The Association of Librarians of the University of Washington represents the more than 130 librarians who work on the three UW campuses. At most universities librarians are part of the faculty. At UW they are not. Denied representation in the Faculty Senate, librarians have also been left out of recent legislation that has extended collective bargaining rights to most UW employees.

Since 1969 ALUW has worked to improve the status, salaries, and working conditions for librarians, while insuring that the University Library system maintains its reputation for excellence. It lobbies the legislature to maintain library budgets and has pressed a campaign to secure representation in the Faculty Senate. 

There is more about ALUW on its website.

We have two student reports about this important organization and further links below:

"ALUW: An Early History" - Ross Nadal explores the early history of the ALUW starting with the 1950s when the Faculty Senate debated whether librarians should be part of the faculty.

These articles were written in Spring 2002. For problems or questions contact James Gregory.