Library Organizations

Major National Library Organizations

ALA

American Library Association

The oldest and largest library association in the world. Provides leadership, resources, and advocacy for all types of libraries. Strong technology divisions including LITA (Library and Information Technology Association).

Scope: United States - All Library Types

All LibrariesTechnologyAdvocacy
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PLA

Public Library Association

Division of ALA dedicated to public libraries. Provides resources, conferences, publications, and advocacy specifically for public library professionals and institutions.

Scope: United States - Public Libraries

Public LibrariesProgrammingCommunity
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ACRL

Association of College & Research Libraries

Division of ALA serving academic and research librarians. Focus on information literacy, scholarly communication, open access, and academic library standards and best practices.

Scope: United States - Academic Libraries

AcademicResearchHigher Education
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AASL

American Association of School Librarians

Division of ALA focused on school library programs. Provides standards, advocacy, professional development, and resources for school librarians supporting K-12 education.

Scope: United States - School Libraries

K-12 SchoolsEducationStudent Learning
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Urban Libraries Council

Innovation Consortium for City Libraries

Network of North America's leading public library systems. Focus on innovation, technology adoption, best practices, and leadership development for urban libraries serving large metropolitan areas.

Scope: North America - Urban Public Libraries

Urban LibrariesInnovationLeadership
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ARL

Association of Research Libraries

Non-profit organization of leading research libraries in North America. Influences forces affecting scholarly communication, supports equitable access to research materials, and advances research library leadership.

Scope: North America - Research Libraries

ResearchScholarly CommunicationCollections
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Technology-Focused Organizations

LITA

Library and Information Technology Association

Division of ALA focusing on library automation, networks, standards, and information technology. Provides education, publications, and networking for library technology professionals. Now merged into CORE division.

Scope: United States - Library Technology

TechnologyAutomationStandards
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Code4Lib

Library Software Development Community

Volunteer-driven community for library technologists. Focuses on open source software development, technology innovation, and collaboration. Annual conference and active mailing list for developers and technology practitioners.

Scope: International - Library Developers

Open SourceDevelopmentCommunity
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LYRASIS

Library Technology Collaborative

Non-profit membership organization supporting libraries, museums, and archives. Provides technology services, digital preservation, open source software support, and collaborative solutions for cultural heritage institutions.

Scope: United States - Technology Services

Technology ServicesDigital PreservationCollaboration
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CNI

Coalition for Networked Information

Organization advancing digital information and networked environments for scholarship and education. Convenes stakeholders to address challenges in digital scholarship, preservation, and library technology infrastructure.

Scope: United States - Digital Infrastructure

Digital ScholarshipInfrastructurePolicy
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Digital Libraries & Preservation

DLF

Digital Library Federation

Community of practitioners advancing digital library research, development, and practice. Focus on digital collections, metadata, preservation, and access. Provides forums, working groups, and collaborative projects.

Scope: United States - Digital Libraries

Digital CollectionsMetadataPreservation
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CLIR

Council on Library and Information Resources

Independent nonprofit that forges strategies to enhance research, teaching, and learning in partnership with libraries, cultural institutions, and communities. Focus on digital preservation and data curation.

Scope: United States - Research & Preservation

Digital PreservationData CurationResearch
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DPC

Digital Preservation Coalition

Membership organization enabling members to deliver resilient long-term access to digital content. International focus on digital preservation advocacy, guidance, and community building for archives and libraries.

Scope: International - Digital Preservation

Long-term AccessStandardsAdvocacy
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International Library Organizations

IFLA

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions

Global voice of the library and information profession. Sets international standards, advocates for libraries worldwide, and facilitates international cooperation. Annual World Library and Information Congress.

Scope: International - All Libraries

Global StandardsAdvocacyInternational Cooperation
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LIBER

Association of European Research Libraries

Principal association of research libraries in Europe. Focus on shaping the research library landscape, particularly around open science, digital skills, research infrastructure, and innovative services.

Scope: Europe - Research Libraries

Open ScienceResearch InfrastructureEurope
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OCLC

Online Computer Library Center

Global library cooperative providing shared technology services, research, and community programs. Maintains WorldCat and offers cataloging, resource sharing, and library management solutions to thousands of libraries worldwide.

Scope: International - Library Cooperative

CatalogingResource SharingTechnology Services
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Specialty & Regional Organizations

ARLIS/NA

Art Libraries Society of North America

Professional organization for art information professionals. Focuses on issues related to art documentation, visual resources, and architecture libraries. Provides networking and professional development.

Scope: North America - Art Libraries

Art & ArchitectureVisual ResourcesDocumentation
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MLA

Medical Library Association

Professional organization for health sciences information professionals. Focus on medical and health information, evidence-based practice, and professional development for medical librarians and informaticists.

Scope: International - Health Sciences Libraries

Health SciencesMedical InformationEvidence-Based Practice
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SLA

Special Libraries Association

Professional association for information professionals working in specialized environments. Serves corporate, academic, government, and independent information centers with focus on business intelligence and specialized research.

Scope: International - Special Libraries

Corporate LibrariesBusiness IntelligenceSpecialized Research
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State Library Associations

Regional Professional Networks

Nearly every U.S. state has its own library association providing regional advocacy, continuing education, networking, and support. These associations often have technology committees and offer state-specific resources and conferences.

Scope: State/Regional - All Libraries

Regional AdvocacyLocal NetworkingState-Specific
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