Public Library Division (PLD)

Welcome Message

The purpose of the Public Library Division of the Alabama Library Association is to promote public library service and development throughout Alabama. We do this by:

  • supporting increased cooperation among all types of libraries,
  • promoting the profession of librarianship within Alabama's public libraries,
  • representing the interests and concerns of public libraries in relation to the Alabama Library Association and the Alabama Public Library Services, and
  • by developing legislative priorities for the public libraries and other issues as may be pertinent to the Division.

Continuing education, networking and mentoring with other librarians will keep Alabama public libraries a dynamic force within their communities.

Executive Committee

Name Office Email
Mandy Broadhurst Chair [email protected]
Rex Bain Secretary/Chair-Elect [email protected]
Wendy Geist Immediate-Past Chair [email protected]


Committees

NOMINATING

A nominating committee of not less than three members shall be appointed by the Chair. The immediate past Chair shall be the chairman of this committee. The committee shall choose a slate of candidates consisting of at least two nominees for the offices of Chair-Elect and Secretary. The office of Chair shall be filled by the current Chair-Elect. The slate of candidates shall be presented to the membership in a manner and time consistent with the policies of the Alabama Library Association.


PROGRAM

This committee shall plan and execute all programs for the annual meeting of the division, pre-conferences, or workshops held on behalf of the division and its members. Convention programs shall be arranged in cooperation with the Convention Chairman of the Alabama Library Association. The Chair-Elect shall serve as the chair of this committee.


STANDARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

This committee shall conduct an annual review of the Standards for Alabama Public Libraries to determine if revisions are necessary. If so determined, this committee shall recommend necessary changes to the Division Executive Committee. Suggested revisions will be provided to the membership of the Division thirty days prior to the annual meeting to be considered for adoption by the Division.


CERTIFICATION OF ACHIEVEMENT

This committee shall be responsible for the awarding of certification of achievement to libraries in the state of Alabama that meet the requirements established by the Standards Review Committee and that submit proper applications for such certification. The chair of this committee shall have served as a member of the committee or as a member of the Standards Review Committee during the previous year.


PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PUBLICITY

This committee shall have the responsibility for dissemination of all publicity and public relations efforts pertaining to division activities.


MEMBERSHIP

This committee shall encourage one hundred percent annual renewal of membership in the Division, recruit new members, and maintain a membership file. The chair shall represent the Division on the Association’s Membership Committee.


BYLAWS

This committee shall conduct an annual review of the constitution and bylaws of the Division to determine if revisions are necessary. If it is so determined, the committee shall recommend necessary changes to the PLD Executive Committee. The chair shall represent the Division on the Association’s Bylaws Committee.

LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENT

This committee shall coordinate activities of the Division with regard to federal and state legislative activities designated to promote the goals and objectives of Alabama’s public libraries and shall recommend legislative policies and programs to the PLD Executive Committee. The chair of this committee shall represent the Division on the Association’s Legislative Development Committee.

Min-Conference Information

PLD hosts a mini-conference on the last Friday of January each year.

PLD Standards of Achievement Award

The purpose of the Public Library Division of the Alabama Library Association is to promote public library service and development throughout Alabama. Alabama Public Library Standards of Achievement Awards recognize superior planning and levels of excellence attained by exceptional public libraries in Alabama. At this time, Gold Level Standards Award is the highest level of achievement attainable by a public library in Alabama, followed by the Silver Level and Bronze Level Awards. Public libraries that achieve these standards levels serve as benchmarks of excellence for other libraries in the state.