The Florida Library Association (FLA) is a regional, non-profit organization that promotes professional discourse and opportunities for the library community in Florida. The FLA publishes the Florida Libraries Journal.
Contents
- Advocacy
- Court Cases
- Public Awareness Tools
- Friends of Florida Libraries Honor Roll
- Awards
- Scholarships
- Past Conference Topics
- References
The organization's mission shares similar goals with the American Library Association (ALA), in that organization members promote adapting to the new information age. This mission of the FLA is as follows: The Florida Library Association (FLA) develops programs and undertakes activities to earn it a leadership position for all areas of librarianship. To do this, the Association works with other professional organizations and professions that are relevant to librarianship; provides increasing opportunities for librarians and support staff in Florida to advance their skills so that they can maintain their effectiveness in the new Information Age; works closely with the information industry, facilitating productive links with the library community; and continues its role as legislative advocate for excellence in all types of library service within the State of Florida and beyond.
The Florida Library Association began meeting in 1906, but it was officially formed in 1920 by Helen Virginia Steele, director of the Tampa Public Library.
The Florida Library Association is an excellent resource for librarians. Membership fees are reasonable, especially for students. In addition to its publication, the Florida Libraries Journal, the FLA provides a forum for issues and advocacy. The FLA is also a great resource for job seekers looking for employment in a Florida library.
Advocacy
The FLA addresses important or impactful issues that affect Florida's libraries or intellectual freedom. Their Statement on Professional Education states that Librarians and Library Directors must have a Master's degree in Library and Information Sciences or Studies to uphold professional standards. The Statement on Privatization of Publicly-Supported Libraries advocates that efforts to privatize libraries by for-profit organizations should be opposed.
FLA organizes a yearly Library Legislative Day where librarians, library advocates, and other supporters meet at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee to speak with legislators in order to raise awareness of library issues.
Court Cases
In 2006, the FLA filed an amicus curiae memorandum in the United States District Court in support of an ACLU and Miami-Dade Student Government Association lawsuit. The Miami-Dade County School Board removed the book Vamos a Cuba and "A Visit to..." book series from the Miami-Dade School Board libraries and classrooms. In early 2009, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the decision to return the book to the school libraries.
Public Awareness Tools
The FLA strives to show the benefits of Florida's libraries. On their website, the Association promotes several tools and information sources, including Return on Investment information, data to support advocacy messages, Access Studies, and recommended readings.
In 2013, a study was conducted to figure out what the return was on taxpayers' investment in Florida Public Libraries. The study concluded that for every tax dollar the Florida Public Libraries received they were able to in turn provide $10.18 value.
Friends of Florida Libraries Honor Roll
The Friends of Florida Libraries Honor Roll supports FLA advocacy activities within the state government. Every year, the Friends of Florida Libraries sponsors a Library Day in Tallahassee in order to advocate for funding, library related legislation, and awareness.
Awards
The FLA offers several awards for outstanding librarians, advocates, and leaders every year. The awards include the following:
Scholarships
The FLA offers multiple scholarships each year. In 2014, there were seven scholarships offered. There were 3 FLA MLS Graduate scholarships for $2,000 each. The first one was the FSU Scholarship that was for a student attending the Florida State University MLS graduate program. The second scholarship was the Bernadette Storck/USF Scholarship that was for a student who was attending the University of South Florida MLS graduate program. The third scholarship was the Minority Scholarship that was for a MLS graduate student who was attending either Florida State University or the University of South Florida. To qualify for this particular scholarship 'the candidate must belong to one of the following ethnic groups: Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian/Pacific Islander, or American Indian/Alaska Native.' There was two Ingram Coutts Academic Scholarships for $1,000 each. These two scholarships were made available to MLS graduate students attending Florida State University or the University of South Florida and who want to work in an academic library in Florida after their graduation from the program. They also offered two scholarships for undergraduate students. One scholarship of $750 for a student pursuing a bachelor's degree and one scholarship of $350 for a student pursuing an associates degree.
Past Conference Topics
Florida Libraries...Why Not? (2016), Florida Libraries: Inspiring Innovation (2015), Envision Excellence (2014), New Possibilities and Partnerships (2013), Florida Libraries: Vibrant and Vital (2012), Open Libraries...Open Minds (2011), Thinking Outside the Book (2010), Libraries... Connecting People, Information, and Knowledge (2009), Celebrate the Leader in You! (2008), Libraries Tell Stories (2007), Better Together (2006), Common Threads - Libraries... Heritage... Museums... Culture (2005), Vibrant Voices! Vital Libraries! (2004), Libraries? Priceless (2003), Libraries Link Lifelong Learning (2002), Building on the Past... Embracing the Future (2001), Diverse Libraries United to Serve Floridians (2000), Florida Libraries: Leader in Service with Innovation and Style (1999), Some Things Don't Change... The Importance of the Library (1998), Libraries - The Heart of Community Partnerships (1997), Today's Libraries Transform Tomorrow (1996), Opportunities Unlimited (1995), Florida Libraries: Gateways to the Future (1994), Partnership in Success (1993), Information Access: The Key to Discovery (1992), Each One Reach One (1991), Your Link to the Information Future (1990), Progress through Unity (1989), Quest for Quality (1988), A Cooperative Effort (1987), Florida's Libraries - A Renewable Resource (1986), Towards Excellence in Florida Library Service (1985), Management/Legislations/Services: Don't Let the Big Ones Get Away (1984), FLA is Florida Libraries in Actions (1983), The Florida CE Experiment: Managing Libraries in the 80's (1982), Florida Libraries - Resources for the Future (1981), FLAME - Trailblazing for Tomorrow (1979), Libraries In Our Future (1979), Libraries in the Sunshine (1978), Liberty & Justice for All (1976), Cooperation (1975), Do It Now! (1974), Florida Librarians Coping with Change (1973), Threshold of a New Decade (1969), The Challenge of Excellence (1968), Reading Is What's Happening (1967), The Enlightened South (1966), Festival of Knowledge (1965), Program Cover for 1952 through 1964: Better Libraries for A Better Florida (1952), Toward These Goals... (1951), Florida Libraries Make Progress (1950), Florida Libraries Take Action (1949), Florida Libraries Take Stock (1948), Florida Libraries Come Alive (1947)