Membership Office

Dolly Parton Awarded Honorary Membership in the American Library Association

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) is set to confer an honorary lifetime membership upon award-winning singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman and philanthropist Dolly Parton for her longstanding support and commitment to inspiring a love of books and reading. Recommended by the ALA Executive Board and elected by the ALA Council, honorary membership is the highest honor given by the Association and conferred upon a living person whose outstanding contributions have made a lasting impact on librarianship, libraries, and the communities they serve.

Make your voice heard within ALA at the Virtual Membership Meeting, Thursday, March 17

CHICAGO – ALA members will have the opportunity to engage in real time with ALA leadership during the association’s Virtual Membership Meeting, at 1 p.m. Central/2 p.m. Eastern, Thursday, March 17.

Virtual meetings are part of ALA’s ongoing focus to connect members and provide an avenue for input on strategic direction, budget priorities, and topics of interest.

ALA offers new benefits to help members gain new skills

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) is offering its members new benefits that will aid in their professional development and help their libraries move forward.

They consist of two benefits each for organizational members and personal members.

American Library Association establishes ReMember Fund to help members during times of financial insecurity

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) announced today the launch of a new fund intended to help library workers facing financial challenges keep solid footing as they navigate their career paths.

ALA, library community work to support Hurricane Florence recovery efforts

CHICAGO – American Library Association (ALA) and its chapters in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia are working to assist libraries affected by Hurricane Florence. Support efforts will involve most Atlantic Seaboard libraries in serving as a lifeline for residents in dire need of FEMA and insurance forms, access to electrical power, internet access, heat or important information about storm relief and recovery efforts.  

ALA Appoints Mary Ghikas as Executive Director through January 2020

 CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) Executive Board has appointed Mary Ghikas as executive director through January 2020, effective immediately. Ghikas has been serving as interim executive director since August 1, 2017, after the retirement of Keith Michael Fiels. She was most recently senior associate executive director of member programs and services.

Texas and Nebraska renew United for Libraries and ALA membership for their public library groups

BRYN MAWR, Pennsylvania -- The Texas State Library and the Nebraska Library Commission have renewed their statewide membership in United for Libraries, granting more than 1,300 of Friends of the Library groups, Foundations and Boards of Trustees group membership in United for Libraries and the American Library Association (ALA).

ALA honors OverDrive as a lead Library Champion at ALA Midwinter Meeting

CHICAGO — The American Library Association will honor OverDrive, the leading digital reading platform for libraries and schools, for its ongoing financial support of the Libraries Transform public awareness campaign.

OverDrive will be recognized as a lead Library Champion as the association honors its Library Champions at the association’s Midwinter Meeting.