ALA chapters
Mission
The purpose of a chapter is to promote general library service and librarianship within its geographic area, to provide geographic representation to the Council of the American Library Association, and to cooperate in the promotion of general and joint enterprises with the American Library Association and other library groups. (Bylaws, Article V).Responsibilities
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."
Initiatives & projects
Connecting with Local Governments
Beginning this fall ALA has been taking the library value message directly to local government officials, and soon to school administrators, the decision makers on majority of funding received by public and school libraries.
Capwiz
As a result of the efforts of the Chapter Relations Office, and in collaboration with the ALA Washington Office, 43 ALA Chapters maintain their own Capwiz websites. This allows visitors to Chapter websites to contact both state and federal members of Congress.
Resources 101
State and Regional Chapters
List of ALA Chapters with websites and contact information
Chapter Councilors
List of ALA Chapter Councilors with contact information. 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).
Student Chapters
List of ALA Student Chapters with contact information.
ALA and Chapter Conferences Calendar
A listing of upcoming ALA, Chapter and Affiliate Conferences.
Joint Membership Program
List of participating Chapters and how to apply.
Chapter Documents and Resources
Information on Leadership, Literacy, ALA Policies regarding Chapters, and more.
Legislative Issues
Links to further information about current legislation affecting Chapters.
Chapter Relations Programs at Upcoming ALA Conference
Events sponsored by the Chapter Relations Committee at the ALA Annual Conference and Midwinter Meeting.
News
The "Publication" section of the ALA Chapters Wiki (see "Social networking" below) is under construction but is designed to be a resource of all Chapter publications, news and otherwise.
Social Networking
Wikis and More
The ALA Chapters Wiki promote communication and assistance among ALA and the ALA Chapters.
The ALA Student Chapters group on Facebook facilitates communication and assistance among the student chapters and ALA.
The American Library Association Student to Staff Participants group on Facebook promotes communication and assistance among ALA and the student-to-staff participants.
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
Take Action
ALA Student Chapters
ALA Chapter Relations Office
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