ALA Publishing Committee

The ALA Publishing Committee brings together a diversity of members to share their expertise and experience in helping identify the content most needed and desired by the field, the most appropriate channels for disseminating that content, and continuous improvement in related business practices. The committee includes representatives from imprint-specific committees, advisory boards in divisions or other ALA units across ALA, and other units at ALA with publishing activities, including but not limited to the American Libraries Advisory Committee, the Booklist Advisory Board, an Editions/Neal-Schuman Advisory Board (not yet existing), the ACRL Publications Committee, and the Core Publications Coordination Committee.

Committee members are charged with engaging with ALA’s published content and channels to develop sufficient familiarity to provide regular review and feedback. Committee members report on the publishing activities of the unit they represent and review products to ensure that they express ALA values and reflect the needs of the community they serve.

The committee has an advisory role in appropriate use and protection of the ALA imprint. The committee advises on balancing current products and innovation to help ALA meet its current financial and strategic goals, including in the areas of EDI and sustainability. It also advises on consistency across ALA and opportunities for greater standardization and minimizing duplication. The committee mediates any conflicting practices, inconsistencies, or irregularities it observes among the units its members represent. It also recommends policies on publishing for the approval of Council if revision or new policies are needed.

The Publishing Committee administers the Carnegie-Whitney Grant.

The committee makes recommendations through the BARC/Finance & Audit representatives to the committee for the appropriate association budget and planning committees.