Special Libraries Association
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Professional Associations
Participating actively in professional associations can make a positive difference in a librarian's job and career. Besides offering relevant sources of current information, associations nurture a sense of professional community. As well, librarians become familiar with the processes of research and publication and effective communication and leadership skills are enhanced. (Frank, Donald G. Library Trends, 46:2, Fall 1997: 307-319.)
A multitude of associations exist focusing on a variety of specialties and subspecialties within the profession. We have included a "select" list of specialized professional library organizations.
Specialized Professional Associations
American Association of Law
Libraries (AALLNET)
Contains up-to-date information that is useful to librarians, as well
as historical and archival information that enables visitors to research
AALL's past.
American Society for Information
Science and Technology (ASIS&T)
Provides education and networking opportunities to information professionals
(including librarians, webmasters, information specialists, educators,
researchers, publishers, information center managers) in organizations
around the world. Bridges the gap between information science research
and information services practice.
American Theological Library
Association
Professional association of librarians who specialize or have an interest
in theology, religious studies, or the bibliography of religion. Includes
staff directory, products for sale, and conference information.
Art Libraries Society
of North America (ARLIS/NA)
Membership includes architecture and art librarians, visual resources
professionals, artists, curators, educators, publishers, and others
interested in visual arts information. Includes contact information
and conference news.
Association of Independent
Information Professionals
The Association of Independent Information Professionals is an international
association of owners of information businesses. Includes information
on conferences and events as well as a code of ethics.
Association
of Jewish Libraries (AJL)
The Association of Jewish Libraries promotes Jewish literacy through
enhancement of libraries and library resources and through leadership
for the profession and practitioners of Judaica Librarianship.
Association of Research
Libraries
"ARL is a not-for-profit membership organization comprising
the leading research libraries in North America. Its mission is
to shape and influence forces affecting the future of research libraries
in the process of scholarly communication." This is a restricted
site and requires entrance through UNC or proxy server.
International Federation
of Library Associations
IFLA is a leading international body representing the interests of library
and information services and their users. It is the global voice of
the library and information profession.
Internet Library
Association
ILA aims to educate, inform, support, and unite librarians and information
specialists world-wide on the Internet. It contains news, links and
basic computer tutorials.
Library & Information
Technology Association (LITA)
LITA is concerned with the planning, development, design, application,
and integration of technologies within the library and information environment.
Includes links to resources, organization information, and membership
details.
Medical Library Association
The association for the health information professional, MLA actively
promotes the profession through continuing education, publications,
conferences and employment postings.
Music Library
Association
This organization for music librarianship includes information on
music resources, membership, and continuing education opportunities.
About Us
The SLA was created to allow librarians in specialized disciplines and non-traditional careers to share advice and network. With the growing diversity of library positions, the SLA encompasses a wide variety of careers.