American Library Association

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.” ALA members elect the ALA President, who serves a three-year term as President-elect, President and Immediate Past President, and the ALA Treasurer. 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.

This page 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.

AAP Mission Statement

AAP's mandate covers both the general and the specific — broad issues important to all publishers as well as issues of specific concern to particular segments of the industry. The Association's "core" programs deal with matters of general interest:intellectual property; new technology and digital issues of concern to publishers; Freedom to read, censorship and libel; international freedom to publish; funding for education and libraries; postal rates and regulations; tax and trade policy; international copyright enforcement. Directed by standing committees of the Association, these programs, along with a host of membership services including government affairs, a broad-based statistical program, public information and press relations, are the "core" activities of the Association.

Each of AAP's divisions and industry-wide committees deals with a specific market area: general trade and mass market paperbacks; elementary and secondary instructional materials; higher education publishing; Professional and Scholarly Publishing; and the international marketplace. Each division has its own executive body with an elected chair, providing guidance for the division within the framework of AAP's overall program.

Core activities and services including the industry committees are funded by the membership as a whole. Divisional activities are funded by an assessment voted by members of each division.

AAP policy is set by a 20-member Board of Directors, elected by the membership for four-year terms, under a Chair who serves for two years. There is an Executive Committee composed of the Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer and a minimum of two at-large members. Management of the Association, within the guidelines set by the Board, is directed by the AAP President and Chief Executive Officer, Patricia S. Schroeder. AAP maintains an office in New York and one in Washington, with a total of approximately 31 professional and support staff members.

AAP Agenda

• To expand the market for American books and other published works in all media;
• To promote the status of publishing in the United States and throughout the world;
• To nurture creativity by protecting and strengthening intellectual property rights, especially copyright;
• To foster public understanding of the unique value of books and other published materials in the cultural and political life of our nation;
• To promote intellectual freedom and to oppose all forms of censorship, at home and abroad;
• To provide members with useful current information on trade conditions, government activities and policies, legislative proposals, and other matters of special concern;
• To aid AAP member publishers in exploring the challenges and opportunities of the emerging technologies;
• To offer practical programs, education, and information to assist members in the management and administration of their companies; and
• To stand as a framework within which publishers from all sectors can work together to advance their particular and common interests; to serve as a single authoritative voice for American publishing, at home and abroad.

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