About Us

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Current Board

Previous Board:

  • Derek Ivie (He/Him)
  • Jody Ruggiero (She/Her)
  • Nola Thacker (She/Her/They/Them)
  • Valerie Acklin (She/Her)
  • Noel Reich (She/Her)

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of the Long Island Library Pride Alliance (LILPA) is to provide LGBTQIA+ information, services, and materials to both library professionals and users of libraries on Long Island by:

  • Ensuring that Long Island libraries have the resources necessary to meet the needs of queer patrons and staff members
  • Providing a forum for discussion, as well as an environment for advocacy and education, regarding the needs of queer library workers and the queer community at large
  • Providing support for free and open access to information, without censorship, for all queer individuals and their allies

LILPA will serve to:

  • Create a network of queer librarians and allies in the region that are interested in LGBTQIA+ librarianship
  • Provide a forum for the exchange of ideas on public-facing programming, services, and collection development related to LGBTQIA+ matters, as well as promote ways in which librarians can meet the needs of their queer patrons
  • Provide a forum for the exchange of ideas on queer librarianship, as well as promote was in which library workers and administrators can meet the needs of queer employees
  • Provide continuing education opportunities related to LGBTQIA+ matters throughout the year
  • Present at regional, state, and national professional events that would serve as an opportunity to demonstrate best practices and learn about queer librarianship
  • Partner with the ALA Rainbow Roundtable, the NYLA LGBTQIA Roundtable, the LGBT Network, and other organizations, as appropriate, to meet our purpose
  • Collect and share best practices, create and distribute resource lists and annual book/media picks, assist in the development of staff training, and advocate for queer services, queer collection development, and queer safe library spaces, on behalf of queer library workers and patrons

LILPA Structure:

LILPA is a joint committee of both the Nassau County Library Association (NCLA) and the Suffolk County Library Association (SCLA). The committee is to be managed by appointed officers from both parent organizations, who will serve for 2-year terms. All officers must be members of either NCLA or SCLA, as appropriate. New officers shall be appointed, as appropriate and necessary, by current officers. The officers oversee and organize all aspects and activities of the committee. Membership fees are to be set by LILPA officers, in conjunction with the Executive Boards of NCLA and SCLA. Members of LILPA are encouraged to be active participants in all aspects of the committee.

LILPA Officers:

LILPA leadership will consist of a minimum of one (1) Chairperson representing NCLA and one (1) Chairperson representing SCLA. Chair duties may be split between two (2) individuals from each parent organization, as well.