Join a Core interest group to access our network of experts and expand your knowledge and skills
Interest Groups (IGs) offer Core members outstanding networking, informational, and problem-solving opportunities. They offer a way to meet colleagues who share your interests and concerns while problem-solving together and sharing best practices. Interest groups answer the question, "How do I find other people who care about the same thing I do so we can talk and share?" and are as widely open to participants as possible.
To join an interest group, follow the link to it, log in with your ALA account, and use the "Join Community" button in the top left-hand corner above the group's name.
As a result, with the exception of the required convener and any additional leadership, interest group members do not need to be members of Core, or even of ALA. Anyone with an ALA account can join a Core interest group in ALA Connect. Conveners must be Core members, but anyone can join or leave an Interest Group at any time.
Contact us if you have questions about a particular interest group or if you encounter any problems joining a group.
Learn more about how Core interest groups work.
- Ebooks
Provides a regular forum for discussion and to meet at Annual Conferences and Midwinter Meetings. Core represents a large segment of libraries and can be influential with publishers and vendors to benefit libraries and library users as the ebook landscape evolves. Core welcomes any type of library or library agency, as well as consortia, to join this group.
- Open Access
Brings together library staff interested in open access (OA) publishing, including, but not limited to: OA and collection development; transformative agreements; library sponsored author funds; and OA library publishing. The interest group will keep members informed of new policies and practices in this area.
- Project Management
A forum where those who are interested in the topic of project management or working in this area can come together to learn and share expertise; explores how libraries and library workers can develop PM skills and apply PM to their organizations.
- Publisher-Vendor-Library Relations
Provides connectivity between publishers, libraries, and vendors. We strive to bridge gaps in communication among these groups by supplying ongoing training opportunities, hosting discussion groups, and presenting information on current and future trends through ALA programs and eforums.
- Collection Evaluation & Assessment
Dedicated to quantitative measures based on commonly defined data; managing information resources and developing institutional benchmarking; explores, develops, and promotes the use of both descriptive data and outcomes/impacts data.
- Library Facilities and Interiors
Studies, evaluates, and recommends in matters relating to library furniture, equipment, and building planning for all types of libraries.
- Library Storage
Provides a forum for exchanging ideas on the planning, design, development, operation, management, and/or dismantling of library collection storage.
- Consortium Management
Focuses on consortial funding, advocacy, services, etc., and discusses topics of interest to statewide library cooperatives, multi-state, national cooperatives, and multi-type library systems.
- Dialogue with Directors
Provides a venue for directing questions and concerns towards current and retired directors for open discussion. Possible topics could include leadership, library school education, major issues facing directors, preparing for an administrative role, positives and negatives of directing a library, and the thought processes of directors in day-to-day operations. The goal is to provide a group where directors and the curious alike can equally gain from the back and forth discussions, and educate people in the roles and experiences of directors.
- Heads of Library Technology
Provides a forum and support network for those individuals with administrative responsibility for computing and technology in a library setting. Explores issues of planning and implementation, management and organization, support, technology leadership, and other areas of interest to library technology managers and administration.
- Library Consulting
Supports professional development by providing programs, information exchange, and networking opportunities of interest to independent librarians, library consultants, state library and regional library consultants, and anyone who wants to push the boundaries of librarianship.
- Library Leaders and Managers
Organizes, moderates, and distributes summaries of virtual and face-to-face discussions on topics of interest to leaders and managers at all levels and types of libraries.
- Middle Managers
Provides a forum to examine and encourage the research and practice of library administration, especially on the middle management level, and to encourage the improvement of such management in libraries.
- Solo Practitioners
Organizes, moderates, and distributes summaries of virtual and face-to-face discussions on topics of interest to soloists, solo directors, librarians, or practitioners.
- Technical Services Managers in Academic Libraries
Meets and discusses informally problems within the field of technical services which are common to the administration of small- to medium-sized academic and research libraries.
- Authority Control
Provides a forum for discussion of a variety of issues related to authority control for online catalogs and for international sharing of authority of data.
- Bibliographic Conceptual Models
Provides a dedicated forum for the discussion of conceptual models, such as IFLA-LRM and BIBFRAME 2.0, that serve as the basis for current cataloging standards or are expected to provide a foundation for future cataloging standards in a Linked Open Data environment. Topics of special interest include: theoretical foundations of bibliographical conceptual models; the implementation of bibliographical conceptual models in information systems (especially Linked Data-based systems); extensions of current conceptual models; ontologies and conceptual models used in GLAM institutions.
