shouldiuse.io

VERDICT

Should I use American Libraries Magazine?

The magazine of the American Library Association - americanlibrariesmagazine.org

Depends. Buy only if you work in libraries and especially if you're an ALA member — the subscription comes bundled with dues. If you're not a librarian, this is a trade magazine with no tool or workflow value for you.

Confidence

Medium. Based on ~40 public sources: publication pages, academic citations, and social mentions. No structured user reviews or standalone pricing found.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Feature depth
  • Support qualityNo evidence; not applicable to a magazine
  • Security postureNo public findings either way

Pricing

Included in membership dues

ALA member

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Non-member subscriptionNot published

Best for

  • Working librarians
  • ALA members
  • Library directors tracking systems vendors
  • Library science students

Not for

  • Anyone shopping for software or a tool — it's a magazine
  • Non-library professionals; no general business value
  • Standalone buyers — subscription prices aren't even listed
  • Non-U.S. library staff; coverage is American-centric

Gotchas - check before you buy

medium

Pricing is hidden: bundled with ALA dues, non-member rate not listed online

medium

Subscriptions page lists two purchase paths but shows no dollar figures

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Subscription included with ALA membership — no extra cost for members
  • Annual Library Systems Reports widely cited across the industry
  • Past issues freely readable in the online archive
  • Weekly AL Direct e-newsletter included as a supplement

Cons

  • Standalone subscription prices not published anywhere on the site
  • Only valuable if you work in libraries

Sources & method

Analyzed 9/25/2026 - 10 sources - No known vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.

official x6review x2security x1news x1

Key stats

  • Value for money: 4/5

    Rating

  • Included in membership dues

    Starting price

  • 10

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 4/5. Bundled free with ALA membership
  • Ease of use: 4/5. Past issues freely readable online
  • Feature depth: 4/5. Deep annual Library Systems Reports, design showcases, columns
  • Support quality. No evidence; not applicable to a magazine
  • Security posture. No public findings either way
  • American Library Association Publisher Official ALA publication
  • Included Cost for ALA members Bundled with membership dues
  • AL Direct Companion newsletter Weekly e-newsletter supplement
  • Open archive Back issues Past issues browsable online

Pricing

ALA member

Included in membership dues

  • Print and digital magazine
  • No separate magazine fee

Non-member subscription

Not published

  • Two subscription paths listed
  • No prices shown publicly

Security

No known vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.

What users say

Cited across Reddit and librarian blogs as the profession's main trade magazine, but no structured user reviews exist.

Full analysis

Based on ~40 public sources: publication pages, academic citations, and social mentions. No structured user reviews or standalone pricing found.

Trade magazine from the ALA, not software. Worth it via ALA membership; standalone pricing unpublished. Skip if not a librarian.

Methodology

Based on ~40 public sources: publication pages, academic citations, and social mentions. No structured user reviews or standalone pricing found.

Sources

  1. American Libraries Magazine: Homeamericanlibrariesmagazine.org
    official
  2. Aboutamericanlibrariesmagazine.org
    official
  3. Subscriptionsamericanlibrariesmagazine.org
    official
  4. Magazine Archiveamericanlibrariesmagazine.org
    official
  5. American Libraries Directamericanlibrariesmagazine.org
    official
  6. 2025 Library Systems Reportamericanlibrariesmagazine.org
    official
  7. Reddit, r/librarians — How Public Libraries Are a Boon to Small Businessreddit.com
    review
  8. Librarian by Day — American Libraries taglibrarianbyday.net
    review
  9. Product security pageamericanlibrariesmagazine.org
    security
  10. American Library Association on Facebookala.org
    news

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