books announced?
A: The list of winners are posted on the AkSLA website.

Q: When will the next Battle of the Books be held?
A: The dates for the next Statewide Battle of the Books have not been set yet.

Conference

Q: When and where will the next AkLA conference be held?
A: The next AkLA conference will be held in Juneau, Feb. 17-20th, 2011.

Q: How much are the conference registration fees?
A: Registration fees for 2010 are as follows but may increase:

Early AkLA Members: $100, Non-members: $150
Late AkLA Members: $150, Non-members: $200
One Day AkLA Members: $50
Student/Retired Early AkLA Members: $50, Non-members: $90
Student/Retired Late AkLA Members: $100, Non-members: $130

Additional fees for meals and activities will be made available in the future.

Q: Can I pay online using a credit card?
A: Yes, after registration opens there will be an online registration page for secure credit card payments. Please allow 20-25 minutes to complete!

Q: What is the rotation cycle for conferences?
A: The cycle is Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks, non-urban area.

Q: How do I contribute to the silent auction?
A: We are not accepting contributions for the AkLA Silent Auction in Anchorage yet. Please stay tuned...

Q: Where can I find the websites for past conferences?
A: Conference websites are not maintained after the conference is over but they are archived to CD-ROM and links are available on the conferences page at: http://www.akla.org/conferences/index.html

Q: Who are eligible for AkLA conference travel grants?
A: Competitive travel grants are available to help defray Conference attendance expenses for AkLA members who are librarians, paraprofessional staff, volunteers and board members. Information on travel grants for Juneau 2011 will be available soon.

E-Mailing Lists (Listserv):

Q: How do I subscribe/unsubscribe from the AkLA mailing list?
Q: How do I update my email address for the AkLA mailing list?
Q: My message did not post to the AkLA mailing list, whom do I notify?

A: The address to post a message to the main AkLA list is aklalist@akla.org Additional listserv instructions.

Jobs in Alaskan Libraries

Q: How can I find a library job in Alaska?
A: There are two places to look for library jobs in Alaska:

1. A library’s web page. See http://akla.org/resources/index.html#web
2. The AkLA jobs page at http://www.akla/jobs/index.html

Q: Is there a mailing list available for all Alaskan libraries?
A: There is a list of mailing addresses for all Alaskan libraries available with membership in AkLA.

Q: Is there an email directory for all Alaskan libraries?
A: A directory for all Alaskan libraries is maintained by the Alaska State Library at: http://library.state.ak.us/dev/aslld.html
There is also an email directory of all current AkLA members that is available with membership in AkLA.

Membership

Q: How do I join AkLA?
A: Membership forms are available online in PDF format at: htt://www.akla.org/membership/index.html#forms

Q: How much does it cost to become a member?
A: Membership fees vary. Currently they are:

Associate Member:
Trustee, friend, unemployed or retired Alaskan Librarian

Not based on salary $30

Library Member:
Any person directly engaged in library work in Alaska

Salary Dues

Under $20,000 $30

$20,000 - $29,999 $45

$30,000 - $39,999 $60

$40,000 - $49,999 $75

$50,000 - $59,999 $90

$60,000 and over $110

Honorary Member:
Person who has made important contributions to library service in Alaska

No dues $00

Institutional Membership:
Libraries or research centers in or outside of Alaska

Library Budget Dues

under $10,000 $30

$10,001 - $20,000 $50

$20,001 - $50,000 $85

$50,001 - $100,000 $150

$100,001 - $500,000 $275

over $500,001 $400

Commercial Member:
Any commercial organization interested in library service

No dues $100.

Q: What is included with my membership?
A: Personal members receive discounts on registration for workshops and conferences. Commercial members receive a discount on exhibitor fees at the Alaska Library Association’s annual conference.

You keep abreast of the latest developments in library materials, technology, and services to patrons.

