圖書館學會的主要功能在結合圖書館及圖書館從業人員的力量，促進圖書館事業之發展，並在體制外協助圖書館機構達成任務。本文首先列舉臺灣和美國兩地在大環境上的差異，接著由歷史發展、宗旨與任務、組織架構、會員的招募、經費的來源、專業活動、出版品、全球資訊網網站內容等方面分別介紹中國圖書館學會及美國圖書館學會，之後試從大環境的角度來分析比較兩者之異同，文末並對中國圖書館學會提出四項建議。

　　　　　A good library assocation serves its members, improves the librarianship, and helps library institutions achieving their missions. This article describes the history, missions & goals, organization structure, membership, financial sources, professional activities, publication, and website of the Library Association of China (LAC) and American Library Association. (ALA) Considering environmental differences between Taiwan and the United States, the author then compares these two library associations based on above 8 aspects. At the end, suggestions for the LAC are proposed.