The American Library Association (ALA) has numerous entities responsible for various events and executing objectives. One such entity is the Film and Media Roundtable or FMRT.
Previously known as the Video Roundtable, the FMRT is seeking volunteers to fill rewarding and exciting roles within its committees. Membership is open to ALA members who work "with video collections and services in libraries or who have an interest in learning more about video in libraries." Librarians are encouraged to apply, but so are video producers, creators, and vendors.
The FMRT has a mentorship program that matches experienced members with new members to teach and lead them. The application process begins online at https://www.ala.org/rt/vrt/volunteer.
Members of the FMRT interact and share information about what is effective when managing film and media collections. In January of every year, the Roundtable selects the best videos also known as the Notable Films for Adults, notables.
The committees within the FMRT are Membership, Nominating, Communications, Program, Gala, Bylaws, and Notables. The one committee that is not open right now for recruitment purposes is the Notables which opens between the months of February and April. The only elected positions are the Chair of Membership and the Chair of the FMRT. The Chair of the Round Table, Steve Milewski, stated that regarding the Notables, "a call will come out soon after ALA Midwinter to fill positions that have become vacant."
The FMRT has two large meetings, one at the Annual and another at Midwinter. These meetings are held online using the ALA software. The monthly meetings are held using Zoom, he said by email.
Committees are organized by function. The membership committee promotes membership. The nominating committee seeks candidates for the elected slots. The committee in charge of Communication oversees the creation of information, creates the guide to the ALA Annual Conference, and manages the website. The committee called Program plans and executes the ALA Annual conference while the Gala committee plans activities for the gala at the Annual Conference. The Bylaws committee makes sure of the currency of the bylaws. Notables screens and selects the films and media for the Notable Films for Adults list.
FMRT membership is $20 per year for ALA members, $35 for corporate members, and free for students.