Committees, Volunteer Resources & Opportunities
The American Library Association carries out its work through a member-driven structure of committees and subcommittees, Divisions, Round Tables, and several other types of groups.
Each committee has a specific purpose, defined at the time it is established. Each Division and Round Table also may create committees and other working groups to carry out its work.
Find Your Opportunity to Volunteer
Explore the variety of available committees and other volunteer opportunities using the Volunteer Opportunities Overview Guide below.
Committee Volunteer Form
The online volunteer form collects information about your background, the kind of volunteer work you would like to do, and the names of groups to which you would like an appointment.
Some Divisions or Round Tables may use a different form - please visit those groups' sections to confirm.
Committee Volunteer Form FAQ
Standing ALA Committees are created by Council. The Bylaws provide for several types of committees: standing, special or inter-divisional/joint. (See Bylaws, Article VIII.) By Council action, July 1969, the Executive Board and Council may also designate as ad hoc committees those committees appointed to pursue a designated project within a specific period, the life of the committee ending at the conclusion of the project.
Policies 6.6.1 and 6.6.2 further define committees. : Appointments to committees are made by the ALA president-elect, with the advisement of the Committee on Appointments & Committee on Committees, which are both chaired by the President-elect.
