The New York Library Association (NYLA) was founded in 1890 to promote New York libraries. NYLA was the first state-wide organization of librarians in the United States. One of its founders was Melvil Dewey, who has had a lasting impact on libraries in the United States. The association was granted a provisional charter in 1929 and its Absolute Charter in 1946.
NYLA is now affiliated with the American Library Association (ALA) as the New York Chapter of that national body.
According to the NYLA:
Members of the State Association include librarians of public, system, school, college and university and many special libraries, library trustees, and friends of libraries. From a membership of 43 in 1890, the Association has grown to a vital organization of several thousand members, representing not only the libraries of New York State but also including many members, State and institutional, from all over the United States.