ALA staff have been working on the vision and plans developed by the 150th Commemoration Steering Committee and share the following update:
- An ALA 150 media kit for all ALA divisions, round tables, and units was rolled out this winter to use and promote programs and projects related to ALA's anniversary, using a consistent brand and messaging. ALA150 messaging and imagery are being interwoven into external communications, including the monthly ALA member newsletter, ALA social media, the public supporter program, member recruitment campaigns, and promotions for signature events, including the Youth Media Awards, the upcoming I Love My Librarian Award announcements, and National Library Week. Staff also created and shared a launch video for the 150th anniversary, compiling audio and video primarily from the ALA archives, and plan to continue creating similar videos throughout the year.
- An ALA anniversary website (https://ala150.org/) launched in 2025 and is being regularly updated now that the anniversary year has started. The site features a blog for members and others to share personal memories and/or researched stories that reflect themes such as 1) Pivotal people and moments in ALA history-past, present, or future; 2) Policy and impact: What has changed for libraries or communities; 3) Member milestones: How ALA shaped your work and vice versa; 4) Lessons learned: A reckoning with constructive next steps for ALA and its future. We invite anyone interested in contributing a blog post to learn more at https://ala150.org/ala-wants-to-hear-from-you-during-its-150th-anniversary-2/. A post featuring the Librarians We Have Lost initiative is scheduled. Many of these blog posts are receiving enthusiastic engagement on ALA's social media channels.
- Starting this spring, the ALA 150 website will also feature a deeply researched online, interactive ALA history timeline. Mining the depths of ALA's archives at the University of Illinois, the timeline will feature approximately 50 entries highlighting pivotal people and moments in ALA and library history, including moments to celebrate and reflecting on times where ALA or the profession did not get things right. It is truly a team effort, incorporating input from leaders across the association, including the Library History Round Table, Public Policy and Advocacy, the Office for Intellectual Freedom, the Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services, Divisions, and many other ALA units, and drawing upon the expertise of ALA's archivists and librarians. A keystone video will also be produced, utilizing stories discovered from the research, archival images, and grounding it all in ALA's mission and values. It is narrated by Dr. Carla Hayden, former Librarian of Congress and previous president of ALA.
- Four oral history-style podcast episodes will be featured in ALA's How I Library podcast. The first episode is planned to be released on March 27, 2026 and will feature a discussion with ALA member Wayne Wiegand about the beginnings of ALA and the library profession. Subsequent episodes will cover the beginnings of ALA divisions and affiliates, ALA response to national issues and events, and the future of the Association.
- A commemorative issue of American Libraries magazine will be released in May 2026. The issue will feature a timeline of historic moments that changed librarianship, interviews with trailblazing leaders, a look at ALA's own library, images from the ALA Archives, and more.
- A celebratory event at 2026 ALA annual conference in Chicago is scheduled on Saturday, June 27 at 5:30pm. We hope you will join us as the American Library Association celebrates 150 years of leadership in the library profession. This once-in-a-lifetime milestone anniversary is a chance to celebrate our profession, look back on our shared successes and look ahead to an exciting future together. The evening reception will include light bites, beverages, music and special guests. Cost: $50 add on to conference registration. Information on this and all other ticketed events is available at https://2026.alaannual.org/ticketed-events.
- An ALA 150 tag for conference sessions will designate programming that includes a broad variety of perspectives that celebrate, commemorate, or educate about the impact that ALA and our affiliate partners have made on the profession and on libraries nationally and internationally over the last 150 years – or will make in the next 150 years. Use the tag to identify programs when building your conference program.
- The ALA Trivia Championship is scheduled for Sunday, June 28, 2026 at 6:30pm at annual conference. Attendees are invited to compete to see which team takes the trophy and the title of "Best Reference Librarians in America!" Join us at this $10 ticketed event, bring your friends, enjoy challenging questions, fun, and camaraderie. It will feature questions on ALA and library history in honor of ALA's 150th anniversary. It's going to be a very special event and is co-sponsored by RUSA, GameRT and NMRT. Information on this and all other ticketed events is available at https://2026.alaannual.org/ticketed-events.
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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------------------------------