As a professional association, a 501(c)6, the ALA-APA is exclusively devoted to a number of functions which cannot be undertaken to a "substantial" extent by the American Library Association, which is organized as a nonprofit educational association under section 501(c)3 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. These functions are (1) the certification of individuals in specializations beyond the initial professional degree and (2) the direct support of comparable worth and pay equity initiatives and other activities (e.g. legislative lobbying) designed to improve salaries of librarians and other library workers. As a 501(c)6 professional association, the ALA-APA is able to serve as a vigorous advocate for America's librarians and other library workers and will be able to offer certifications which will help promote individual status and the quality of library service. The ALA-APA is a companion organization to the American Library Association (ALA).

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