American Library Association
Standards and Guidelines

Note: This list includes documents entitled “standards” and “guidelines” as well as other documents of a similar nature entitled “statements,” “rules,” and “criteria.” Only those documents entitled “standards” and “guidelines” have been reviewed by the ALA Standards Review Committee for consistency with ALA policy. The intent of this list is to also include additional documents prepared and endorsed by ALA units for the purpose of helping others improve library service.

Documents are listed using standard Chicago Manual of Style bibliographic format. Information about how to obtain the document is given in parentheses after the listing. Many documents are available from ALA Book Order Fulfillment, P.O. Box 932501 Atlanta, GA 31193-2501, (1-800-545-2433, press 7) or from the ALA’s Online Store. ALA members receive a 10% discount on these purchases. Other documents are available directly from ALA divisions or offices. (See list of acronyms at the end of this document.) These units may have their own discounted rates, which vary. Where no price is given, a single copy may be obtained from the issuing unit by request by including a self-addressed mailing label and 57 cents postage. Mail your request to the issuing unit, American Library Association, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611-2795 (1-800-545-2433). If an item is available on the Internet, a link is provided.

ACADEMIC LIBRARIES

Association of College & Research Libraries. “Guidelines for Branch Libraries in Colleges and Universities.” June 1990.

Association of College & Research Libraries. “Guidelines for Distance Learning Library Services.” June 2004.

Association of College & Research Libraries. “Guidelines for University Library Services to Undergraduate Students.” June 2005.

Association of College & Research Libraries. “Standards for Libraries in Higher Education” June 2004.

Association of College & Research Libraries. “Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education.” January 2000.

Association of College & Research Libraries. “Mission of an Undergraduate Library: Model Statement.” July 1987.

ACCESS

American Library Association-Society of American Archivists Joint Committee on Library-Archives Relationships. “ALA-SAA Joint Statement on Access to Original Research Materials.” February 1994.

Association of College and Research Libraries. “Guidelines for the Preparation of Policies on Library Access.” December 1992.

Note: Many access issues are covered by the work of the Intellectual Freedom Committee. They are not listed here, but may be found here.

ACCREDITATION

American Association of School Librarians. School Library Media Specialists Basic Preparation. Chicago: American Association of School Librarians, 2004. (ISBN 0-8389-8300-6, available for $12.00 from ALA Online Store.)

Committee on Accreditation. “Standards for Accreditation of Master’s Programs in Library and Information Studies.” Adopted by ALA Council, January 1992. Chicago: ALA Office for Accreditation, 1992. 29 p. (ISBN 0-8389-7628-X, available for $5.00 from OA)

ACQUISITIONS

Association of Library Collections and Technical Services. Guide to Performance Evaluation of Serials Vendors. Acquisition Guidelines, no. 10. Chicago: ALA, 1997. 45 p. (ISBN 0-8389-3469-2, available for $15.00 from Book Order Fulfillment and the ALA Online Store.)

Bosch, Stephen, Patricia Promis and Chris Sugnet. Guide to Selecting and Acquiring CD-ROMs, Software, and Other Electronic Publications. Acquisition Guidelines, no. 9. Chicago: ALA, 1994. 64 p. (ISBN 0-8389-0629-X, available for $15.00 from Book Order Fulfillment and the ALA Online Store.)

Association of Library Collections and Technical Services. Guide to Managing Approval Plans. Acquisitions Guidelines, no. 11. (Available through the ALA Online Store.)

Hamilton, Marsha J. Guide to Preservation in Acquisition Processing. Acquisition Guidelines, no. 8. Chicago: ALA, 1993. 20 p. (ISBN 0-8389-0611-7, available for $10.00 from Book Order Fulfillment and the ALA Online Store.)

AGING, SERVICES TO

Reference and User Services Association. “Library Services to Older Adults Guidelines.” RUSQ Fall 1999.

ARCHIVES

See RARE BOOKS, MANUSCRIPTS, AND ARCHIVES

AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS

Association of College & Research Libraries. “Guidelines for Media Resources in Academic Libraries.” February 1999.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC CONTROL

Association for Library Collections & Technical Services. “Guidelines for Cataloging Microfilm Sets.” Chicago: Association for Library Collections & Technical Services, 1989. 1 p.

