The African American Studies Librarians Interest Group (AASLIG) of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) broadly addresses the scholarly research and services associated with identifying, preserving and disseminating resources for the study of African American history, culture and life. This group was founded as the African American Studies Librarians Section (AFAS) of ACRL, however, due to a change in the membership requirement for a Section, it transitioned to an Interest Group in 2016.
AASLIG has continued to maintain not only the goals and objectives of its predecessor, but also it projects and activities. It still has an ACRL appointed Liaison with the Association for the Study of African American History and Life (ASALH) and it still coordinates the African Funnel Project via the Library Congress Program in Cataloging.
AASLIG has an annual meeting in June at the ALA Conference. There is a business meeting followed by a Research Forum where guest speakers or AASLIG members can present their research or share information. During the academic year, information is disseminated via the AASLIG listserv and a newsletter is sent to the membership each semester.
The African American Studies Librarians Interest Group (AASLIG) is a interest group within the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) of the American Library Association (ALA), and is the outgrowth of a discussion group consisting of dynamic librarians with interest in and concern for African American studies and librarianship.
AASLIG provides the resources—ideas, programs, discussion forums and networking opportunities—to support the development of African American Studies librarianship and resources in academic and research libraries.
AASLIG has four goals:
1. Promote African American Studies librarianship.
2. Actively participate in the preservation of African American history and culture.
3. Partner with African American Studies educators to promote the continued research and study of African American history and life.
4. Collaborate with African American Studies scholars in the academy and in the African American community.
