ALA eLearning

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What ALA eLearning is

ALA eLearning is a web-based professional development catalog for library and information workers, library institutions, and related organizations. It offers courses, webinars, and customized eLearning content, drawing material from American Library Association units, divisions, and offices. The catalog includes fee-based eCourses and webinars alongside free events, including on-demand events and asynchronous eCourses. Learners can browse or search by subject, event format, library type, topic, and division. A free personal account is available without an ALA membership requirement; organizational accounts cannot log in. A purchase generates a signup code for the learner to redeem on a dashboard, and each code is valid for one registration. Checkout supports multiple registrations and offers a 15% discount for groups of 3–15; groups of 16 or more are directed to contact ALA. For events offering credit or certificates, learners can claim credit or download a certificate after completing course materials, then revisit records through the dashboard and transcript. ALA has described the site as accessible and mobile-friendly. The catalog is powered by Forj LMS from Forj Software, Inc. Refunds may be requested for facilitated eCourses and live webinars until each begins.

Who it suits

ALA eLearning suits library and information workers seeking professional development across library types and subject areas. It also serves related organizations and institutions, with free and fee-based learning options and group registration support.

What it does well

Offers free events alongside fee-based eCourses and webinars.
Catalog search covers subject, format, library type, topic, and division.
Free personal accounts do not require ALA membership.
Group checkout discounts registrations of 3–15 by 15%.
Learners can revisit claimed credits and certificates through their transcript.

What to know first

Organizational accounts cannot log in.
Each signup code covers only one registration.
Paid event recordings and eCourse materials are limited to registrants who redeemed a code and may not be shared.

Limits

Each purchased signup code is valid for one registration. Paid event recordings and eCourse materials are limited to registrants who redeemed a code and may not be shared; refunds for facilitated eCourses and live webinars may be requested only until they start.

Getting started

Visit the ALA eLearning website.
Create or log in to a personal account; an ALA membership is not required.
Browse or search the catalog by subject, event format, library type, topic, or division.
For a paid registration, complete checkout and redeem the signup code on your dashboard.
Complete the course materials to claim any available credit or certificate.

Verdict

Choose ALA eLearning if you want professional development content drawn from ALA units and searchable across library topics and formats. It offers free events and a personal account without a membership requirement. Groups of 16 or more must contact ALA, and organizational accounts cannot log in.

Questions

Is ALA eLearning free?

It has a free plan and includes free events. The catalog also includes fee-based eCourses and webinars.

What platform can I use?

ALA eLearning is web-based. ALA described the site as mobile-friendly and accessible.

Do I need to be an ALA member to create an account?

No. A free personal account does not require membership. Organizational accounts cannot log in.

How do purchased registrations work?

Each purchase generates a signup code that the learner redeems on a dashboard. Each code is valid for one registration.

Are group discounts available?

Checkout offers a 15% discount for 3–15 registrations. Groups of 16 or more are directed to contact ALA.

Who provides the learning catalog?

ALA eLearning content comes from ALA units, divisions, and offices. The catalog is powered by Forj LMS from Forj Software, Inc.

Facts from ALA eLearning's own pages

Accounts: ALA eLearning accepts personal accounts, not organizational accounts, and an ALA account is not required to create a free personal account. · elearning.ala.org, 10 Oct 2026
Catalog breadth: The catalog brings together content from ALA units, divisions, and offices. · ala.org, 10 Oct 2026
Catalog discovery: Learners can browse or search the catalog by subject, event format, library type, topic, and division. · elearning.ala.org, 9 Oct 2026
Completion records: For events offering credit or certificates, learners can claim credit or download a certificate after completing the course materials and revisit records through their transcript. · elearning.ala.org, 9 Oct 2026
Content formats: The catalog includes fee-based eCourses and webinars, free events, on-demand events, and asynchronous eCourses. · ala.org, 10 Oct 2026
Content limits: Paid event recordings and eCourse materials are limited to registrants who redeemed a signup code and may not be shared. · elearning.ala.org, 9 Oct 2026
Course records: Enrolled events appear on the Dashboard and Transcript, where users can also view claimed credits and certificates and download certificates again. · elearning.ala.org, 10 Oct 2026
Enrollment: Purchases generate signup codes that learners redeem on their dashboards, and each code is valid for one registration. · elearning.ala.org, 9 Oct 2026
Founded: 1876 · elearning.ala.org, 28 Sept 2026
Group discounts: Checkout offers a 15% discount for 3–15 registrations; groups registering 16 or more are directed to contact ALA. · elearning.ala.org, 9 Oct 2026
Group registration: Checkout supports multiple registrations, offers a 15% discount for 3–15 registrations, and directs groups of 16 or more to contact ALA. · elearning.ala.org, 10 Oct 2026
Headquarters: 225 N Michigan Ave, Suite 1300, Chicago, IL 60601, United States · elearning.ala.org, 28 Sept 2026
Intended audience: The catalog is for professional development across library types, subject areas, and budgets. · elearning.ala.org, 9 Oct 2026
Learning formats: The catalog includes fee-based eCourses and webinars as well as free events. · elearning.ala.org, 9 Oct 2026
Mobile access: ALA described the site as mobile-friendly when it launched. · ala.org, 9 Oct 2026
Mobile and accessibility: ALA described the site as fully accessible and mobile-friendly. · ala.org, 10 Oct 2026
Payment: The FAQ says ALA accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and Amex credit cards, and accepts purchase orders by email. · elearning.ala.org, 10 Oct 2026
Platform provider: The catalog footer says it is powered by Forj LMS from Forj Software, Inc. · elearning.ala.org, 10 Oct 2026
Privacy and security: ALA says it takes reasonable efforts to protect user information and uses security measures it considers appropriate and consistent with industry standards; it does not guarantee system security. · ala.org, 10 Oct 2026
Privacy limits: ALA's privacy policy says its services are not directed to children under 16 and that users under 16 may not use them. · ala.org, 10 Oct 2026
Purpose: ALA eLearning offers professional development content for library workers and library institutions across library types, subject areas, and budgets. · elearning.ala.org, 10 Oct 2026
Refunds: Refunds may be requested for facilitated eCourses until the course starts and live webinars until the webinar starts. · elearning.ala.org, 9 Oct 2026
Search: The site provides a robust search capability and dynamic product listings. · ala.org, 10 Oct 2026
Signup codes: Each purchased registration generates a signup code that can be redeemed to enroll, and each code is valid for one registration. · elearning.ala.org, 10 Oct 2026

Where ALA eLearning stands on Freedom251

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