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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
American Indian Library Association (AILA)
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What is AILA?
What are the some of the specific goals and activities of AILA?
How did AILA get started?
How can I join AILA?
What kinds of articles does the AILA newsletter feature?
What documents govern AILA?
Does the federal government support better library services for Native Americans?
Is there an official list of Indian groups?
What kinds of libraries serve American Indians?
How can I trace my Native American ancestors?
What are good sources for books by or about Native Americans?
How can I get information about Native American schools and colleges?
How can I get started with Native American research?
The American Indian Library Association is a membership action group that addresses the library-related needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Members are individuals and institutions interested in the development of programs to improve Indi an library, cultural, and informational services in school, public, and research libraries on reservations. AILA is also committed to disseminating information about Indian cultures, languages, values, and information needs to the library community. AILA cosponsors an annual conference and holds a yearly business meeting in conjunction with the American Library Association annual meeting. It publishes the American Indian Libraries Newsletter, which appears in four issues per year.
What are the some of the specific goals and activities of AILA?
There are two sets of goals provided here, as reported in the booklet of the American Library Association (ALA) titled Equal Voices Many Choices: Ethnic Library Organizations Respond to ALA's Goal 2000. The first is a listing of AILA's ongoing goals and activities. The second is AILA's response to ALA Goal 2000, a document defining ways in which the American Library Association will su pport the public's right to a free and open information society.
AILA was founded in 1979 in conjunction with the White House Pre-Conference on Indian Library and Information Services on or near Reservations. At the time, there was increasing awareness that library services for Native Americans were inadequate. Individuals as well as the government began to organize to remedy the situation.
What documents govern AILA?
AILA has a constitution and bylaws, which set its structure, membership categories and policies.
How can I join AILA?
Any person or institution interested in AILA's goals may join. There are two categories of personal membership: individual and student. Institutional membership is for libraries and other organizations. You can link to a membership form to print out or download. It contains dues information. Members receive the American Indian Libraries Newsletter. The membership year is from July 1-June 30.
What kinds of articles does the AILA newsletter feature?
The American Indian Libraries Newsletter appears four times per year. It includes information about decisions, goals, activities, and business meetings of AILA, as well as articles on programs, projects, grants, and resources relating to Ame rican Indian culture and library and information services. A column by the current president is a regular feature. In addition, you will find books reviews, online resources, job announcements and other information that furthers the goals of the associati on. The first issue of the Newsletter was published in Fall 1976. Back issues may be purchased from AILA for $2.50 per issue, by contacting the Newsletter Editor (see section of AILA home page listing officers). The logo that has been used for the News letter since the first issue was designed by Mr. Ron Hernandez (Sioux) in 1974.
Sample articles:
Native American Archives Coalition
Native American Writers Archival Project
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Does the federal government support better library services for Native Americans?
The U. S. government does support improved library services to Native Americans. Goals relating to libraries serving Native American communities include improving funding, providing training and technical assistance, increasing library holdings in all formats, supporting better technology, and developing cooperative arrangements and partnerships at the state and local level. These goals and implementation strategies are described in the 1992 report, Pathways to Excellence: A Report on Improving Library and Information Services for Native American Peoples , written by the U. S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science.
The Museum and Library Act of 1996 created the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and consolidated federal programs supporting museums and libraries under this agency. Consult the IMLS web site for ann ouncements about any current federal library grant programs pertaining to American Indian libraries.
Is there an official list of Indian groups?
The U. S. Department of Interior maintains a list of "Indian Entities Recognized and Eligible to Receive Services from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs." The list is generally known as the List of Federally Recognized Tribes.
What kinds of libraries serve American Indians?
Libraries in schools or community colleges, community libraries and tribal libraries may serve peoples living on reservations. Since many such libraries are geographically remote, obtaining adequate staff, training, materials and facilities is ofte n a challenge. Native Americans who do not live on reservations often seek to develop or maintain cultural identity. Although they may have access to larger libraries, including academic libraries, such libraries may not have the kinds of culturally speci fic materials that meet the needs of these patrons.
How can I trace my Native American ancestors?
Genealogy can be a complex undertaking. Detailed research generally requires going to various libraries and sites of government archives. However, there are a number of online resources to help you get started. We offer here a Native American genealogy page with an annotated list of links, as well as a pathfinder developed by a student at the University of Texas.
What are good sources for books by or about Native Americans?
We offer here a Native American books source page which includes names, and contact information or Internet links for selected publishers, book dealers, online bookstore and organizations that publish, publicize, dis tribute, or evaluate books by or about Native Americans. Some of the entities listed focus exclusively or mainly on the topic of American Indians. Others include the subject among a more general selection of materials. The American Indian Libraries New sletter contains frequent references to books, sources of books, and to online resources. Each issue also includes book reviews.
How can I get information about Native American schools and colleges?
There are a number of Internet sites which provide information on tribal schools and colleges, as well as on general higher education programs for Native American students. Colleges and schools offering programs in Native American Studies generally have web sites describing these programs. Information includes descriptions of course offerings and activities. We offer a page of education links to get you started.
Can AILA help with Native American research?
This question refers to historical, cultural, linguistic and other types of research, as opposed to genealogical research. At present, AILA does not have the resources to offer reference service. We do offer a Native American research page with a few titles to specific works and links to research sites.
AILA has a committee whose mission is to develop a core bibliography of resources recommended for school libraries and those recommended for academic libraries. This list will be available at some future time.
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Page prepared by Carolyn Jacobs
Student, Graduate School of Library and Information Science
University of Texas at Austin
June 25, 1998
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