Association for Library Collections & Technical Services. “Guidelines for Standardized Cataloging of Children’s Materials.” In Cataloging Correctly for Kids: An Introduction to the Tools. 3rd ed. Sharon Zuiderveld, ed. Chicago: ALA 2005. 128 p. (ISBN 0-8389-3476-5, available for $32.00 from ALA Online Store)

Association for Library Collections & Technical Services. "Guidelines for the Subject Analysis of Audiovisual Materials." Chicago: Association for Library Collections & Technical Services, 1992. 3 p.

Association for Library Collections & Technical Services. Guidelines on Subject Access to Individual Works of Fiction, Drama, Etc.

Joint Steering Committee for Revision of Anglo-American Cataloging Rules. Anglo-American Cataloging Rules: Second Edition, Second Edition, 2002 Revision, 2005 Update (Kit). Chicago: ALA, 2002. 836 p. (ISBN 0-8389-3556-7, available for $99.00 through the ALA Online Store.  Contains complete text with annual updates from 2004 through 2005, plus companion binder and tabs)

Johnson, Bruce, ed. Guidelines for Bibliographic Description of Reproductions. Chicago: ALA, 1995. 32 p. (ISBN 0-8389-3450-1, available for $15.00 from Book Order Fulfillment.)

McCroskey, Marilyn. Cataloging Nonbook Materials with AACR2R and MARC: A Guide for the School Library Media Specialist, 2nd Edition. Chicago: American Association of School Librarians, 1999. 176 p. (ISBN 0-8389-8023-6, available for $28.00 Book Order Fulfillment.)

Reference and Adult Services Division. “Guidelines for the Preparation of a Bibliography.” RUSQ Winter 2001.

Resources and Technical Services Division. ALA Filing Rules. Chicago: ALA, 1980. 50 p. (ISBN 0-8389-3255-X, available for $16.00 from Book Order Fulfillment and the ALA Online Store.)

Seely, Paulina A., ed. ALA Rules For Filing Catalog Cards. 2nd ed., abridged. Chicago: ALA, 1968. 104 p. (ISBN 0-8389-0001-1, available for $16.00 from Book Order Fulfillment.)

BIBLIOGRAPHIC INSTRUCTION

See INFORMATION LITERACY

BLIND AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED

Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies. Revised Standards and Guidelines of Service for the Library of Congress Network of Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, 2005. Chicago: Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies, 20055. (ISBN 0-8389-8328-6, 84 p. available for $18.00 from Book Order Fulfillment and the ALA Online Store)

BUILDINGS

Dancik, Deborah Bloomfield and Emelie J. Shroder, eds. Building Blocks for Library Space: Functional Guidelines 1995. Chicago: Library Administration and Management. (ISBN 0-8389-7746-4, available for $15.00 from Book Order Fulfillment.)

Sannwald, William W. Checklist of Library Building Design Consideration, 4th ed. Chicago: ALA, 2001. 183 p. (ISBN 0-8389-350609, available for $38.00 from ALA Online Store.)

CHILDREN’S SERVICES

Association for Library Service to Children. “Competencies for Librarians Serving Children in Public Libraries” revised edition. Journal of Youth Services in Libraries Winter 2001. (Pamphlet available for $3.00 from ALSC.)

Walter, Virginia. Output Measures for the Public Library Service to Children: A Manual of Standardized Procedures. Chicago: ALA, 1992. 129 p. (ISBN 0-8389-3404-8, available for $25.00 from Book Order Fulfillment and the ALA Online Store.)

COLLECTION MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

Anderson, Joanne S., ed., Guide for Written Collection Policy Statements. 2nd ed. Collection Management and Development Guides, no. 7. Chicago: ALA, 1996. 40 p. (ISBN 0-8389-3455-2, available for $15.00 from Book Order Fulfillment and the ALA Online Store.)

Association for Library Collections & Technical Services. Guide to the Management of the Information Resources Budget. Collection Management and Development Guides, no. 9.

Association for Library Collections & Technical Services. Guide to Collection Development and Management Administration, Organization and Staffing. Collection Management and Development Guides, no. 10.

Association for Library Collections & Technical Services. Guide to Library User Needs Assessment for Integrated Information Resource Management and Collection Development. Management and Development Guides, no. 11.

Fales, Susan L., ed., Guide for Training Collection Management and Development Librarians. Collection Management and Development Guides, no.8. Chicago: ALA, 1996. 61 p. (ISBN 0-8389-3463-3, available for $15.00 from Book Order Fulfillment and the ALA Online Store)

Harloe, Bart, ed. Guide to Cooperative Collection Development. Collection Management and Development Guides, no.6. Chicago: ALA, 1994. 48 p. (ISBN 0-8389-3444-7, available for $15.00 from Book Order Fulfillment and the ALA Online Store.)

