Forty-five Chapters (aka state library associations) partner with ALA to offer students the opportunity to join one of them and ALA for one low price of $40, now through August 31, 2018. Dues increase to $42 on September 1, 2018.
ALA encourages you to join and renew online by completing the secure forms found at the joint membership program page. If you join or renew online, ALA membership and the participating Chapters each receive a receipt that day of your having joined! And you save the cost of mailing or faxing your application!
These are the 45 state library associations participating in the joint student membership program:
- Alabama Library Association
- Alaska Library Association
- Arizona Library Association
- Arkansas Library Association
- California Library Association
- Colorado Association of Libraries
- Connecticut Library Association
- Delaware Library Association
- District of Columbia Library Association
- Florida Library Association
- Georgia Library Association
- Hawaii Library Association
- Idaho Library Association
- Indiana Library Federation
- Kansas Library Association
- Kentucky Library Association
- Louisiana Library Association
- Maine Library Association
- Maryland Library Association
- Massachusetts Library Association
- Michigan Library Association
- Minnesota Library Association
- Mississippi Library Association
- Missouri Library Association
- Montana Library Association
- Nebraska Library Association
- Nevada Library Association
- New Hampshire Library Association
- New Jersey Library Association
- New York Library Association
- North Carolina Library Association
- Ohio Library Council
- Oklahoma Library Association
- Oregon Library Association
- Pennsylvania Library Association
- Rhode Island Library Association
- South Carolina Library Association
- South Dakota Library Association
- Tennessee Library Association
- Texas Library Association
- Utah Library Association
- Vermont Library Association
- Washington Library Association
- West Virginia Library Association
- Wisconsin Library Association
Strengthen Library Advocacy: Join Your State Library Association Today! points out many excellent reasons why you should join your state library association, including receiving discounts for attending your state association’s annual conference, networking with other students, librarians, and library workers, and becoming active in your association. Of course, opportunities for discounts, networking, and becoming active apply to your ALA membership benefits, too!
As importantly, it’s not only a good time to join, with budget cuts and worse directed at libraries in many states, it’s also imperative—now more than ever!—to support your state library association’s efforts to advocate for and support libraries, librarians, and library workers within your state.
If you need more reasons to join, please feel free to contact your state library association. Each can explain the numerous membership benefits it offers in greater detail than possible here!
Student membership is a special discounted membership. Students engaged in a program of study or certification in MLS/MLIS, CAEP, and LTA programs for no more than 5 total years are eligible for ALA's discounted student membership dues and are encouraged to participate in ALA activities, including committee work, conferences, and programs. Get involved with your association and to learn from experienced librarians and to offer your own fresh perspectives and ideas. See AASL-CAEP School Librarianship Education Programs. This special dues rate is designed to help you access the benefits, networking, and career resources that come with membership. Student Members, whether full- or part-time, are also given the best rates for conference registration, often at discounts as high as 75 percent off. Student Members are eligible to serve on committees, run for office, and participate actively in the work of the association.
Visit Getting the Most from Your Membership, Student Members, Student Portal, Virtual Membership Meeting, Ways to get involved, and ALA Connect, where you will be invited to join ALA as a Personal, Organizational, or Corporate member.
Speaking of getrting the most from your membership, after joining your state library association, which will help you in your chosen field, if you’re a student, also join your Student Chapter! Here are many, many reasons why! Here is one more: Where Are Future ALA Leaders? In the ALA Student Chapters! Have more questions? Here are some answers!.
If your state library association is interested in participating in the joint student membership program, please contact Don Wood, in the Chapter Relations Office. See also Joint Student Membership Partnership between ALA and Chapters: How Does It Work?
To find out more about ALA membership, contact ALA Member & Customer Service.