150 YEARS STRONG

Posters of Progress: Mapping ALA’s History Through Library Poster Art

From wartime appeals to celebrity-studded reading campaigns, library posters have long captured the evolving role of libraries in American life. This feature traces the American Library Association’s (ALA) history through some of its most iconic visuals—the patriotic mobilization of ALA’s Library War Service, the pop-culture energy of its READ posters, the spirited encouragement of the “Wake Up and Read” campaign (in partnership with the publishing community), and the fearless advocacy of Banned Books Week. Together, these images chart a story of the profession’s unflinching ideals of access, literacy, and intellectual freedom, showcasing how libraries continue to reimagine their place in public life.

1917–1919

World War I and Library War Service

a. Knowledge Wins (1918) b. Books Wanted (1918) c. “Hey Fellows!” (1918)
a. Knowledge Wins (1918) b. Books Wanted (1918) c. “Hey Fellows!” (1918)

1920–1939

ALA’s 50th anniversary and early promotional posters

d. Hospital Library Service (1925) e. Public Libraries: An American Contribution to Civilization (1926) f. 50 Years: The University of the People (1926) g. Library Work: The Profession on Which All Other Professions Depend (1925) h. Develop the Power That Is within You (1921)
d. Hospital Library Service (1925) e. Public Libraries: An American Contribution to Civilization (1926) f. 50 Years: The University of the People (1926) g. Library Work: The Profession on Which All Other Professions Depend (1925) h. Develop the Power That Is within You (1921)

1940–1959

World War II and tools for democracy

i. Give More Books, Give Good Books: Victory Book Campaign (1943) j. Wake Up and Read! (1959) k. Books Are Weapons in the War of Ideas (1942) l. Reading Is Not Rationed (1943)
i. Give More Books, Give Good Books: Victory Book Campaign (1943) j. Wake Up and Read! (1959) k. Books Are Weapons in the War of Ideas (1942) l. Reading Is Not Rationed (1943)

1960–1989

Literacy campaigns, banned books, community engagement

m. Open Wonderful New Worlds: Wake Up and Read! (1960) n. Read: The Fifth Freedom …. Enjoy It! (1963) o. Banned Books Week (1986) p. Explore Inner Space: Read (1967) q. Get a Head Start (1985) r. Be All You Can Be. Read. (1968) s. Reading Is for Everybody (1970)
m. Open Wonderful New Worlds: Wake Up and Read! (1960) n. Read: The Fifth Freedom …. Enjoy It! (1963) o. Banned Books Week (1986) p. Explore Inner Space: Read (1967) q. Get a Head Start (1985) r. Be All You Can Be. Read. (1968) s. Reading Is for Everybody (1970)

1990–Present

The modern era

t. Censorship Is So 1984 (2025) u. Join Shaq’s Team (1994) v. Read Newbery-Caldecott-Wilder Award Books (1992) w. Open Your Mind to a Banned Book
t. Censorship Is So 1984 (2025) u. Join Shaq’s Team (1994) v. Read Newbery-Caldecott-Wilder Award Books (1992) w. Open Your Mind to a Banned Book

 

Famous READers through the Years

1. Mickey Mouse (1978) 2. Miss Piggy (1980) 3. David Bowie (1986) 4. Indigo Girls (2002) 5. Yo-Yo Ma (2001) 6. LeVar Burton (2002) 7. Dolly Parton (2023) 8. Meg Medina (2023)
1. Mickey Mouse (1978) 2. Miss Piggy (1980) 3. David Bowie (1986) 4. Indigo Girls (2002) 5. Yo-Yo Ma (2001) 6. LeVar Burton (2002) 7. Dolly Parton (2023) 8. Meg Medina (2023)

 

This story first appeared in the May 2026 issue of American Libraries.

150 YEARS STRONG

THE OFFICIAL ANNIVERSARY BLOG

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.