# 9 Competency Internet

American Library Association-Office for Literacy and Outreach Services

Link for this website: http://www.ala.org/ala/olos/literacyoutreach.htm

I first searched Google and then Dogpile to compare searches, but in the back of my mind I new what site I really wanted, but for the sake of learning I first entered "outreach electronic library programs ALA" which gave me the site above on Dogpile. This website was chosen based on the mission statement below and the ALA's reputation and recognition as a premier national and international organization supporting the library profession. There are also three committees that serve this office: 1) OLOS Advising Committee, that "advises and establishes programs and priorities," 2) Committee on Literacy, to "develop and recommend the Associations policies related to the promotion of programs," and 3) Committee on Rural, Native, and Tribal Libraries, to " review issues and challenges and serve as an advocate for these communities." A Discussion List has links to the following sites that would enhance this effort:
Library Literacy (library-lit@ala.org)
Bookmobiles Subcommittee (bookmobiles@ala.org)
Aging Subcommittee (aging@ala.org)
American Indians Subcommittee (amind@ala.org)
Ethnic Caucuses (ecaucus@ala.org) Intergenerational Library Services (intergen@ala.org)
Library Issues of Poor and Homeless People (olospoor@ala.org)
Library Outreach (outreach@ala.org) Rural, Native, and Tribal Libraries of All Kinds (rntloak@ala.org).

The Mission Statement states "The Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS)serves the Association by identifying and promoting library services that support equitable access to the knowledge and information stored in our libraries. OLOS focuses attention on services that are inclusive of traditionally underserved populations, including new and non-readers, people geographically isolated, people with disabilities, rural and urban poor people, and people generally discriminated against based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, language and social class. The Office ensures that training, information resources, and technical assistance are available to help libraries and librarians develop effective strategies to develop programs and services for library users."