- Book and Paper
Discusses matters related to the preservation and continuing role of books, paper-based materials, and other tangible artifacts in collections. Discussion includes, but is not limited to, library binding, physical quality and treatment.
- Cartographic Resources Cataloging
Discusses the basic issues relating to bibliographic control of maps and related materials. Discusses rules and standards covering such cataloging, as well as application of the rules and principles both in general and in response to specific problems, and various practicing options.
- Catalog Form and Function
Explores the evolving nature of the library catalog and its relationship to the fundamental mission and expanding services of libraries.
- Catalog Management
Discusses the various issues involved in cataloging, classification, authority control and metadata application after the initial cataloging has been performed, including its impact on discovery. Provides a forum for exchanging information and discussing techniques, new developments, and problems with managing the data integrity of library catalogs and related discovery tools.
- Cataloging and Classification Research
Provides a showcase for viewing and discussing the latest research projects in the organization and retrieval of information.
- Cataloging Norms
Offers a forum for the exploration, communication, and exchange of ideas on the dynamics and evolution of cataloging/metadata norms and workflows. We encourage and seek out participation from anyone with an interest in cataloging - from public, academic, school, or special libraries - regardless of experience level or training.
- Chief Collection Development Officers in Large Research Libraries
Discusses the various collection development and collection management issues of concern to large research libraries, especially issues affecting diverse collections that support a broad spectrum of instructional, research, and cultural programs. Provide sa forum for the exchange of information on new developments, techniques, challenges, and opportunities in managing library collections, as well as seeking opportunities for collaboration and cooperation to increase the effectiveness and efficiencies of support for our institutions.
- Collection Development Issues for the Practitioner
Identifies the forces of change in the development and management of collections as they affect the individual selector and the selector's ability to address and manage these changes. Presents forums and programs, designs guidelines, identifies resources, and collects and disseminates information.
- Collection Management in Public Libraries
Provides a discussion forum for librarians, library workers, and others whose interests include selection, collection development, and collection management in public libraries of all sizes.
- Competencies and Education for a Career in Cataloging
Discusses the current state of education and employment in cataloging and explores the relationship of cataloging practitioners and employers with library educators.
- Copy Cataloging
Discusses informally common problems concerning copy cataloging, including discussions on quality control of copy cataloging units, workflows in copy cataloging, copy cataloging of all kinds of materials (monographs, serials, audiovisuals, etc.), staffing needs in copy cataloging, training of copy cataloging, effects of changes in cataloging standards, and technology on copy cataloging.
- Creative Ideas in Technical Services
Provides a forum for discussion of issues within the field of technical services which are relevant to library staff at all levels, particularly those issues relating to the evolution of technical services as it affects and is affected by technology and greater interdependency among all library departments.
- Electronic Resources
Provides a forum for the exchange of ideas among those persons working with or interested in electronic resources; promotes the acquisition and access of electronic resources collections; strengthens communication and cooperation among persons working with electronic resources collections; addresses issues related to collection management and development of electronic resources, their funding, and selection; and contributes to the improvement of education and training of electronic resource archivists and librarians.
- Faceted Subject Access
Discusses the theory and applications related to subject terminology intended for faceted application, including FAST (Faceted Application of Subject Terminology), AAT (Art and Architecture Thesaurus), LCGFT (Library of Congress Genre/From terms), and others. Serves as a forum for users and others interested in the faceted approach to subject access to compare notes and discuss further developments and implementation of subject faceting for digital projects and related topics.
- MARC Formats Transition
Provides a forum to educate the library community about ongoing efforts to transition from the MARC Standard for bibliographic data and examines new approaches and strategies for implementing bibliographic data models within the framework of linked open data and semantic web technology.
- Metadata
Provides a broad framework for information exchange on current research developments, tools, and activities affecting networked information resources and metadata; coordinates and actively participates in the development and review of standards concerning networked resources and metadata in conjunction with the divisions' committees and sections, other units within ALA, and relevant outside agencies; and develops programs and fosters and sponsors education and training opportunities that contribute to and enhance an understanding of networked resources and metadata, their identity, content, technology, access, control, and use; and plans and monitors activities using Core's strategic and tactical plan as a framework.
- Newspaper
Provides a resource for librarians and company representatives interested in newspapers to share information and concerns.
- Preservation Administration
Focuses on both broad and specific preservation issues in libraries. Topics encompass physical collections generally, and occasionally digital preservation issues. We serve academic, public, special, and other types of libraries.
