American Library Association (ALA) is an organization founded in 1876 for libraries, librarians, library trustees, and other people interested in libraries. It works closely with organizations in the fields of education, recreation, and public service. The association’s 50,000 members include individuals and libraries from all parts of the world.
The ALA aims to improve the quality and effectiveness of libraries. It seeks to make libraries accessible to all people, to improve professional standards of libraries and librarians, and to promote the distribution of books and other library materials without censorship. The ALA presents several awards and citations for outstanding achievements in librarianship and related fields. Its Association for Library Service to Children awards the Caldecott and Newbery medals for children’s books (see Caldecott Medal ; Newbery Medal ).
The association works for legislation to increase the availability or to improve the quality of library service. It urged passage of the Library Services Act of 1956, which was designed to aid the development of public libraries in rural areas. In 1964, the act was amended and became known as the Library Services and Construction Act. This and later amendments authorized aid to both urban and rural libraries. After a new copyright law was enacted in 1976, the association helped librarians and library users understand the law’s provisions.
The ALA publishes books and periodicals. Its official bulletin, American Libraries, is published 11 times a year. Other periodicals include Booklist, Choice, College and Research Libraries, and Library Resources and Technical Services. The ALA publishes an annual yearbook on library and information services. It also provides information about careers in the library field. The ALA headquarters are in Chicago.
See also Library (School library standards) ; Michael L. Printz Award .
