“I was trying to pierce through with the light to understand what was being hidden from me,” Helmick said. “Because subsequently, for many decades, I was the result of what to think versus how to think, and that ideas should not be engaged with because they could be dangerous.” With intertwining milestone anniversaries—the nation’s 250th … Continue reading Joy as an Act of Resistance
The meeting kicked off with approval of the agenda (CD#8.7) and Helmick announcing memorial and tribute resolutions honoring: Randy J. Riley (M#8) Charles Kratz, (M#9) Maurice J. “Mitch” Freedman (M#10) Fobazi Ettarh (M#11) Florante Peter Ibañez (M#12) Stephen M. Hayes (M#13) Brenda Langstraat Bui (M#14) Stanton F. Biddle (M#15) Molly Royse (M#16) Diana Shonrock (M#17) … Continue reading Council III: Treasurer Presents Fiscal Report, Deficit Closure Plans
At “Leading ALA Into the Next 150 Years,” a June 28 panel held at ALA’s 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago, longtime Association members spoke about their pathways to governance, the importance of mentorship, and what changes they see for the profession decades down the road. Panel moderator Amy Lappin, deputy director of Lebanon … Continue reading Leading from Where You Are
The tone and content of this year’s slate of speakers, programs, and gatherings strike a balance between the retrospective and the speculative, as library workers and advocates stake out a brighter, stronger, and more inclusive and accessible future for libraries of all types. Other sessions will study the present moment, as technological advancements and cultural … Continue reading 2026 Annual Conference Preview
From healthy breakfasts to decadent splurges and feasts, these establishments will provide whatever you need to keep your energy up for a long day of learning or feed your soul afterward. No matter what you decide to try, you’ll learn that Chicago’s reputation as one of the world’s great food cities is well deserved for … Continue reading City of Big Appetites
This milestone is about more than looking back; it is about the momentum we carry into the next era. When we talk about shaping what’s next, we are acknowledging that the radical act of keeping library doors open for everyone requires constant, courageous innovation. In the hallways of McCormick Place, you will feel a renewed … Continue reading Sparking a New Era
Though not a comprehensive timeline of library history, the milestones collected here demonstrate lasting impact and how libraries and the profession are intertwined with the American story itself—as repositories of memory, arenas of debate, and enduring instruments of democratic life. 1876–1889 On October 4, 1876, a group of 103 librarians and advocates assembled at the … Continue reading 55 Moments That Redefined Librarianship
1917–1919 World War I and Library War Service a. Knowledge Wins (1918) b. Books Wanted (1918) c. “Hey Fellows!” (1918) 1920–1939 ALA’s 50th anniversary and early promotional posters d. Hospital Library Service (1925) e. Public Libraries: An American Contribution to Civilization (1926) f. 50 Years: The University of the People (1926) g. Library Work: The … Continue reading Posters of Progress
Robert Wedgeworth Wedgeworth served as ALA’s first Black executive director (1972–1985). In virtually all my professional positions, I was the only Black person. I never had problems as a result, because almost everybody accepted that I had to be exceptional in order to be in the position I was in. Earlier, as an undergraduate in … Continue reading A Seat at the Table
The rabbit-warren days are over. Since ALA headquarters moved in 2020 to its present location at Chicago’s 225 North Michigan Avenue, Barbus has presided over a completely reimagined in-house library. Visitors step off the elevator to find a large, open, bright area that’s home to not only the office’s main reception desk but also row upon … Continue reading Bookend: A Library for Librarians
Today, we stand at 150 years, a century and a half of voices lifted, stories shared, and doors opened. We celebrate not just survival but triumph. For libraries are not just buildings; they are the pulse of democracy, the heart of community, and the echo of our collective soul. Through wars and unrest, through the … Continue reading ALA at 150
I invite you to join your colleagues at Annual to observe our past, reflect on our present, and envision our future. Attendees will have the opportunity to gather for the “ALA150: A Celebration for Our Libraries” reception on Saturday evening and immerse themselves in a variety of sessions highlighting key library moments under the ALA150 … Continue reading Rebirth and Reaffirmation
