150 YEARS STRONG

For 150 Years

Librarians in Nantucket, Massachusetts, 1906. From the F. W. Faxon Collection in the ALA Archives.
Librarians in Nantucket, Massachusetts, 1906. From the F. W. Faxon Collection in the ALA Archives.

For 150 years, the American Library Association (ALA) has stood as a guardian of knowledge, a champion of access, and a beacon for democracy. Founded in 1876 by visionary library workers who understood the transformative power of books and information, ALA has fostered a profession committed to collections, but also to communities, equity, and the promise of lifelong learning. Our history is filled with moments of courage, innovation, and advocacy that remind us how central libraries are to the fabric of American life.

Libraries have been, and remain, places of hope and possibility. They have carried books to soldiers in wartime, provided refuge and learning to children across every neighborhood, and adapted boldly in the face of societal and technological change. From hosting public lectures in the 19th century to offering digital literacy programs and community technology access today, libraries have continually evolved to meet the needs of their communities. They are spaces where every person, regardless of background, income, or circumstance, can encounter new ideas, challenge their assumptions, and engage with the world in informed, meaningful ways.

As we celebrate 150 years, we are called not only to reflect but to act. Our century-and-a-half legacy is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of librarians and library workers everywhere. It reminds us that the work we do connects people with information, defends the freedom to read, and advocates for open and meaningful access to opportunity. Our work is vital now more than ever. Libraries serve as both repositories of knowledge and as active participants in civic life, fostering understanding, dialogue, and empathy in communities of all sizes.

This anniversary is an invitation: to imagine the libraries of tomorrow, to advocate fiercely for open access to knowledge, and to invest in the infrastructure, both digital and human, that makes libraries a foundation of thriving communities. Each of us has a role in shaping this next chapter, whether through innovation in our services, mentorship within our profession, or action in support of intellectual freedom. By embracing both tradition and transformation, we ensure that libraries remain vibrant centers of learning, creativity, and connection.

Together, we can ensure that libraries continue to transform lives, strengthen democracy, and serve as the heart of communities for generations to come. For 150 years, ALA has illuminated the path. Now, let us step forward with courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the power of libraries. Let us embrace this milestone as a call to action: to protect access, to nurture curiosity, and to celebrate the extraordinary impact of libraries and the people who make them possible. The story of ALA is not just a rich and deep history; it is a living mission. It belongs to every member, every library, and every community we serve. And together, we will write the next 150 years.

ALA President Sam Helmick

Sam Helmick (they/them) is the 2025-2026 president of the American Library Association.

150 YEARS STRONG

THE OFFICIAL ANNIVERSARY BLOG

(Left to right) Teri Moncure Mojgani, Joan Mattison Daniel, Ethel Adolphe, Shirley Wiegand, Ibrahim Mumin, and Wayne Wiegand at the panel discussion on “Hidden Figures in American Library History: The Desegregation of Public Libraries in the Jim Crow South,” New Orleans Public Library, June 24, 2018.

Desegregating Public Libraries: The Untold Stories of Civil Rights Heroes in the Jim Crow South

George Eberhart March 2, 2026

On Sunday, June 24, 2018, the governing Council of American Library Association passed a historic resolution that “apologizes to African Americans for wrongs committed against them in segregated public libraries” and commends those “who risked their lives to integrate public libraries for their bravery and courage in challenging segregation in public libraries and in forcing public libraries to live up to the rhetoric of their ideals.”

Jesse Jackson speaking at the Rally for America's Libraries in front of a large crowd

Jesse Jackson and a Legacy of Library Activism

Ian Ware February 26, 2026

Throughout his life of activism and public service, Rev. Jesse Jackson consistently championed libraries as centers of knowledge where individuals and communities can learn about their past, present, and future.

Clara Jones embracing Virginia L. Jones, after V. Jones received an Honorary Membership of ALA during the 1976 ALA Conference.

Clara S. Jones: ‘Awareness is Not Burdened with Repression; It Is Liberating’

Cara Bertram February 23, 2026

During the 1975 American Library Association Annual Conference, Clara Stanton Jones was announced as the vice president and president-elect of the American Library Association. Her term as president would start during ALA’s 1976 Centennial Conference, a fitting celebration for the first African American President of the Association.

Action, Not Reaction: Integrating the Library Profession

Denise Rayman February 19, 2026

In the midst of the Civil Rights era in America, librarians were battling for and against segregated libraries in the South, however they were also battling over integration within their own ranks. Integration of the library profession was a long process that started in the early 20th century.

Henry and Edith Carr

Henry and Edith Carr, ALA’s Golden Couple

Deborah Walters February 12, 2026

With Valentine’s Day approaching, we remember possibly the most famous ALA couple of all time, Henry and Edith Wallbridge Carr. Married for 43 years and active in ALA for even longer, the Carrs were well-known within the library community of the late 19th and early 20th century. Where did their romance begin? At an ALA conference, of course!