Membership in AASL
The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is the only national professional membership organization focused on school librarians and the school library community. AASL serves school librarians in the United States, Canada, and around the world.
For more than 75 years, AASL understands the current realities and evolving dynamics of your professional environment and is positioned to help members achieve universal recognition of school librarians as educational leaders.
Features of AASL Membership
In addition to supporting your national association, a membership in AASL/ALA also provides you:
- A subscription to Knowledge Quest, AASL’s official journal published bimonthly September through June.
- Continuing education and professional development discounts.
- Access to AASL Member Forum, AASL's member only discussion group, and AASL Digest, AASL's monthly email newsletter.
- AASL National Conference discounted registration rates and ALA member rates on ALA and other ALA division conferences.
- 10% off AASL and ALA publications.
A nationally recognized voice that advocates for the highest quality school library professional and school library through National School Library Standards, and standards for professional preparation.
- Lobbying efforts by the ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office to ensure school librarians are included in educational initiatives, funding, and legislation.
- Direct access to the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom including counseling on issues such as book challenges, access, and privacy.
- Toolkits and position statements to use in your personal advocacy efforts.
- National advocacy efforts on behalf of school librarians by ALA, the largest voice for libraries.
- A national organization proactive to issues, anticipatory of trends, and defining the future agenda for the profession through its strategic plan.
Rates
Personal Memberships
| AASL | ALA | Total | |
| I want to join AASL & ALA for the first time. | $65 | $81 | $146 |
| I want to renew/reinstate my AASL & ALA membership for the second year. | $65 | $123 | $188 |
| I want to renew/reinstate my AASL & ALA membership for the third year. * | $65 | $162 | $227 |
| I am retired and want to join AASL & ALA. | $40 | $58 | $98 |
| I am a student enrolled in a library science program (5-year limit) and want to join AASL & ALA. | $40 | $43 | $83 |
| I am a library support staff person employed in library and information services or related activities. | $40 | $58 | $98 |
| I am employed full- or part-time in library service-related activities at a salary of less than $30,000 per annum, or I am unemployed, and want to join AASL & ALA. | $40 | $58 | $98 |
| I am already an ALA personal member and want to join AASL. | $65 | - | $65 |
* ALA offers a discounted price for new members during their first and second year of membership. The third year of ALA membership is the standard pricing for membership from year three on.
Sections & Communities of Practice
AASL personal members can also join for no additional fee:
- Educators of School Librarians Section (ESLS)
- Independent Schools Section (ISS)
- Supervisors Section (SPVS)
Other Dues and Member Types
In addition to the membership types described above, ALA also offers additional membership categories such as Continuing Members, Life Members, and Organizational and Corporate memberships.
Three Ways to Join
- Mail acceptance form (fillable PDF) /acceptance form (Word DOC) to:
American Library Association
Membership Dues
6499 Network Place
Chicago, IL 60673-1649 - Fax acceptance form (fillable PDF) /acceptance form (Word DOC) to: (312) 944-2641
- Join AASL online. Please note: You will be redirected to the American Library Association's (ALA) site to join AASL. In order to join AASL, you must be a member of ALA.
Purchase orders must be mailed or faxed.
