ALA Store FAQs
My account information from the old ALA Store no longer works. What should I do?
If this is your first time on the updated ALA Store, you will need to create a new account before ordering. All accounts from the old ALA Store are no longer valid. If you have bookmarked the old store or linked to it from your website, you will need to update it with the equivalent URL from the current ALA Store, as all pages other than the home page will have changed.
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Why can’t I find a product on your website even though I’ve done a keyword search?
With the ALA Store's Quick Search function, located on every page of the site, you can search by product name, item number, ISBN, or any other word which might describe a product. By default, The Quick Search function searches for all of the words you provide, so for fewer, more targeted results add more words to your search, and for a wider range of results, remove words. Sometimes, you may get better-targeted results by making search terms singular rather than plural, or vice versa—for example, try “Caldecott bookmarks” rather than "Caldecott bookmark.” Advanced search, which you can access from any Quick Search results page, allows you the option to search for exact phrases, or to narrow your results to particular categories, catalogs, publishers, and other criteria.
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What if I’ve forgotten the information I need to supply in order to get my ALA member discount?
The member discounts page has instructions about accessing this information.
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Where can I find out about shipping, taxes, tax-exempt orders, payment options, how to contact customer service, or how to place an international order?
This page explains the policies concerning shipping, taxes, and international orders.
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How are the Shipping & Handling charges calculated?
Shipping charges are set to cover fulfillment costs, which include both shipping the product via UPS and handling the items at the warehouse. ALA Publishing sets product prices to offer the best value we can to customers and members, and must therefore cover the actual costs of handling and shipping. All ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness and accreditation programs for library professionals worldwide.
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When will I be charged for backordered items, and will I have to pay for shipping twice?
You are charged for items when they are shipped, so you will not be charged for a product until it leaves the warehouse. If you order is split into multiple shipments due to backorders, you pay the same total shipping charge you would have been assessed if your order had been made up entirely of regular in-stock items. Any additional shipments of backordered products will not include a shipping charge.
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How can I print out my order to accompany a purchase order?
Simply add the products of interest to your shopping cart and provide us with your shipping address. You’ll instantly receive a printer-friendly summary of your order including tax, shipping and handling charges. Print out and attach your P.O. to your order summary, and fax it to us at 770-280-4155.
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What if I’m not happy with my purchase?
If your purchase does not meet your expectations, we will replace your merchandise, credit your account, or issue a full refund. Just follow our simple return procedures on the back of your packing slip or, if you are unable to locate your packing slip, please call a Customer Service Representative at 1-866-SHOP ALA (1-866-746-7252). Please ship returns to: ALA Returns, Distribution Center, 905 Carlow Drive, Unit B, Bolingbrook, IL 60490
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How do I place an order if I don’t live in the U.S.?
This page explains how to purchase from outside the USA.
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I would like to remove my name from your mailing lists.
All ALA Store emails have an unsubscribe link at the bottom. Once you have unsubscribed, you should receive no further ALA Store messages at that email address. To opt out of receiving print catalogs, please send the information as it appears on your address label to graphicsmarketing@ala.org or editionsmarketing@ala.org; mail to ALA Graphics/ALA Editions, 50 E. Huron, Chicago, IL 60611; fax to 312-280-5275 attention Catalog Marketing; or phone 800-545-2433, ext. 2427.
ALA members, in addition to the instructions above, you may wish to update your communication preferences for ALA-wide mailings. You can do this at ALA.org.
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I am receiving multiple copies of the ALA Graphics or Editions catalogs. How do I receive only one?
Please send your address information as it appears on your catalog's address label to graphicsmarketing@ala.org or editionsmarketing@ala.org; mail to ALA Graphics/ALA Editions, 50 E. Huron, Chicago, IL 60611; fax to 312-280-5275 attention Catalog Marketing; or phone 800-545-2433, ext. 2427.
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Can I order products in bulk or for consignment?
Yes. Please call for details at 800-545-2433, ext 2427 or send an e-mail to alastore@ala.org.
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Do you accept product submissions from outside sources?
ALA Graphics appreciates the creative efforts of our members and customers that promote libraries, literacy, and reading. However, ALA Graphics does not accept submissions from outside sources for product development consideration and ALA Graphics does not wish to receive or hold any ideas "in confidence." ALA Graphics has many products in development at any given time and may be already developing a product similar or identical to ideas contained in such submissions, and therefore cannot be obligated to any individual regarding the unsolicited submission of their ideas. ALA Graphics appreciates your interest.
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Can I use your images on my website?
Please send your request to graphicsmarketing@ala.org and include what image you would like to use and the purpose of the request. If permission is granted, your use of the image must include the copyright information and a link back to our online store.
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Where can I find the art for the International Library Symbol?
