Skip to: Content
Skip to: Section Navigation
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

Office for Literacy and Outreach Services

50 E. Huron Street
Chicago, Illinois 60611-2795
(800) 545-2433 ext. 4294
Fax: 312-280-3256
Email: olos@ala.org

Mission

The Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS) serves the Association by identifying and promoting library services that support equitable access to the knowledge and information stored in our libraries. OLOS focuses attention on services that are inclusive of traditionally underserved populations, including new and non-readers, people geographically isolated, people with disabilities, rural and urban poor people, and people generally discriminated against based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, language and social class. The Office ensures that training, information resources, and technical assistance are available to help libraries and librarians develop effective strategies to develop programs and service for new users.

OLOS provides resources to library and information workers who serve traditionally underrepresented groups. Our outreach areas include:

Visit our Outreach Columns blog for stories from our members!

Oversight Groups & Meeting Schedules

Committees

OLOS Advisory Committee

  • Subcommittee on Bookmobiles
  • Subcommittee on Library Services to Native Americans
  • Subcommittee on Library Services to the Poor and Homeless
  • Subcommittee on Older Adults
  • Subcommittee on Dr. Jean E. Coleman Lecture
  • Subcommittee on the Diversity and Outreach Fair

Committee on Literacy

  • Literacy Assembly
  • Research-to-Practice Subcommittee
  • Literacy Providers Subcommittee
  • Program Subcommittee

Committee on Rural, Native, and Tribal Libraries of All Kinds

Roundtables and Associations

Staff

Miguel A. Figueroa
Director, Office for Diversity & Spectrum
Acting Director, Office for Literacy and Outreach Services
800-545-2433, ext. 5295
mfigueroa@ala.org
Adminstrative oversight of the Office, its programs, services, and intiatives; manages budget and policy matters; responds to advisory questions on outreach services.

Dale Lipschultz Photo

 

 

 

 

Dale P. Lipschultz
Literacy Officer
800-545-2433, ext. 3275
dlipschultz@ala.org
Manages OLOS adult literacy projects and online resources; facilitates literacy-related discussions across library types; directs ALA’s Libraries, Literacy, and Gaming Initiative; assists with ALA’s National Gaming Day @ your library; staff liaison to: Committee on Literacy, Literacy Assembly, Games & Gaming Member Initiative Group,   President Camila Alire, Ethnic Affiliates Family Literacy Focus; and represents ALA on the National Coalition for Literacy and Media Mashup, an IMLS funded Nation of Leaders Demonstration Grant.

Elliot Mandel Photo

 

 

 

 

Elliot Mandel
Program Coordinator
800-545-2433, ext. 4297
emandel@ala.org
Manages OLOS office; coordinates conference programs on behalf of: OLOS Advisory Committee, Committee on Rural, Native, and Tribal Libraries of all kinds, Committee on Literacy, Ethnic Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT), Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered Round Table (GLBTRT), Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT), Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services (ABOS), Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL); and Administers Corretta Scott King Book Awards and Breakfast.

John Amundsen
Communications Specialist
800-545-2433, ext. 2140
jamundsen@ala.org
Administers OLOS communication efforts including OLOS Web pages, ALA Connect communities, blogs, and social networking tools; develops resources and promotional materials; shares in OLOS liaison responsibilities; plans special events including the ALA Diversity Fair, Coretta Scott King Book Awards Breakfast, and National Gaming Day.