Organizations
The American Library AssociationThe ALA Constitution states the purpose of ALA as, “The object of the American Library Association shall be to promote library service and librarianship.” The stated mission is, “To provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.”
- ALA Office for Library Advocacy
The Office for Library Advocacy (OLA) supports the efforts of advocates seeking to improve libraries of all types by developing resources, a peer-to-peer advocacy network, and training for advocates at the local, state and national level. In order to achieve this goal, OLA works closely with the Public Information Office, the Chapter Relations Office, the Office for Government Relations, and other ALA units involved in advocacy on behalf of particular types of libraries or particular issues, in order to help better integrate these efforts into the overall advocacy planning and strategies of the association. OLA also works to cultivate future leadership in order to sustain the advocacy efforts of the association.
- Office for Literacy and Outreach Services
The Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS) serves the Association by identifying and promoting library services that support equitable access to the knowledge and information stored in our libraries. OLOS focuses attention on services that are inclusive of traditionally underserved populations, including new and non-readers, people geographically isolated, people with disabilities, rural and urban poor people, and people generally discriminated against based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, language and social class. The Office ensures that training, information resources, and technical assistance are available to help libraries and librarians develop effective strategies to develop programs and services for library users.
- Association of Rural and Small Libraries
Association of Rural and Small Libraries is a a network of people dedicated to the positive growth of rural and small libraries and a collection of resources relevant to member needs.
- Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services
The Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services is comprised of libraries of all types. The mission of the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services is to support and encourage government officials, library administrators, trustees, and staff in the provision of quality bookmobile and outreach services to meet diverse community information and programming needs.
- Association of College & Research Librarians
The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), a division of the American Library Association, is a professional association of academic librarians and other interested individuals. It is dedicated to enhancing the ability of academic library and information professionals to serve the information needs of the higher education community and to improve learning, teaching, and research.
- American Association of School Librarians
The mission of the American Association of School Librarians is to advocate excellence, facilitate change, and develop leaders in the school library media field.
- ALA Committee on Literacy
ALA Committee on Literacy Facebook PageThe charge of the committee is "to develop and recommend the Association's policies related to the promotion of literacy; to develop and encourage the development of programs, educational opportunities, and other resources that assist librarians and libraries in promoting literacy; to raise the awareness of literacy within the Association; to work cooperatively with the Literacy Assembly, the Office for Literacy and Outreach Services and its Advisory Committee, and other ALA units, including the Washington Office, on efforts that have a literacy focus; to develop and maintain partnerships with national literacy organizations."
The Commission on Adult Basic Education is organized to advance national and international adult education and literacy opportunities for all persons.
Friends of the LibraryFriends of Libraries U.S.A. (FOLUSA) is a national nonprofit organization providing networking opportunities and educational support for local Friends of Libraries groups, Trustees, and library Foundations across the country. Over 2,000 Friends groups, Boards of Trustees, libraries and Foundations belong to FOLUSA representing hundreds of thousands of library supporters. Established in 1979 as a committee of the Library Administration and Management Association (LAMA) of the American Library Association, FOLUSA is now a national leader in library support and advocacy.
I Love LibrariesI LoveLibraries.org is an initiative of the American Library Association (ALA), the oldest and largest library association in the world with members in academic, public, school, government and special libraries. ALA is a more than 66,000-member-strong organization that seeks to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services, and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.
ILoveLibraries.org is ALA’s website for the public, designed to keep America informed about what’s happening in today’s libraries, found in public, school, academic, corporate and institutional settings.
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education.
The National Center for Family LiteracyFamily literacy is an intergenerational approach based on the indisputable evidence that low literacy is an unfortunate and debilitating family tradition. Parents who are not literate tend to have children who struggle academically and who often do not achieve literacy proficiency in adulthood.
Family literacy helps parents and children form a learning partnership that ends the cycle of poverty and low literacy. NCFL works to find solutions to the literacy crisis that build on the family to create a new cycle of ongoing learning and mutual support.
The mission of the National Coalition for Literacy (NCL) is to advance adult education, family literacy, and English language acquisition in the U.S. by increasing public awareness for the need to increase funding and programs; promoting effective public policy; and serving as an authoritative resource for the field on national adult education issues.
The National Institute for LiteracyThe National Institute for Literacy, a federal agency, provides leadership on literacy issues, including the improvement of reading instruction for children, youth, and adults. In consultation with the U.S. Departments of Education, Labor, and Health and Human Services, the Institute serves as a national resource on current, comprehensive literacy research, practice, and policy.
ProLiteracyProLiteracy champions the power of literacy to improve the lives of adults and their families, communities, and societies.
U.S. Department of Education - Office of Vocational and Adult EducationThe Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) supports programs that help young people and adults obtain the knowledge and skills for successful careers and productive lives. On this site, you will find useful information about programs, grants, and events related to adult education and vocational education; high schools; community colleges; correctional education; community technology centers; and teacher development activities.
©2009 American Library Association.