The Association for Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS), the Library Information Technology Association (LITA), and the Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA), all divisions of the American Library Association (ALA), announced on April 8 that division members have voted to approve the proposed bylaws of a new ALA division—Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures.
The vote was part of the just-completed ALA election:
- ALCTS: 91% yes
- LITA: 96% yes
- LLAMA: 96% yes
Pending final approval by the ALA Committee on Organization and the ALA Council, ALCTS, LITA, and LLAMA will officially sunset August 31, 2020, and their members will be united in Core, the new division launching September 1.
The presidents of the three divisions, Jennifer Bowen, ALCTS; Emily Morton-Owens, LITA; and Anne Cooper Moore, LLAMA, shared the following statement: “We first want to thank our members for supporting Core. Their belief in this vision, that we can accomplish more together than we can separately, has inspired us, and we look forward to working with all members to build this new and sustainable ALA division. We also want to thank the Core Steering Committee, and all the members who were part of project teams, town halls, and focus groups. We would not have reached this moment without their incredible work.”
ALA Executive Director Tracie D. Hall added in an April 8 statement, “Congratulations to the leaders and members of ALCTS, LITA, and LLAMA for making the bold move to merge their strengths. This new division offers opportunities to expand our impact and will help cultivate and amplify the collective expertise of library workers in core functions. I heartily welcome Core to the ALA division family and look forward to supporting its future success.”
In the next few months, leaders and staff of the three current divisions will plan for a special Core leadership election and begin the process of moving current member groups into Core. For more information and the complete history of the Core project, see core.ala.org.
