WThe Alabama Library Association (ALLA) is a professional organization for Alabama's librarians and library workers. It is headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama. It was founded on November 21, 1904, in Montgomery. Thomas Owen, director of the Alabama Department of Archives, was the association's first President from 1904 through 1920.
WThe Arizona Library Association (AzLA) is a professional organization for Arizona's librarians and library workers. It is headquartered in Tucson, AZ. It was founded on November 12, 1926, in Phoenix, by Estelle Lutrell and State Librarian Con Cronin. Cronin was elected the organization's first president. Lutrell was secretary of AzLA from 1926–1930 and elected president in 1931.
WThe Arkansas Library Association (ArLA) is a professional organization for Arkansas's librarians and library workers. It is headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. It was founded on January 26, 1911, in Little Rock, Arkansas by Caroline Langworthy from the Carnegie library of Fort Smith, Maud Pugsley from the Little Rock Public Library and the Arkansas Federation of Women's Clubs. C. W. L. Armour, a trustee of Fort Smith Public Library, was the organization's first president. Early legislative efforts led to approval of a plan allowing some towns to impose taxes for library development.
WThe Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA), also known as the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association, is an affiliate of the American Library Association (ALA). It was created to "address the needs of Asian/Pacific American librarians and those who serve Asian/Pacific American communities."
WThe Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries, especially libraries which serve small and rural communities. It is a professional organization that 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.
WThe Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit organization of 125 research libraries at comprehensive, research institutions in Canada and the United States. ARL member libraries make up a large portion of the academic and research library marketplace, spending more than $1.4 billion every year on information resources and actively engaging in the development of new models of scholarly communications.
WThe California Library Association (CLA) is a body of librarians that represents and promotes the interests of librarians and library sciences in the state of California. The association is managed by a board of directors, consisting of 15 members. The members are elected for a term of 3 years, and elections are conducted every year for 2 or 3 positions.
WThe Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL) is a professional organization for Colorado's librarians and library workers. It is headquartered in Arvada, Colorado. It was established in 1893 as the Colorado Library Association. John Cotton Dana was elected president of the organization in 1895 but left after taking a controversial position on the gold standard and John Parsons succeeded him. The organization faltered in 1896 and then was "resuscitated" in 1905. Alfred Whitaker was the president of the association in 1905.
WThe Connecticut Library Association (CLA) is a professional organization for Connecticut's librarians and library workers. It is headquartered in Belchertown, Massachusetts. It was founded on February 23, 1891, in New Haven, Connecticut with the purpose of promoting "library interests by discussion and interchange of ideas and methods, and not to 'trench upon the province of the American Library Association.'" The first regular CLA meeting was held in the Wadsworth Atheneum in May 1891.CLA's initial membership was thirty people and dues were fifty cents. The first CLA president of the Association was Addison Van Name who served from the organization's founding in 1891 to 1892. CLA urged the state of Connecticut to provide incentives for towns to make their libraries public. The state responded by offering grants of up to $200 yearly for libraries to spend on books.
WThe Delaware Library Association (DLA) is a professional organization for Delaware's librarians and library workers. It is headquartered in Dover, Delaware and is an all-volunteer organization. It was founded on January 18, 1934, the second-to-last US state to form a state library association. Its first president was Arthur Bailey.
WThe District of Columbia Library Association (DCLA) is a professional organization for District of Columbia's librarians and library workers. It is headquartered in Washington, DC. It was founded on June 15, 1894 as the Library Association of Washington City. DCLA's first president was Ainsworth Spofford who was also Librarian of Congress; most of DCLA's initial monthly meetings were held in the Library of Congress. It changed its name to District of Columbia Library Association in March 1901 and became a chapter of the American Library Association on June 28, 1922.
WThe Georgia Library Association (GLA) is a professional organization in the United States for Georgia's librarians and library workers. It is headquartered in Savannah, Georgia. It was founded as The Georgia Library Club by members of the Young Men's Library of Atlanta and Georgia Federation of Women's Clubs. The organization changed its name to the Georgia Library Association at its first business meeting. GLAs first president was Anne Wallace, elected at the organization's first meeting May 31, 1897, in Atlanta, Georgia.
