The 1926 ALA Conference – American Library Association Archives

A portrait photograph of George B. Utley, found in Record Series 99/1/13, Box 1, Folder: George Burwell Utley, 1922-1923.

A portrait photograph of Carl B. Roden, found in Record Series 99/1/13, Box 1, Folder: Carl B. Roden, President, 1927-1928.

A portrait photograph of Charles F. D. Belden, found in Record Series 99/1/13, Box 1, Folder: Charles F. D. Belden, President, 1925-1926.

The 1926 Conference’s wide scope of activities was supported by the Fiftieth Anniversary Conference Committee chaired by Carl B. Roden of the Chicago Public Library. Like the 1876 Conference, the ALA would return to Philadelphia which was hosting another World’s Fair concurrently. Since the Philadelphia Sesquicentennial Exposition was celebrating the 150th anniversary of the signing of the American Declaration of Independence, there were even ALA-proposed plans for a library exhibit at the Fair. Ultimately, there were two locations: Philadelphia hosted commemorative sessions while Atlantic City hosted main sessions which predominately featured foreign librarians speaking on international cooperation.

Mr. Roden Assembles a Committee

The Fiftieth Anniversary Committee met seven times, during a three year period, during each Mid-Winter and Annual conference, to plan the celebration. [1] The first meeting explored ALA officer and member submitted suggestions for celebrating. [2] One suggestion included hosting an international library conference including paying expenses for official delegates of foreign governments. Another submission suggested a local exposition or a traveling exhibit on the importance of libraries. While another submission suggested the production of a publication similar to the 1876 “Public Libraries in the United States”. The second meeting confirmed those three suggestions and Chairman Roden stated that $100,000 could be needed to finance the celebration. The third meeting appointed three sub-committees: Conference, Exposition, and Publications. The fourth meeting finalized the scope specific proposals. The fifth meeting reduced proposals based on financial limitations. [3] The sixth meeting appointed a Committee on Ways and Means to coordinate funding the Conference. The seventh meeting concluded that $30,000 was raised and individual member reactions to the Committee’s request of funding were reported. Among the cancelled proposals was an educational film about librarianship and the ALA.

A page from the Roger Wayne Fenimore film script, found in Record Series 5/1/26, Box 1.

After one year of meetings, the original proposals were reduced to match ideas with budgets. There was a library exhibit at the Fair, a new A.L.A. Catalog. William W. Bishop was chair of the committee for attracting foreign librarian interest and participation; Joseph L. Wheeler was chairman of the Exhibit Committee; George B. Utley was Chair of the Publications Committee.

Carl B. Roden fundraising letter, found in Record Series 5/1/26, Box 1.

A Library Exhibit at the World’s Fair

The library exhibit was proposed to have a book room and library information center, as well as additional libraries exhibits. The final exhibit layout included participation from multiple ALA units which each contributed their own exhibit section.

Blueprint of Palace of Education and Social Economy Building with ALA Exhibit Space highlighted, found in Record Series 5/1/26, Box 1.

A diagram for the entire ALA exhibit, found in Record Series 5/1/26, Box 1.

A diagram for an exhibit screen, found in Record Series 5/1/26, Box 1.

For the library exhibit, book publishers, book distributors, and both U.S. and foreign libraries contributed donations ranging from $5 to $1000, and the Carnegie Corporation gifted $25,000 for the new A.L.A. Catalog.

A Production of Colorful Promotional Materials

In addition to the new A.L.A. Catalog, the 50th Anniversary Conference produced a great amount of promotional materials for the ALA. In fact, the 50th conference produced the scrapbook of the 1876 conference as it produced materials for the 50th anniversary.

Six Million Boys & Girls Between 14 and 20 are Out of School, Poster, found in Record Series 5/1/26, Box 1, Volume 1.

Library Progress, Poster, found in Record Series 5/1/26, Box 1, Volume 1.

Fifty One Million People in the U.S. and Canada are without Access to Libraries, Poster, found in Record Series 5/1/26, Box 1, Volume 1.

50 Years of Library Progress, Poster, found in Record Series 5/1/26, Box 1, Volume 1.

Libraries: An American Contribution to Civilization, Poster, found in Record Series 5/1/26, Box 1, Volume 1.

The Fiftieth Conference was celebrated from October 4 to 9, 1926. While it celebrated ALA history, it honored older ALA members when the “board” elected surviving 1876 and 1877 members as honorary vice-presidents of the associations. This included:

(R. R. Bowker; Florence M. Cushing; Melvil Dewey; Charles Evans; William E. Foster; E. Fannie Whitney; Walter Biscoe; Walter Harden; Caroline M. Hewins)

The first page of R. R. Bowker’s speech at the Anniversary Conference, found in Record Series 13/5/10.

The first page of Melvil Dewey’s speech at the Anniversary Conference, found in Record Series 13/5/10.

The first page of William E. Foster’s speech at the Anniversary Conference, found in Record Series 13/5/10.

The second page of William E. Foster’s speech at the Anniversary Conference, found in Record Series 13/5/10.

In the Archives: the 1926 ALA Fiftieth-Anniversary and Conference

[1] These dates and locations included: Hot Springs, Arkansas April 25, 1923 and April 27, 1923; Chicago, January 2, 1924; Saratoga Springs, New York, July 3, 1924; Chicago, January 1, 1925; Chicago, April 15, 1925; and Chicago, December 31, 1925.

[2] For a detailed list, please see: Bulletin of the American Library Association, page 74.

[3] For a detailed list of exhibit proposals, please see: “Memorandum on 1926 Exhibits or Exposition” of “Report of Exhibit Committee for 1926 Anniversary”, found in: Volume I, Fiftieth Anniversary Conference Records, 1923-1926, Record Series 5/1/26, Box 1.