American Theological Library Association

ABOUT ATLA Established in 1946 as the American Theological Library Association, Atla is a membership association of librarians and information professionals, and a producer of research tools, committed to advancing the study of religion and theology. Our membership includes more than 800 individuals and libraries at academic institutions from diverse religious traditions and backgrounds. As a community of collectors and connectors, Atla works to promote worldwide scholarly communication in religion and theology by advancing the work of libraries and related information providers. We provide resources, professional development offerings, collaboration opportunities, and publications for our members. We create trusted research tools for the scholarly study of religion and theology, including Atla Religion Database® (Atla RDB®), AtlaSerials® (Atlas®), and AtlaSerials PLUS® (Atlas PLUS®). Our association and our members play a critical role in the cycle of scholarly communication as curators, disseminators, and aggregators. Our librarians, libraries, and research tools provide access to and preserve scholarship in religion and theology. Atla is governed by an elected board of directors, and for the past seven decades, we have built a rich history of excellence in library collections and services, community, collaboration, and innovation. In 2015, we launched an updated strategic vision, and in 2019 we introduced a new brand system and assumed the name Atla. Atla is recognized by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service as a 501(C)(3) Organization. **Mission & Organizational Ends** For more than 40 years, Atla maintained separate boards to oversee its indexing and preservation microform programs. In 1991, the boards overseeing those programs were merged with the Association board to form one Board of Directors to oversee all of the Association’s activities. The Board of Directors developed policies by which the Association was to be guided and hired an Executive Director to manage the Association’s financial and organizational affairs. The Board and Membership of the Association adopted a mission statement and Organizational Ends to guide the Association’s activities and programs: **The mission of Atla is to foster the study of theology and religion by enhancing the development of theological and religious studies libraries and librarianship.** Atla exists so that: Libraries, librarians, and information providers in theology and religion connect and grow professionally in an equitable, supportive, diverse, and global community at a cost that demonstrates good stewardship of resources. This is further defined to include but not limited to the following (not reflecting any order of priority): 1. **Professional Development – Members and staff at member institutions have knowledge and skills to grow and advance throughout their careers** 1.1 Members have opportunities for scholarly work and service. 1.2 Members are able to enhance and demonstrate their value to their institutions. 1.3 Members benefit from a growing community of practice and support, including a network of scholarly communication. 1.4 Members have opportunities to express and share varying spiritual traditions and life stances. 1.5 Members are equipped to successfully navigate the changing landscape. 2. **Resources and Tools – Members and staff at member institutions have tools and resources to carry out their work** 2.1 Members have support to preserve, describe, and share collections. 2.2 Members have resources to build and expand their capacity. 3. **Advancement of Theology and Religion Libraries – Atla fosters collaboration to advance theology and religion libraries worldwide** 3.1 Members are included as partners in religious and theological education. 3.2 Members are strengthened in collaboration with partner organizations worldwide. 3.3 Information literacy is seen as critical to theology and religion education. 4. **Products – Libraries have access to growing and industry-leading resources for educators and researchers in religion and theology** 4.1 Educators and researchers have access to increasing full-text content that is inclusive and global in scope. 4.2 Educators’ and researchers’ efforts are supported by ongoing research and development of products.