Welcome to MLA’s Paralibrarian Section!
Paralibrarian means talent, experience and dedication to a library career.
Please scroll through our web page, or click the following internal links.
Paralibrarian Recognition of Achievement
Please come to one of our workshops to get answers to all of your questions
about the Paralibrarian Recognition of Achievement,
Click here to visit the PARA Program home page.
5 GOOD REASONS TO JOIN THE MLA PARALIBRARIAN SECTION
What’s in it for you? Good question. And here are some good answers:
- ADVOCACY – Network with a group of non-MLS degreed library staffers who are dedicated to libraries, excited about career opportunities and working together with other paralibrarians and librarians to promote library services and library careers. As a team we have a larger voice. The Paralibrarians brought a lot of energy to the 2004 & 2005 MLA Conference. Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. Paralibrarians made quite an impression and you can be a part of it.
- RECOGNITION – Two awards are presented at the MLA Conference for Outstanding Paralibrarian of the Year and Outstanding Paralibrarian Advocate of the Year. Nominations come from you!
- IDENTITY – Wonder where you fit in to the big picture of library services in Massachusetts? Wonder who to share ideas with or where to go for information? The Paralibrarian Section meets regularly (see calendar of Board meetings) and you are invited to attend the meetings or participate in a Roundtable (see calendar of regional roundtables) to brainstorm issues of particular interest to library support staff.
- EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES – The Career Development Committee of Paralibrarian Section is working hard to develop the PAralibrarian Recognition of Achievement program – known as the PARA. The goal of the PARA is to offer paralibrarians an MLA certificate to validate library experience and skills, and to expand career opportunities.
- SAVINGS – Currently, you can join ALA, LSSIRT, MLA, and the Paralibrarian Section for only $54! (an $80 value.) Read about it at http://www.ala.org/ala/ourassociation/membership/librarysupportstaffmembership/LSSjoint.htm
Join MLA, fill out the application
and follow the instructions. Don’t forget to check off the box: Paralibrarian Section. There is no additional fee to join the Paralibrarian Section. That’s one way the Paralibrarian Section is leading the group, changing the scenery of libraries and advocating for it’s members. Here are some benefits of MLA/Paralibrarian Section membership:
- No additional fee to join the Paralibrarian Section
- Discounts for the MLA Conference and all the benefits of MLA membership (see MLA home page)
- Receive emails with advance notification on topics of interest, such as the conference and roundtables
- Set the agenda for the MLA Conference with other committee members
- Work with the Career Development Committee to develop paralibrarian standards in Massachusetts
- Nominate award recipients for Outstanding Paralibrarian of the Year and Outstanding Paralibrarian Advocate of the Year
- Enjoy meeting fellow paralibrarians at the MLA Conference, and relax with friends and colleagues at the social hour
- Network with members and staff from libraries around the state
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Meeting dates for the Paralibrarian Section Executive
Board
The Paralibrarian Section meets approximately every six weeks on Thursdays from 10 am to noon. MLA members are welcome to attend to learn about the business of the committee. The Section holds an annual meeting and election of officers at the MLA conference, sponsors a range of conference programs and awards, and presents an annual report to MLA. The Section Chair acts as liaison to MLA and attends the MLA Executive Board meetings. Locations and dates of meetings can be found on the MLA Calendar of Events.
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Paralibrarian Section Mission and Goals
Mission Statement: Through support and increased awareness of paralibrarians, the Section advocates for recognition and participation in the library community. The Section promotes and provides a forum for networking and career development opportunities.
- To provide every non-MLS library staff member who works in any type of library across Massachusetts with continuing education and networking opportunities.
- To encourage paralibrarians to join MLA, thereby boosting membership and clout in the Association.
- To create a paralibrarian acknowledgment program for career recognition and development.
- To create avenues of recognition for all the good work that paralibrarians do. We want to form a community that encourages respect and admiration for those staff members who want to build their careers but might never choose to pursue an MLS degree.
- To educate library directors and management of the need to allow their staff time away from the library and travel expenses to participate in workshops, serve on committees, and attend annual conferences.
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Paralibrarian Section Board:
Chairperson
Gerry Deyermond
Memorial Hall Library,
Andover
(978) 623-8401 ext.35
gdeyermond@mhl.org
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Vice-Chairperson
Justin Termini
Memorial Hall Library, Andover
978-623-8400
Jtermini@mhl.org
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Past Chairperson
Allison DaSilva
Reading Public Library
781-942-9104
dasilva@noblenet.org |
Treasurer
Christine Dimartino
Dover Town Library
508-785-8113
cdimartino@minlib.net |
Secretary
Gael Nappa
Haverhill Public Library
978-373-1586
gnappa@mvlc.org |
Conference Committee Liaison
Jeanne Sill
Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton
978-486-4046
jsill@mvlc.org |
Career Development
Debbie Pennino
Northeastern University Libraries
617-373-7722
dpennino@neu.edu
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Are you interested in becoming an officer of the Paralibrarian Section?
A good way to find out is to attend a few of our Wednesday morning Executive Board meetings, where we make decisions on programs and plan for our future. Please contact any of the officers if you would like to attend. All officers of the Section must be individual members of MLA and must commit to attending most meetings.
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