Learn how to build a professional relationship with your national library association and benefit from its resources, events, and advocacy.

In some large organizations (like ALA), it may be easier to start in a smaller unit (division, round table, interest group). That is where I learned a great deal about how the organization works. Also, sometimes if you just show up for a committee meeting and volunteer to take on a task, you will soon find yourself invited to join/appointed. (I am currently working in a Round Table which does need volunteer leadership.)

What are the best ways to build a professional relationship with your national library association?

As a library professional, you may wonder how to connect with your national library association and benefit from its resources, events, and advocacy. Joining a national library association can be a rewarding way to enhance your career, learn new skills, and network with peers. However, simply paying the membership fee is not enough to make the most of your association involvement. You need to actively engage with the association and build a professional relationship that can support your personal and professional growth. In this article, we will share some of the best ways to build a professional relationship with your national library association, such as:

Key takeaways from this article

Start small:

Begin by engaging with smaller units within the association, like divisions or interest groups. This allows you to learn how the organization operates and make meaningful connections.### *Volunteer proactively:Don't wait for an open call; reach out directly to association staff about current volunteer opportunities. This proactive approach can fast-track your involvement and enhance your professional network.

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1 Choose the right association

There are many national library associations that cater to different types of libraries, specialties, and interests. For example, in the United States, some of the major national library associations are the American Library Association (ALA), the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), the Public Library Association (PLA), and the Special Libraries Association (SLA). Depending on your career goals, you may want to join one or more of these associations, or look for other niche associations that suit your needs. Before you join, research the association's mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities, and see if they align with your own. You can also check the association's website, social media, publications, and newsletters to get a sense of its activities, initiatives, and culture.

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Dedayo Adeloye

Award Winning & Certified UGC Creator with Excellence 🎬 | Author | A member of ForbesBLK Community | Talk Show Host | An Emerging Entrepreneur | Maintaining Strategic Relationships
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I totally agree with these, however if I were to contribute to the course, one of the things I’ll do is to create an awareness about this because I can’t be the only one who discovers what I believe would be beneficial to others and keep to myself. I’ll definitely do a short video taking about my experience during my visit to the library, also one of what I’ll do is to frequently tag them via social media that way I’ll be best for other to navigate their way once they choose to.

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2 Participate in events and programs

One of the main benefits of joining a national library association is the opportunity to attend its events and programs, such as conferences, webinars, workshops, courses, and awards. These events and programs can help you learn new trends, best practices, and innovations in the library field, as well as showcase your own work and achievements. They can also help you meet and interact with other library professionals who share your interests, challenges, and aspirations. To build a professional relationship with your national library association, you should try to participate in as many events and programs as possible, and make the most of them by preparing in advance, asking questions, giving feedback, and following up with contacts.

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3 Volunteer for committees and groups

Another way to build a professional relationship with your national library association is to volunteer for its committees and groups. These are the entities that plan, organize, and implement the association's activities, projects, and policies. By volunteering for a committee or group, you can contribute your skills, knowledge, and ideas to the association, as well as gain valuable experience and recognition. You can also develop your leadership, communication, and teamwork skills, and network with other committee or group members who may become your mentors, collaborators, or friends. To volunteer for a committee or group, you should check the association's website for open positions, eligibility criteria, and application process, and express your interest and availability.

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Beth Yoke

innovative leader and strategic thinker with extensive experience in the nonprofit and public sectors
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For whatever reason, the volunteer process isn't always transparent in organizations. If you want to volunteer for a committee or other role, the best thing to do is to contact the association's staff. They can provide you with details about the volunteer process, such as a timeline, what the application process entails, what opportunities are currently available, and so on.

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4 Share your expertise and feedback

Another way to build a professional relationship with your national library association is to share your expertise and feedback with the association and its members. You can do this by writing articles, blog posts, or book reviews for the association's publications, presenting at its events or programs, or creating resources or tools for its website or social media. You can also do this by responding to the association's surveys, polls, or calls for input, or by contacting the association's staff or board members directly with your suggestions, comments, or concerns. By sharing your expertise and feedback, you can demonstrate your value, interest, and commitment to the association, as well as help the association improve its services, products, and outcomes.

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5 Stay informed and connected

The last way to build a professional relationship with your national library association is to stay informed and connected with the association and its members. You can do this by subscribing to the association's newsletters, emails, or podcasts, following the association's social media accounts, or joining the association's online forums or communities. You can also do this by reaching out to other members who you met at events or programs, or who have similar roles or backgrounds as you, and keeping in touch with them via email, phone, or social media. By staying informed and connected, you can keep up with the association's news, updates, and opportunities, as well as maintain and strengthen your professional network.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Michael Golrick

Library professional, experienced reference specialist and library administrator
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In some large organizations (like ALA), it may be easier to start in a smaller unit (division, round table, interest group). That is where I learned a great deal about how the organization works. Also, sometimes if you just show up for a committee meeting and volunteer to take on a task, you will soon find yourself invited to join/appointed. (I am currently working in a Round Table which does need volunteer leadership.)

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Beth Yoke

innovative leader and strategic thinker with extensive experience in the nonprofit and public sectors
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Some organizations cover or help defray the cost of dues for a professional association, but not all. For individuals whose work place does not cover the cost of dues, I recommend looking at the expense as an investment in your career. Getting involved in a professional association provides you with knowledge and skills you can take to other jobs than the one you currently have. In addition, getting involved at the leadership level in an organization provides you with opportunities you may not get at your current job, but that you could leverage to move into management or leadership positions. The return on investment for the cost of dues is well worth it, especially if you choose to actively engage in the association.

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What are the best ways to build a professional relationship with your national library association?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Choose the right association

2 Participate in events and programs

3 Volunteer for committees and groups

4 Share your expertise and feedback

5 Stay informed and connected

6 Here’s what else to consider

Library Services

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What are the best ways to build a professional relationship with your national library association?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Choose the right association

2 Participate in events and programs

3 Volunteer for committees and groups

4 Share your expertise and feedback

5 Stay informed and connected

6 Here’s what else to consider

Library Services

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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