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Join KLA Council
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Kansas Library Superstars
We need you. The Kansas Library Association is a volunteer-driven organization that supports and connects libraries and the amazing people who work and administer them across the great state of Kansas. The critical work of KLA includes but is not limited to funding a legislative lobbyist to keep our organization in the know regarding actions that have library implications and giving us a voice in the event of proposed legislation, offering guidance and support when materials are challenged, and hosting the annual Kansas Library Association Conference, the premier professional development and education event in Kansas year in and year out. KLA thrives because of the dedication and commitment of people just like you. If you are interested in becoming a member of Kansas’s prestigious library advocacy organization and making a difference in the lives of library personnel and the people libraries serve, please consider running for office today. See the opportunities below:
KLA 2nd VP (4 Year Commitment - Full Term)
This is a 4-year term with the first year as 2nd VP, second year as 1st VP/Conference Chair, third year as President, and final year as Past President.
The Second Vice President acts for the First Vice President/President Elect during his/her absence; becomes First Vice President/President Elect at the completion of his/her year as Second Vice President; assumes the office of First Vice President/President Elect if that office is vacated, for the remainder of the incomplete term, and then serves a one year term as President; assists the First Vice President/President Elect with planning for the Annual Conference.
Additional responsibilities described above after the first year. The KLA 2nd VP is a voting member of the KLA Executive and Council.
Secretary (2 Year Commitment with Re-Election for Another 2 Years)
The Secretary shall be elected in even-numbered years to serve a two-year term. The Secretary is eligible to serve two consecutive terms.
The Secretary shall keep the official minutes of all meetings of KLA, the Council, and the Executive Committee, and forward them to the Council, Executive and Amigos Representative as appropriate. The Secretary serves as resource person to the President, Executive Committee, and Council in questions relating to prior actions of the Committee, Council, or membership through consultation of Minutes, Financial Reports, and other official papers of the Association.
The Secretary is a voting member of the KLA Executive and Council.
ALA Councilor (3 Year Term)
The representative shall be a member of the American Library Association. The Councilor is a voting member of the KLA Council and should attend meetings of the KLA Council. The ALA Councilor shall attend the ALA Council meetings, with some expenses paid as budgeted, and report to KLA Council and the general membership at the Annual Conference.
Mountain Plains Libraray Association (MPLA) Representative (3 Year Term)
The representative shall be a member of Mountain Plains Library Association (MPLA). The representative is a voting member of the KLA Council and should attend meetings of the KLA Council. The MPLA representative shall attend the MPLA Executive Committee meetings, with some expenses paid as budgeted, and report to the KLA Council and to the general membership at the Annual Conference.
Nominating Committee (1 Year Term) - 3 Elected Positions
Each year this committee (3 committee members and the Past President) presents a slate of names for every office and elected representative for which there is a vacancy, along with a minimum of three and a maximum of five names for the Nominating Committee.
A Nominating Committee member is considered a non-voting affiliated member of the KLA Council.
Please let us know as soon as possible if you are interested in any of these elected positions or would like to know more about them. Each officer must be a member in good standing of KLA and a resident of Kansas or an employee of a Kansas library and be current in payment of dues.
All newly elected positions begin their terms at the end of the KLA Annual Conference (in Wichita) on October 31, 2026. However newly elected positions will be invited to the KLA Council meeting at the KLA Conference in Wichita (date and time to be determined).
The deadline for sending in your information for these opportunities are August 10th.
Please send your information to Melany Wilks, Past KLA President, (director@colbylibrary.com, with a cc to KLA@amigos.com.)
If you have any questions of concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to Melany Wilks (KLA Past President) at 785-443-2920 (cell) or 785-460-4470 (office).