Skip to: Content
Skip to: Section Navigation
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

Public Information Office

ALA Public Information Office logo

Mission
Breaking News
Events

Reporters: Please visit the Media/Press Center 

ALA Staff Resources
Oversight Groups
PIO Staff

 

 

 

 

Mission   

The Public Information Offices manages the public awareness efforts of the Association through the Campaign for America's Libraries, delivering key messages to external audiences about the value of libraries and librarians. PIO also communicates ALA's key messages through media relations and crisis communications, and offers public relations counsel and editorial services. Tools are also developed and shared with librarians to help advance ALA’s 2010 Key Action Areas. Works with Public Awareness Committee.

 

Breaking News

   

PBS News Hour: Conversation (with Camila Alire) The State of America's Libraries

Libraries fading as school budget crisis deepens

ALA releases 2010 State of America's Libraries Report

Marketplace From American Public Media: Libraries adapt to help unemployed

See the Newbery, Caldecott winners on the "Today Show"

USA Today: Internet attracts job seekers to libraries

 

Events   

National Library Week
ALA Youth Media Awards
National Library Card Sign-up Month
Día de los Niños, Día de los Libros

 

ALA Staff resources   

  1. New ALA News guidelines
  2. PIO Editorial Services
  3. 62 ways to improve your press releases

 

Oversight Groups   

Activities of the Public Information Office are overseen by the ALA Public Awareness Committee and its three subcommittees - the Campaign for America's Libraries Subcommittee, the PR Forum Subcommittee and the National Library Week Subcommittee. These groups meet twice a year, during ALA's Annual Conferences in June-July, and Midwinter Meetings, usually held in January.

The next meetings will occur during the 2010 Midwinter Meeting in Boston (Jan. 15-19) and the 2010 Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. (June 24-29). Exact dates, times and locations will be posted as they become available.

View committee roster 

The charges of these groups are as follows:

Public Awareness Committee

To develop programs that promotes libraries and library issues nationwide. To assist ALA members in promoting their libraries at the local, state and national levels. To work closely with the ALA Public Information Office and ALA officers, committees and units in developing and coordinating promotional and marketing programs and tools for libraries, librarians and ALA, including National Library Week and other national campaigns focused on the continuing support of libraries.

Campaign for America's Libraries Subcommittee

To provide oversight on the strategic direction for the Campaign for America's Libraries. To develop educational opportunities for members to learn about the Campaign and effective public awareness-building techniques. To cultivate internal and external partnerships with ALA divisions and offices and with corporate, media and non-profit and government allies. To develop outreach efforts that target Hispanic/Latino communities and parents and children.

Public Relations Assembly

To provide a forum for the exchange of information about library public relations and marketing activities trhroughout the association and with other library groups and associations sharing an interest in library promotion. To promote cooperation and enhance the effectiveness of public relations activities throughout the association and to strenghen ALA's national public awareness efforts. Organizes the annual PR Forum.

National Library Week Subcommittee

To choose an annual theme for National Library Week and to select the winner of the Scholastic Library Publishing national Library Week Grant.

 

Resources

The Library PR Handbook - Mark R. Gould, Editor 

 

PIO Staff   

Mark R. Gould
Director
(312) 280-5042
mgould@ala.org

Megan Humphrey
Manager
The Campaign for America’s Libraries
(312) 280-4020
mhumphrey@ala.org

Megan McFarlane
Coordinator
The Campaign for America’s Libraries
(312) 280-2148
mmcfarlane@ala.org

Macey Morales
Manager
PIO Media Relations
(312) 280-4393
mmorales@ala.org

Jennifer Petersen
Public Relations Coordinator
PIO Media Relations
(312) 280-5043
jpetersen@ala.org

Steve Zalusky
Manager of Communications
(312) 280-1546
szalusky@ala.org

Position Vacant
Administrative Assistant

 

2010 State of America's Libraries Report

State of America's Libraries Report 2010
"Recession drives more Americans to libraries in search of employment resources; but funding lags demand." Read the report.

Nomination open Aug. 2.

I Love My Librarian
Click here to learn how you can nominate your academic, public or school librarian for the 2010 Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian award.

Check out upcoming ALA Events & Promotions

ALA Events & Promotions
Looking for information on ALA events happening all throughout the year? Visit the new events & promotions page.

Slow Economy Fuels Surge in Library Use

Slow Economy Fuels Surge in Library Use
Media coverage of libraries' role during the current economic crisis. View here. 

@ your library - The Campaign for America's Libraries

The Campaign for America's Libraries
ALA's public awareness campaign that communicates the value of libraries and librarians

Visibility @ your library  

Visibility @ your library
News and information for librarians and library supporters from the ALA Public Information Office and the Campaign for America's Libraries

Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit

Tough Economy Toolkit
Resources and tools to help make the case for libraries during economic downturn. View the toolkit

En tu biblioteca

En tu biblioteca
ALA's new campaign with Univision Radio to reach out to Spanish speakers