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Membership Development

50 E. Huron Street

Chicago, IL 60611 USA

312-280-2159

312-280-4392

jchrastka@ala.org

Mission

The Membership Development Office works to make the process of joining or renewing your ALA membership a simple, straightforward, easy experience. We look out for new opportunities for professional growth for the membership and encourage innovations around the association that provide new support to the profession.  Member satisfaction in the broad Association drives our work. 

Responsibilities

  • Manage the membership renewal and application process
  • Manage the member ID card and welcome process
  • Manage membership appeals and reinstatement campaigns
  • Coordinate outreach at ALA and chapter/affiliate library conferences
  • Facilitate networking among the membership in person and through social networks
  • Cultivate member initiatives and new ways of working within the Association
  • Provide staff support to the ALA Membership Committee and Presidential Task Forces

Events

Midwinter Meeting 2009

Annual Conference 2009

Initiatives & Projects

  • Student AL Direct - the only monthly newsletter specifically for ALA's 10,000 student members, with news and insights for getting the most out of your library education
  • Student and New Member Wiki - the first and best places to go to get immediate results from your membership
  • Library Support Staff Memberships - encouraging more support and paraprofessional staff to join ALA and become actively involved in divisions and round tables
  • Members at All Stages of a Career - from the student-to-staff transition to a full-time to retired change, keeping membership relevant to you personally at any stage in your work/life
  • Studies and Feedback - asking the membership clearly about what is wanted from the association and responding across the association to help provide solutions to problems

Oversight Groups & Meeting Schedules

  • ALA Membership Committee
  • ALA President Jim Rettig's Task Forces
  • Task Force on Electronic Membership Participation (TFOEMP)
  • Chair and support several staff task forces and work groups including the Membership Marking Group, Social Networking, I Love Libraries Coordination, and AL Direct Advisory

Popular Resources

Professional Tips Wiki

Social Networking

ReadWriteConnect Wiki

Staff

John Chrastka
Director for Membership Development
jchrastka@ala.org

Tina Coleman
 Membership Specialist
 ccoleman@ala.org