- Promoting Preservation
Advocates for preservation of cultural heritage materials among librarians and non-librarians by offering educational opportunities and supporting outreach efforts both inside and outside of institutional library contexts. To promote understanding of preservation principles and objectives, development of preservation skill sets, and cultivation of potential preservation funding sources.
- Public Libraries Technical Services
Provides a forum for the discussion of technical services issues in public libraries, particularly those unique to public library operations, with the aim to encourage discussion of all aspects of technical services activities and to include all levels of technical services staff within public libraries.
- Role of the Professional Librarian in Technical Services
Provides a forum to discuss common problems concerning aspects of professional activity, both supervisory and non-administrative, in the technical services area of academic research libraries.
- Technical Services Workflow Efficiency
Provides a forum to discuss and analyze techniques, new developments, problems and technological advances in the workflows associated with the evaluation, selection, acquisition, and discovery of library materials and resources.
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Libraries
Provides a forum for researching potential applications of Machine and Deep Learning in library science, including discussions, publications, and outreach to the wider Library community. Its goal is to educate librarians on uses of the complex techniques of machine learning and to provide a space for critically thinking both about new applications, and about the ethical and social impact of these technologies , as the field rapidly expands in the coming decade.
- Digital Conversion
A venue for discussing the digitization, preservation, and access of print, audio, photographic, and moving image materials, as well as the migration, preservation, and access of born digital collections, including web-based and software-based materials.
- Imagineering
Promotes imaginative forecasting and planning for future information systems and technologies through the examination and analysis of science fiction themes and works.
- Instructional Technologies
A place for librarians to explore emerging technologies for instructional purposes and to share ideas and best practices in instructional design and technology.
- Linked Data
Provides a forum for discussion of issues related to Linked Library Data and the role of library metadata in the Semantic web. Goals include: raising awareness of Semantic Web technologies, such as the Resource Description Framework (RDF) and the use of URIs as identifiers within bibliographic descriptions; promoting research on linked data challenges, such as domain modeling and vocabulary selection and design; and informing the ongoing development of existing metadata standards for Libraries, Archives and Cultural Heritage Institutions.
- Maker Technology
Explores technologies located within makerspaces, content creation spaces, and the management of such areas. These technologies include 3D printers, computational textiles, light boxes, recording studies, laser cutters, video equipment, and more.
- Open Source Systems
Advocates the adoption of open source technologies in libraries. Serves as an educational hub within the division for librarians interested in learning more about open source communities and the software they create.
- WebServices4Lib
Explores and promotes the use of Web applications among libraries and librarians, facilitating communication and establishing best practices.
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Libraries
Provides a forum for researching potential applications of Machine and Deep Learning in library science, including discussions, publications, and outreach to the wider Library community. Its goal is to educate librarians on uses of the complex techniques of machine learning and to provide a space for critically thinking both about new applications, and about the ethical and social impact of these technologies , as the field rapidly expands in the coming decade.
- Authority Control
Provides a forum for discussion of a variety of issues related to authority control for online catalogs and for international sharing of authority of data.
- Bibliographic Conceptual Models
Provides a dedicated forum for the discussion of conceptual models, such as IFLA-LRM and BIBFRAME 2.0, that serve as the basis for current cataloging standards or are expected to provide a foundation for future cataloging standards in a Linked Open Data environment. Topics of special interest include: theoretical foundations of bibliographical conceptual models; the implementation of bibliographical conceptual models in information systems (especially Linked Data-based systems); extensions of current conceptual models; ontologies and conceptual models used in GLAM institutions.
- Book and Paper
Discusses matters related to the preservation and continuing role of books, paper-based materials, and other tangible artifacts in collections. Discussion includes, but is not limited to, library binding, physical quality and treatment.
- Cartographic Resources Cataloging (Core/MAGIRT)
Discusses the basic issues relating to bibliographic control of maps and related materials. Discusses rules and standards covering such cataloging, as well as application of the rules and principles both in general and in response to specific problems, and various practicing options.
- Catalog Form and Function
Explores the evolving nature of the library catalog and its relationship to the fundamental mission and expanding services of libraries.
- Catalog Management
Discusses the various issues involved in cataloging, classification, authority control and metadata application after the initial cataloging has been performed, including its impact on discovery. Provides a forum for exchanging information and discussing techniques, new developments, and problems with managing the data integrity of library catalogs and related discovery tools.
