Student Organization
- ALASC
- Phi Beta Phi Mu
- SLIS Doctoral Students Association
- SLA
- SAA
- Jail Library Student Group
- LITA
- Print Culture Society
ALASC
(American Library Association Student Chapter)
ALA is the largest professional organization in the field of library and information
studies. There are numerous divisions, committees, and interest groups within
the organization. Student membership is at a greatly reduced price and includes
a subscription to American Libraries, and member rates for other publications
and services. The ALASC (American Library Association Student Chapter) organizes
opportunities for professional development, social functions, and fundraising
events, and sponsors the "Congratulations Graduates" parties at
the end of the fall and spring semesters. Group members also serve on SLIS
committees.
LITA
(Library and Information Technology Student Group)
The LITA Student Group is a student chapter of the Library and Information
Technology Association (LITA) at the School of Library and Information Studies,
UW-Madison. The group aims to complement and extend the curriculum by providing
opportunities for hands-on experience with technologies in this field. Emphasis
is placed on self-directed learning, and all SLIS students who are motivated
to improve their skills with technology are encouraged to join, regardless
of previous experience.
Phi
Beta Phi Mu
(International Library and Information Science Honor Society)
Beta Phi Mu was founded at the University of Illinois in 1948 to promote scholarship
through the maintenance of high standards for admission to its ranks, through
publications distinguished for their content and design, through important
lecture series in its chapters, and through the provision of scholarships.
Membership is granted to candidates who have completed advanced degrees at
ALA accredited programs with a scholastic average of 3.75 or higher. Other
requirements include recommendation by the faculty of the school and acceptance
of the invitation within five years. The Society was formally admitted to
membership in the Association of College Honor Societies in 1968. The Beta
Beta Epsilon chapter of Beta Phi Mu was formed in 1984 at the School of Library
and Information Studies, University of Wisconsin, Madison. Any member of the
Society in good standing is eligible to join the local chapter.
SAA
(Society
of American Archivists Student Chapter)
The student chapter of SAA is for students whose main interest is historical
materials, archives and records management. Students who join the national
organization may also join the local student chapter. Benefits of membership
include mailings of professional journals and newsletters, discounts on SAA
publications, professional conferences and mentoring opportunities. The student
chapter organizes guest speakers, tours of various archives and social activities.
SLA
Student Group
(Special Libraries Association)
The SLA is an international organization of librarians and information specialists
who work in libraries, information agencies, or technical information centers
that serve a particular client group or have a specialized subject orientation.
There are many subject-oriented divisions and geographically-based chapters
that members can join. The student chapter hosts colloquia, tours (both physical
and electronic), and discussions, and sometimes carpools to SLA Wisconsin
Chapter meetings in the Milwaukee area. SLASC also has a mentoring program,
a web page, and an email discussion list.
SLIS Doctoral Students Association
The doctoral and specialist students at The School of Library and Information
Studies seek to engender a community of collaboration between Master's students,
Faculty, Staff, and Advanced Students within our program.
Jail
Library Student Group
The Jail Library Student Group provides educational, recreational and community
resource reading materials to the inmates of the Dane County jails. The group
operates two libraries, one in the City County Building (CCB) Jail and one
in the Public Safety Building (PSB) Jail. The libraries' collections consist
entirely of donated materials acquired by student group members. Volunteers
work either one weekday afternoon at the PSB; or one Saturday morning at the
CCB. Group members are asked to make a one-year commitment to the program
and to volunteer for one or two shifts per month. Other ways to participate
in the Jail Library Group include fundraising, volunteer recruitment and collection
development. This is a unique opportunity to work with an underserved population
and gain valuable experience in readersI advisory and reference service, collection
development, and fundraising.
Print Culture Society
The Print Culture Society is a campus-based organization of the
University of Wisconsin-Madison, dedicated to providing undergraduate
and graduate students opportunities to learn about various aspects of
print culture. The Print Culture Society seeks to promote print culture
education by disseminating information about print culture resources,
campus and community events, and international print culture study
opportunities.

