LHRT (Library History Round Table)

If you haven't seen this already, ALA staff are working with History Associates Incorporated to develop an online, interactive timeline of the association's 150-year history. They are seeking additional input as we narrow down our list of milestones and events to feature in the timeline through a survey available here. The deadline to complete the survey is today, November 19 at 5:00 p.m. Central Time.

This interactive timeline will eventually be available on the ala150.org website. It will be used to tell ALA's rich history to a broad, public audience. It must appeal to, entertain, and educate a wide range of people, including:

• ALA members and other library professionals
• Historians, educators, and students
• Policymakers, funders, donors, and partners
• The general public and media

To keep the timeline engaging and digestible, we are striving to limit the timeline to fifty (50) entries. We aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the key moments and milestones in ALA's history. However, due to our size limit, we also need to make some important choices on what to keep and highlight, and what to save for another purpose. Please keep our goal of 50 entries in mind as you review the current list, along with the broad audience noted above.

Some things to keep in mind as you review include: Which are the most critical, key moments in ALA history? What and who are the first? What are the launch dates of the critical work or initiatives of the association? What are the most important milestones? Who are the trailblazers? We invite your input and expertise to help us review and narrow down this list at ALA History Timeline Feedback – Fill out form.

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Jennifer Bartlett
Chair, Library History Round Table, 2025-26
Associate Dean for Engagement, Learning, and Public Services
University of Tennessee
John Hodges Library
jbartl22@utk.edu
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I hope every LHRT member reviews this and sends in the survey.  

There is so much more needed. More responses from LHRT are important.

Here is what I responded. 

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Kathleen de la Peña McCook
Distinguished University Professor
School of Information
University of South Florida
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Original Message:
Sent: Nov 19, 2025 07:00 AM
From: Jennifer Bartlett
Subject: Library History Timeline

If you haven't seen this already, ALA staff are working with History Associates Incorporated to develop an online, interactive timeline of the association's 150-year history. They are seeking additional input as we narrow down our list of milestones and events to feature in the timeline through a survey available here. The deadline to complete the survey is today, November 19 at 5:00 p.m. Central Time.

This interactive timeline will eventually be available on the ala150.org website. It will be used to tell ALA's rich history to a broad, public audience. It must appeal to, entertain, and educate a wide range of people, including:

• ALA members and other library professionals
• Historians, educators, and students
• Policymakers, funders, donors, and partners
• The general public and media

To keep the timeline engaging and digestible, we are striving to limit the timeline to fifty (50) entries. We aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the key moments and milestones in ALA's history. However, due to our size limit, we also need to make some important choices on what to keep and highlight, and what to save for another purpose. Please keep our goal of 50 entries in mind as you review the current list, along with the broad audience noted above.

Some things to keep in mind as you review include: Which are the most critical, key moments in ALA history? What and who are the first? What are the launch dates of the critical work or initiatives of the association? What are the most important milestones? Who are the trailblazers? We invite your input and expertise to help us review and narrow down this list at ALA History Timeline Feedback – Fill out form.

------------------------------
Jennifer Bartlett
Chair, Library History Round Table, 2025-26
Associate Dean for Engagement, Learning, and Public Services
University of Tennessee
John Hodges Library
jbartl22@utk.edu
------------------------------