- Cataloging and Classification Research
Provides a showcase for viewing and discussing the latest research projects in the organization and retrieval of information
.
- Cataloging Norms
Offers a forum for the exploration, communication, and exchange of ideas on the dynamics and evolution of cataloging/metadata norms and workflows. We encourage and seek out participation from anyone with an interest in cataloging - from public, academic, school, or special libraries - regardless of experience level or training.
- Chief Collection Development Officers in Large Research Libraries
Discusses the various collection development and collection management issues of concern to large research libraries, especially issues affecting diverse collections that support a broad spectrum of instructional, research, and cultural programs. Provide sa forum for the exchange of information on new developments, techniques, challenges, and opportunities in managing library collections, as well as seeking opportunities for collaboration and cooperation to increase the effectiveness and efficiencies of support for our institutions.
- Collection Development Issues for the Practitioner
Identifies the forces of change in the development and management of collections as they affect the individual selector and the selector's ability to address and manage these changes. Presents forums and programs, designs guidelines, identifies resources, and collects and disseminates information.
- Collection Evaluation & Assessment
Dedicated to quantitative measures based on commonly defined data; managing information resources and developing institutional benchmarking; explores, develops, and promotes the use of both descriptive data and outcomes/impacts data.
- Collection Management in Public Libraries
Provides a discussion forum for librarians, library workers, and others whose interests include selection, collection development, and collection management in public libraries of all sizes.
- Competencies and Education for a Career in Cataloging
Discusses the current state of education and employment in cataloging and explores the relationship of cataloging practitioners and employers with library educators.
- Consortium Management
Focuses on consortial funding, advocacy, services, etc., and discusses topics of interest to statewide library cooperatives, multi-state, national cooperatives, and multi-type library systems.
- Copy Cataloging
Discusses informally common problems concerning copy cataloging, including discussions on quality control of copy cataloging units, workflows in copy cataloging, copy cataloging of all kinds of materials (monographs, serials, audiovisuals, etc.), staffing needs in copy cataloging, training of copy cataloging, effects of changes in cataloging standards, and technology on copy cataloging.
- Creative Ideas in Technical Services
Provides a forum for discussion of issues within the field of technical services which are relevant to library staff at all levels, particularly those issues relating to the evolution of technical services as it affects and is affected by technology and greater interdependency among all library departments.
- Dialogue with Directors
Provides a venue for directing questions and concerns towards current and retired directors for open discussion. Possible topics could include leadership, library school education, major issues facing directors, preparing for an administrative role, positives and negatives of directing a library, and the thought processes of directors in day-to-day operations. The goal is to provide a group where directors and the curious alike can equally gain from the back and forth discussions, and educate people in the roles and experiences of directors.
- Digital Conversion
A venue for discussing the digitization, preservation, and access of print, audio, photographic, and moving image materials, as well as the migration, preservation, and access of born digital collections, including web-based and software-based materials.
- Ebooks
Provides a regular forum for discussion and to meet at Annual Conferences and Midwinter Meetings. Core represents a large segment of libraries and can be influential with publishers and vendors to benefit libraries and library users as the ebook landscape evolves. Core welcomes any type of library or library agency, as well as consortia, to join this group.
- Electronic Resources
Provides a forum for the exchange of ideas among those persons working with or interested in electronic resources; promotes the acquisition and access of electronic resources collections; strengthens communication and cooperation among persons working with electronic resources collections; addresses issues related to collection management and development of electronic resources, their funding, and selection; and contributes to the improvement of education and training of electronic resource archivists and librarians.
- Faceted Subject Access
Discusses the theory and applications related to subject terminology intended for faceted application, including FAST (Faceted Application of Subject Terminology), AAT (Art and Architecture Thesaurus), LCGFT (Library of Congress Genre/From terms), and others. Serves as a forum for users and others interested in the faceted approach to subject access to compare notes and discuss further developments and implementation of subject faceting for digital projects and related topics.
- Heads of Library Technology
Provides a forum and support network for those individuals with administrative responsibility for computing and technology in a library setting. Explores issues of planning and implementation, management and organization, support, technology leadership, and other areas of interest to library technology managers and administration.
- Imagineering
Promotes imaginative forecasting and planning for future information systems and technologies through the examination and analysis of science fiction themes and works.
- Instructional Technologies
A place for librarians to explore emerging technologies for instructional purposes and to share ideas and best practices in instructional design and technology.
