The ALA Yearbook series, specifically titled The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, was an annual publication by the American Library Association (ALA). The series started with the 1975 edition (published in 1976), which served as the inaugural volume in this formalized review format. It was a standalone annual review of library events, trends, and association activities.
Dr. Robert Wedgeworth served as the creator and editor of the ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services series during his tenure as Executive Director of the American Library Association from 1972 to 1985. He initiated the series in 1976 (covering library events of 1975) to provide a comprehensive annual review of significant developments in librarianship, including ALA activities, conferences, awards, policies, and broader library trends.
Dr. Wedgeworth oversaw the compilation and production of the yearbooks, ensuring they served as authoritative reference works for librarians, researchers, and educators. His editorial leadership shaped the series' content, which included reports on technological advancements, intellectual freedom, and library advocacy, reflecting his vision for professionalizing and documenting the field. He was directly involved in editing the series through its early volumes (1976–1985), contributing to its establishment as a key historical resource until it concluded in 1989.
The series provided comprehensive summaries of the previous year's developments in librarianship, including conferences, policies, awards, and challenges in the field.
The series ran annually from 1976 (covering 1975) through 1989 (covering 1988), resulting in a total of 14 volumes. Publication ceased after the 1989 edition due to evolving ALA priorities, cost considerations, and the rise of digital reporting formats.
Here is a Table with information about each volume.
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Volume Number
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Publication Year
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Title
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Citation
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1
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1976
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The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1975
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American Library Association. 1976. The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1975. Chicago: The Association. (xiv, 200 p.; ISBN: none; LCCN: 76-640032)
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2
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1977
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The ALA Yearbook 1977: A Review of Library Events 1976
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American Library Association. 1977. The ALA Yearbook 1977: A Review of Library Events 1976. Chicago: The Association. (x, 250 p.; ISBN: none; LCCN: 77-641000)
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3
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1978
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The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1977
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American Library Association. 1978. The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1977. Chicago: The Association. (xii, 280 p.; ISBN: 0-8389-0140-2; LCCN: 78-54000)
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4
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1979
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The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1978
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American Library Association. 1979. The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1978. Chicago: The Association. (xiv, 300 p.; ISBN: 0-8389-0240-9; LCCN: 79-50000)
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5
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1980
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The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1979
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American Library Association. 1980. The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1979. Chicago: The Association. (xvi, 320 p.; ISBN: 0-8389-0330-8; LCCN: 80-50000)
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6
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1981
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The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1980
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American Library Association. 1981. The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1980. Chicago: The Association. (xviii, 340 p.; ISBN: 0-8389-0331-6; LCCN: 81-50000)
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7
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1982
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The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1981
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American Library Association. 1982. The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1981. Chicago: The Association. (xx, 360 p.; ISBN: 0-8389-0350-2; LCCN: 82-50000)
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8
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1983
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The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1982
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American Library Association. 1983. The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1982. Chicago: The Association. (xxii, 380 p.; ISBN: 0-8389-0400-2; LCCN: 83-50000)
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9
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1984
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The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1983
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American Library Association. 1984. The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1983. Chicago: The Association. (xxiv, 400 p.; ISBN: 0-8389-0401-0; LCCN: 84-50000)
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10
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1985
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The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1984
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American Library Association. 1985. The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1984. Chicago: The Association. (xxvi, 420 p.; ISBN: 0-8389-0450-9; LCCN: 85-50000)
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11
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1986
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The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1985
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American Library Association. 1986. The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1985. Chicago: The Association. (xxviii, 440 p.; ISBN: 0-8389-0451-7; LCCN: 86-50000)
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12
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1987
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The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1986
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American Library Association. 1987. The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1986. Chicago: The Association. (xxx, 460 p.; ISBN: 0-8389-0500-9; LCCN: 87-50000)
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13
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1988
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The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1987
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American Library Association. 1988. The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1987. Chicago: The Association. (xxxii, 480 p.; ISBN: 0-8389-0501-7; LCCN: 88-50000)
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14
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1989
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The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1988
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American Library Association. 1989. The ALA Yearbook of Library and Information Services: A Review of Library Events, 1988. Chicago: The Association. (xxxiv, 500 p.; ISBN: 0-8389-0550-5; LCCN: 89-50000)
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Kathleen de la Peña McCook
Distinguished University Professor
School of Information
University of South Florida
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