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. See also ALA Chapters Facebook page.
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. 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 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.
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.
| Overviews | Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference Schedules | Orientation for Chapter Leaders Workshop | Partnership | Library Advocacy | Chapter Documents and Resources | Certified Public Library Administrator Program | Social Networking | CRO E-lists | Contact CRO | Change of Address Form |
Overviews
Overview of How to Get Involved in ALA Chapters and Overview of ALA Resources for Chapters.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.
Orientation for Chapter Leaders Workshop
Among its responsibilities, the Chapter Relations Office conducts the Orientation for Chapter Leaders Workshop at each ALA Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference, which provides a great opportunity for Chapter Leaders (especially incoming leaders) to learn and discuss ways to lead their associations effectively; assists the Chapters in advocating effectively to support libraries.
Responsibilities
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 "The ALA/Chapter Relationship: A Shared Responsibility."
Library Advocacy
ALA's Efforts
The following are links to several of ALA's library advocacy efforts: Advocacy for Libraries, Advocacy University, Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit, Issues and Advocacy, and Tools for Advocacy. See also ALA's Office for Library Advocacy.
The ALA Washington Office has designed its page on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to be a one-stop source with resources on how to ensure libraries benefit from the package and the most up-to-date information on the stimulus. This resource page includes a State-by-State Impact for the ARRA. See also the Chapters Resource wiki for its information on this issue related to state chapters and economic recovery. See also How libraries can benefit from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, written by Emily Sheketoff, executive director, ALA Washington Office. This article appears in the May 2009 issue of American Libraries.
CRO's Efforts
The Chapter Relations Office supports ALA's library advocacy efforts (see immediately above) 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 group. For links to resources and other information, see CRO's Legislation and Advocacy page.
Resources, including Chapter programming opportunities
Chapter Documents and Resources
Chapter Documents and Resources
Information on Leadership, Literacy, ALA Policies regarding Chapters, and more.
Certified Public Library Administrator program
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.
Social Networking
Wikis and More
Links to wikis and more can be found at Chapters social networking. 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).
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
Change of address, comments, and questions
Please use the ALA Chapter Relations Online Change of Address Form to submit addresses and address updates. If you prefer to mail or fax a paper copy, you may download the PDF version of the change of address form.
If you have comments and questions regarding these pages, please contact Don Wood, Chapter Relations Office.
State and Regional Chapters
Chapters Social Networking
Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit
Take Action
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