Helmer, Dona J., comp. And ed. Selecting Materials for School Library Media Centers. 2nd ed. Chicago: American Association of School Librarians, 1993. (ISBN 0-8389-7693-X, 111 p., available for $22.00 from Book Order Fulfillment.)

Reference and User Services Association. “Guidelines for Developing Beginning Genealogical Collection and Services.” RUSQ Fall 1999. 2 p.

Reference and Adult Services Division. “Guidelines for Establishing Local History Collections.” RQ Fall 1993. 2 p.

Reference and User Services Association. “Guidelines for Liaison Work in Managing Collections and Services.” RUSQ Winter 2001.

Reference and Adult Services Division. “Guidelines for Preservation, Conservation, and Restoration of Local History and Local Genealogical Materials.” RQ Spring 1993. 4 p.

CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Association of College and Research Libraries. “Guidelines for Curriculum Materials Centers ”. January 2003.

DEAF

Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies. Guidelines for Library and Information Services for the Deaf Community. (Note: These guidelines are based upon Guidelines for Library Services to Deaf People, a 1991 publication of the International Federation of Library Association.) Chicago: Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies, 1996. 20 p. (ISBN 0-8389-7807-X, available for $9.00 from Book Order Fulfillment.)

EDITING AND PUBLISHING

Association for Library Collection & Technical Services. “What’s in a Name? Presentation Guidelines for Serial Publication.” Chicago: Association for Library Collection & Technical Services, 1995. 4 p.

Reference and User Services Association. “Guidelines for the Preparation of a Bibliography.” RUSQ Winter 2001. 3 p.

Reference and User Services Association. “Guidelines for Editors of Historical and Genealogical Bulletins and Family Newsletters.” RUSQ Winter 1997. 2 p.

Richardson, John V., Jr, Steve Fisher, Betty Hanson, and Holley R. Lange. “Guidelines for Writing Local Library Histories.” Chicago: Library History Round Table, 1994. 2 p.

EDUCATION FOR LIBRARY SERVICE

American Association of School Librarians/National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education Committee. Curriculum Folio Guidelines for the NCATE Review Process: School Library Media Specialists Basic Preparation. 2nd ed. Chicago: American Association of School Librarians, 1994. 47 p. (ISBN 0-8389-7749-9, available for $13.00 from Book Order Fulfillment.)

Association of College & Research Libraries. “Statement on the Terminal Professional Degree for Academic Librarians.” January 1975 reaffirmed June 2001.

Committee on Accreditation. “Standards for Accreditation of Master’s Programs in Library and Information Studies.” (Adopted by ALA Council, January 1992.) Chicago: ALA Office for Accreditation, 1992. (ISBN 0-8389-7628-X, 29 p., available for $5.00 from OA.)

Library History Round Table. “Statement on History in Education for Library and Information Science.” Library History Round Table, 1989. 1 p.

Office for Library Personnel Resources. “Library and Information Studies Education and Human Resource Utilization: A Statement of Policy.” Adopted by ALA Council, June 30, 1970, revised 1976. Chicago: Office for Library Personnel Resources, 1976.

Reference and Adult Services Division. “Guidelines for a Unit or Course Of Instruction in Genealogical Research at Schools of Library and Information Science.” RQ, Fall 1996. 5 p.

Standing Committee on Library Education. “Education for Library and Information Studies in Colleges and Universities.” (Adopted by ALA Council, June 29, 1993.) Chicago: ALA Office for Library Personnel Resources, 1993. 2 p. (Available from HRDR.)

HANDICAPPED

See BLIND AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED
See DEAF
See INSTITUTIONAL LIBRARY SERVICES

INFORMATION LITERACY

American Association of School Librarians and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology. Information Literacy Standards for Student Learning. Chicago: American Library Association, 1998. (ISBN 0-8389-3471-4, 64 p., also available for $18.00 from Book Order Fulfillment.)

Association of College & Research Libraries. “Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education.” January 2001.

Association of College & Research Libraries. “Guidelines for Instruction Programs in Academic Libraries.” June 2003.

Association of College & Research Libraries. “Objectives for Information Literacy: A Model Statement for Academic Librarians.” January 2001.

