Libraries of the World Guide

As the only national association dedicated to law librarians and other legal information professionals, the American Association of Law Libraries believes that timely access to pertinent legal information to make sound legal arguments and wise legal decisions is vital.

The American Library Association (ALA) is the world's oldest and largest national library association. Founded in 1876, the ALA's mission is to provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship to enhance learning and to ensure access to information for all.

The American Theological Library Association (ATLA) works to promote worldwide scholarly communication in theology and religion by advancing the work of libraries and related information providers.

Founded in 1972, the Art Libraries Society of North America actively seeks both official and informal collaborative relationships with other arts and information organizations to advance the goals of art information professionals.

Founded in 1940, the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) is the largest division of the American Library Association. It helps those working in academic and research libraries to learn, lead and innovate within those communities. It is committed to transforming scholarship and advancing learning.

The Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries (AAHSL) supports directors and academic health sciences libraries in advancing the patient care, research, education, and community service missions of academic health centers through leadership and expertise in knowledge management, health information, and scholarly communication.

The Association of Research Libraries advocates and empowers research libraries and archives to shape, influence, and implement institutional, national, and international policy.

Formed in 1972, the Association of St. Louis Area Archivists (ASLAA) is a professional association of archivists and manuscript curators from institutions throughout the bi-state metropolitan area.

The mission of the International Association of School Librarianship (IASL) is to provide an international forum for the promotion of effective school library programs as vital to the educational process. IASL also provides advice and guidance for the development of school library programs and the school library profession. IASL works in cooperation with other professional agencies and associations.

Their vision is a united, strong library field empowering informed, literate and engaged societies. They seek to connect, enable, engage and inspire the global library community.

The Law Library Association of St. Louis operates a Law Library in the Civil Courts Building to provide education, legal research materials, support services and facilities to the bench, bar, its members and the public. It also functions as a support system to other law libraries in the region by being a repository of legal materials not easily available or accessible elsewhere.

Founded in 1898, the Medical Library Association (MLA) works to ensure that the best health information is available to all. It is an educational, global organization with a membership of more than 400 institutions and 3,000 professionals in the health information field. It fosters excellence in the professional practice and leadership of health sciences library and information professionals to enhance health care, education, and research throughout the world. It is also a nonprofit organization.

Founded in 1900, the Missouri Library Association's mission is to promote library service, the profession of librarianship, and cooperation among all types of libraries and organizations concerned with library service in the state of Missouri.

Founded in 1931, the Music Library Association is the professional association for music libraries and librarianship in the United States. It has an international membership of educators, librarians, musicians, scholars, and members of the book and music trades. Complementing the Association’s national and international activities are ten regional chapters.

Founded in 1944, the Public Library Association (PLA) is the largest association dedicated to supporting the ongoing needs of public library professionals.

Established in 1909, the Special Libraries Association (SLA) has been a leading resource in education, networking, and collaboration for specialized librarians, researchers, information professionals, and data management professionals.

Founded in 1909, The Special Libraries Association (SLA) is a nonprofit global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners in academic, business, government, and other “specialized” settings. It supports its members through community building, learning and networking initiatives.

The mission of the World Library Association is to make libraries better and safer by offering best practice suggestions, guiding people on evaluating and auditing libraries, as well as running for library boards of trustees.