CRO Answers
Mission of the Chapter Relations Office
The Chapter Relations Office promotes a sense of identification between the national Association and the 57 ALA Chapters; facilitates communication between the Chapters and all ALA units; coordinates leadership development for Chapter officers, Chapter Councilors, chief paid staff members, and other Chapter leaders; strengthens membership promotion activities for ALA and the Chapters; coordinates the ALA Student Chapters and the ALA Students to Staff programs; and helps raise awareness of and sensitivity to Chapter needs throughout the ALA.
In addition to CRO, the interests of Chapters are represented within ALA by the Chapter Relations Committee (CRC), which meets each Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference, and serves as an advisory committee to the CRO. See also Chapter Answers, Chapter Councilor Answers, and Student Chapter Answers, or find them all at Find Your Answers.
| Answers about Chapters, Chapter Councilors, and Student Chapters | Activities Related to Partnership | Chapter Leaders | Resources for Chapters | How to Contact ALA | Contact CRO Staff | Staff Use Only |
Answers about Chapters, Chapter Councilors, and Student Chapters
Chapter Answers
Information and resources for and about Chapters.
Chapter Councilor Answers
Information and resources for and about ALA Chapter Councilors.
Student Chapter Answers
Information and resources for and about ALA Student Chapters.
Activities Related to ALA and Chapters Partnership
ALA Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference
Select ALA MW and AC schedules for Chapters.
Chapter Leaders Forum
Forum held at ALA Midwinter and Annual Conference provides a full agenda on a variety of topics to help prepare Chapter leaders to lead their association.
Helping United States Libraries After Disasters
If you think the ALA can help libraries affected by natural disasters in any way toward recovery, please contact the CRO.
Joint Student Membership Program
Forty-four Chapters partner with ALA to allow students to join ALA and one Chapter for one membership fee.
Money Smart Week
CRO encourages libraries nationwide to offer financial literacy programming to help patrons better manage personal finances.
State Ecosystem Initiative
American Association of School Librarians, Office for Library Advocacy, and Chapter Relations Office have embarked on a yearlong initiative to strengthen state library ecosystems through unified messaging and identification of shared priorities for action.
State of the Chapter Annual Report
Each year Chapters complete an online survey to provide an overview of their past year's activities.
Engage, advocacy software ALA provides to Chapters
Each ALA Chapter has a website that includes how to advocate and take action for libraries.
Chapter Leaders
ALA Chapter Councilors
Provides resources for ALA Chapter Councilors to help them accomplish their duties.
ALA Chapter Relations Committee
Mission, roster, and more.
Chapter Presidents and Presidents-Elect: Select Information
Information to help Chapter Presidents and Presidents-elect.
State and Regional Chapters Directory
Contact information for Chapter leaders, including presidents, presidents-elect, councilors, and executive directors, and more.
Student Chapter Directory
Contact information for Student Chapter leaders, including presidents, faculty advisors, and directors, and more.
Student-to-Staff Program
Students from 40 Student Chapters work with ALA staff during Annual Conference. In exchange for their working four hours a day for a total of 16 hours, these students receive free conference registration, housing, and a per diem for meal expenses. During free time, they may attend programs and participate in other conference activities.
Resources for Chapters
Advocacy Resources for Chapters
CRO supports ALA's and Chapter's library advocacy efforts by working with other ALA units and other groups.
Advocacy University
Advocacy University is a comprehensive clearinghouse of advocacy tools and resources for all types of libraries from the American Library Association.
Affiliate and Chapter Planning Calendar
Includes ALA Chapter, ALA Affiliates, and Division conferences, institutes, workshops, religious holidays, and more.
ALA and Chapters Partnership
The ALA and Chapters Partnership explains how the ALA and ALA Chapters partnership works.
ALA Connect
A useful resource to share ideas and information across Chapters.
ALA Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference
Select ALA MW and AC schedules for Chapters.
ALA Strategic Directions
ALA Mission; Core Organizational Values; Key Action Areas; and Strategic Directions: Advocacy, Information Policy, Professional and Leadership Development, and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
Chapter Advocacy Exchange
Free webinars presented by the ALA Chapter Relations Office and the ALA Office for Library Advocacy.
Chapter Conferences (ALA Connect)
Shared information about and resources to help in planning and accomplishing Chapter Conferences.
Chapter Answers
Information and resources for and about Chapters.
Chapter Issues
Chapters share with each other how they address common issues.
Engage, advocacy software ALA provides to Chapters
Each ALA Chapter has a website that includes how to advocate and take action for libraries.
Libraries Respond
The ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services has created Libraries Respond as a space for us to help keep current events in conversation with libraries' ongoing work in and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This page will be a resource for the library community to share information, find resources, and connect as they serve their communities.
Overview of ALA Select Resources for Chapters
Links to ALA units and topics, such as key action areas.
Save Libraries in Your State
Links to websites, blogs, pages on Facebook, etc., dedicated to advocating for libraries or saving libraries in a state, and more.
Social Networking, Membership Blogs, ALA Connect, and ALA Electronic Discussion Lists
Links for following CRO on Facebook and Twitter, subscribing to ALA e-lists, ALA Connect, and ALA member and ALA student member blogs.
Take Action for Libraries
Links to where you can take action for the libraries in your state, as well as to take action on federal legislation affecting libraries, and more.
Webinars
Free webinars on advocacy, Chapter Leader Orientation, Money Smart Week, and more.
How to Contact ALA
About ALA
Includes staff contact information, core values, ALA governance resources.
ALA Member and Customer Services
MACS is committed to providing the highest and most efficient service to ALA members and customers.
ALA Membership Development
Works to make the process of joining or renewing an ALA membership a simple experience.
Contact CRO Staff
Michael Dowling, Director
Chapter Relations Office
mdowling@ala.org, 1-800-545-2433, ext. 3200
Jon Martin, Program Manager
Chapter Relations Office
jmartin@ala.org, 1-800-545-2433, ext. 2429
