APALA = Asian Pacific American Librarians Association
History
Founded in 1980, the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) was incorporated in Illinois in 1981 and formally affiliated with the American Library Association (ALA) in 1982. A predecessor of APALA, the Asian American Librarians Caucus (AALC) was organized in 1975 as a discussion group of the ALA Office for Library Outreach Services reflecting the interest in library services to minority communities and professional support of librarians of minority ancestry during the 1960s and 1970s.
APALA, and AALC before it, were organized and founded by librarians committed to working together toward a common goal: to create an organization that would address the needs of Asian Pacific American librarians and those who serve Asian Pacific American communities.
For more information about the history of APALA and its founders, please read the article, “Asian Pacific American Librarians Association: A History of APALA and Its Founders,” by Kenneth A. Yamashita.
Purpose
The purpose of APALA is:
- To provide a forum for discussing problems of APA librarians.
- To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas by APA librarians with other librarians.
- To support and encourage library services to APA communities.
- To recruit and mentor APA librarians in the library/information science professions.
- To seek funding for scholarships in library and information science masters programs for APAs.
- To provide a vehicle whereby APA librarians can cooperate with other associations and organizations having similar or allied interests.
Affiliation
APALA is a member of the Joint Council of Librarians of Color (JCLC) and an affiliate of the American Library Association. JCLC is comprised of the following National Associations of Librarians of Color (NALCo):
- American Indian Library Association (AILA)
- Black Caucus American Library Association (BCALA)
- Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA)
- REFORMA
APALA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All donations to APALA are tax deductible and support our work for library services, programs, and awards to Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, and allied library works and advocates. Visit our Donate webpage to learn more about how your contribution supports APALA’s services, programs, initiatives, and awards.
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