Make a difference: Connect, contribute, collaborate

Volunteer now for ACRL division or section committees!

Are you looking for ways to expand your professional network and contribute to ACRL? Committee volunteers help shape ACRL by advancing its strategic plan and influencing the direction of academic and research librarianship. Serving on a committee is one of the best ways to become involved and make an impact on the profession. If you’d like to become more engaged, I invite you to volunteer to serve on a 2012—13 division or section committee.

Though I could tell you why I think it’s highly beneficial to volunteer for a committee or division, listen instead to what your colleagues say. In focus groups held at the ACRL 2011 conference, current committee members described their experience “as the single greatest value of membership” and the way to contribute to academic and research librarianship by influencing the issues that matter.

If you want to give back to the profession by helping ACRL achieve its strategic goals, please consider volunteering to serve on a committee. I believe the rewards of committee participation are well worth the time invested. Build your relationship with ACRL and your fellow academic librarians by choosing to volunteer. The ideas you share can make a difference.

–Steven Bell, ACRL Vice-President/President-Elect

The ACRL committee volunteer form for section and division-level appointments is now open! If you wish to be considered for a committee appointment, complete the ACRL volunteer form by February 15, 2012. For more information and a link to the volunteer form, visit http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/membership/volunteer/volunteer.cfm