American Library Association
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American Library Association

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.

During the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876, 103 librarians (90 men and 13 women) responded to a call for a "Convention of Librarians" to be held October 4–6, 1876, at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

In his seminal essay "ALA at 100", Edward G. Holley describes how "the register was passed around for all to sign who wished to become charter members" at the end of the meeting, which is why the date of the founding of the ALA is considered to be October 6, 1876 (149 years ago) (1876-10-06).

Among the 103 librarians in attendance were:

Attendees came from as far west as Chicago and from England.

In 1879, the ALA was chartered in Massachusetts.

The ALA's headquarters office is in Chicago.

Another important founder was Frederick Leypoldt, publisher of Library Journal, who published the conference proceedings.

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