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 will learn about the American Indian Library Association (AILA), an affiliate of ALA. AILA began in 1979 due to “increasing awareness that library services for Native Americans were inadequate.”

The organization is a “membership action group that addresses the library-related needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Members are individuals and institutions interested in the development of programs to improve Indian library, cultural, and informational services in school, public, and research libraries on reservations. AILA is also committed to disseminating information about Indian cultures, languages, values, and information needs to the library community.”

AILA has an annual conference and publishes a twice yearly newsletter. Check out their list of FAQ’s here.

AILA offers travel grants and scholarships as well as the American Indian Youth Literature Award. This award is presented every two years in the categories of Picture Book, Middle School, and Young Adult. “The awards were established as a way to identify and honor the very best writing and illustrations by and about American Indians. Books selected to receive the award will present American Indians in the fullness of their humanity in the present and past contexts.”

Visit AILA’s website to learn more!