Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Special Libraries Association (SLA) is the international association representing the interests of thousands of information professionals in sixty countries. Special librarians are information resource experts who collect, analyze, evaluate, package, and disseminate information to facilitate accurate decision-making in corporate, academic, and government settings.
The Association offers a variety of programs and services designed to help its members serve their customers more effectively and succeed in an increasingly challenging environment of information management and technology. SLA is committed to the professional growth and success of its membership.
SLA’s mission is to advance the leadership role of the special librarian/information professional in our information and knowledge-based society.
Membership in the Special Libraries Association provides primary affiliation with one chapter (geographic) and one division (subject-oriented). SLA’s 56 chapters and 25 divisions provide networking opportunities throughout the world, as well as in a broad spectrum of specific subject specializations. Chapter and division affiliation facilitates peer interaction, provides opportunities to make contacts with others in a given field of specialization, builds problem-solving networks, and, therefore, offers a professional advantage. All SLA chapters and divisions publish newsletters, conduct meetings, and offer related activities. Some units also offer electronic lists and websites, and publish serials, directories, and monographs.
The Special Libraries Association has a membership of over 15,000 making it the second largest library and information-related association in North America and the third largest in the world. The mission of SLA is to advance the leadership role of SLA members in putting knowledge to work for the benefit of decision-makers in corporations, government, the profession, and society as well as to shape the destiny of our information and knowledge-based society. To learn more about SLA, check out their website at www.sla.org.
