Part 3 -- Next Steps -- ALA Strategies for Action

One of our first groups to work with in this initiative was the ALA membership. The Assembly called for ALA groups (divisions/committees, etc.) to send representatives to see what the issues were and how ALA might already be addressing needs or partnerships in other areas.

1. What existing ALA initiatives can be expanded to focus on community partnerships for information literacy?

Information literacy implementation task force examine goals for community partnership.  (AASL)
I connect, kids connect, families connect -- to serve as a resource for community partnership  (AASL)
Toolkit for evaluating web info  (LITA)
Learning task force
Advocacy now!!
Lessons learned from Library Power
Implementation of Information Power 2
Joint task forces between divisions
Lists of funding sources
Use NLW
Presidents have ongoing theme that last 5 years
       * Advocacy Now
       *  Building Communities theme
       * Previous ALA Presidential initiatives

2. Describe at least one strategy for ALA to use to help members, divisions, and roundtables to build partnerships focused on information literacy.

 Professional video clips to show info literacy

3. Describe at least one motivating factor for non-ALA partners to join this initiative.

Businesses need information literate workers who can be part of a productive work force.
Encourage corporate partners with the "economic card."
We know what information literacy is.
What's in it for them?
Focus on student achievement -- education community school to work -- business community
Business incubation -- help small businesses with IL training
Educate workforce for I.L.
Social services agencies to educate and disenfranchise
Librarians recognize a good long-term investment.
Librarians recognize the importance of a literate workforce.
Strength of library communities in networking
ALA members network to
access to our reputations
good PR
efficient organization structure
Educational links to librarians as cooperative teachers
Library’ss sustainability, infrastructure of multi-type libs.
Realization that libraries are an effective and efficient distribution points for distributing info (ex. IRS)

4. How can ALA help members, divisions, and roundtables sustain existing partnerships?

Award for sustainable partnerships!  Top ten -- identify in every area
Continuing to offer training -- a session at every annual focusing on aspect of partnership
Continue to provide advocacy training

5. What is one overriding suggestion for how ALA can build and sustain successful partnerships that focus on information literacy?

 Publicity on successful partnerships of ALA and divisions
Affiliate newsletters
Web
Knowledge quest
American Libraries
Build case for I.L. by linking its importance to Literacy Training.  If 20% of the U.S. can't read, how high must be the % of Americans who lack information literacy skills.
Workplace -- literacy training exists -- what about work place I.L. Training
State of IL funds -- workplace literacy grant training need to convince state and local governments of the importance.
Look for ways to help rather than what we can get
Look for other national organizations with common goals or even those with different goals with whom we can work (ex. AFL-CIO)
Develop cadre of trainers to help get info lit partnerships started -- people who have experience with creating partnerships ?can be based in state libraries?