ALA membership is open to individuals, organizations, and non-profits, and businesses interested in working together to change the world for the better through libraries and librarians. ALA personal membership provides resources and benefits that help move your career forward with continuing education, networking opportunities and the latest library trends. Learn more about the benefits that come along with your personal membership below.
There are a variety of memberships and dues rates to meet the needs of any individual, organization/library, or business—along with opportunities to join divisions and round tables that focus on professional needs and interests.
Please expand the sections below for more information regarding dues and member types for ALA personal membership, Division membership, and Round Table membership.
Student Members - you can join both your state association and the American Library Association for a discounted price. Find out more about Joint ALA-State Chapter Student Memberships
ALA membership includes access to exclusive perks and offers that can help you maximize your personal and professional life. LEARN MORE
ALA Personal Member Types and Dues
Dues are based on your role in library work. Special rates are available for Retirees, Students, Friends, Trustees, International, and Non-Salaried/Unemployed members. Membership in ALA Divisions and Round Tables requires an additional fee.
- Membership in ALA is required for divisional and round table membership.
- Memberships run for 12 months starting with the month of your application.
- ALA’s fiscal year is September to August. Dues rates below are current from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2024.
| Membership Type | Cost | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | $162 | 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. |
| First year | $81 | First and second year memberships are subsidized by ALA. |
| Second year | $123 | First and second year memberships are subsidized by ALA. |
| Student | $43 | Includes individuals enrolled in a program for a certificate or a degree in library and information studies. Certain state library associations (chapters) offer Joint Memberships with ALA for $46. Student membership is limited to five total years. |
| Non-Salaried/ in transition | $58 | Includes librarians earning less than $45,000 per year or not currently employed. In a difficult economy this category can be helpful to those in career transition or those just beginning their careers. |
| Library Support Staff | $58 | Includes others employed in library and information services or related activities. |
| Retired | $58 | Includes those who have retired from library and information services or related activities. |
| Continuing Members | Free. Contact ALA. | Includes those who have been active, paid ALA members for at least 25 uninterrupted years. Continuing members receive ongoing free membership upon retirement. |
| Life | Cost varies See details |
Includes those who purchase basic membership in ALA for life at rates dependent upon age at the time of application. Installment plans and lump-sum purchases are available. Life members receive full ALA, division and round table membership available for additional dues. Download and view the life member application (PDF) for more information. |
| Friend | $73 | Includes individual friends of libraries and members of special citizens caucuses interested in participating in association work. |
| Trustee | $73 | 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. |
| Associate | $73 | 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). |
| International | $58 | Includes librarians who do not hold U.S. citizenship and who are not employed in the United States or US possessions, regardless of salary level. |
American Association of School Librarians (AASL)
Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)
Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)
Publications: Children and Libraries: The Journal of the ALSC (quarterly; $50 value), ALSC Matters! (quarterly)
| Membership Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Regular | $53 |
| Student | $21 |
| Support Staff, Retired or Non-Salaried | $37 |
| Associate | $26 |
Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL)
Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL)
Publications: College & Research Libraries (bi-monthly open access, online only) and C&RL News (11 issues, open access, online only)
| Membership Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Regular | $74 |
| Student | $5 |
| Retired | $48 |
| Interest Groups or Sections | Included with membership |
Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures (Core)
Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures (Core)
Publications: Library Resources & Technical Services (online, open access, quarterly); Library Leadership & Management (online, open access, quarterly); Information Technology & Libraries (online, open access, quarterly)
| Membership Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Regular | $70 |
| Student | $30 |
| All Other Personal Types | $40 |
| Interest Groups or Sections | Included with membership |
Public Library Association (PLA)
Public Library Association (PLA)
Publication: Public Libraries (bi-monthly; $65 subscription included in dues)
| Membership Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Regular (This category includes trustees and associates) | $85 |
| Student | $36 |
| International, Non-salaried or Retired | $62 |
Reference and User Services Association (RUSA)
United For Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (United for Libraries)
United For Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (United for Libraries)
Publications: The Voice for America's Libraries (bi-monthly: $20 subscription included in dues)
| Membership Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Regular | $70 |
| Student | $25 |
| Trustee, Friend, Retired and all other personal member types | $60 |
Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)
Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)
Publications: Young Adult Library Services (quarterly; $70 subscription included in dues) and YALSA E-News (weekly; $35 subscription included in dues)
| Membership Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Regular & International | $62 |
| Student, Support Staff, Retired, Non-salaried, Friends and Advocates | $27 |
ALA Round Tables
ALA Round Tables
All dues are Regular Members $15 / Student Members $5 (per Round Table)
Pro-rated dues apply when adding a Round Table to an existing membership. You must be an ALA Member to join ALA Round Tables.
| ALA Round Table |
|---|
| Coretta Scott King Book Awards (CSKBART) |
| Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange (EMIERT) |
| Film & Media (FMRT) |
| Games & Gaming (GameRT) |
| Graphic Novel and Comics Round Table (GNCRT) |
| Government Documents (GODORT) |
| Intellectual Freedom (IFRT) |
| International Relations (IRRT) Note: ALA International members residing outside of the United States receive free membership. |
| Learning (LearnRT) |
| Library History (LHRT) |
| Library Instruction (LIRT) |
| Library Research (LRRT) |
| Library Support Staff (LSSRT) |
| Map and Geospatial Information (MAGIRT) |
| New Members ( NMRT) Note: (+10 years of NMRT membership qualify for NMRT Alumni status) |
| Rainbow (RainbowRT) |
| Retired Members (RMRT) |
| Social Responsibilities (SRRT) |
| Sustainability (SustainRT) |