Association of College & Research Libraries. "Characteristics of Programs of Information Literacy that Illustrate Best Practices: A Guideline ". June 2003.

INFORMATION SERVICES

Public Library Association. Guidelines for Establishing Community Information and Referral Services in Public Libraries, 4th ed. Chicago: Public Library Association, 1997. (ISBN 8389-7922-X, 39 p., available for $26.00.)

Reference and Adult Services Division. “Electronic Information Sources: Guidelines for Training Sessions.” RQ Winter 1995: 187-192.

Reference and Adult Services Division. “Guidelines for Behavioral Performance of Reference and Information Services Professionals.” RQ Winter 1996. 3 p.

Reference and User Services Association. “Guidelines for Cooperative Reference Policy Service Manuals, 1998.”

Reference and User Services Association. “Guidelines for Developing Beginning Genealogical Collections and Services.” RUSQ Fall 1999. 2 p.

Reference and Adult Services Division. “Guidelines for Medical, Legal, and Business Responses at a General Reference Desk.” June 2001. 2 p. (Posted on the Web, click here.)

Reference and User Services Association. “Guidelines for the Introduction of Electronic Information Resources to Users.” RUSQ June 1997.

Reference and User Services Association. “Guidelines for Information Services.” RUSQ Winter, 2000. 4 p.

INSTITUTIONAL LIBRARY SERVICES

See also CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies. “Guidelines for Library Services for People with Mental Retardation.” 24 p. (ISBN 0-8389-8000-7, available for $14.00 from Book Order Fulfillment.)

INSTRUCTION

See INFORMATION LITERACY

INTERLIBRARY LOAN Association for Library Collections & Technical Services. “Guidelines for Packaging and Shipping Microforms.” Chicago: Association for Library Collections & Technical Services, 1989. 1 p.

Association of College & Research Libraries. “Guidelines for the Loan of Rare and Unique Materials.” June 2004.

Reference and Adult Services Division. “Guidelines and Procedures for Telefacsimile and Electronic Delivery of Interlibrary Loan Requests.” RQ Fall 1994. 2 p.

Reference and User Services Association. “Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States." RUSQ Summer 2001. 3 p.

Reference and User Services Association. “Interlibrary Loan Packaging and Wrapping Guidelines.” Chicago: Reference and User Services Association, 1997.

MANUSCRIPTS

See RARE BOOKS, MANUSCRIPTS, AND ARCHIVES

PERSONNEL ISSUES

Association of College & Research Libraries. “Guidelines for Academic Status for College and University Librarians.” June 2002. College & Research Libraries News June 2002.

Association of College & Research Libraries. “Guideline on Collective Bargaining.” January 2001.

Association of College & Research Libraries. “A Guideline for the Screening and Appointment of Academic Librarians Using a Search Committee.” June 2004.

Association of College & Research Libraries. “A Guideline for the Appointment, Promotion and Tenure for College and University Librarians.” June 2004.

Association of College & Research Libraries. “Standards for Faculty Status for College and University Librarians.” January 2001.

Association of College & Research Libraries. “Statement of the Certification and Licensing of Academic Librarians.” June 2001.

Association of College & Research Libraries. “Statement on the Terminal Professional Degree for Academic Librarians.” June 2001.

Association of College & Research Libraries/American Association of University Professors/ Association of American Colleges. “Joint Statement on Faculty Status of College and University Librarians.” February 1974 reaffirmed June 2001.

Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment. “Library Education and Personnel Utilization: A Statement of Policy.” Adopted by ALA Council, June 30, 1970. Revised 2002.

Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment. “The Master’s Degree for Library and Information Professionals.” Adopted by ALA Council, June 1992. Chicago: ALA Office for Library Personnel Resources, 1992. 3 p. (Available from HRDR.)

PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED

See BLIND AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED

PLANNING

American Association of School Librarians. “A Planning Guide for Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning.” Chicago: AASL, 1999. 56 p. (ISBN 0-8389-8073-2, available for $10.00 from Book Order Fulfillment.)

Association of College & Research Libraries. “Mission of an Undergraduate Library: Model Statement.” July 1987.

Public Library Association. The New Planning for Results: A Streamlined Approach. Chicago: ALA 2001. 316 p. (ISBN 0-8389-3504-4, available for $55.00 from Book Order Fulfillment.)

Public Library Association. Wired for the Future: Developing Your Library Technology Plan. Chicago: ALA, 1999. 280 p. (ISBN 0-8389-3491-9, available for $38.00 from Book Order Fulfillment.)

