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Professional Development Resources for Librarians: American Library Association (ALA)

LibGuides

American Library Association (ALA): ALA LibGuides

Association for College & Research Libraries (ACRL): LibGuides at ACRL

Reference & User Services Association (RUSA): RUSA LibGuide for Business Reference and Services Section (BRASS)

Listservs

ALA and its divisions provide approximately 300 electronic discussion lists, also known as listservs

Online Learning Opportunities

Explore the webpages of the ALA divisions on the ALA website under the Divisions Tab to find many resources on professional development associated with the divisions. While access to some content is limited to membership in the division, free content is additionally available.

Here are just a few examples: 

  • Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC): Everyday Advocacy
  • Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS):
    • e-forums
      • ​What is an e-forum? ALCTS e-forums are two-day, moderated, electronic discussion forums that provide an opportunity for librarians to discuss matters of interest on an ALCTS email discussion list. These discussions are free of charge and available to anyone who wishes to subscribe to the email list.
      • ​Make sure to unsubscribe after participating in one if you don't want to automatically receive emails for future e-forum discussion topics.
      • Check here for information about upcoming e-forums
    • Webinar archive
      • Webinar recordings are available at no cost 6 months after original presentation.
    • ALCTS continuing education YouTube Channel
  • Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA): YALSA free webinars & YALSA handouts & flyers & YALSA wiki ...& ... & ...
    • ​YALSA also offers many additional webinars that are free if you are a YALSA member. 

Toolkits

ACRL toolkits 

Titles include:

  • Diversity Standards Toolkit
  • Marketing @ Your Library
  • Advocacy Toolkit
  • ...and many more!

RUSA Library Publishing Toolkit

Covers the following areas:

  • Education and Instruction
  • Content Development and Editorial
  • Product Design and Production
  • Marketing and Dissemination

YALSA 2017 Advocacy Toolkit