Member Center
Hosted by staff from the ALA Member Relations & Services office, these live sessions provide an opportunity for you to ask questions about your membership or resources available to you, as well as a forum to ask for advice on navigating your ALA.
From office supplies and car rentals to insurance and banking, your ALA member discounts can save you money on the products and services you use most, whether it’s for your personal life or for your library.
Step 1: Get Connected
Tailor your ALA journey by joining one of our eight Divisions. Network and collaborate with peers, focusing on your library environment and professional role.
Engage with Round Tables at ALA to fuel your passion and explore personal interests. Network with peers, tackle impactful issues, and shape the profession together.
The American Library Association carries out its work through a member-driven structure of committees, each with a specific purpose.
ALA For All: ALA Membership Connects
ALA members spoke to us at the 2023 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago about what ALA membership means to them and what it can do for you.
Register on ALA Connect
ALA Connect is a centralized space for members to communicate online, whether they’re part of a formal ALA committee or just want to share questions and ideas with other library professionals. Connect allows users to:
- Talk with other members on discussion boards
- Download shared resources from community-generated libraries
- Collaborate as a member of volunteer committees and other groups.
Join us on Social Media
Threads
Bluesky
See all ALA Social Media links
Step 2: Stay Current
Keep up with breaking news and relevant information affecting every type of library with early access to ALA’s award-winning e-newsletter, AL Direct, and American Libraries magazine, the voice of the profession and flagship magazine of the association.
As the book review journal of the American Library Association, Booklist connects library and education workers to the books and resources needed to support and enrich their communities.
This monthly podcast series features authors, filmmakers, musicians, scholars, thought leaders, and, of course, librarians discussing the importance of libraries, their favorite library memories, and issues facing the library world.
Index of newsletters, magazines, and journals published by the American Library Association.
Booklist Reader is Booklist’s library patron–facing magazine, featuring diverse readers' advisory recommendations, in print and on audio, for readers of all ages. Digital issues are free for Booklist subscribers and ALA Members!
The Center for the Future of Libraries works to identify trends relevant to libraries and librarianship. This collection is available to help libraries and librarians understand how trends are developing and why they matter.
Free On-Demand Webinars
We’ve curated this sampling of some of the most popular programming from across ALA. Explore a wide range of topics from leaders and experts and learn more about all ALA has to offer.
Project Outcome is a free toolkit that helps libraries measure and assess the outcomes of key library programs and services. In this free on-demand webinar, participants will be introduced to everything the Project Outcome toolkit has to offer.
How can we create nonjudgmental opportunities to teach our patrons how to assess information for legitimacy? How can we teach about fake news without it feeling pedantic? By slipping it into programming that your audience wants to know more about!
Step 4: Advance Your Library
Learn more about ALA's policy positions and advocacy priorities, and find resources on advocating for intellectual freedom, diversity, equity, and inclusion, literacy, and privacy.
Libraries Transform resources bolster libraries as central community leaders by equipping librarians with tools for innovative engagement.
Programming Librarian is a resource hub where librarians nationwide share successful program ideas. Explore by budget, library type, audience, or simply browse for inspiration.
The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom provides confidential support during censorship challenges to library materials, services, and programs. Report censorship by filling out this online form, or contacting OIF via email: [email protected].
Libraries Respond is a space for us to help keep current events in conversation with libraries' ongoing commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Find resources on Cyber-bullying and Doxxing, Immigrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers, and more topics.
Step 5: Advance Your Career
Search hundreds of current library job openings, confidentially upload resumes for consideration, research employers, and find career advice. Employers can post jobs, search for potential candidates in the resume bank, and save promising candidates.
Learn about job search strategies, library workplace types and positions, self-marketing, resume and cover letter tips, interviewing, salary negotiation, and much more.
At the New Member Round Table Resume Review Service, experienced librarians review your resume and help it stand out.
NMRT's Mentoring Committee also offers career mentoring and conference pairing to help newcomers to librarianship navigate the profession.