PRESERVATION

Association for Library Collections & Technical Services. “ALA Preservation Policy.” (Adopted by ALA Council, June 30, 1991.) Chicago: Association for Library Collections & Technical Services, 1991. 8 p.

Association for Library Collections & Technical Services. “Guidelines for Preservation Photocopying of Replacement Pages.” Chicago: Association for Library Collections & Technical Services, 1990. 3 p.

Hamilton, Marsha J. Guide to Preservation in Acquisition Processing. Acquisition Guidelines, no. 8. Chicago: ALA, 1993. 20 p. (ISBN 0-8389-0611-7, available for $10.00 from Book Order Fulfillment.)

Reference and Adult Services Division. “Guidelines for Preservation, Conservation, and Restoration of Local History and Local Genealogical Materials.” RQ Spring 1993. 4 p.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Mayo, Diane and Jeanne Goodrich. Staffing for Results: A Guide to Working Smarter. Public Library Association, May 2002. 192 p. (ISBN 0-8389-0826-8).

Nelson, Sandra. The NEW Planning for Results: A Streamlined Approach. Chicago: ALA 2001. 316 p. (ISBN 0-8389-3504-4, available for $55.00 from Book Order Fulfillment.)

Nelson, Sandra, Ellen Altman, and Diane Mayo. Managing for Results: Effective Resource Allocation for Public Libraries. Public Library Association, 2000. 362 p. (ISBN 0-8389-3498-6).

Walter, Virginia A. Output Measures for Public Library Service to Children: A Manual of Standardized Procedures. 117 pages. (ISBN: 0-8389-3404-8, available for $25.00.

PUBLISHING

See EDITING AND PUBLISHING

RARE BOOKS, MANUSCRIPTS, AND ARCHIVES

American Library Association-Society of American Archivists Joint Committee on Library-Archives Relationships. “ALA-SAA Joint Statement on Access to Original Research Materials.” February 1994.

Association of College & Research Libraries. “Guidelines for Borrowing Special Collections Materials for Exhibition.” July 1990.

Association of College & Research Libraries. “Guidelines for the Security of Rare Books, Manuscripts, and Other Special Collections.” July 1999.

Association of College & Research Libraries. “Guidelines on the Selection of General Collection Materials for Transfer to Special Collections, 2nd ed.” February 1994, revised 1999.

Association of College & Research Libraries. “Guidelines Regarding Thefts in Libraries.” January 2003.

REFERENCE SERVICES

See INFORMATION SERVICES

SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA CENTERS

American Association of School Librarians. “Position Statement on the Value of Independent Reading in the School Library Media Program.” Chicago: American Association of School Librarians, 1994.

American Association of School Librarians and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology. Information Literacy Standards for Students Learning. Chicago: American Library Association, 1998. 64 p. (ISBN 0-8389-3471-4, also available for $20.00 from Book Order Fulfillment.)

American Association of School Librarians and the Association for Educational Communications and Technology. Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning. Chicago: ALA, 1998. 224 p. (ISBN 0-8389-3470-6, available for $35.00 from Book Order Fulfillment and the ALA Online Store.)

TRUSTEES

Rubin, Renee. Avoiding Liability Risk: An Attorney’s Advice to Library Trustees and Others. Chicago: ALA, 1994. 30 p. (ISBN 0-8389-3448-X, available for $17.00 from Book Order Fulfillment.)

YOUNG ADULT SERVICES

Young Adult Library Services Association. “Young Adults Deserve the Best Competencies or Librarians Serving Youth.” Rev. ed. Chicago: Young Adult Library Services Association, 1998. 4 p. (Single copies available for free, 25 copies/$12.00 from YALSA.)

ALA Acronyms used in this list:

AASL: American Association of School Librarians
ACRL: Association of College and Research Libraries
ALCTS: Association for Library Collections and Technical Services
ALSC: Association for Library Service to Children
ALTA: Association for Library Trustee and Advocates
ASCLA: Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies
HRDR: Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment
LAMA: Library Administration and Management Association
LHRT: Library History Round Table
LITA: Library and Information Technology Association
OA: Office for Accreditation
OIF: Office for Intellectual Freedom
OLOS: Office for Literacy and Outreach Services
PLA: Public Library Association
RUSA: Reference and User Services Association
YALSA: Young Adult Library Services Association

Last Updated: August 9, 2005