PSLA Committees

Committee Structure

Each committee will have two chairs plus a board liaison.
PSLA Members can volunteer to join a committee: Awards, Communications, Conference, Operations, or Teaching & Learning.
Task groups and coordinators work on a specific task or duty within a committee. Committee members are free to join short-term or long-term task groups.
Co-chairs will identify and advertise task group opportunities.

Click Here to Volunteer to Serve on a Committee or Task Group!

Awards Committee

Co-Chairs

Alice Cyphers

Maria White

Board Liaison: Samantha Hull

Contact: [email protected]

Sample Tasks

PSLA Awards
Student Librarian Awards (Undergrad & Graduate Programs)
Scholarships
Young Readers’ Choice Awards

Committee Members:

PSLA Awards: Anne Bozievich, Marg Foster, Stephanie Jacobs, Melissa Janes, Beth McGuire, Jennifer Nawri, Amy Pickett, Jamie Scott, Ellen Stolarski, Maria White

PYRCA: Melinda Bender, Maureen Chilinkskas, Sue Dahlstrom, Porshe Davis-Taylor, Tiff Emerick, Aimee Emerson, Kate Hammond, Deborah Hoover, Lori Jordan, Keith Koehler, Martha Lambertsen, Beth McGuire, Marie Mengle, Christina Peterson, Amy Pickett, Nadine Poper, Kate Ramos, Shannon Resh, Kristi Addleman Ritter, Ellen Stolarski (co-coordinator), Angela Tarr, Michelle Wells, Jennifer Wentling

Communications Committee

Co-Chairs

Kim Mento

Jenn Roth

Board Liaison: Dustin Brackbill

Contact: [email protected]

Sample Tasks:

Develop or curate the content of messages to be shared with Association stakeholders
Disseminate information using appropriate delivery platforms

Legislation Liaison: Deb Kachel (See below for information on the special committee: Local and State Advocacy)

Committee Members:

Phil Burrell, Jackie Fulton, Chris Landis, Monica Reinnagel, Mary Schwander, Barbara Tiger

Conference Committee

Executive Director of Conference

Sarah DeMaria

Aimee Emerson

Board Liaison and Vice President: Aimee Emerson

Contact: [email protected]

Sample Tasks:

Planning Conference Schedule, Program, and Events
Registration
Sponsorships and Exhibits
Evaluation and Professional Act 48 Credits

Committee Members:

General: Deborah Brown, Jayne Downing, Karen Fornari, Christopher Landes, Jennifer Nawri, Christina Peterson, Heather White

Task Coordinators: Megan Aranyos-Photography; Janice Conger-Makerspace, Unconference; Corey Hall-Communications; Anastasia Hannaken-Poster Session; Natalie Hawley, Treasurer; Christy Hay-Special Needs; Krista Leonard-Exhibits; Caitlin Linsenmann- Website; Tracy Nelson-Registration; Sandy Reilly-Author Signing; Jenn Roth-Conference 101, Unconference; Jamie Scott-Conference 101; Beth Shenefiel-Program/Graphic Design, Technology; Margaret Tatro-Moderators; Jeffrey Weiss-Evaluations; Lisa Weiss- Unconference

Local & State Advocacy Committee

Co-Chairs

Laura Ward

Debra Kachel

This special, two-year committee spearheads PSLA’s local and state advocacy efforts towards passage of state legislation specific to school library programs, funding, and staffing. The work of this also addresses building coalitions, communicating legislative alerts, working with Quantum Communications and EveryLibrary.org, and developing advocacy training, toolkits, and other communication tools as needed. The Committee is also responsible for the Take Action portion of the PSLA website.

Committee Members:

Meghan Adams, Kim Borden, Vicki Dzwiewulski, Aimee Emerson, Brenna Estel, Cathi Fuhrman, Jillian Gaspar, Maureen Grace, Kelly Gustafson, Carol Heinsdorf, Nancy Henry, Lillian Hobbs, Deb Hoover, Catherine Horan, Samantha Hull, Nancy Latanision, Melissa Leonard, Kathleen Pagano, Amy Pickett, Rita Saylor, Ellen Stolarski, Barbara Stripling, Angela Tarr, Krystle Tiedeman, Megan Tressler, Carole Turk, Joyce Valenza, Ila Verdirame, Randi Wall, Jeanette Walter, and Lauren Zucker

Operations Committee

Co-Chairs

Bob McConnell

Vickie Saltzer

Board Liaison: Leah Lindermann

Contact: [email protected]

Sample Tasks:

Governance
- Maintain, monitor, and update the official records (ex. Articles of Incorporation, Constitution and Bylaws), documents (ex. archives, mission, vision, and strategic plan) and inventory associated with the governing of the Association.
Membership
- Maintain the official membership file and collection of dues
- Advise the Board on matters related to membership structure and dues
- Collect data on the status of school library programs within the Commonwealth
Leadership Development

Identify and develop leadership within the Association
Conduct nominations and elections in accordance with the provisions in the Constitution and Bylaws of the Association

Affiliate Task Coordinator -

Archives Coordinator - Sara Webb

Budget Coordinator and Association Treasurer - Jeff Weiss

Governance Coordinators - Sharon Breeden and Peggy Mourer

2021 Leadership Development Task Group - Vickie Saltzer and Bob McConnell Members: Members: Cathi Furhman (Immediate Past President), TBD (Teaching and Learning Co-chair) and TBD (Member-at-Large).

Membership Task Coordinators - TBD and Lindsey Long - [email protected]

Staffing Survey Coordinator - Ila Verdirame - [email protected]

Committee Members: Leslie DeVries, Bethany Lewis, Jeff Weiss, Jennifer Nawri, Catherine Horan

Teaching & Learning Committee

Co-Chairs

Janice Conger

Maryalice Bond

Board Liaison: Dustin Brackbill

Contact: [email protected]

Sample Tasks

Develop, review and inform members about content related to teaching and learning
- Curriculum
- Standards (academic standards, program standards, certification standards)
- Diverse Learners
- Teacher Effectiveness
- Digital Resources (apps, websites, management tools)
- Literature Review Blog
- Library Administration
- Promotional Events
Deliver content related to teaching and learning utilizing various platforms

Committee Members:

General Members: Erin Bechdel, Sarah Beckman, Lia Bell, Anne Bozievich, Jessica Brecht, Michelle Burns,Cathy Campbell, Kristen Crans, Sarah DeMaria, Kelsey DeStevens, Jane Farrell, Samantha Helwig, Beth Henry, Bethany Lewis, Beth McGuire, Kevin McGuire, Allison Mackley, Michelle Nass, Erika Rhodeside, Catherine Scholl, Penny Starr-Ashton, Kathy Stattel, Ila Verdirame, Cyndi Welsh, Lauren Zucker

Lit Review Task Group: Maggie Bokelman, Maryalice Bond, Dustin Brackbill, Rachel Burkhouse, Arryn Cumpston, Bridget Fox, Lauren Friedman-Way, Jackie Fulton, Jillian Gasper, Brooke Gerlach, Elizabeth Henry, Brooke Huebner, Samantha Hull, Lindsey Long, Lindsey Long, Denise Medwick, Nancy Nadig, Amy Pickett, Julie Ritter, Melissa Scott, Sarah Strouse, Nancy Summers, Eva Thomas, Emily Woodward