The American Library Association (ALA) is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world.
Major Robert Odell Owens was an American politician and librarian who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 2007,representing the New York's 11th and then 12th congressional district. He was first elected to replace retiring Representative Shirley Chisholm. Owens shepherded the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 through the House. He retired at the end of his term in January 2007 and was succeeded by Yvette Clarke.
Michael Gorman is a British-born librarian,library scholar and editor/writer on library issues noted for his traditional views. During his tenure as president of the American Library Association (ALA),he was vocal in his opinions on a range of subjects,notably technology and education. He currently lives in the Chicago area with his wife,Anne Reuland,an academic administrator at Loyola University.
Elonnie J. Josey was an African-American activist and librarian. Josey was the first chair of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association,having been instrumental in its formation in 1970;served as president of the American Library Association from 1984 to 1985;and was the author of over 400 books and other publications.
Robert Wedgeworth is an American librarian who was the founding President of ProLiteracy Worldwide,an adult literacy organization. He is also a former executive director of the American Library Association,served as president of IFLA,served as Dean of the School of Library Service at Columbia University,and was university librarian at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has also authored and edited several major reference works,and has won many awards over the course of his career. In 2021 the American Library Association awarded him Honorary Membership,its highest award.
Camila Alire is an American librarian and was president of the American Library Association from 2009 to 2010. She was the first Hispanic president of the ALA. She was previously the president of REFORMA,National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-speaking,in 1993-1994.
Peggy Sullivan was an American librarian and educator. She was elected president of the American Library Association and was a scholar of the history of librarianship.
Lester Eugene Asheim was an American librarian and scholar of library science and film history. He was on the faculty of the University of Chicago Graduate Library School and the University of North Carolina and held positions in the American Library Association (ALA). He was included among the "100 most important leaders we had in the 20th century" by the American Library Association.
Ralph W. Munn was an eminent figure in the field of American and international library and information science. Recognized by the journal American Libraries as one of "100 of the most important leaders we had in the 20th century",and described as an "administrator,educator,and author ... known for his fairness,clarity,and grace",he was also widely known within the profession as "the father of the modern library movement in Australia and New Zealand".
William Howard Brett was head librarian for the Cleveland Public Library from 1884 to 1918. American Libraries described him as one of the "100 most important leaders (librarians) had in the 20th century" His efforts to provide lifelong learning was the basis for the Cleveland Public Library to be recognized as the "People's University."
Ching-chih Chen is an educator,administrator,consultant,and speaker in the field of digital information management and technology. After her 10-year administrative experience,and 49-year teaching,research,consulting and speaking activities,she became professor emeritus of Simmons College in June 2010,and president of Global Connection and Collaboration,Inc.,a non-profit tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.
The Chinese American Librarians Association or CALA,promotes the Chinese culture through the outlet of libraries and communicates with others in the profession of librarianship.
Kathleen de la Peña McCook is a library scholar and librarian. Much of her work centers around human rights,First Amendment issues,and the freedom of information.
The field of library science seeks to provide a diverse working environment in libraries. Ways to change the status quo include diversifying the job field with regards to age,class,disabilities,ethnicity,gender identity,race,sex,and sexual orientation.
Thomas J. Galvin was an American librarian and academic. Galvin held a bachelor's degree in English from Columbia University and a master's in library science from Simmons College as well as a doctorate from Case Western Reserve University. From 1962 to 1972,he held a series of combined faculty and leadership positions at the graduate school of library and information science at Simmons College,ultimately being named associate dean and professor. He was then made dean of the school of library and information science at the University of Pittsburgh from 1974 to 1985.
Barbara J. Ford is an American librarian who served as president of the American Library Association from 1997 to 1998. She earned a bachelor's degree from Illinois Wesleyan University,a master's degree in International Relations from Tufts University and a master's degree in library science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Betty J. Turock is an American librarian and educator who served as president of the American Library Association from 1995 to 1996. She was a member of the faculty of the Rutgers School of Communication and Information for 22 years. Turock is best known for her advocacy for equity of access to electronic information via the Internet as well as for championing diversity in the library profession.
F. William Summers was an American librarian and educator in library and information science. Summers held a number of leadership positions in the American Library Association,including serving as the organization's president from 1988 to 1989.
Richard M. Dougherty is an American librarian and educator who was the director of libraries at both the University of California,Berkeley and the University of Michigan. He served as the president of the American Library Association from 1990 to 1991,focusing on bringing attention to information access issues and supporting children's literacy.
The ALA Medal of Excellence is an annual award bestowed by the American Library Association for recent creative leadership of high order,particularly in the fields of library management,library training,cataloging and classification,and the tools and techniques of librarianship. It was first awarded in 1953 to Ralph R. Shaw,Director of the National Agriculture Library.
