We know that our members value the personal connections that they are able to make with other librarians, and professional interest groups are one way that we can foster connection and communication.
These interest groups each have a dedicated email discussion group so that members of the groups can collaborate, ask questions, and network over topics of common interest throughout the year. Interest groups also have the opportunity to gather virtually via Zoom at various times. If you are interested in joining any of the interest groups, please complete the google form and you will be added to the requested groups.
Interest Groups
The Christians in Secular Academic Libraries Interest Group (CISAL) is designed to provide comradery and support for those who work in a college setting that may challenge their belief system in a variety of ways. The mission of the group is to openly discuss any challenges librarians face in secular colleges/universities and possible faith-based responses.
Jennifer Walz, Coordinator
Danville Community College
This interest group was launched in 2022.
The Current Library Directors Interest Group (CLDIG) is designed to provide a space where ACL members may ask questions or seek feedback specifically from other library directors. Knowing that many directors supervise staff that may also be ACL members, this group desires to create a space where potentially confidential topics may be discussed. The mission of the group is to create opportunities for sharing resources and freely discussing topics related to directing a library and interacting with other campus administrators and faculty.
Who can join the Current Library Directors/Deans Interest Group (CLDIG)? Any ACL member who is the current Director, Dean, or otherwise responsible for the entirety of the library where they are employed.
Jeremy Labosier, Co-Convener
Biola University
Christy Choi, Co-Convener
City Seminary of New York
This interest group was launched in 2022.
The Emerging Library Professionals Interest Group (ELPIG) is designed to provide a faith-based support system for those who are new to the profession and to help new association members become actively involved in the association and the profession. The mission of the group is to create networking opportunities, promote ACL membership among emerging library professionals, and to create in-person and online forums (via a Google Group) for emerging librarians to openly share resources and to freely discuss topics relevant to new professionals in the library community.
Who can join the Emerging Library Professionals Interest Group? Any ACL member who is new to the profession or the association. “New” shall be defined by the interested individual and not limited by the number of years of experience.
Krissy Nichols, Convener
Stark College & Seminary
This interest group was launched in 2016.
The Information Literacy Interest Group (ILIG) is for librarians who are involved or interested in information literacy and wish to collaborate with other librarians to discuss relevant aspects of theory, practice, collaboration, trends, assessment, etc. related to information literacy.
Who can join ILIG? ILIG members must either be ACL members themselves or be working under the supervision of someone who is a full or associate ACL individual member at the same institution.
How can I access ideas, teaching content, sample assignments etc. from previous discussions on the ILIG? Visit the Libguide hosted by the ILIG that serves as a clearinghouse for access to IL-related content.
Julie Sweeney, Convener
Point Loma Nazarene University
This interest group was renamed in December of 2014 to more intentionally focus on relevant aspects of information literacy.
The International Librarians Interest Group (INTLIG) exists to provide faith-based support to those in international or global libraries. The mission is to provide support through resource sharing, networking opportunities for librarians in unique circumstances, and creative problem-solving on a limited budget. Participation in discussions (online and in-person) and online forums allows us to freely discuss issues, new ideas for research, create pathways for international mentoring, and share global opportunities for librarians.
Who can join the International Librarians Interest Group (INTLIG)? Any ACL member who is serving in an international library or those librarians who are passionate about supporting and sharing resources with librarians in other countries.
Lauren Denny, Convener
Teamwork Library
This interest group launched in 2023.
The K-12 Librarians Interest Group is designed to provide a faith-based support system for those who are in K-12 school library settings. The mission of the group is to encourage one another through sharing best practices, instructional ideas, problem-solving, and encouraging one another in the Lord as those who serve Him in schools or assist others working with the K-12 age group of learners. Further, this group’s purpose is to create networking opportunities, promote ACL membership among school librarians, and create in-person and virtual forums to share resources and freely discuss topics relevant to this library community.
How might this help you? The knowledge and experience of those in this group are available as you develop or improve your library’s K-12 subcollection. If you have a feeder Academy, this community may assist you in understanding that library environment or provide you information for those school libraries. Your institution may be training K-12 teachers who will be raising readers, teaching research, and dealing with all things digital for the youngest learners now using digital devices and print materials. This group will share the joys, trends, and challenges now facing the K-12 world of education and librarianship. And if you are involved with church libraries – this group may be a resource for you, too.
Who can join the K-12 Librarians Interest Group? Any ACL member who is a K-12 school librarian or interested in K-12 librarianship.
Linda Brogden, Convener
Valley Christian Schools
This interest group launched in 2019.
The Management and Supervision Interest Group (MSIG) exists to provide faith-based support to those in libraries who work in management or supervision positions. Our mission is to provide support for managers and supervisors as they manage day-to-day, provide employee development and training, lead up through advocacy, and grow to improve their own management and supervision abilities. Participation in discussions (online and in-person) and online forums allow us to freely discuss issues, new ideas, and the ability to share resources relevant to managing and supervising.
Who can join the Management and Supervision Interest Group (MSIG)? Any ACL member who is a manager or supervisor of others including student workers or staff.
Robert Oliverio, Convener
Arizona Christian University
This interest group launched in 2022.
The Public Librarians Interest Group (PLIG) is designed to provide a faith-based support system for those who are in public library settings. The mission of the group is to encourage one another through sharing the opportunities and challenges facing an evangelical Christian in public librarianship. In addition, this group’s purpose is to create networking opportunities, promote ACL membership among public librarians, share knowledge and experience on popular or recreational reading collections, readers’ advisory, or other programming efforts, and support colleagues who may need to transition into a position at a public library.
