Benefits of Joining the ASA
Improving your business
Intermediaries need to remain competitive in the marketplace and to do this, they should be aware of best practice and the highest service standards within their sector. The best way to do this is to associate with the leading service providers and emulate/improve on the standards they set.
A place for new business
Due to our high profile and excellent international reputation, we are regularly approached by libraries, consortia and publishers seeking the services of our members. In 2008 for example, the ASA received new business enquiries with an estimated value of over $800,000 which we were happy to pass on to our members.
A dedicated forum
The ASA provides a lively and informative forum for the exchange of ideas and information amongst its members. Our members share experience, knowledge and ideas, improve skills and gain a better understanding of local and global issues facing the industry. Working together, we can identify common problems and tackle these as a sector making our arguments more robust and our voice stronger.
Quality assurance
The ASA actively seeks to maintain the highest standards amongst all of its members. We operate a Members Accreditation Scheme based on a set of Guidelines to which all members must sign. This scheme is designed to assure publishers and libraries of good business practice. Adherence to the scheme helps members maintain good terms of trade.
Support on terms of trade
The ASA works closely with libraries and publishers to help them understand the value our members bring to the information supply chain, particularly in terms of standards, systems and service. Part of the ASA's role is to ensure libraries and publishers are aware of this value and that this is reflected in the terms they agree in their partnerships with agents and intermediaries.
Innovation and discovery
The ASA holds an annual conference on issues of importance to the information supply chain and the wider industry. Members benefit from discounted rates and are also welcome to participate as speakers, chairpersons or as part of the organizing committee.
Keeping you informed
The ASA's monthly e-newsletter, ASA News, keeps members informed about the most important issues affecting the information supply chain and wider information industry. Members may contribute material to the newsletter in the form of comment pieces, short articles and press release information. A non-member version of ASA News is distributed to a wide audience of librarians, publishers and others involved in the industry.
Advice and assistance
The Association provides advice and guidance to members on specific issues and, where appropriate, takes action on behalf of members on matters of common interest. The ASA provides problem-solving services to its members especially those who are new/less experienced.
Participation
The ASA holds regular meetings throughout the year at which members decide how the Association should be run and what issues it should tackle. All full members have identical rights at ASA meetings ensuring the needs of all members are met.
Enhancing industry relations
The ASA exchanges Associate Membership status with publishing and other relevant associations to ensure the views of our members are heard and to enhance relations with other important industry bodies. Present partners include SSP, NASIG and STM with further exchanges planned.
Wider industry concerns
In the wider industry, the ASA is involved in the creation and use of standards (e.g. EDI, COUNTER, ONIX-PL etc.) as well as lobbying on issues such as VAT on e-journals. The Association is also actively involved in uniting all concerned within the industry against subscription fraud.
Join us
Membership of the ASA acts as a ‘seal of approval', assuring publishers and libraries of members' commitment to quality, integrity and the highest standards of service. Before joining the ASA, all members must agree to sign and uphold the ASA Guidelines, which describe these standards in detail.
To find out more about becoming a member of the ASA, click here.