WThe Guam Library Association (GLA) is a professional organization for Guam's librarians and library workers based in Hagatna. It was founded in 1965 and became an affiliate of the American Library Association in 1967, an affiliation which it lost in 1975 and regained sometime in the late 1980s. GLA is also a member of the Pacific Islands Association of Libraries, Archives, and Museums. Membership in the association is open to librarians and library workers, but also to the general public who are interested in improving the civilian and military libraries of Guam.
WThe Hawai'i Library Association (HLA) is a professional organization for Hawaii's librarians and library workers created "to promote library service and librarianship in Hawai'i." It is headquartered in Honolulu, Hawai'i. The Hawai'i Library Association was organized at a meeting of 20 county librarians on January 16–17, 1922. Clara Hemenway, director of the University of Hawai'i Library was the first president. The association's first informal meeting was in 1922; Margaret Newman was the first elected president at their first official meeting in 1924. HLA became a chapter of the American Library Association at that same meeting, in March 1924.
WThe Indiana Library Federation (ILF) is a professional organization for Indiana's librarians, library workers, and trustees. It is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The ILF was created as a result of the Indiana Library Association (501 being merged into the Indiana Library Trustee Association (501 in 1990. The two organizations often had conferences together and merged to take advantage of ILTA's tax-exempt status.
WThe Kansas Library Association (KLA) is a professional organization for Kansas's librarians and library workers. It is headquartered in Norton, Kansas. It was founded on December 27, 1900, in the office of the state librarian, after an earlier meeting organized by Anna LaPorte Diggs. James L. King of Topeka was elected the first president. KLA became an official state chapter of the American Library Association in 1922.
WThe Kentucky Library Association (KLA) is a professional organization for Kentucky's librarians and library workers. It is headquartered in Prospect, Kentucky. It was founded on June 28, 1906, in Louisville, Kentucky with 52 charter members. Its original goal was to form a state library commission as well as to increase access to free state documents. William Frederick Yust was elected as the association's first president. KLA's third conference was a tri-state conferences presented with the states of Ohio and Indiana. KLA became a state chapter of the American Library Association in 1917, and is a member of the Southeastern Library Association.
WThe Louisiana Library Association (LLA) is a professional organization for Louisiana's librarians and library workers. It is headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The LLA publishes The LLA Bulletin and Louisiana Libraries magazine.
WThe Maine Library Association (MLA) is a professional organization for Maine's librarians and library workers. It was founded in 1891 at the Maine State Library in Augusta, Maine, with the stated goal of "promotion of library interests in the State of Maine."
WThe Maryland Library Association (MLA) is a professional organization for Maryland's librarians and library workers. It is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. It was founded in November, 1923, in Baltimore, after a letter writing campaign by Charlotte Newell from the Maryland Public Library Advisory Commission. MLA's first president was Louis Dielman from the Peabody Institute. MLA was instrumental in supporting the creation of the graduate school of library science at the University of Maryland. The organization has been incorporated as a non-profit since 1974. The MLA's official newsletter is The CRAB. MLA has a reciprocal arrangement with DCLA whereby members can participate in each other's events and conferences at membership rates. In 1996, MLA created the Maryland Author Award was established to honor and promote local authors.
WThe Mississippi Library Association (MLA) is a professional organization for Mississippi's librarians and library workers. It is headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi in the Mississippi Library Commission building. It was founded October 29, 1909 by Whitman Davis, a librarian at Mississippi A & M College. In 1968, it became incorporated as Mississippi Library Association, Inc.
WThe Missouri Library Association (MLA) is a professional organization for Missouri's librarians and library workers. It is headquartered in Ballwin, Missouri. It was founded on December 18, 1900, in Columbia, Missouri, at a meeting called by Fredrick Crunden, Head Librarian for the St. Louis Public Library; Carrie Whitney, Director of the Kansas City Public Library; Charles Yeater, Trustee and President of the Board of Directors for the Sedalia Public Library; Purd Wright, Librarian at the St. Joseph Public Library; and James Gerould, University Librarian at the University of Missouri. The organization's first president was Fredrick Crunden.
