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Student Organizations

Association of College & Research Libraries

ACRL@UIUC is THE first student chapter of the Association for College and Research Libraries. The Association's goal is to encourage advanced learning and scholarship for academic and research libraries. We hope to establish professional contacts and associations which will last beyond our time at GSLIS. We will provide a link between students and professionals.

Association for Computing Machinery

The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) is a student group consisting of a variety of people with diverse backgrounds who share a common interest in computers. ACM is open to students, faculty, and staff in all fields at the University of Illinois. Within ACM, we have a variety of special interest groups (SIGs) that focus on specific areas of computing. From computer graphics to mobile computing, we've got groups that cover everything.

American Library Association

The GSLIS American Library Association (ALA) Student Chapter was founded in September 1981 as one of the "Charter Member" student chapters by two faculty members, Kathleen Heim McCook and Terry L. Weech. The chapter has been active in bringing candidates for ALA office and other notables in the profession to campus for guest lectures, organizing field trips and professional activities, and coordinating student travel to ALA conferences.

American Society for Information Science & Technology

The University of Illinois American Society for Information Science & Technology (ASIS&T) Student Chapter began in the fall of 1977 at the initiative of GSLIS M.S. student Barbara Rapp and with Linda C. Smith serving as its first advisor. The Student Chapter is a registered student organization at UIUC and has been active since 1977 in sponsoring programs—lectures, field trips, projects—to supplement coursework offered at UIUC in information science. The student chapter was selected in 1987 as the winner of the first Student Chapter-of-the-Year Award, established by ASIST to recognize outstanding Student Chapters for their participation in, and contributions to, the Society and the advancement of information science.

Beta Phi Mu

The Alpha Chapter of Beta Phi Mu, an international library and information science honor society, was established at the Graduate School of Library Science, University of Illinois, in 1948.  Today there are over 47 active chapters of the organization.  More than 30,000 individuals have become members.

GSLIS Chinese Group

The GSLIS Chinese Group was formed in December 2004. The goals of this group are: 1) establishing strong communication and interaction between GSLIS Chinese students and alumni, other GSLIS student groups and library communities regarding study, life and career; 2) serving as a leadership learning and practicing environment for Chinese students in American culture; and 3) serving as a bridge between GSLIS and China in order to contribute to LIS research, practice and education in a global context.

Library School Alumni Association

The mission of the Library School Alumni Association (LSAA) is to support the Graduate School of Library and Information Science, to encourage active participation of alumni in the programs of GSLIS and LSAA, to encourage students to become active, lifelong supporters of GSLIS and LSAA, and to be a partner with the University of Illinois Alumni Association in supporting alumni in their professional lives.

Progressive Librarians Guild

Founded in 2007, the student chapter of the Progressive Librarians Guild provides a network for support, discourse, and action related to social responsibility in librarianship.

The Society of American Archivists

The Society of American Archivists (SAA) is a student group that promotes archival awareness and interest within the GSLIS community through lectures, seminars, convocations, and field trips. The group gives budding archivists a chance to interact with one another and professionals in the field.

Special Libraries Association

The Special Libraries Association (SLA) is an international association of information professionals who work in special libraries serving business, research, government, universities, newspapers, museums, and institutions that use or produce specialized information.