LIRC provides leadership and expert advice to ALA staff, members, and the public on all matters related to research and statistics about libraries and librarians; represents the Association to federal agencies on these issues; and initiates projects needed to expand the knowledge base of the field through research and the collection of useful statistics. The American Library Association Library is a special library, with a tightly defined purpose and collection focus: to provide information needed by ALA staff as they carry out the work of the Association; to provide information to members and others who contact ALA with questions about librarians, librarianship and ALA programs; to use available information technologies to the fullest extent possible; and to serve as the focal point for ALA’s Knowledge Management initiative. Related materials can be found under Record Group 18 at the ALA Archives.