Public Relations Section | The American Library Association Archives

The Public Relations Section encourages the study of public relations theory and policy for the improvement of public relations in public, school, college, university, and special libraries. PRS acts as a liaison between ALA units, and identifies areas of public relations applicable to the profession and disseminates such information (1).

The Public Relations Section began as the Section on Public Relations. A name change to PRS occurred by 1970 (2).

The Public Relations Section reviews the association, division, and sections to determine public relations developments and needs. It initiates and oversees activities and projects appropriate to PRS (friend of libraries, public relations institutes, John Cotton Dana Awards, publications, and public relations services to libraries, state libraries, and state associations). It presents and interprets library public relations to groups outside the profession, encourages the professional public relations development of librarians and related professions through idea exchange, programs, institutes, and continuing education, and uses media to aid communication about public relations theory and practice among library and library-support groups and associations (3).

Sub-Groups:

1 - Executive Committee (Chairperson)

2 - Education and Training

3 - John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award

4 - Legislative Skills

5 - Nominating

6 - Public Affairs

7 - Publications

8 - Recognition (ad hoc)

9 - State and Regional Programs

10 - Swap and Shop

11 - Public Relations Management [discussion group]

1. ALA Handbook of Organization 1988/1989 and Membership Directory, (Chicago: ALA, 1988), p. 95.

2. ALA Organizational Information 1970-71. (Chicago: ALA, 1971), p. 61.

3. ALA Handbook of Organization 1988/1989 and Membership Directory (Chicago: ALA 1988), p. 95.