Volunteer
Advance the profession by serving on one of ACRL's many committees, task forces, and editorial boards. Learn more here.
Attend a Committee Meeting
ACRL committee meetings are open to all ACRL members. Each division-level committee includes under the Resources section a link to its ALA Connect Community, where face-to-face and virtual meeting notices should be posted 10 days in advance of each meeting. If a committee is meeting at the upcoming virtual 2021 ALA Annual Conference, the meeting information will be included on the online scheduler.
Join a Section
ACRL has fifteen sections to help members individualize their ACRL experience through specialized programming, preconferences, discussion lists, recognition, and focused activities. Sections can be added free of charge for current ACRL members. To add a section to your ACRL membership, please download the detailed instructions.
Find Your Niche
ACRL's numerous discussion groups (DGs) and interest groups (IGs) serve as in-person and virtual forums for members to explore emerging issues. Many DGs and IGs meet virtually throughout the year or on-site at ALA Annual Conferences, and you can further connect with members and colleagues through ALA Connect.
ACRL Diversity Groups
The ACRL Diversity Alliance unites academic libraries committed to increasing the hiring pipeline of qualified and talented individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. By working together and thinking more broadly, ACRL Diversity Alliance institutions will help diversify and thereby enrich the profession. Contact ACRL Program Manager for Strategic Iniativies Allison Payne at apayne@ala.org if you'd like to join or learn more.
The ACRL Residency Interest Group supports resident librarians, former resident librarians, and any interested parties to network, share their expertise, and promote resident librarian groups. To learn more, view their website and mailing list.
Present
ACRL membership groups are invited to hold ACRL Online Discussion Forums, which are free events offered by ACRL membership units on a wide variety of topics. If your ACRL group would like to host a Discussion Forum and use ACRL's Zoom room, please submit your request through the virtual meetings calendar form.
Write
Share your expertise and experience with your colleagues by writing an article, book, or blog post through ACRL's publication program. Opportunities are also available to translate ACRL's various standards, guidelines, and frameworks into other languages.
Mentor (or Be Mentored)
Having effective mentors is important for your professional and personal growth. Many mentoring and coaching programs are available through ACRL's sections, as well as the Dr. E. J. Josey Spectrum Scholar Mentor Program, to help you get the most from this important relationship. Learn more here.
ACRL Awards Program
ACRL's awards recognize and honor the professional contributions and achievements of your peers. This special recognition by the Association of College and Research Libraries enhances the sense of personal growth and accomplishment of our members, provides our membership with role models, and strengthens the image of our membership in the eyes of employers, leadership, and the academic community as a whole.
Made possible by generous corporate support, the annual presentation of our prestigious awards and grants to these deserving individuals and institutions enables ACRL to honor the very best in academic librarianship.
ACRL is now accepting nominations for 2021 awards! Nominations for most 2021 awards are due December 4, 2020. Award committees will meet and make their selections following the deadline, and recipients will be announced in January/February 2021. Learn more and submit a nominee today!
