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Get Involved - Diversity Committees

Volunteering on committees helps individuals develop valuable skills and personal leadership. Moreover, committee participation gives members a chance to work together creating new resources and programs that ensure the effectiveness of library leadership, library organizations and library services in an increasingly diverse society. Explore the information below that outlines our key diversity committees, other ALA committees of note, links to additional organizations with volunteer committees, and tips for getting more involved through committee work!

Our Committees and Subcommittees...

The Council Committee on Diversity (C0D) provides a forum to research, monitor, discuss, and address national diversity issues and trends impacting the library profession. Additionally, the Committee on Diversity provides ALA Council and ALA membership with information needed for the establishment of ALA policies, actions and initiatives related to national diversity issues and trends. Visit individual Committee and Subcommittee pages for more information.

• Committee on Diversity (COD)
• Diversity Council, a COD subcommittee
• Diversity Leadership Institute Planning, a COD planning group
  (about the Diversity Leadership Institutes)
• Diversity Research Grant Advisory Committee, a COD subcommittee
  (about the Diversity Research Grants)
• Diversity Research Grant Jury, a Diversity Research Grant Advisory subcommittee
• Many Voices, One Nation Planning, a COD planning group
  (about the Many Voices event)
• Spectrum Advisory Committee, a COD subcommittee
  (about the Spectrum Scholarship Program)
• Spectrum Scholarship Jury, a Spectrum Advisory subcommittee
• Spectrum Scholar Interest Group, a Spectrum Advisory subcommittee
• Spectrum Leadership Institute Planning, a Spectrum Advisory planning group
  (about the Spectrum Leadership Institute)

Other Committees of note....

• HR Development and Recruitment Advisory - an ALA Committee
• Literacy and Outreach Services Advisory - an ALA Committee
• Rural, Native, and Tribal Libraries of All Kinds - an ALA Committee
• International Relations Committee - an ALA Council Committee
• Status of Women in Librarianship - an ALA Council Committee
• New Members Round Table (NMRT) Committees- NMRT provides a place for members of the American Library Association (ALA) who are new to the library profession, new to ALA, or new to both.  Dues are only $10 on top of your ALA membership.  NMRT is a gateway for new members entering the library profession, a pathfinder through the maze of ALA, and a stepping-stone to higher places.  The Round Table has its own committees working on its mission, so getting a membership to NMRT and getting involved in one of its committees provides insight and a great first opportunity to see how committees work.

More About Joining Committees...

Members of key committees of the American Library Association (ALA) and of the ALA Council are appointed annually by the ALA President-Elect in cooperation with an organizational oversight committee.  To be considered, you must be a member of ALA and you must complete a volunteer form by the annual deadline. Additionally, consider connecting with the ALA Unit or Office that liaisons to a particular committee in which you're interested, and express your desire to be an intern.  This helps liaisons in making recommendations to the incoming President regarding appointments.

In addition to Committees appointed by ALA President-Elects working on key action areas and NMRT Committees many organizations have their own committees.  We encourage you to explore the options fully.  ALA is home to eleven membership divisions, each focused on a type of library or type of library function. It also includes round tables, groups of members “interested in the same field of librarianship not within the scope of any division.” A network of affiliates, chapters and other organizations enables ALA to reach a broad audience.  All of these groups have their own committees and volunteer options!

• Overview of Divisions
• Overview of Round Tables
• Overview of Affiliates
• Overview of Chapters
• Comprehensive Directory of Library Diversity Organizations (links to interactive wiki resource)

Return to our Get Involved page for additional opportunities!

Questions about this page? Please direct comments to diversity@ala.org 
or reach us toll free at 800.545.2433 ext. 5048.