Chapter Relations Office
Mission
The Chapter Relations Office (CRO) promotes a sense of identification between the national Association and the 57 ALA Chapters; facilitates communication between the Chapters and all ALA units; coordinates leadership development for Chapter officers, Chapter Councilors, chief paid staff members, and other Chapter leaders; strengthens membership promotion activities for ALA and the Chapters; coordinates the ALA Student Chapters and the ALA Student-to-Staff program; and helps raise awareness of and sensitivity to Chapter needs throughout the ALA. The interests of Chapters are represented within ALA by the Chapter Relations Committee (CRC) and the Chapter Relations Office.
Select Links
The Select ALA Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference Schedule for Chapters lists CRO and CRC meetings, events, and programs during these annual conferences.
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;
See Overview of How to Get Involved in ALA Chapters.Responsibilities, initiatives & projects
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.
ALA student-to-staff program and the Libraries Build Communities project
The ALA Student-to-Staff program and the Libraries Build Communities project both occur at each Annual Conference. The ALA Student-to-Staff program allows library students to attend Annual Conference not only to register for events and attend programs but also to learn more about ALA by working for an ALA unit during conference. The Libraries Build Communities project began in New Orleans during the 2006 ALA Annual Conference, when ALA volunteers helped with projects related to the damage inflicted by Hurricane Katrina. ALA members continue to volunteer to assist in cities where they meet for Annual Conferences.
Joint student membership program
The American Library Association has joint student membership arrangements with 16 State Chapters. CRO helps develop and oversee this program.
Chapter programming opportunities
Certified Public Library Administrator program
The Certified Public Library Administrator program 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.
Oversight groups & meeting schedules
The ALA Chapter Relations Committee serves as an advisory committee to the Chapter Relations Office. The ALA Midwinter and Annual Conference schedules for both units are posted regularly.
Popular resources
Accreditation
A current list of ALA-Accredited programs is available from the ALA Office for Accreditation.
Calendar of ALA and Chapter Conference Dates and More
ALA’s Conference Planning Calendar includes chapter conferences. To have your ALA Chapter, ALA Affiliates, and Division Conferences, Institutes, or Workshops included in this calendar, please contact the Chapter Relations Office at cro@ala.org with the dates and location.
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 Use Only
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, complete, and return the PDF version of the change of address form.
If you have comments and questions regarding the Chapter Relations Office website, please contact Don Wood, Chapter Relations Office.
ALA Chapters
ALA's 57 state and regional chapters are partners in addressing concerns to libraries. Each state is represented on ALA Council.
Take Action
Chapters Social Networking
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
Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit
I Love Libraries
