ALA Job Posting--AASL/YALSA Executive Director

[Josephine Sharif <jsharif@ALA.ORG>]

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL
LIBRARIANS AND THE YOUNG ADULT LIBRARY SERVICES
ASSOCIATION



The American Library Association (ALA) is seeking an executive director
for the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the
Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA).

AASL?s mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change, and develop
leaders for the school library media field.  AASL organizes a successful,
biennial AASL National Conference; provides a wide range of continuing
education opportunities for members; publishes (SLMQ,
Hotline/Connections  and other publications); administers special
projects, currently including the DeWitt Wallace-Reader?s Digest Fund
National Library Power Program, ICONnect and Kids Connect (with
support from Microsoft Corporation), and Count on Reading (with support
from Follett Software); and, provides a range of advisory and advocacy
services.

YALSA?s mission is to advocate, promote and strengthen services to
young adults as part of the continuum of total library service.  YALSA
publishes the Journal of Youth Services in Libraries and VOICES;
selects, through member committees, and disseminates lists of
outstanding materials for young adults (e.g.  Outstanding Books for the
College Bound;  Best Books for Young Adults ) offers a wide range of
continuing education opportunities to members; and, provides a variety of
advocacy, advisory and partnership activities.

The executive director of AASL and YALSA is a senior management
position with overall responsibility for the operational and fiscal
management (revenue-based budgets) of AASL and YALSA, under the
general supervision of the ALA Associate Executive Director, Member
Programs and Services, and rotating Executive Boards of AASL (19
members) and YALSA (13 members).  The AASL and YALSA Executive
Director facilitates the work of the AASL and YALSA Boards of
Directors and of AASL and YALSA committees and other member
groups by providing counsel, advice, direction and staff support for their
ideas and plans.  The AASL and YALSA Executive Director works with
member leaders to advocate for and  to establish new partnerships and
coalitions to further the missions of school libary media specialists and
school libraries, and of young adult librarians in both school and public
libraries.  The AASL and YALSA Executive Director also oversees a
publishing program, a national conference, major grant and sponsored
projects, and a variety of other services.

The AASL and YALSA Executive Director meets regularly with the
Member Programs and Services Team, including the executive directors
of all ALA divisions, directors of ALA program offices, and directors of
key services, including membership and conference.  The AASL and
YALSA Executive Director also meets regularly with ALA Unit Heads,
including heads of all units of the Association.  The AASL and YALSA
Executive Director advocates within the Association for the needs of
school libraries, school library media specialists, and young adult
librarians and their users in both school and public libraries.  The AASL
and YALSA Executive Director advises on ALA plans, priorities,
practices and responsibilities, and communicates, collaborates and
coordinates AASL and YALSA activities with those of other ALA units.

Qualifications Include:  Master?s degree from an ALA-accredited library
education program, or equivalent education and experience; knowledge
of libraries and library issues; familiarity with the nonprofit association
management environment; financial planning and management
experience; strong presentation and communication skills; and, ability to
develop and maintain effective working relationships with members and
staff.   Recent experience in school library media programs or in youth
services in a public library is strongly preferred.  Grant-writing or
entrepreneurial experience is desirable. ?


The position reports to the ALA Associate Executive Director, Member
Programs and Services, and supervises a staff, including 9 budgeted
positions (7 in AASL, 2 in YALSA) and a variable number of
externally-funded project positions.

Salary range:  Negotiable from $65,000, depending on qualifications and
experience.

Closing date:?October 18, 1996, or until position is filled.  For
consideration, send a letter of application, resume and names of three
references to:


American Library Association
Human Resources Department
EDAASL-YALSA/MPS-96-1X
50 E. Huron Street
Chicago,  IL  60611
FAX:  312-944-6763
EMAIL:  dragsdal@ala.org




The American Library Associaton is an affirmative action,
equal-opportunity employer.  Applications are invited from women,
minorities and  individuals with disabilities.