150 YEARS STRONG

Explore ALA and Library History with Wayne Wiegand

In 1876, 103 librarians gathered in Philadelphia to create a new association for librarians. One hundred and fifty years later, the American Library Association (ALA) has endured to help shape both the library profession and American history.

In a special episode of ALA’s “How I Library” podcast, show host and I Love Libraries editor Phil Morehart speaks with library historian and author Wayne Wiegand about the beginnings of ALA as the Association celebrates its 150th anniversary.

How I Library podcast with Wayne Wiegand

In the first in a series of four bonus “How I Library” episodes on ALA history which will be released throughout the year, Morehart and Wiegand explore the rich, fascinating early years of ALA and its complicated founders, ALA’s impact on librarianship, the role of ALA and librarians during WWI, and much more.

“How I Library” is available for download or streaming on Soundcloud, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Or listen below.

150 YEARS STRONG

THE OFFICIAL ANNIVERSARY BLOG

ALA Library War Service book plate design draft.

Reading for the Future: Looking Back on the Library War Service and 150 Years of ALA

Amanda Robb and Sarah Ainsworth November 11, 2026

In 1919, Herbert Hoover founded the Hoover War Library at Stanford University in response to the devastation he witnessed in Europe. Today, as archivists at the Hoover Institution Library & Archives, we encounter many collections related to World War I, but the dynamic photographs of librarians distributing reading materials to soldiers in our American Library Association War Service records caught our attention and led us on an unexpected and informative journey.

Stationary used by George Nason with “Association” blotted out. From the ALA Archives,

The Curious Case of the Two American Library Associations

Cara Bertram November 5, 2026

In 1899, the American Library Association was notified that a small commercial traveling library was operating under the name “The American Library Association” under the tutelage of “a person of questionable character and unsavory reputation.” Thus began the curious case of the two American Library Associations.

The exterior of the McCormick Mansion. An inconvenient office space or a mansion overrun by ghosts? From the ALA Archives.

Was ALA’s McCormick Mansion Haunted?

Cara Bertram October 27, 2026

Halloween is approaching and during this spooky season, the ALA Archives has been meditating upon one of ALA’s old headquarters, the McCormick Mansion. Why would ALA want to move out of the McCormick Mansion so quickly and destroy it? Was it because the mansion was … haunted?

USA PATRIOT Act files in the Office for Intellectual Freedom Subject File at the ALA Archives.

15 Years of Fear: ALA and the Patriot Act

ALA Archives October 23, 2026

October 26, 2001, marked the beginning of a 15-year-long struggle for the privacy rights of library users as a result of the USA PATRIOT Act being signed into law by President Bush. Prompted by the possibility of government agents ordering libraries to turn over patron information, ALA’s Washington Office created the “Guidelines for Librarians on the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act: What to do before, during and after a ‘knock at the door?’” which provided guidance on consulting legal counsel and reviewing policies.

A group of foreign delegates in Atlantic City during the ALA Fiftieth Anniversary Conference, October 1926.

Librarians Go on a Road Trip! The 1926 Foreign Delegate Post-Conference Excursion

ALA Archives October 15, 2026

In early October 1926, almost 60 librarians from 25 countries gathered in Atlantic City and Philadelphia to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the American Library Association along with more than 2,000 American librarians. By all accounts, the conference was a great success. But the best part of this all-expenses-paid trip to the U.S. didn’t happen during the actual meeting: When the conference ended, about 30 international delegates went on a multi-state excursion, visiting 12 cities in the span of two weeks.

How I Library podcast with Betty Turock

Celebrating ALA’s Birthday in Conversation with Dr. Betty Turock

Phil Morehart October 6, 2026

In a special episode of the “How I Library” podcast commemorating the 150th anniversary of the American Library Association, show host and I Love Libraries editor Phil Morehart speaks with one of the key figures in the history of the Association and librarianship, Dr. Betty Turock.