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
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
If a majority of the 101 eligible staff members out of 161 ALA employees vote to unionize, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) will certify the new union. Votes will be counted May 27. In a March 2 open letter, 40 staff members announced their plans to unionize with the American Federation of State, County, … Continue reading ALA Workers Move to Unionize
You’ve talked about being a library kid long before you ever worked at the library. How did you start to see it as a career path? It took a lot of failure. It took a lot of mistakes, a lot of careers not panning out. My dream job was to be in the military. Even … Continue reading Newsmaker: Mychal Threets
ALA’s mission has guided my work from the beginning. Whether serving on the ALA Executive Board, chairing the Budget Analysis and Review Committee, supporting the Spectrum Scholar community, or leading state and divisional organizations, I have seen firsthand how ALA’s values of equity, diversity, inclusion, intellectual freedom, and social responsibility are lived out every day … Continue reading Meet the Candidates for ALA President: Tamika Barnes
We have been navigating rigorous, unyielding times, yet through it all, library workers have stepped up and answered the call to lead and serve. We remain resilient, dedicated, and hopeful in every microinteraction that occurs daily in the many vibrant library spaces across the country. In my own work and leadership, I am grounded in … Continue reading Meet the Candidates for ALA President: Becky Calzada
According to the American Library Association’s Libraries Build Business 2022 report, libraries offer three advantages for budding businesses: reach, resources, and collaboration. They are embedded in every community, open to all, and equipped with infrastructure such as computers, meeting rooms, high-quality databases, and access to skilled staff—resources that many small businesses and entrepreneurs could not … Continue reading Good for Business
Indeed, the American Library Association (ALA) exists because of a shared desire for a professional community and coordinated advocacy. In my early interactions across the many facets of the Association, I have seen firsthand the deep drive and commitment our members bring to this work. At events like the American Association of School Librarians National … Continue reading Advocacy Unites Us
Freedom to read faces federal scrutiny Following the Trump administration’s executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the US Naval Academy removed nearly 400 books deemed DEI-related from its Nimitz Library (later returning most of them to circulation). Meanwhile, in April, the Supreme Court heard arguments in Mahmoud v. Taylor, a case brought by … Continue reading 2025 Year in Review
Stories have extraordinary power to connect people across cultures, ages, and experiences. By curating diverse narratives, libraries promote inclusion and understanding. Librarians are natural storytellers, yet many of us stay behind the scenes. Perhaps it’s humility. Perhaps it’s the belief that the work speaks for itself. But in a world filled with noise, your steady, … Continue reading Your Library Story
I am thankful for the work of my predecessors Peter Hepburn and Maggie Farrell, and of Dina Tsourdinis, ALA’s chief financial officer, and her team to get our financial house in order. That means everything from timely reporting to clean audits to properly recording grants to an updated operating agreement. Unfortunately, ALA’s financial picture, while … Continue reading Bold Changes
