Associations

The purpose of the UB Library and Information Science Graduate Student Association (LIS GSA) is to:

1. Advocate LIS student interests to LIS Council, Graduate School of Education, GSA Senate, and ad-hoc University committees to voice students' questions, comments, and concerns on Departmental and University operations.
2. Provide funding for student events, department events, and conference reimbursement. Conference reimbursement is a mechanism to allow students to gain valuable conference experience without burdening the entire cost.
3. Host social events for its members, either through our own initiative or by supporting other organizations within the field of library science. This is achieved through parties, service activities and other sponsored events which provide the chance to network with those who will be our professional peers.

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is the only national professional membership organization focused on school librarians and the school library community. AASL has more than 7,000 members and serves school librarians in the United States, Canada, and around the world. 

Having supported the profession for 65 years, AASL understands the current realities and evolving dynamics of the professional environment and is positioned to help members achieve universal recognition of school librarians as indispensable educational leaders.

For more information, contact Mary Jo Sicurella (mjsicure@buffalo.edu).

The American Library Association (ALA) is the major governing organization in the United States for library professionals. Their mission is:

“To provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.”

The UB-ALA Student Chapter adapts the parent association's mission while also adding several other focuses. Predominantly, the student run chapter plans and organizes events while providing opportunities for professional development, advocacy, and community service. Essentially, the chapter works to supplement the LIS student's academic experience with professional development tools and information. This includes the opportunity to join other library based organizations as well as to apply for scholarships, grants, or participate in interesting seminars.

The Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) is the only professional association that bridges the gap between information science practice and research. For nearly 80 years, ASIS&T has been leading the search for new and better theories, techniques, and technologies to improve access to information.

Our members—thousands of researchers, developers, practitioners, students, and professors in the field of information science and technology from 50 countries around the world—have made ASIS&T an important part of their professional development.

Members share a common interest in improving the ways society stores, retrieves, analyzes, manages, archives and disseminates information.

Dr. Dan Albertson is the faculty advisor for the UB chapter.   

The New York Library Association (NYLA) is the voice of the library community in New York.

NYLA, established by Melvil Dewey in 1890, is the oldest state library association in the country and represents school, college, special and public libraries, library staff, trustees, and students from around the state.

NYLA is the only statewide organization dedicated to advocating on behalf of all libraries and library staff to the state legislature, and serves as the spokesperson on library matters to the media and public policymakers.

Dr. Brenda Battleson White is the UB chapter faculty advisor.

The Special Libraries Association (SLA) seeks to support information professionals with the tools and skills necessary to compete in today’s information society. A special library is a library or information center whose needs are defined by a specific profession, topic or subject.

UB SLA, the on-campus student extension, aims to support students interested in special libraries through integrated events, seminars, and activities with local librarians. We are interested in educating our fellow students about special librarians’ niches and craftsmanship. Some of the things we do include: holding job hunt workshops; hosting panels about special libraries; integrating technology in special seminars; and visiting local special libraries.