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Library Support Staff Membership

Support staff, paraprofessionals, and paralibrarians are eligible for full membership in ALA at a discounted rate. Several joint memberships between ALA and state chapters are also available at discounted rates. Certain divisions and round tables also have discounted dues for Support Staff Members. 

While Support Staff Members are eligible to join any ALA division or round table, the Library Support Staff Interests Round Table (LSSIRT) may be particularly relevant to you. LSSIRT is a growing community of academic and public library workers exploring ways to improve the visibility and vitality of non-MLS career paths while creating a place to explore worklife interests and professional development. LSSIRT Membership is in addition to ALA Membership and includes the quarterly LSSIRT Newsletter and eligibility for additional discounts on registration to the annual Empowerment Conference. 

Support and paraprofessional staff are gaining new visibility within the library community and the Association. As a member, you are a part of setting the course for libraries. If the role of support staff in libraries and developing new career paths in library work is important to you, joining ALA will help you make a difference. Add your voice to the discussion and help ensure that libraries are well staffed, well funded, and available to a changing community well into the future through membership.

Get started as a member today by joining ALA online.

Resources for Support Staff Members

  • Joint Membership – learn more about the discounted Joint Memberships available for ALA and LSSIRT with several state library associations.
  • Membership 2.0 – quickly connect with the blogs, wikis, and online communities that share your interests.
  • Committee service – get on the fast track to ALA, division, and round table committees and make your opinions heard on the future of library practice and policy.
  • Library support staff in the news - read "Are You the Librarian?" from the March 2005 edition of American Libraries.