Dues relief for ALA members in Katrina affected zone

Contact: John Chrastka


Manager for Membership Development


American Library Association


312-280-2159



jchrastka@ala.org

For Immediate Release


September 9, 2005

Dues relief for ALA members in Katrina affected zone

(CHICAGO) As part of the American Library Association's (ALA) ongoing effort to support libraries and displaced library staff in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, current ALA members in the affected zone will receive an automatic, complimentary six-month extension to their membership. Over 850 personal, organizational and corporate members in areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama will receive this automatic extension.

"ALA has identified members based on the zip codes declared 'closed' by the United States Postal Service," said John Chrastka, manager of ALA Membership Development. "Members in the hurricane zone do not need to take action to receive this extension. We want our members to know we will be there for them when life gets back to normal," added Chrastka.

After six-months, ALA will review the situation and determine if there is a need for an additional extension.

A list of zip codes for eligible members is available on ALA's Hurrican Katrina Web site at
www.ala.org/katrina. The site is updated regularly and also provides information about ongoing relief efforts and the storm's impact on libraries and library services. For information on ALA Membership dues extension, please contact John Chrastka at 800-545-2433 ext 2159, or
jchrastka@ala.org