Who can join the Public Librarians Interest Group? Any ACL member who is a public librarian or interested in public librarianship.
Lowell Walters, Convener
Mississippi County Library System
This interest group launched in 2019.
The purpose of the Research Interest Group is to support one another’s research endeavors and their various manifestations (conference presentations, article/chapter submissions, teaching, participation in committees, etc.). This group is to provide a tool that can encourage collaboration in research, encourage individual research endeavors, discuss research topics and venues for research production (in the context of ACL members).
Who can join the Research Interest Group? Any ACL member who is interested in research and the collaboration offered in this context.
Garrett Trott, Convener
Corban University
This interest group launched in 2021.
The Retirees Interest Group (RETIG) has the following purposes: 1) to continue to engage our retired members in the Association of Christian Librarians, and 2) to provide a forum for anyone interested in retirement to discuss and share retirement issues. RETIG helps retired ACL members keep in touch with each other and remain connected with ACL. RETIG allows its members to discuss issues relevant to the group, and offers advice to members planning on retirement.
Who can join RETIG? Any ACL member who is retired, about to retire, or simply interested in retirement issues is welcome to join the Retirees Interest Group. Our membership consists of ACL members who are already retired and those who are still working. RETIG is open to ACL members of all ages.
Elizabeth Werner, Convener
Retired Librarian from Clearwater Christian College
This interest group launched in 2014.
The Solo Librarians Interest Group (SLIG) is for ACL members who run their library by themselves (hence the word solo) or with limited personnel or student workers. Many times solos need advice to solve particular issues that other solos may better relate to with creative low-personnel, low-budget solutions. As a solo community, we also email and meet (Zoom) throughout the year to encourage each other and share our progress and challenges.
Who can join SLIG? SLIG is open to any ACL member who is a solo librarian.
Renee Carey, Convener
Faith Bible College
This interest group launched in 2013.
The Technical Services Interest Group is for librarians who are either practicing Technical Services librarians or who have a real interest in Technical Services. Members of this group will be able to collaborate with fellow librarians on issues relevant to the philosophy and practice of Technical Services.
Who can join TSIG? Any ACL member with an interest in Technical Services. Technical Services can include cataloging, acquisitions, systems, web development, serials, interlibrary loan, and much more.
Mary Logue, Co-Convener
Point Loma Nazarene University
Kris Ann Hudson, Co-Convener
University of Missouri – Kansas City
This interest group launched in 2014.
ACL Interest Groups Organization and Governance
Revised (2024)
Creating an Interest Group: ACL members interested in creating a new Interest Group may petition the Board. Petitions should include a rationale, a list of members willing to participate, and at least one member willing to provide leadership for the Group. This information should be communicated with the Executive Director or Interest Group Coordinator for presentation to the board.
Interest Group Governance: Leadership of an Interest Group is in the hands of a designated Convener or co-conveners, who are responsible for planning and carrying out the Interest Group goals and objectives. Conveners may be selected by the Interest Group itself but are approved by the Board. The Convener(s) will submit an annual report to the Board including a summary of group activities and a recommendation regarding the future of the group. This information is submitted via a google form and the process is initiated by the Interest Group Coordinator.
Interest Group Membership: Any ACL member may participate in any Interest Group and can participate in multiple interest groups. To join an interest group, members should visit the Connection Central and complete the google form indicating which interest groups they would like to join. ACL has approved discussion list guidelines. Note: the same guidelines and expectations apply to Interest Group discussion lists as apply to the main ACL discussion list.
Interest Group Expectations
- Manage and maintain a discussion list which facilitates conversation on issues related to Interest Group topics.
- Conveners may need to encourage discussion from time to time.
- Create its own goals and objectives. These goals and objectives should align with the current ACL strategic plan, benefit ACL members, and promote the mission of ACL.
Interest Group Optional Activities:
- Interest Groups are encouraged to host virtual meetings at times that are convenient for their members. ACL provides an option to request a virtual meeting, hosted on Zoom, by ACL. However, groups are not required to use ACL to host their meetings.
- An Interest Group, or members thereof, may desire to apply to present a workshop at the annual conference. Interest Groups submitting a proposal are subject to the same application process as individual members and are not required to present, nor guaranteed a spot in the conference schedule.
- An Interest Group may decide to work collaboratively on a journal article for The Christian Librarian (TCL).
- Interest Group Meeting at conference: Each conference location and schedule is unique. Interest groups may apply to host an in-person interest group meeting as part of the official conference schedule. Space is limited. There will be a formal application process with the Conference Manager and Interest Group Coordinator making final decisions on awarding space.
- Interest Groups may request reserved table space at a meal during the annual conference.
- Interest groups may choose to create and maintain a LibGuide to house interest group documents.
Change in Interest Group Status: An Interest Group may be closed at the discretion of the Board when:
- There is no convener
- There is no discussion on the listserv for six months
- The Group no longer adheres to their stated goals and objectives
- The Board determines that continuing the group is not in the best interest of the Association
Change in Interest Group Leadership, Name, Focus
- In the event that a convener would like to step down, the person should poll the current group to identify a new convener and communicate that information with the Interest Group Coordinator.
- An Interest Group may change its name with the approval of the Board, with a rationale for the change.
- An Interest Group may change its focus to better serve the needs of the group so long as the new focus remains unique from other available groups.
If you would like for ACL to support you in hosting a virtual meeting for your interest group. Please fill out this form with your request.
If you need help or direction with your interest group, please contact April VanPutten, the Interest Group Coordinator.