As ALA celebrates 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.
Discover the people, policies, and pivotal moments that shaped the ALA and the libraries we all rely on. Our anniversary blog is your behind-the-scenes look at the legacy we’re honoring and the future we’re building, with regular stories on how we’re celebrating.
As ALA celebrates 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.
Call for Proposals: Shape ALA’s 150th Anniversary Conference
Join us in celebrating ALA’s 150th anniversary at the 2026 Annual Conference & Exhibition in Chicago, June 25–29. Submit your proposal for education programs or poster sessions by September 22 to help shape this milestone event highlighting the past, present, and future of libraries.
ALA Wants to Hear from You During Its 150th Anniversary
The American Library Association (ALA) is seeking website and podcast contributions from ALA members as it celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2026. We want stories that reflect experiences with ALA, its legacy, and its history to be featured on ala150.org and ALA’s How I Library podcast.
During the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876, 103 librarians (90 men and 13 women) responded to a call for a “Convention of Librarians,” held October 4-6 at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.