New Mexico State Library

Professional Organizations

Regional Organizations

New Mexico Library Association
A nonprofit organization dedicated to the support and promotion of libraries and the development of library personnel, provides opportunities for professionals to meet with other professionals, and serves as a connection to colleagues and interested citizens working to enhance the availability and quality of library service throughout New Mexico.

Mountain Plains Library Association
A twelve state association of librarians, library paraprofessionals and friends of libraries in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. Its purpose is to promote the development of librarians and libraries by providing significant educational and networking opportunities.

National Organizations

American Library Association
The oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 64,000 members. Its mission is to promote the highest quality library and information services and public access to information. ALA offers professional services and publications to members and nonmembers, including online news stories from American Libraries and analysis of crucial issues from the Washington Office.

Association of Rural & Small Libraries
The Association for Rural & Small Libraries is a network of persons throughout the country dedicated to the positive growth and development of libraries.  ARSL believes in the value of rural and small libraries and strives to create resources and services that address national, state, and local priorities for libraries situated in rural communities.

Association for Library Services to Children
A network of over 3,700 children’s and youth librarians, children’s literature experts, and publishers committed to improving and ensuring the future of the nation through exemplary library service to children, their families, and others who work with children.

Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF)
The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations is a division of the American Library Association (ALA) with approximately 5,000 Friends of Library, Trustee, Foundation and individual members and affiliates representing hundreds of thousands of library supporters. Begun in early 2009 with the merger of Friends of Libraries U.S.A. (FOLUSA) and ALTA, the new division brings together Trustees and Friends into a partnership that unites the voices of citizens who support libraries to create a powerful force for libraries in the 21st Century.

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
The leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. It is the global voice of the library and information profession.

Library Administration and Management
Provides an organizational framework for encouraging the study of administrative theory, for improving the practice of administration in libraries, and for identifying and fostering administrative skill. Toward these ends, the division is responsible for all elements of general administration which are common to more than one type of library.

Public Library Association
An association that enhances the development and effectiveness of public library staff and public library services.

Reference and User Service Association
An association responsible for stimulating and supporting in every type of library the delivery of reference/information services to all groups, regardless of age, and of general library services and materials to adults. This involves facilitating the development and conduct of direct service to library users, the development of programs and guidelines for service to meet the needs of these users, and assisting libraries in reaching potential users.

Reforma
Committed to the improvement of the full spectrum of library and information services for the approximately 56.2* million Spanish-speaking and Latino people in the United States.

Young Adult Library Service Association
Advocates, promotes and strengthens service to young adults as part of the continuum of total library service, and to support those who provide service to this population.