On The Job: Professional Associations

They're out there. "They" being other librarians, that is.

One of the best things about being a librarian is knowing that there are bunch of us wandering about. We can collaborate, share information, and team up for our causes. To facilitate these relationships, I highly recommend joining a professional organization or two or three.

These groups make it easier to get in touch with other information professionals in your specific field. Sure, professional dues can sometimes seem steep, but the contacts and information you gain from being a member far outweigh the financial cost. (Most organizations/associations also have tiered levels of membership so you can pick which level works for you.)


Most organizations have various list-servs, newsletters, publications, educational programs, and conferences that are of interest to their members. I highly suggest taking the time to find (and join) an organization or two that could be beneficial to your professional development.

Below is a list, by no means exhaustive*, of professional library associations:


American Association of Law Libraries
American Association of School Librarians

American Library Association
American Society for Information Science and Technology
Association of College and Research Libraries
Association for Information Management

Online Computer Library Center
Society of American Archivists
Special Libraries Association

*A more extensive list of professional organizations may be found here.

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