Membership

What is ILA/ACRL?
The Iowa Chapter of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ILA/ACRL) provides leadership to facilitate learning, research and scholarly communication among its members, and promotes the highest level of professional excellence for librarians and library personnel to enable them to effectively serve the users of academic and research libraries.

Membership Benefits Include
By joining ILA/ACRL you have available to you many opportunities for professional development and professional networking.

The organization maintains a listserv. This list is used by members of the Executive Board to disseminate official chapter news and announcements. It is also a forum for information sharing and discussion of issues of interest to Iowa’s academic library community. Topics may include, but are not limited to, news from national ACRL and Iowa libraries and librarians, government relations, job openings, and professional development opportunities. ILA/ACRL members are automatically added to the listserv. To post to the list, send an email message to iowaacrl@ila.simplelists.com. To successfully send, you must be a current ILA/ACRL member, and be sending from the email address that you provided when you renewed your ILA/ACRL membership (or joined). If you have any questions about the listserv, please contact admin@iowalibraryassociation.org. Social media channels used by the organization to communication with members include, a blog, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

There are many professional development and networking opportunities at conferences throughout the year. The organization sponsors a conference each spring and several sessions at the fall ILA conference. Members receive reduced conference registration rates. Also, the Professional Development Committee, created in 2016, offers additional in person and virtual learning opportunities.

Members are eligible for scholarships to the spring and fall conferences. The subdivision sponsors the “Research Award” and “PR/Marketing Award” of $500 given to members on alternating years.

There is opportunity for you to become active within the organization and develop your leadership skills. If you wish to have greater participation within the organization by serving on a committee or by running for an office, please complete the “Volunteer/Nominations Form” located on the web pages at https://www.iowaacrl.org/volunteer/. The President utilizes the completed forms to help select people to serve on the organization’s many committees.

How to Join
Membership to ILA/ACRL is obtained by first joining the Iowa Library Association (ILA) and then by checking the “Iowa Chapter ACRL — $5 ” box located on the ILA membership form.  You may submit the form electronically or print and fill out the membership form.

Send completed membership forms to :

Iowa Library Association
PO Box 245 
Ames, IA  50010

Are you already an ILA member and you forgot to check the ACRL box on your membership form? Simply send a check for $5 to the ILA office. Make it out to “Iowa Library Association” and include “ILA-ACRL Membership Renewal” and the year you want the membership for, in the notes field. Mail your check to the ILA office:

Iowa Library Association
PO Box 245 
Ames, IA  50010

National ACRL Membership Information

What is National ACRL?— The Association fo College and Research Libraries (ACRL), a division of the American Library Association, is a professional association of academic librarians. ACRL is the largest division of the American Library Association with nearly 11,000 members. ACRL provides a broad range of professional services & programs for its diverse membership and there are many ways that members can become involved in the group.

How to Join?– Complete the personal application form or the organizational application form, print it out and mail it to:

ACRL Membership
50 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611

Use ALA’s online registration form (Credit card only)

To join by phone (toll-free), call 1-800-545-2433 (press 5).

The ACRL New Member Mentoring Program is designed to help new members develop in their careers and in their involvement with ACRL. In addition to the fun and satisfaction of helping a new professional, experienced librarians and leaders who serve as mentors will gain a fresh perspective on academic library issues and concerns.