Special Libraries Association

The Special Library Association is the leading association for information professionals and special librarians. Based in Washington DC in the United States, SLA currently has 12,000 members with 25 subject Divisions and 58 regional Chapters. Each Division and Chapter has newsletters, publications and meetings, and it is here you will find a wealth of contacts in your own "special" subject area.

The SLA Community brings together thousands of information professionals and their partners through a variety of formal and informal networks. Some of these networks are physical, based on geographic location or professional interest. Others are electronic and allow you to connect with others in more flexible ways.

Each SLA membership includes membership in one chapter and one division. Chapters bring together information professionals where they work and live; divisions bring together those who practice in a unique discipline of special librarianship. For an optional nominal fee, members may join additional chapters and divisions as well as caucuses (a caucus is an informal network of discipline or interest not covered in other divisions).
 

Chapters...

SLA is organized into 56 regional Chapters that elect officers, issue bulletins or meeting announcements, hold three to nine program meetings during a year, and initiate special projects. Members in all classes may affiliate with the Chapter nearest their own preferred mailing address (either business or residence) without charge. Although most of the chapter officers are listed below, the complete list can only be found on the respective chapter web sites. Members in all classes may affiliate with more than one chapter, with one affiliation being free.
 

Divisions...

SLA is also organized into Divisions representing subject interests, fields, or types of information-handling techniques. Each Division elects officers and publishes a bulletin or newsletter. Most conduct professional programs during the Association's Annual Conferences. Affiliation with one Division at no charge is an important option available as part of SLA membership. Although most of the division officers are listed below, the complete list can only be found on the respective division web sites.