Library science is an enormous field, home to every interest you could imagine! This means that there are many organizations out there for you to join, in order to connect with other people who share your professional interests.

So even if you work alone in your library, there are other people out there doing work similar to yours! Each week we will highlight a different library association for you to learn more about, and depending on your work, potentially join! You can also check out our page dedicated to Library Associations.

This week we’ll learn about the Association of Architecture School Librarians (AASL). This organization was established in 1979 in order to “advocate for architectural librarianship, build community for members, and foster professional growth through mentoring, partnership, and collaboration.”

Membership to this association is “open to any person or institution interested in the advancement of academic architectural librarianship and architecture education.”

On AASL’s website, you can explore a number of resources. Stay up-to-date with industry news by reading the ACSA news columns or subscribe to their listserv. Apply for a travel or service award. Check out the education and training available from AASL’s Professional Development Committee.

Take a look at the plans for AASL’s upcoming annual conference in Denver, taking place in March. This year’s theme is Identity Imperative, which means the conference “will explore the roles we construct as information professionals associated with architecture and its related fields. We seek to understand ourselves as members of the information profession, members of AASL, and participants of our local communities of practice, education, and cultural institutions. ”

Interested in learning more about becoming a member of AASL? Find more info on their membership page.