Preserving the history of the American Library Association

Abstract

The American Library Association Archives at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is the official repository of the American Library Association, the world’s oldest and largest library association. Established in 1973, the American Library Association Archives holds over a terabyte of digital content and nearly 4000 cubic feet of official records, personal papers, and publications created by or relating to the association, its members, and the history of librarianship. On the strength of its collection and affiliation with the University Archives, the American Library Association Archives serves as a major research center on the history of the association and American librarianship. This article reflects on the history of the American Library Association Archives, the investment made by the American Library Association to preserve its heritage, and the growth of the program. It also discusses the current state of the collection and what has made the program successful.