American Library Association (ALA) President-Elect Maria McCauley called the second Council meeting of ALA’s 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition to order at 9:08 a.m. on June 28 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago.
Council adopted the rules (CD#5.1) and the agenda (CD#8.6).
Committee on Legislation Chair Susan Hempstead brought forth a resolution affirming public libraries as essential economic and civic infrastructure (CD#20.1). The resolution passed 111-3 with an amendment to broaden the statement to include all libraries, not just public libraries.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Working Group co-chairs Ed Sanchez and Chip McAuley presented the group’s report (CD#44.1) and an action item to adopt its AI Guidance for Libraries document (CD#44.2). Discussion touched on how future iterations of the “living document” should address copyright issues associated with AI and encouraged greater representation of school librarian perspectives. Council approved the guidelines 114-0—three voters abstained—with an amendment to include a charge for ALA’s Information Technology and Advisory Committee to revisit the document and report back at winter Council sessions.
ALA Executive Board Member Stephanie Chase put forth a resolution that recognizes library card access as a fundamental right and calls for further study and resources regarding how library card access policies can prioritize social equity (CD#51). The principles included in the resolution, which Council approved unanimously, were developed by Brooklyn (N.Y.) Public Library’s (BPL’s) Library Card Access Working Group. BPL published its research about library card policies nationwide in 2024.
ALA Executive Director Dan Montgomery reported on updated Annual attendance numbers. He corrected the June 27 figures he had reported during Council I to 14,468 registrants and confirmed the total has risen to 14,652 as of June 28.
McCauley adjourned the meeting at 10:50 a.m.
