 When did women’s groups become formalized within the American Library Association?  Why did the groups form when they did?  What were the initial goals of these groups?  Did these groups have an impact on changing the status of women’s roles within the American Library Association and the profession? Library Research Showcase November 12,

When and Why Did These Women’s Groups Emerge in the American Library Association?  Second wave of the women’s movement (1960s) influenced activism in library profession  Women’s groups were created in the ALA to effect change for women in the profession  Task Force on the Status of Women in Librarianship (TFSWL) created in 1970 and Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (COSWL) created in 1976  Initial Goals: 1.Collect and disseminate information on the status of women 2.Coordinate women’s interests within the ALA 3.Communicate and work with women’s groups outside the profession 2 Library Research Showcase November 12, 2014

 Information on salaries was gathered and shared  Jobs board/resume screening service created  Comprehensive salary survey conducted  Collaboration and communication between women’s groups within ALA  Collaboration and communication between women’s groups outside ALA  Workshops and programs discussing women’s issues increased at ALA conferences Library Research Showcase November 12,

 Harassment at conferences  Multiplicity of groups, younger members, and use of social media makes it hard to coordinate action  No real history or documentation of these issues  Women continue to be oppressed and marginalized within society Library Research Showcase November 12,

 Use existing structure to create cohesion  Work with women’s groups in other professional library associations, e.g. SLA, IFLA  Document the history of women’s struggles within the profession  Continue to fight for women’s rights within the larger society Library Research Showcase November 12,