Personal Membership
Join, renew or add-on to a Personal Membership on ALA online.
Download PDF versions of Personal Membership applications.
Download a PDF informational guide to Personal Membership.
Personal Membership in the American Library Association (ALA) is a community of individual librarians, library workers, faculty, trustees, and friends focused on promoting library services in school, academic, and public settings; expanding the visibility and reach of the library profession; and ensuring that libraries of all types are funded, staffed, and equipped for the future. Joining ALA as a Personal Member brings you in close contact with other members interested in similar areas of library service and adds your voice to the thousands of current members in support of library issues at local, state, and federal levels.
All members receive equal access to ALA resources and benefits, and all Personal Members have the same eligibility to vote in ALA elections, hold office, and serve on committees. Direct benefits of Personal Membership include:
- A subscription to American Libraries magazine (11 issues) and AL Direct, the weekly e-newsletter
- Discounts on registration rates for Annual Conference, the Midwinter Meeting, and divisional national conferences and symposia
- Access to several members-only discount programs, including medical, life, long-term care, auto, and home insurance, plus discounts on services like car rental and vacation and tour travel
Personal Member dues and types
There are several types of Personal Membership in ALA, but all types have the same rights and privileges of membership. Dues are tiered based on the roles one has in library work. Special rates are available for Retirees, Students, Friends, Trustees, International, and Non-Salaried Members. Membership in ALA divisions and round tables is an additional fee, and special dues rates may also be available. Membership in ALA is required for divisional and round table membership.
Personal Memberships run for 12 months starting with the month of application. ALA’s fiscal year is September to August, and dues rates below are current from September 1, 2008 to August 31, 2009.
To join ALA, start here.
Regular Members - includes librarians as well as others employed in library and information services or related activities in positions that: (a) require a master's degree; (b) require a state level certification; or (c) are managerial. $65 for the first year, $98 for the second year, $130 for the third and later years.
Student Members – includes individuals enrolled in a program for certificate or degree in library and information studies. Certain state chapters have Joint Memberships with ALA. Please click here to learn more. Student Membership is limited to five total years. $33.00/year.
Library Support Staff Members – includes others employed in library and information services or related activities. $46.00/year.
Non-Salaried Members - includes librarians earning less than $25,000 per year or not currently employed. $46.00/year.
Retired Members – includes those who have retired from library and information services or related activities. $46.00/year.
Trustee Members – includes those not employed in library and information services or related activities who, through their personal commitment and support, promote library and information services as members of governing boards, advisory groups, etc. $59.00/year.
International Members – includes librarians who do not hold U.S. citizenship and who are not employed in the U.S. or U.S. possessions, regardless of salary level. $78.00/year.
Associate Members – includes those not employed in library and information services or related activities who, through their personal commitment and support, promote library and information services; e.g. friends and special citizen caucuses and/or individuals interested in participating in the work of the Association. $59.00/year.
Life Members - includes those who purchase basic membership in ALA for life at rates dependant on age at the time of application. Installment plans and lump sum purchases are available. Life members receive full benefits of ALA membership with division and round table membership available for additional dues. Click here for prices.
Continuing Members - includes those who have been active, paid ALA members for at least 25 uninterrupted years. Continuing Members receive ongoing free membership upon retirement.