Professional Organizations

Here are listed professional organizations offering continuing education. Please contact STOD if you know of other organizations we can add to the list.

Library Management & General

American Library Association (ALA)

• Purpose: 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.
  

Association for College & Research Libraries (ACRL)

• 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
• ACRL Continuing Education Materials Online: ACRL New England Chapter offers a number of online learning opportunities to meet the demands of your schedule and budget. Site includes links to the web pages of library schools offering continuing education online.
  

Association of Research Libraries (ARL)

• ARL is a nonprofit organization of 123 research libraries at comprehensive, research-extensive institutions in the US and Canada that share similar research missions, aspirations, and achievements. The Association’s importance and distinction is born from its membership and the nature of the institutions represented. ARL member libraries make up a large portion of the academic and research library marketplace, spending more than $1 billion every year on library materials.

Reference and Public Services

Reference and User Services Association (RUSA)

• RUSA is the foremost organization of reference and information professionals who make the connections between people and the information sources, services, and collection materials they need. The Reference and User Services Association is responsible for stimulating and supporting excellence in the delivery of general library services and materials to adults, and the provision of reference and information services, collection development, and resource sharing for all ages, in every type of library.
  

Technical Services

Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS)

• ALCTS is the ALA division dedicated to the acquisition, cataloging, classification, preservation, selection & evaluation of library materials. It is the premier resource for information specialists in collection development, preservation, and technical services. We are the leader in the development of principles, standards, and best practices for creating, collecting, organizing, delivering, and preserving information resources in all forms.
  

Cooperative Online Serials (CONSER)

• Cooperative Online Serials Program is a program within the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC), which sets the national standards for serial cataloging. Its members are recognized experts in the field of serials & integrated resources cataloging
• CONSER sponsors special training workshops for major revisions to the cataloging rules for continuing resources as well as introductory and advanced workshops in serials & integrated resources cataloging through their Serials Cataloging Cooperative Training Program (SCCTP)
  

Online Audiovisual Catalogers (OLAC)

• In 1980, OLAC was founded to establish and maintain a group that could speak for catalogers of audiovisual materials. OLAC provides a means for exchange of information, continuing education, and communication among catalogers of audiovisual materials and with the Library of Congress. While maintaining a voice with the bibliographic utilities that speak for catalogers of audiovisual materials, OLAC works toward common understanding of AV cataloging practices and standards.”
• Most of OLAC’s training is done at conference or preconference workshops - at the most recent conference these included workshops on: electronic resources, music scores, form/genre headings, map cataloging, AV metadata, video & sound recordings

Special Collections and Archives

Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS/NA)

• “The mission of ARLIS/NA is to foster excellence in art and design librarianship and image management.”
  
• Workshops at the annual ARLIS conference provide training in technical processing, collection management, and organizational development. Topics at the most recent conference included: cataloging cultural objects, mentoring, photographic and photomechanical processes encountered in art libraries & museums, maps & atlases for art librarians, leadership in institutions.
  

American Theological Libraries Association (ATLA)

• The American Theological Library Association (ATLA) is a professional association of more than 1,000 individual, institutional, and affiliate members providing programs, products, and services in support of theological and religious studies libraries and librarians. ATLA's ecumenical membership represents many religious traditions and denominations.
• Training is provided at conference workshops. Recent topics: customer service, teaching & learning to support theological education, the CONSER standard record, fundraising

North American Map Cartographic Information Society (NACIS)

• The North American Cartographic Information Society, founded in 1980, is an organization comprised of specialists from private, academic, and government organizations whose common interest lies in facilitating communication in the map information community.
• Training is offered at conferences in “Practical Librarian Workshops.” Recent workshops included: issues in digital map collections, restorative cartography, digital geovisualization, online mapping with Google maps

Medical Library Association (MLA)

• The Medical Library Association (MLA) is a nonprofit, educational organization with more than 4,000 health sciences information professional members and partners worldwide. MLA provides lifelong educational opportunities, supports a knowledgebase of health information research, and works with a global network of partners to promote the importance of quality information for improved health to the health care community and the public.
• Training is offered at the annual conference. CE courses are 8, 6, and 4 hrs. in length.

Rare Books and Manuscripts Section (RBMS)

• The Rare Books and Manuscripts Section (RBMS) of the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) plays a leading role in the local, national, and international special collections communities. It strives to represent and promote the interests of librarians, curators, and other specialists concerned with the acquisition, organization, security, preservation, administration, and use of special collections, including rare printed books, manuscripts, archives, graphics, music, and ephemera. “
• Training is provided at conference workshops. Although the major focus is on cataloging, the scope of training reflects the mission statement of the section.

Society of American Archivists (SAA)

• From their web page: “Founded in 1936, the Society of American Archivists is North America's oldest and largest national archival professional association. SAA's mission is to serve the educational and informational needs of more than 5,000 individual and institutional members and to provide leadership to ensure the identification, preservation, and use of records of historical value.”
• Education and Events - Workshops and online training on preservation of electronic records, metadata, DACS (Describing Archives: a Content Standard), EAD stylesheets, archives management, photographs & visual materials, etc.
  

Listing and Descriptions of United States Library Associations