Membership

Membership in the Iowa Library Association

Iowa's libraries are vital community resources, used by more than one million Iowans to learn, to listen, to explore, and to be inspired. Libraries educate and enrich us all, helping our families and schools raise the citizens of tomorrow and better inform and empower those of today.

Iowa Library Association members work to provide excellent library service to all Iowa residents. This not-for-profit 501(c)(6) organization is made up of more than 1,600 librarians, support staff, friends and trustees from public, academic and special libraries in 500 communities statewide.

Founded in 1890, the Iowa Library Association is an important resource for Iowa's library professionals and helps them better serve their customers. In 2004 we were pleased to welcome over 300 Iowa School Librarians to membership in ILA.

Benefits of Joining

Political Advocacy

Political Advocacy for Iowa libraries and librarians through members and our lobbyists in the Iowa legislature


Annual Conference

Each year in October ILA creates a statewide conference for you to learn and network


Leadership Development

Opportunities through serving on one of our nine active committees and being involved in the profession


Continuing Education

Keep up on the latest trends and educational requirements at member rates

Catalyst Newsletter

Great insights only for members and published six times per year


Networking Opportunities

With library colleagues through association involvement


ILA Subdivision

Memberships in your particular areas of interest

member-card

Access Members

Find members through our online membership directory


Member Only Resources

Resources and electronic discussions available to our members on our site


Membership Levels

  • Personal

    Personal - Personal Members of the ILA are members who are employed either full or part-time at a library. Personal members are voting members of ILA, are eligible for member conference rates, and a Catalyst subscription.

  • Library Institutional

    Library Institutional - Library Institutional Members are members of the ILA who represent a library organization. They will receive one annual conference registration at the member rates, and a Catalyst subscription. Institutional members are non-voting members of the association.

  • Student

    Student Membership - ILA has partnered with its national partner ALA to offer a joining student member option to both associations for $46. If you would like to participate in the joint program, go to ala.org.


    Student Members of the ILA are members who are pursuing a degree, a student with full or part-time status. Student members are voting members of the ILA, are eligible for member conference rates, and a Catalyst subscription.

  • Trustee

    Trustee - Trustee Members of the ILA are members who currently serve as library trustees. Trustee Members are voting members of the ILA, are eligible for member conference rates, and a Catalyst subscription.

  • Retired/Transitional

    Retired-Retired and Transitional Members of the ILA are members who have retired from library service, who are in transition between library service jobs, or who have graduated and are awaiting employment. These are voting members in the ILA, are eligible for member conference rates, and a Catalyst subscription.

  • Friend

    Friend - Friends of ILA are members of the ILA who are supporters of libraries and the library industry. They are eligible for annual conference member rates, and a Catalyst subscription. Friends are non¬-voting members of ILA.

Corporate Membership

  • Patron Member - $1,100

    • One conference exhibit booth at no charge
    • One full page ad in conference program
    • Half page ads in two Catalyst issues
    • Catalyst subscription (one year)

  • Supporting Member - $550

    • One conference exhibit booth discounted 50%
    • One half page ad in conference program
    • Quarter page ads in two Catalyst issues
    • Catalyst subscription (one year)

  • Associate Member - $300

    • One conference exhibit booth discounted 25%
    • One quarter page ad in conference program
    • One quarter page ad in one Catalyst issue
    • Catalyst subscription (one year)

  • Affiliate Member - $140

    • One quarter page ad in conference program
    • Catalyst subscription (one year)