The attached article traces the history of the American Library Association's (ALA) journal "American Libraries." In its first 100 years, ALA's member journal grew from the "Bulletin of the American Library Association," into "American Libraries." The premiere issue of the journal was published in January 1907.
Some Editors and Columnists:
- Beatrice Sawyer Rossell is the Bulletin's first named editor. (1931)
- Ransom L. Richardson is named editor. (1952)
- Samray Smith becomes editor and serves for 10 years. (1957)
- Under the editorship of Gerald Shields, the Bulletin gets a makeover and becomes American Libraries, with a cover image that mocks the librarian stereotype. (1970)
- Editor John Gordon Burke--who added literary features and continued Gerald Shields' critical approach to ALA politics--and three other editors resign over a freedom-of-expression flap. Later that year, Arthur Plotnik is named editor. (1974)
- Thomas Gaughan is named editor. (1989)
- "Internet Librarian" column by Karen G. Schneider. (1995)
- Leonard Kniffel is officially named editor after eight months as interim. (1996)
- American Libraries Online launches (1997)
- The December issue features AL's look back at the 100 most influential librarians and library advocates of the 20th century and features a pullout timeline of library history.
- AL adopts new ways to reach readers: In January, the magazine introduces American Libraries Direct, a weekly electronic news letter exclusively for ALA members; in June, "Technically Speaking" columnist Andrew Pace begins his blog, Hectic Pace. JobLIST takes off in August. (2006)
For entire article-see attached.
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Kathleen de la Peña McCook
Distinguished University Professor
School of Information
University of South Florida
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