- Library Consulting
Supports professional development by providing programs, information exchange, and networking opportunities of interest to independent librarians, library consultants, state library and regional library consultants, and anyone who wants to push the boundaries of librarianship.
- Library Facilities and Interiors
Studies, evaluates, and recommends in matters relating to library furniture, equipment, and building planning for all types of libraries.
- Library Leaders and Managers
Organizes, moderates, and distributes summaries of virtual and face-to-face discussions on topics of interest to leaders and managers at all levels and types of libraries.
- Library Storage
Provides a forum for exchanging ideas on the planning, design, development, operation, management, and/or dismantling of library collection storage.
- Linked Data
Provides a forum for discussion of issues related to Linked Library Data and the role of library metadata in the Semantic web. Goals include: raising awareness of Semantic Web technologies, such as the Resource Description Framework (RDF) and the use of URIs as identifiers within bibliographic descriptions; promoting research on linked data challenges, such as domain modeling and vocabulary selection and design; and informing the ongoing development of existing metadata standards for Libraries, Archives and Cultural Heritage Institutions.
- Maker Technology
Explores technologies located within makerspaces, content creation spaces, and the management of such areas. These technologies include 3D printers, computational textiles, light boxes, recording studies, laser cutters, video equipment, and more.
- MARC Formats Transition
Provides a forum to educate the library community about ongoing efforts to transition from the MARC Standard for bibliographic data and examines new approaches and strategies for implementing bibliographic data models within the framework of linked open data and semantic web technology.
- Metadata
Provides a broad framework for information exchange on current research developments, tools, and activities affecting networked information resources and metadata; coordinates and actively participates in the development and review of standards concerning networked resources and metadata in conjunction with the divisions' committees and sections, other units within ALA, and relevant outside agencies; and develops programs and fosters and sponsors education and training opportunities that contribute to and enhance an understanding of networked resources and metadata, their identity, content, technology, access, control, and use; and plans and monitors activities using Core's strategic and tactical plan as a framework.
- Middle Managers
Provides a forum to examine and encourage the research and practice of library administration, especially on the middle management level, and to encourage the improvement of such management in libraries.
- Newspaper
Provides a resource for librarians and company representatives interested in newspapers to share information and concerns.
- Open Access
Brings together library staff interested in open access (OA) publishing, including, but not limited to: OA and collection development; transformative agreements; library sponsored author funds; and OA library publishing. The interest group will keep members informed of new policies and practices in this area.
- Open Source Systems
Advocates the adoption of open source technologies in libraries. Serves as an educational hub within the division for librarians interested in learning more about open source communities and the software they create.
- Preservation Administration
Focuses on both broad and specific preservation issues in libraries. Topics encompass physical collections generally, and occasionally digital preservation issues. We serve academic, public, special, and other types of libraries.
- Project Management
A forum where those who are interested in the topic of project management or working in this area can come together to learn and share expertise; explores how libraries and library workers can develop PM skills and apply PM to their organizations.
- Promoting Preservation
Advocates for preservation of cultural heritage materials among librarians and non-librarians by offering educational opportunities and supporting outreach efforts both inside and outside of institutional library contexts. To promote understanding of preservation principles and objectives, development of preservation skill sets, and cultivation of potential preservation funding sources.
- Public Libraries Technical Services
Provides a forum for the discussion of technical services issues in public libraries, particularly those unique to public library operations, with the aim to encourage discussion of all aspects of technical services activities and to include all levels of technical services staff within public libraries.
- Publisher-Vendor-Library Relations
Provides connectivity between publishers, libraries, and vendors. We strive to bridge gaps in communication among these groups by supplying ongoing training opportunities, hosting discussion groups, and presenting information on current and future trends through ALA programs and eforums.
- Role of the Professional Librarian in Technical Services
Provides a forum to discuss common problems concerning aspects of professional activity, both supervisory and non-administrative, in the technical services area of academic research libraries.
- Solo Practitioners
Organizes, moderates, and distributes summaries of virtual and face-to-face discussions on topics of interest to soloists, solo directors, librarians, or practitioners.
- Technical Services Managers in Academic Libraries
Meets and discusses informally problems within the field of technical services which are common to the administration of small- to medium-sized academic and research libraries.
- Technical Services Workflow Efficiency
Provides a forum to discuss and analyze techniques, new developments, problems and technological advances in the workflows associated with the evaluation, selection, acquisition, and discovery of library materials and resources.
- WebServices4Lib
Explores and promotes the use of Web applications among libraries and librarians, facilitating communication and establishing best practices.