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Foundation of Library and Information Science

Notes user-oriented library and information, services. Its aim is to propagate library consciousness
and promote the library interests of the country. It is there to work for intellectual freedom
without the constraint of censorship and for free access to reading materials. The ALA is concerned
with the profession, and the professional’s interests.

Organization

Any person, library or other organization interested in library services and libraries is admitted
as a member and there is no geographical limit. ALA elects a President, a Secretary and other
office-bearers. It is governed by a Council. The Executive Board is the management arm. It has
at present 11 divisions such as those relating to adult services, school librarians, libraries for
children and young, library education, reference and adult services, and resources and technical
services as well as committees devoted to various other subjects. In some areas, there are well
developed units working under the umbrella of ALA, but they are functioning as separate
divisions, such as American Association of School Libraries, College and Research Libraries,
American Library Trustee Association, Association for Library Services to Children Association,
of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies, Library Administration and Management
Association, Library and Information Technology Association and Public Libraries Association.
Yet another tier in the structure of ALA consists of Round Tables, which are membership units
dealing with aspects of librarianship outside the scope of a division.

Functions and Activities

The functions and activities of ALA are as follows:

The work of ALA is centred mainly on its divisions, committees and round tables. The
Annual Conference of ALA is held usually in June in different cities of United States. A
number of pre and post-conference seminars, workshops, etc., is also held at that time.

From the very beginning, ALA focused its attention on standardization of library
procedures, techniques, forms etc. In education and training for librarianship, its role has
been mainly accreditation and setting up of proper standards. However, its activities
under its continuing education programme are many. ALA has a creditable record in
promoting and encouraging research, innovation, invention, etc. in the library and
information science field. The library technology programmes have contributed
significantly.
ALA has been quite active in the passage of federal legislation in matters relating to
library services. The Library Bill of Rights, Library Services Act of 1956 (amended in 1964),
and legislations dealing with postal rates, copyright and funds for library services are
examples of initiatives taken by ALA. It also takes interest in clarification of legislative
issues whenever situation the warrants it.
Publications: Its publication programme is large and impressive. It is directly responsible
for the following serials. ALA Handbook of Organisations and Membership Directory
(annual) ALA Yearbook American Libraries (11 issues) (1907) Previously ALA Bulletin
Booklist (22 issues), Choice (11 issues) Library Technology Project (LTP) Reports (6 issues).
Other units of ALA are also bringing out serial titles. Its ad hoc publications comprising
monographs, manuals, guides, codes, handbooks, proceedings of annual conference etc.
may extend to more than 2,000 titles and account for significant world library science
literature.
Awards: ALA has instituted several awards in the name of some eminent library scientists
to encourage and recognize working professionals for outstanding performance and
excellence in certain fields. For example, John Cotton; Dana Library Public Relations

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