Page 220 - Training for librarianship; library work as a career

CHAPTER XVIII

LiBRAKY Associations

Over one hundred library associations and
clubs exist in the United States. Some of
these are national in scope, others are state
associations and some are local clubs limiting
their membership to specific cities or neigh-
borhoods. On the whole, all of them are
alike in object, since they exist to promote
professional standards and further the inter-
ests of librarians.
Of the national associations the American
Library Association, with its more than 4000
members, is the largest and most important.
It was organized in 1876, and in its member-
ship are to be found representatives of every
library in the country of any significance.
In its membership, too, are to be found the
leaders of the profession and those who have
helped or who to-day are helping to make

American librarianship what it is. Its list
of presidents and other officers includes many
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