The American Indian Library Association is a membership action group that addresses the library-related needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Members are individuals and institutions interested in the development of programs to improve Indian library, cultural, and informational services in school, public, and research libraries on reservations. AILA is also committed to disseminating information about Indian cultures, languages, values, and information needs to the library community. We do this by breaking down public perceptions of who Native Americans are, elevating conversation around Native American issues, promoting Native education, literacy, and community.
AILA was founded in 1979 in conjunction with the White House Pre-Conference on Indian Library and Information Services on or near Reservations as an affiliate of the American Library Association. At the time, there was increasing awareness that library services for Native Americans were inadequate. Individuals as well as the government began to organize to remedy the situation.
AILA is committed to disseminating information about Native Americans and addressing issues affecting Native people to the broader profession. Join us as members of the American Indian Library Association will present on projects focused on connecting their communities.