American Library Association

We need organizations like ALA that are committed to literacy, economic mobility, educational persistence, full participation in democracy, intellectual freedom, access to information (especially public health), and serves all ages and communities. No place is perfect and ALA has its challenges but you will not find a more dedicated group of staff and volunteers who are committed to enriching the human condition.

As an employee, I was treated very shabbily by the ALA. I am sorry that I ever accepted employment there.

ASCLA has given programs, advice, materials, and resources to serve people with disabilities. Thank you for a fine organization.

ASCLA has helped me make connections with consortia staff around the country. Sharing information is critical during these hard economic times; and I’ve learned a lot through my ASCLA contacts, especially in the 'delivery' area. Thanks, ASCLA!

ASCLA membership is essential for my professional work. I would be lost without the access to expertise that they provide on issues and problems confronting our communities.

ASCLA has been a great help to me as a librarian. I always learn something frm the colleagues I connect with in person or on line. ASCLA was instrumental in providing support at The Child's Place for Children with Special Needs at thhe Brooklyn Public Liblrary reached out to the 13 juvenile detention facilities in our community for the first time. In addition, I refer other librarians and library staff to the exciting toolkit for assisting library patrons with disabilities. This easy to use overview provides basic ideas and support to get people started in their own libraries. ASCLA has helped me and many other librarians reach people in hard to reach communities to provided library services and literacy support.
Carrie Banks, Supervising Librarian
The Child's Place for Children with Special Needs/Kidsmobile
Brooklyn Public Library
2065 Flatbush Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11234
718.253.4948 voice; 718.253.5034 tty; 718.252.1520 fax

I think of ASCLA as the Division whose members are the librarian's librarians. It's key units are state and regional library staff who provide assistance to other libraries; independent consultants helping librarians solve problems; and experts in serving people with disabilities. I've been a member of ASCLA all my library career and particulalry enjoy the forums that take a mega-view of library issues.

I joined the ASCLA division of ALA 13 years ago when a job change suddenly landed me in the world of library consortia. While there are many opportunities to network with other libraries, ASCLA is the one place where I can network with other consortia leaders. The forums they provide have sparked ideas for new services and suggested solutions to problems. Thanks to ASCLA, when I need advice, I have a community of wonderful librarians to draw upon.

ASCLA, a division of the American Library Association, has provided me with incredible networking and professional development opportunities to learn from experts and colleagues across the country . My membership dues are worth every penny and more.

As the only librarian in the state with a focus on serving people with disabilities, I needed a network to help me make the best use of the taxpayer dollars that supported my library. The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), a division of the American Library Association came to the rescue. The organization introduced me to a range people with expertise that I knew I could consult, and it provided me with professional development opportunities to stay on top of my field. Without ASCLA, a lot of time would have been wasted trying to locate specialized information that was sought. ASCLA truly helped my library impact the lives of people with disabilities, their families, and the professionals who work with them