Library associations and library consortia in the field of library and information science are two related, but very different, membership organizations. It may be possible for an association to be a member of a consortium, but that is not common. It is much more likely that a consortium may become a member of one or more professional library associations. The distinction between associations and consortia is often found in their missions and membership criteria.

Associations usually have much broader missions, such as the promotion of the welfare of librarians and the institutions in which they work. Associations usually accept membership from individuals as well as organizations, with individual membership making up the bulk of their membership support. Consortia, on the other hand, often have narrower missions, usually very specific in scope, such as the sharing of books, journals, and other materials (resource...