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):
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Adopted by the Board of Directors, October 2023