You have accesss to Membership Mailing Labels. AkLA members wanting to do a mass mailing to other AkLA members, including commercial and institutional members, can contact AkLA's Executive Officer Mary Jennings for free membership mailing labels. These labels come pre-addressed and ready to place on your mailing container.

Publications included with membership:
The Alaska Library Directory, annual comprehensive listing of every library in the state along with the names, titles, addresses and phone numbers and email address of over 400 colleagues.

Newspoke, a bimonthly newsletter on issues and events of statewide and regional interest.

Q: How do I join AkASL? Do I have to also join AkLA or do they share dues?
A: You can join AkASL by filling out the form at: http://akla.org/akasl/assoc/memb-form.html

AkASL is a roundtable of AkLA but there are additional membership fees:

Active Membership:
Alaskan school librarians who currently teach, direct, or supervise in the field of school library information services: $20

Associate Membership:
For those who are actively promoting and advancing school library programs. Includes individuals in clerical positions, and those who are retired or from out of state: $10

Commercial Membership:
Organizations & businesses that wish to receive the Puffin, Battle of the Books mailings, & other Association information: $40

Organization

Q: What's the difference between a Committee and a Round Table?
A: Article VI, Sections 4 specifies that roundtables "shall be established by a vote of the Executive Council upon petition of at least seven AkLA members sharing a common interest in a type of library or a library service. At least 40% of the members of the roundtable must be members of AkLA."

For more information on roundtables see: http://www.akla.org/handbook/iv-5roundtables.html

The only standing committee specified in Article X, Section 1 is the Nominating Committee. Article X, Section 2 provides that additional committees shall be determined by the Executive Council.

Ad hoc committees for special projects are established at various times. The Nominating Committee's terms run from March to March for a one-year period. The Circumpolar, Continuing Education, Intellectual Freedom, Membership and Publicity Committees’ terms are March to March for a two-year period, The Governmental Relations committee term is July to July for a two-year period.

For more information on Committees see: http://www.akla.org/handbook/iv-6committees.html

Q: How can I volunteer with AkLA?
A: There are many opportunities to volunteer with AkLA, either by running for elected office, or serving on a committee. To find out about current opportunities contact the Vice President for Committees, Roundtables and Chapters: Susan Grigg at: ffslg@uaf.edu

If the annual conference is being held in your area, you can contact the Local Arrangements Chair to see how you can help out. For Juneau 2007 contact Jennifer Brown at: jennifer.brown@uas.alaska.edu

Scholarships/Awards

Q: Who is eligible for the $3,000 General Graduate Library Studies Scholarship?
A: An applicant must be an Alaskan resident who:

Is eligible for acceptance, is currently enrolled, or will be a student in a graduate school library media specialist certificate program during the academic year, semester, or academic quarter for which the scholarship is received.

Makes a commitment to work in an Alaska library for a minimum of one year after graduation as a paid employee or a volunteer, or for two semesters for one semester's financial assistance. A scholarship recipient who fails to fulfill this commitment will be expected to repay the money received. Candidates awarded the scholarship must supply proof of admission to an accredited program before the scholarship is disbursed.

Q: Who is eligible for the $3,000 School Library Media Specialist/School Librarian Jo Morse Scholarship?
A: An applicant must be an Alaskan resident who:
Possesses a State of Alaska Teaching Certificate.

Is eligible for acceptance, is currently enrolled, or will be a student in a graduate school library media specialist certificate program during the academic year, semester, or academic quarter for which the scholarship is received. The scholarship may not be used for Continuing education or recency credits for certification renewal.

Makes a commitment to work in an Alaska school library for a minimum of one year after graduation as a paid employee or a volunteer, or for two semesters for one semester's financial assistance. A scholarship recipient who fails to fulfill this commitment will be expected to repay the money received.

For forms and additional information on scholarships see: http://www.akla.org/scholarships/index.html

Q: Where can I find information on the Rasmuson Foundation?
A: Information on the Rasmuson Foundation can be found at their website: http://www.rasmuson.org/