WThe Nebraska Library Association (NLA) is a professional organization for Nebraska's librarians and library workers. It is headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was founded on April 22, 1895, at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Mary L. Jones was elected first president of the organization. Initial NLA conferences were held at the same time as the Nebraska State Teachers' Association or the Nebraska Federation of Women. NLA is a state chapter of the American Library Association (ALA). From 1932 through 1954 there was also a Lincoln Library Association, also a state chapter of ALA until ALA dissolved their local chapters.
WThe Nevada Library Association (NLA) is a professional organization for Nevada's librarians and library workers. It is headquartered in Henderson, Nevada. It was founded on June 4, 1946, in Reno, Nevada, the last state in the United States to form a state library association. State Librarian Charles Marriage was one of its chief co-founders and its first president was Edward Castagna. It became an official non-profit organization by statute in 1963 and then reorganized as private, non-profit corporation in 1993. NLA has been directly connected with every piece of library legislation passed by the Nevada State Legislature.
WThe New England Library Association (NELA) is a professional organization for New England's librarians and library workers. It was founded in Manchester Vermont in June 1938 at the first Regional Conference of New England State Library Associations. Each of the six New England states sends delegates to the annual NELA conferences. The organization's stated purpose upon its founding was "the exchange of ideas and the welfare of libraries through addresses, discussions and similar measures." In 1963, it was formerly incorporated and chartered in Massachusetts. Its current objectives as of January 2020 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."
WThe New Hampshire Library Association (NHLA) is a professional organization for New Hampshire's librarians and library workers; it is the oldest state library association in the United States. It was founded in 1889 by an act of the legislature with the stated goal "to promote the efficiency of libraries and to cultivate fellowship among its members." A group of 49 library trustees and one librarian met for the first time on September 12, 1890, at the American Library Association meeting in the White Mountains. Nathan Hunt, the City Librarian of Manchester, was NHLA's first president, elected in 1891.
WThe New Mexico Library Association (NMLA) is a professional organization for New Mexico's librarians and library workers. It is headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was officially founded on February 3, 1924. Evelyn Shuler, director of Raton Public Library and director for the ALA United War Work Campaign in New Mexico, was the organization's first president.
WThe New York Library Association (NYLA) is a group that promotes libraries in New York. It was founded in 1890 and was the first statewide organization of librarians in the United States. One of its founders was Melvil Dewey, who has had a lasting impact on libraries in the United States. The association was granted a provisional charter in 1929 and its Absolute Charter in 1946.
WThe North Carolina Library Association (NCLA) is a professional organization for North Carolina's librarians and library workers. It is headquartered in High Point, North Carolina. It was founded on May 14, 1904, in Greensboro, North Carolina. The original organization had thirty-two charter members and Mrs. Annie Smith Ross from the Carnegie Library in Charlotte was the association's first president.
WThe North Dakota Library Association (NDLA) is a professional association for librarians, library staff, and library supporters that represent school, public, academic, and special libraries located in North Dakota, United States. "The purpose of this organization is to exercise professional leadership and to promote library services and librarianship." The North Dakota Library Association was formed on January 18, 1906. The association has humble beginnings – at the 1909 conference, there was only 18 members. There are currently over 300 NDLA members.
WThe Ohio Library Council (OLC) is a professional organization for Ohio's librarians and library workers. It is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. It was founded originally as the Ohio Library Association on February 27th, 1895 by William Howard Brett, Electra Collins Doren and Linda Eastman. The first OLA conference was held the same year in Cleveland, Ohio. The Ohio Library Council was incorporated as a federated organization consisting of the Ohio Library Association, Ohio Library Trustees Association, and Ohio Friends of the Library Association.
WThe Oklahoma Library Association (OLA) is a non-profit organization that promotes libraries and library services and provides professional development for library personnel in the state of Oklahoma. OLA is a chapter of both the American Library Association and the Mountain Plains Library Association. OLA hosts workshops throughout the year and holds an Annual Conference. OLA is the official sponsor of the Sequoyah Book Award, the third oldest U.S. state children's choice award.
WThe Oregon Library Association (OLA) is a professional association based in the U.S. state of Oregon that promotes the advancement of library service through public and professional education and cooperation.
