The American Library Association Student Chapter (ALA-SC) at the IU School of Library and Information Science in Bloomington was named the ALA Student Chapter of the Year Award recipient for 2005. The honor is a first for the chapter.

Debora Shaw, executive associate dean and professor, praised the group, saying "The ALA student chapter has been a great support for SLIS students developing their professional contacts and advance their careers. Congratulations on achieving this recognition from the Association."

In announcing the honor, Courtney L. Young, chair of the Student Chapter of the Year Award Committee, said the "selection is a tribute to your past year of accomplishments and hard work."  Added Young:  "The committee applauds Indiana Bloomington's hard work in membership recruitment and retention efforts, including the mentor program and faculty membership. The balance and strength of professional programming and social activities was very good. The implementation of a bulletin board system for members was an outstanding way to facilitate chapter communication."
                    
Chapter President Arianne A. Hartsell agreed.  "The members of the Executive Council have worked hard this year to revive the ALA-SC and expand its role to include not just professional development activities, but also social events. As a result, we have effectively increased membership and participation." 

The award, which is sponsored by the ALA Membership Committee and New Members Round Table, comes with a travel grant of $1,000 to be used toward the cost sending chapter representatives to the 2005 ALA
Annual Conference in Chicago on June 23-29.

A certificate of recognition will be presented at a reception on Saturday, June 25, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Congratulations from the IUB Libraries!