Standing Committee on the Salaries and Status of Library Workers

The Standing Committee and its subcommittees have been extremely active! Thus far, they have:

•  Developed the "Advocating for Better Salaries and Pay Equity Toolkit" (www.ala-apa.org/toolkit.pdf)
•  Held training sessions and other programs at ALA conferences
•  Organized the MoneyTalks electronic discussion list
•  Encouraged salary-related activities by ALA chapters and participation by members in public awareness activities during National Library Workers Day (Tuesday of National Library Week) and Equal Pay Day

The 2007-2008 committee is chaired by Tom Galante, Queens Public Library (NY)
Patricia K. Anderson, Montville Public Library (NJ)
Sylverna Ford, University of Memphis
Anne Marie Kehnast, Gloucester County College (NJ)
Michele Leber (retired)
Connie Maxwell, Texas Woman's University
Eileen Muller, Brooklyn Public Library (NY)
Beatrice Parker (LA)
Rashmi Singh (CA)
Joyce K. Thornton, Texas A&M University

Charge (approved January 22, 2007)

To provide training and information, recommend standards, suggest strategies, and undertake research to:

• Improve the salaries and status of all library employees
• Encourage career development for all library employees

To promote and advocate pay equity and equity in the workplace as it affects all library employees by:

• Acting as a resource on the pay equity issue for the American Library Association
• Maintaining a liaison from the Standing Committee to the National Committee on Pay Equity
• Maintaining an active network and database of resources in support of these issues
• Supporting equal employment for all library employees              

All in support of and promoting the larger goals of the American Library Association-Allied Professional Association.

History

During the 2002-2003 ALA presidency of Maurice J. (Mitch) Freedman, the ALA Better Salaries and Pay Equity for Library Workers Task Force accomplished many activities that laid the foundation for the Standing Committee on the Salaries and Status of Library Workers and its subcommittees.

The ALA-APA Bylaws state that "there shall be a standing committee of nine members, appointed by the ALA-APA Board of Directors, to guide ALA-APA activities in support of better salaries, comparable worth, pay equity, and similar programs related to the status of librarians and other library workers. This committee will report to the ALA-APA Council at each regular meeting."