WThe Rhode Island Library Association (RILA) is a professional organization for Rhode Island's librarians and library workers. It is headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island. It was founded on March 9, 1903, at the Providence Public Library in Providence, Rhode Island, at a meeting organized by Frank G. Bates, State Librarian of Rhode Island. The organization's goal was to promote "the Library interest of the state of Rhode Island". The current mission of RILA is "The Rhode Island Library Association is a professional organization that serves its members through career development, education, advocacy, networking partnerships and legislative action."
WThe Society of North Carolina Archivists (SNCA) is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization established in 1984 to promote cooperation and the exchange of information among individuals and institutions interested in the preservation and use of the archival and manuscript resources of North Carolina.
WThe South Carolina Library Association (SCLA) is a professional organization for South Carolina's librarians and library workers. It is headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina. It was founded on October 27, 1915 in Columbia. University of South Carolina librarian Robert M. Kennedy was the association's first president from 1915 through 1921. The group became a chapter of the American Library Association in 1944.
WThe South Dakota Library Association (SDLA) is a professional organization for South Dakota's librarians and library workers to "promote libraries within the state and provide library service for the populace."
WThe Tennessee Library Association (TLA) is a professional organization that offers support for library staff working in Tennessee. It is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. TLA was originally organized in Nashville on May 29, 1902, by members of the Nashville Public Library staff and the Nashville Library Club and had 41 members by 1905. G.H. Baskette, president of the Nashville Public Library, was the first president of TLA and served from 1902 to 1913. The first annual meeting of the association was in Nashville on January 18, 1905 and had an opening address by Governor Frazier.
WThe Texas Library Association (TLA) is a charitable non-profit group that promotes libraries in Texas. It was founded in 1902. TLA is affiliated with the American Library Association (ALA) and has more than 6,000 members made up of librarians and library workers from academic, public, school and special libraries. Membership also includes library advocates, educators, and vendors. The organization has established annual awards and scholarships that honor excellence in the library profession. It also curates reading lists each year for multiple age groups, ranging from fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, picture books, to bilingual and multicultural books.
WThe Utah Library Association (ULA) is a professional organization for Utah's librarians and library workers. It was founded on June 8, 1912, in Salt Lake City & County Building in Salt Lake City, Utah. The initial founders were Esther Nelson, librarian of the University of Utah; Joanna Sprague and Julie Lynch of the Salt Lake City Public Library; and Howard Driggs, library secretary of the State Board of Public Instruction. Ephraim G. Gowans, Department Chair for Anatomy and Pathology in the University of Utah Medical School, was ULA's first elected president. ULA was initially part of the Utah Education Association and split from them in 1915.
WThe Vermont Library Association (VLA) is a professional organization for Vermont's librarians and library workers. It was founded in 1893 and is headquartered in Burlington, Vermont. VLA has approximately 400 members including public, academic, special, and school librarians, library trustees, and library friends. VLA co-sponsors an annual conference in May with the Vermont School Library Association and publishes a bi-monthly newsletter VLA News.
WThe Washington Library Association (WLA) is a professional organization for librarians and library workers in the U.S. state of Washington. It is headquartered in Seattle and has 1,504 individual members and 49 institution members as of 2019.
WThe West Virginia Library Association (WVLA) is a professional organization for West Virginia's librarians and library workers. It is headquartered in Parkersburg, West Virginia. It was founded on October 22, 1914, in Parkersburg, West Virginia at a meeting of the Federated Women's Clubs of West Virginia. S. Scollay Page, the state federation chair of literature and library extensions, invited librarians statewide to attend the meeting. The association was created and Page became its first president. WVLA was established as a state non-profit in 1980. The organization lobbied the state of West Virginia to create the West Virginia Library Commission, which was established in 1929 and facilitated the growth of public libraries in the state.
WThe Wyoming Library Association (WLA) is a professional organization for Wyoming's librarians and library workers headquartered in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The idea of a state library association was first proposed by Agnes Snow, the chairman of the Wyoming State Federation of Women’s Clubs’ Literacy and Library Extension Committee. The library association, originally called WSLA, held its first meeting on October 6, 1914 in Laramie and elected Dr. Grace Raymond Hebard, the University of Wyoming's first librarian, as president with Snow as vice president. Chalmers Hadley from the American Library Association gave an opening speech discussing "the workings of a state library association" and explaining the benefits of such an organization.