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ALA - American
Library Association
50 E. Huron Chicago, IL 60611
1-800-545-2433
The American Library Association
(ALA) was founded in 1876 in Philadelphia and subsequently
chartered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its
mission is “to provide leadership for the
development, promotion, and improvement of library and information
services and the profession of
librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access
to information for all.” Its membership
is
open to “any person , library, or other organization interested
in library service and librarianship…
upon payment of the dues provided for in the Bylaws.”
It is governed by an elected Council,
its policy-making body, and an Executive
Board which “acts for the
Council in the administration of established policies and
programs.” Policies and programs are proposed
by standing committees, designated as committees
of the Association or committees of Council.
Headquartered in Chicago, its operations
are directed by an Executive
Director and implemented by staff
through a structure of programmatic offices
and support units.
ALA is home to eleven membership divisions,
each focused on a type of library or type of library function.
It also includes round
tables, groups of members “interested in the same field
of librarianship not within the
scope of any division.” A network of affiliates,
chapters
and other
organizations enables ALA to reach a
broad audience.
OUR ASSOCIATION focuses on the governance
and policies
of the Association, on the committees and
discussion
groups and other opportunities for active member participation,
and on the services and products
available to members.
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