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
While this is my first Annual as executive director, I attended the conference last summer in Philadelphia. There, I was blown away by the sheer number of participants, the depth of quality programming, and the infectious enthusiasm and energy from morning to night. This year, we expect approximately 15,000 conference attendees. As in previous years, … Continue reading Summer Connections
The final vote count, tallied on May 27, was 77–4, with 81 out of 87 votes counted. (Six votes were challenged.) The National Labor Relations Board will now certify the union, a process that may take approximately 10 days, allowing workers to begin collective bargaining. “I’m so thrilled and honestly feeling really emotional,” says Ari … Continue reading ALA Workers Vote Yes on Union
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
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
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
Barnes received 3,827 votes, while her opponent, Becky Calzada, district library coordinator at Leander (Tex.) Independent School District, received 2,742 votes. Upon learning the outcome of the election, Barnes provided the following statement: “I am deeply honored by the trust ALA members have placed in me,” Barnes said. “Throughout this campaign, I have listened to members … Continue reading Barnes Wins 2027–2028 ALA Presidency
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
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
