The Mission of the American Library Association is to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.
* Diversity * Education and Continuous Learning * Equity of Access * Intellectual Freedom * 21st Century Literacy
ALA is the leading advocate for * the value of libraries and librarians in connecting people to recorded knowledge in all forms. * the public's right to a free and open information society.
By 2005, ALA will have increased support for libraries and librarians by communicating clearly and strongly why libraries and librarians are unique and valuable. (See Draft Objectives.) By 2005, ALA will be recognized as the leading voice for equitable access to knowledge and information resources in all formats for all people. (See Draft Objectives.) By 2005, ALA will be a leader in the use of technology for communication with, for democratic participation by, and for shared learning among its members. (See Draft Objectives.) By 2005, ALA will be a leader in continuing education for librarians and library personnel. (See Draft Objectives.) ________________________________________________________________________________
The American Library Association was founded in 1876 and its current Mission statement was approved in 1986. In 1998 the ALA Council voted commitment to five Key Action Areas as guiding principles for investment of energies and resources:
Diversity is a fundamental value of the Association and its members, and is reflected in its commitment to recruiting people of color and people with disabilities to the profession and to the promotion and development of library collections and services for all people.
The Association provides opportunities for the professional development and education of all library staff members, and trustees; it promotes continuous, lifelong learning for all people through library and information services of every type.
The Association advocates funding and policies that support libraries as great democratic institutions, serving people of all ages, income level, location, ethnicity, or physical ability, and providing the full range of information resources needed to live, learn, govern, and work.
Intellectual freedom is a basic right in a democratic society and a core value of the library profession. The American Library Association actively defends the right of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment.
The American Library Association assists and promotes libraries in helping children and adults develop the skills they need--the ability to read and use computers--understanding that the ability to seek and effectively utilize information resources is essential in a global information society. _______________________________________________________________________________
Copyright (C) 2000, American Library Association. Last Modified: Monday, 03-Jan-2000 14:05:27 CST For more information, see http://www.ala.org/ala/issues/issuesadvocacy.htm