ALA chapters
Mission
The American Library Association has affiliate relationships with state library associations (Chapters) in all fifty States, the District of Columbia,Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and regional library associations in the Mountain Plains, New England, Pacific Northwest, and Southeastern regions. Chapters promote general library service and librarianship within its geographic area, provide geographic representation to the Council of the American Library Association, and cooperate in the promotion of general and joint enterprises with the American Library Association and other library groups.
Use These Links to Navigate Through This Page
- ALA Chapters: Frequently Asked Questions
- Where to Begin: ALA Chapters: Frequently Asked Questions
- Partnership: ALA Chapter Councilors, Chapter Relations Committee, and Chapter Relations Office
- Resources, Including Advocacy and Chapter Programming Opportunities
- Communicating/Networking/Sharing (including the ALA Chapters Resource Wiki)
- Contact CRO
Where to Begin: Frequently Asked Questions and More
Where to Begin
ALA Chapters: Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ helps explain how the ALA and ALA Chapters partnership works and provides easy access to ALA resources for Chapters, including information about Chapter Councilors and Chapter Leaders Forum. It is also shows ways to get involved in ALA Chapters.
Follow Chapter Relations Office on Twitter
Overview of ALA Resources for Chapters. See also Resources, Including Advocacy and Chapter Programming Opportunities.
Chapter Leaders Forum
The Chapter Leaders Forum, presented by the ALA Chapter Relations Committee at each ALA Midwinter and Annual, provides a great opportunity for Chapter Leaders (especially incoming leaders) to meet together and prepares them to lead their association. The program presents topics of interest to chapter leaders, including association management, advocacy, conference planning, social media, and membership development and retention.
Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference Schedules
The Select ALA Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference Schedule for Chapters lists CRO and CRC meetings, events, and programs during these annual conferences.
ALA Conference Planning Calendar
ALA’s Conference Planning Calendar includes chapter conferences. To have your ALA Chapter, ALA Affiliates, and Division Conferences, Institutes, or Workshops included in this calendar, please contact Don Wood, Chapter Relations Office, with the dates and location.
Partnership: ALA Chapter Councilors, Chapter Relations Committee, and Chapter Relations Office
Partnership
The relationship between the American Library Association and its chapters has varied during the Association's history. The relationship is flexible: it can be active or passive. Each partner can expect certain benefits from the relationship, but each must also recognize the responsibilities that accompany a partnership. For a greater understanding of this partnership, see "ALA and Chapter Relationship." See ALA Chapter Councilors for links to related resources, including the Promotion display and table skirt order form (aka ALA promotional materials at state conferences).
ALA Chapter Relations Committee and Chapter Relations Office
The Chapter Relations Committee (CRC) develops and recognizes Chapters as integral components of ALA; encourages discussion, activities and programs that support the mutual interests of ALA and the Chapters; advises when requested on proposals and actions of other ALA units that may affect Chapters; provides a forum wherein Chapters can share ideas and concerns of common interest and identify common needs and goals; communicates these Chapter needs and goals to ALA and ALA goals, programs and priorities to the Chapters; encourages and maintains a cooperative and supportive relationship among ALA, its units, and the Chapters; formulates and reviews periodically requirements for Chapter status; and serves as an advisory committee to the Chapter Relations Office.
ALA Chapter Councilors
ALA Chapter Councilors provides information for Councilors, including Chapter Councilors, a contact list of all ALA Chapter Councilors. State and regional chapters provides contact and other information for all ALA Chapters. ALA and Chapter Conferences Calendar provides a list of upcoming ALA, Chapter, and Affiliate Conferences.
Resources, Including Advocacy and Chapter Programming Opportunities
Below are Chapter resources available from ALA. See also Where to Begin: Overview, Orientation for Chapter Leaders Workshop, Meeting Schedules.
Advocacy
The Chapter Relations Office supports ALA's library advocacy efforts by tracking state and federal legislation affecting libraries and by working with the Office for Library Advocacy, the ALA Washington Office, I Love Libraries, other ALA units, and other groups. For links to resources and other information, visit CRO's Legislation and Advocacy page.
Chapter Documents and Resources
Chapter Documents and Resources
Information on Leadership, Literacy, ALA Policies regarding Chapters, and much more.
Certified Public Library Administrator program
This is a voluntary post-MLS certification program for public librarians with three years or more of supervisory experience. For more information, visit the American Library Association-Allied Professional Association.
Communicating/Networking/Sharing
Wikis and More
Links to wikis and more can be found at Chapters social networking, including the ALA Chapters Resource Wiki and the ALA Chapters Facebook page. See also ALA Read Write Connect and ALA Weblog Service.
E-lists
To subscribe to the Chapter Relations business e-list, ALACRO-L, please contact a staff member listed below. To subscribe to other ALA e-lists, or visit the e-list archives, visit the ALA Mailing Lists Service (SYMPA).
Change of Address Form
Please send any changes to Don Wood, Chapter Relations Office. Refer any comments and questions regarding these pages to Don, as well.
Comments/Questions
If you have comments and questions regarding the ALA Chapters website, please contact Don Wood, Chapter Relations Office.
Staff
Michael Dowling, Director
Chapter Relations Office
mdowling@ala.org, 1-800-545-2433, ext. 3200
Don Wood, Program Officer
Chapter Relations Office
dwood@ala.org, 1-800-545-2433, ext. 2429
ALA Handbook of Organization
This symbol indicates that this page is part of the handbook.
State and Regional Chapters
ALA Chapters: Frequently Asked Questions
Chapters Social Networking
Take Action
Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit
ALA Chapter Relations Committee
Develops and recognizes Chapters as integral components of ALA and serves as an advisory committee to the Chapter Relations Office.
ALA Student Chapters
ALA Chapter Relations Office
I Love Libraries
