Top Ten Ways to Get Involved
1. Volunteer
Volunteer to Serve on a Division-level Committee: ACRL has more than thirty standing division-level committees and task forces to address special projects, issues, and activities. Committees work to fulfill the strategic goals of the association. Details on committee service are available at http://www.acrl.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/resources/forms/volunteer.cfm.
Volunteer to Serve on a Section-level Committee: ACRL's sections have more than two-hundred committees, task forces, and discussion groups. Volunteer to serve at http://www.acrl.org/volunteer (ACRL members only).
2. Contribute
Contribute to a Section: The seventeen ACRL sections help members individualize their membership experience through interest-specific newsletters, electronic discussion lists, specialized programming, preconferences, recognition, and focused activities. ACRL members receive two complimentary section affiliations.
3. Join
Tap into ACRL Communities (Virtually and Face-to-Face): More than fifty discussion groups meet at the ALA Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference to discuss issues, trends, and best practice in all areas of academic and research librarianship. These forums serve as informal networks, where members explore emerging issues, and gain new understanding of challenges, opportunities, and strategies. Members can also join virtual communities by subscribing to section discussion lists. To get involved, contact a discussion group leader.
4. Attend Conferences
Attend the ACRL National Conference: Discover and explore cutting-edge issues in the field, while interacting with the best and brightest in the community. The biennial ACRL National Conference is the foremost conference dedicated to meeting the interests of academic and research librarians.
Save the date: the 2011 ACRL National Conference will be held in Philadelphia, March 30 - April 2, 2011.
5. Learn Online
Start Learning Virtually: Academic and research librarians are interested in advancement and continuous learning, so ACRL offers a wide range of online seminars and Webcasts designed to meet the demands of members’ schedules and budgets.
6. Keep Learning
ACRL constantly strives to add intensive educational programming for members, including the Institute for Information Literacy Immersion Program and the ACRL/Harvard Leadership Institute as well as workshops and preconferences at ALA Midwinter Meetings and Annual Conferences.
For the most current information, check out the ACRL Conferences & Events page.
7. Stand Up
Stand up and be Recognized: ACRL’s prestigious awards program annually honors the brightest stars of academic and research librarianship with awards for contributions and achievement. ACRL awards enhance professional growth, set benchmarks for achievement, and strengthen ACRL’s image in the eyes of employers, leaders, and the academic community. Nominate yourself or a deserving colleague!
For the most current information, check out the ACRL Awards & Scholarships page.
8. Participate
Participate in ACRL's Mentorship Programs: ACRL provides mentoring opportunities, including the College Library Directors’ Mentor Program and the Spectrum Scholars Mentors Program. If you are looking for a mentor or would like to be a mentor, be sure to check out ALA MentorConnect. Contact ACRL for more information at (800) 545-2433, ext. 2523.
9. Inform
Add to the Knowledge Base: Write an article, propose a new book, become a reviewer, submit your institutional best practices to the ACRL Effective Practices clearinghouse, or serve on an editorial board. Editorial Boards serve in an advisory capacity to publication editors and guide development of print and nonprint media publications.
For the most current information, check out the Publications page.
10. Become a Friend
Become a Friend of ACRL: Friends of ACRL enable the association to make a stronger commitment to the future of our profession. Donations provide scholarships, seed innovative new programs, support exemplary programs and best practices, and enhance opportunities for global connections among academic and research librarians. Friends of ACRL receive premier seats at National Conference events, the President’s Program at ALA’s Annual Conference, and recognition on the Web site and in the ACRL Annual report.