Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (COSWL)

Charge

To officially represent the diversity of women's interest within ALA and to ensure that the association considers the rights of the majority (women) in the library field. To promote and initiate the collection, analysis, dissemination, and coordination of information on the status of women in librarianship. To coordinate the activities of ALA units that consider questions having special relevance for women. To identify lags, gaps, and possible discrimination in resources and programs relating to women. To help develop evaluative tools, guidelines, and programs in cooperation with other ALA units designed to enhance the opportunities and the image of women in the library profession, thus raising the level of consciousness concerning women. To establish contacts with committees on women within other professional groups and to officially represent ALA concerns at interdisciplinary meetings on women's equality. To provide council and membership with reports needed for the establishment of policies and actions related to the status of women in librarianship, and monitor ALA units to ensure consideration of the rights of women.

Roster

Loida A. Garcia-Febo
(Chair, July 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024)
Loida A. Garcia-Febo
(Chair, July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025)
Shatha Baydoun
(Member, July 1, 2022, to July 31, 2024)
Beatrice Elizabeth Canales
(Member, July 1, 2022, to July 31, 2024)
Xiaojie Duan
(Member, July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026)
Joanna Kathleen Gadsby
(Member, July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025)
Loida A. Garcia-Febo
(Member, July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025)
Dr. Linda Marie Golian-Lui, Ed.D,MLIS,M.D.
(Member, July 1, 2022, to July 31, 2024)
Dr. Linda Marie Golian-Lui, Ed.D,MLIS,M.D.
(Member, July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026)
Shana M. Higgins
(Member, July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025)
Mrs. Lisa Gangemi Kropp
(Member, July 1, 2022, to July 31, 2024)
Mindy M. Pobst
(Member, July 1, 2022, to July 31, 2024)
Dr. Ellen M. Pozzi
(Member, July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025)
Giana Torrez
(Member, July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026)
Mrs. Hong Yao
(Member, July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025)
Stephanie Chase
(Executive Board Liaison, July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026)
Elizabeth Katherine Langley
(Committee Associate, July 1, 2022, to July 31, 2024)
Alexis Nicole Mendoza
(Committee Associate, July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026)
Beatrice Calvin
(Primary Staff Liaison, May 11, 2018, to July 31, 2028)
Previous Year / Next Year

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Resources

Statements & Notes from COSWL

  • COSWL Calls for Conference Site Reviews in Locations Limiting Women's Rights
    June 2024

    Given recent changes in legislation in the United States which limits access to health care in various circumstances, the ALA Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (COSWL) has issued the following statement:

    The ALA Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (COSWL) calls on the ALA Executive Board to take expeditious action in support of women and people who are pregnant related to the matter of ALA continuing to host conferences in states where a large portion of our attendees, if in a medical crisis, may not be able to receive appropriate emergency medical care.

    While the committee understands contractual obligations to have conference sites booked far in advance, we request that the conference committee explore considering the location of a conference site with local limitations on women's rights, when selecting future locations to ensure that all ALA members have equal access to emergency medical care if needed.


    This statement from the ALA Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (COSWL) has been endorsed by the Association of College and Research Libraries Women and Gender Studies Section Executive Committee (ACRL-WGSS) and the ALA Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT).

  • COSWL Supports Library Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic
    January 6, 2022

    The American Library Association's Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (ALA COSWL) is in solidarity with library workers in the midst of another COVID surge. We want you to know that we see you and support you during this time. We have listed a few links to provide support from afar:

    - Resolution to Prioritize Library Workers to Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine
    - ALA Statement on COVID-19
    - Pandemic Preparedness: Resources for Libraries

  • COSWL Endorses the ALA Social Responsibilities Round Table's (SRRT) Statement regarding ALA meeting in Texas for LibLearnX 2022
    September, 2021

News

Recorded Sessions

Reference Materials

Social Media Pages

Other Women's Groups within ALA

Other Non-ALA Organizations

Last updated 7/16/2024

Composition

The Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (COSWL) consists of eleven members appointed from the membership at large serving two year staggered terms and led by chair, serving a one year term.

Subcommitees and Task Forces

The Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (COSWL) consists of eleven members appointed from the membership at large serving two year staggered terms and led by chair, serving a one year term.

Articles In Celebration of Women