The international library symbol is a free symbol in the public domain. The ALA does not hold a copyright on the logo, and its use is encouraged. The pantone color for the blue background is PMS 285. For more information and downloadable images, please consult ALA Library Fact Sheet 30.
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Where can I find information about the ALA Book Awards or lists of the historical winners?
See the ALA Book, Print and Media Awards page.
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Where can I obtain information about the ALA Editions Approval Plan and view the latest bulletin?
This page contains information about the ALA Approval Plan.
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Where can I learn more about writing for ALA Editions?
Learn if ALA Editions might be the right publisher for your proposed book.
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I’m a new ALA Editions author; where can I find tips on preparing my manuscript?
See Guidelines for Authors.
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How do I request a professional review copy of an ALA Editions title?
Complimentary review copies are available for journals, newsletters, or other media. All review copy requests are subject to consideration and ALA Editions requests two tear sheets of any published review.
Request a professional review copy.
Please note that review copies cannot be sent to residences or PO Boxes.
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How do I request an instructor’s desk copy of an ALA Editions title?
Complimentary desk copies are available for instructors who adopt an ALA Editions title for course use.
Request an instructor’s desk copy.
Please note that desk copies cannot be sent to residences or PO Boxes.
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Where do I send published review(s)?
Please send published review(s) to:
Jill Davis, Marketing Manager
ALA Editions
50 East Huron St.
Chicago, IL 60611-2795
Or by email: jdavis@ala.org
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I have a question related to one of your digital products.
If your question is regarding the READ® Design Studio products, please see our READ® Design Studio information page.
For licensing and usage information, please read the License Overview.
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What’s the difference between the READ CDs and the READ DVD?
These products belong to the READ Design Studio, which allows you to create customized READ® posters. The READ DVD contains so many great art files that it required a DVD to conveniently fit all 55 files on one disc. The art files from all of the READ Design Studio products are compatible as long as you have a DVD/CD-ROM drive, which means you can mix and match files to create a nearly infinite amount of READ posters and projects! For more information, visit the READ Design Studio Info Page.
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Who chooses the books that celebrities hold in READ posters?
A celebrity who signs on for the READ campaign can choose to hold any book of his or her choice, with the exception of self-authored titles. Celebrity READ posters promote the pleasure and importance of reading for children, teens, and adults. Some hold a classic, others a childhood favorite or something that has inspired them in their life. To see a list of celebrities and the book titles they chose, click here.
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Who are the celebrities that have participated in the Celebrity READ Poster campaign, and how do I suggest a new one?
For the complete list of the many celebrities who have donated their time and image to the READ Poster campaign, please click here. To submit your suggestion for a celebrity you would like to appear on a READ poster, please email graphicsmarketing@ala.org.
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I have a wonderful assortment of ALA Graphics posters; what’s the best way to frame them?
You can purchase ready-made frames for many of the ALA Graphics poster sizes at stores like Michael's, Wal-Mart, or Kmart. Pearl Fine Art Supplies is a possible resource for do-it-yourself types as they have frame kits, which accommodate nearly every size poster. Other companies, like Frames by Mail or Frames-Direct, sell customizable frames sent through the mail.
The majority of ALA Graphics posters are sized as follows:
- 11" x 17" (Mini posters)
- 12" x 18" (Timeless Treasures series)
- 18" x 24" (History Lives, Celebrate/Diversity, Teen Read Week, Teen Tech Week)
- 22" x 28" (Children/YA "characters")
- 22" x 34" (Celebrity READ)
Be advised that there are some anomalies in poster size (13" x 38", 11" x 14", etc.) that occur primarily for creative reasons.
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Can we make our own READ® Posters?
ALA Graphics' READ® Design Studio is available to help you create your own READ Posters and includes the Licensing Agreement to do so. ALA holds the trademark to the READ® image and otherwise does not give permission for its use. For further information, please see our READ® Design Studio information page. Additional questions may be directed to graphicsmarketing@ala.org.
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What are the future plans for RDA?
In all cases, the Co-Publishers plan to offer some type of electronic distribution option, currently defined as a formatted PDF that can be downloaded, printed, and integrated into the loose-leaf version already purchased. The cost of this PDF will be determined based on the size and scope of the update, from free for a minor update to a fee for larger updates. The cost for electronic distribution would always be marginally lower than the cost of purchasing a physical package of printed and drilled pages from the Co-Publishers.
In addition to the electronic option, if the size and scope of the update is large enough, the Co-Publishers will also offer the physical package of printed and drilled pages for purchase. We would offer these larger updates in a printed form for users who don't have access to the proper equipment to print and integrate the updates into the printed text (i.e., printing the PDFs two-sided and punching the pages). For these users, buying the physical package from the publisher can be less expensive and certainly more convenient.
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