Following a comprehensive review of the LAI Awards the President and Council of LAI are delighted to announce:
a) Applications are now open for the new, mid-career award of Senior Associate of the Library Association of Ireland (SALAI).
b) A two-year grace period for mid-career professionals without an Associate of the Library Association of Ireland (ALAI) award to apply for the SALAI before an ALAI will be required.
c) Applications for the ALAI, which were suspended for the review period, are now re-open.
d) The application fee for the ALAI is significantly reduced to reflect its repositioning as the entry-level award and to encourage applications from early career professionals.
e) The application process for all LAI awards is now online.
We hope these changes will encourage all LAI members to apply for an award, whatever stage of your career you are, to gain peer and employer recognition of your commitment to your continuing professional development and to your professional association.
Visit the LAI website at http://www.libraryassociation.ie/lai-awards for details of how to apply for all LAI Awards: Associateship, Senior Associateship and Fellowship.
In addition to introducing the new SALAI award, the Professional Standards Committee (PSC) has: developed new and revised supporting documentation for award candidates, administrators and assessors; revamped the Awards Assessors Panel comprising professionals in senior management positions from all sectors; addressed data protection requirements; and appointed two new awards administrators from within the PSC.
The PSC have committed to a review of the implementation of these changes in October 2020 and ask for your patience and feedback during the first year of operations.
The President & Council of LAI would like to acknowledge and thank members of the Professional Standards Committee, the LAI Web Officer and in particular the members of the Assessors Panel for their commitment to the professional development and recognition of our members. We also acknowledge Dr John Cullen for his report and recommendations which led to these changes and the many members of the Association whose comments helped shape the new Awards structure.
Marian Higgins.
President LAI.