Executive Director position - AASL/YALSA - Search extended

[Esther Murphy <emurphy@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,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 library 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.

The search for an Executive Director for AASL/YALSA
has been extended until Feb 1, 1997, or until the
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
E-MAIL:  dragsdal@ala.org


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