TALLAHASSEE (April 9, 2012) — On Friday the American Library Association (ALA) New Members Roundtable congratulated The Florida State University ALA Student Chapter as the winner of its 2012 Student Chapter of the Year Award.

The annual award is presented to one of the 57 national chapters in recognition of outstanding contributions to the American Library Association, to the chapter’s school and to the library and information studies profession.

The Florida State University (FSU) chapter was praised by the ALA award committee for “its accomplishments in each of the six categories related to the award.” The committee was “impressed with the chapter’s use of technology to recruit, retain, and communicate with members, especially PhD candidates, and the variety of activities for both local and distance students. The chapter leadership also demonstrated a strong commitment to future growth by drafting a strategic plan to solidify the long-term prosperity of the chapter.”

“We are very proud of our chapter and its officers, who have consistently risen to the challenge of reaching the majority of our students, who are taking their classes online and at a distance,” said Dr. Christie Koontz, the chapter’s faculty advisor. “With the support of our college, our chapter began webcasting its meetings three years ago.”

The Florida State University ALA student chapter is located at its School of Library & Information Studies, one of three school’s comprising the College of Communication & Information, and known for having the university’s largest online program. The School offers its ALA-accredited master’s degree entirely online.

“By consistently engaging our chapter’s local and distance members via our social media outlets and technology, we have fostered a sense of the importance of professional development, the exchange of ideas, social cohesiveness and cooperation with other organizations such as the Beta Phi Mu honor society,” said chapter president, John Hinrichs. “It is a tremendous honor to receive this award on behalf of the distinguished 65-year history of Florida State’s School of Library & Information Studies.”

The FSU-SLIS student chapter will receive a certificate and $1,000 check to help defray travel expenses to the 2012 ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, CA, in June. The FSU-SLIS chapter will be recognized there during an awards reception held by the New Members Roundtable.

“It is truly a wonderful feeling to be recognized for all of the great things that our student members, both past and present, have accomplished,” said Allison George, chapter vice president.

For more information, read the ALA New Members Roundtable release.

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