Professional Development Resources: Connecting

The American Library Association (ALA) is the oldest and largest library association in the world.

Founded on October 6, 1876 during the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, the mission of ALA 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.”

The Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) is the higher education association for librarians. Representing more than 11,000 academic and research librarians and interested individuals, ACRL develops programs, products and services to help academic and research librarians learn, innovate and lead within the academic community. Founded in 1940, ACRL is committed to advancing learning and transforming scholarship.

ACRL New England Chapter began officially over 42 years ago, when it was approved by the ACRL Board at the 1972 ALA annual meeting. The purpose of the Chapter since the beginning has been to provide academic and research librarians opportunities for professional growth by providing workshops and conferences as well as a network of colleagues for consultation and collaboration.

MLA is the Massachusetts Chapter of ALA.

MSLA promotes school librarian leadership and school library programs that provide resources, instruction, and opportunities for collaboration that maximize student learning.
MSLA works to ensure every school has a school library program that is fully integrated at all grade levels across the curriculum and has a significant and measurable impact on student achievement.
MSLA provides its members with paths to school library leadership.
The organization communicates its vision to members and potential members, the educational community, and the general public.

Officially chartered in 1963, the New England Library Association is a regional organization whose membership represents a wide range of library‑related interests.

Its objectives are to initiate, plan and support regional activities; to encourage the exchange of ideas; and to cooperate with regional and national agencies having related interests.

The Special Libraries Association (SLA) is a nonprofit global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners.
SLA serves more than 7,000 members in 75 countries in the information profession, including corporate, academic and government information specialists.
SLA promotes and strengthens its members through learning, advocacy, and networking initiatives.
- See more at: https://www.sla.org/about-sla/#sthash.tm7803Ec.dpuf

The American Library Association hosts a Midwinter Conference (typically in January) and their Annual Conference (which is usually held in late June).

The Public Library Association hosts a annual conference in the Spring.

The New England Library Association host a conference each fall.

The Massachusetts Library Association hosts a conference every spring

ACRL NE hosts a conference each spring.