Digital Exhibits
A Book for Every Man: The ALA Library War Service
Within weeks of the United States’ entry into World War I in April of 1917, the American Library Association and its members 
undertook a massive volunteer effort to raise funds, collect books, magazines, and other reading materials for American soldiers in camp libraries at home and abroad. The Library War Service was the first large public engagement program that the Association launched and its success spoke of the wider public reach the ALA could obtain. This exhibit is about ALA’s World War I Library War Service efforts. Curated by Cara Bertram, with additional research from Salvatore De Sando, Sharon Pietryka, Denise Rayman, and Lydia Tang.
Since at least 1853, efforts have been made to organize the library profession nationally and internationally, the American Library Association was organized at the 1876 Congress of Librarians. This exhibit highlights A.L.A. Archives holdings from that time. Curated by Salvatore De Sando, with additional help from Cara Bertram, Leanna Barcelona, Sharon Pietryka, and Madison Well.
Physical Exhibits
The American Library Association Archives currently has exhibits at the:
Archives Research Center lobby: The American Library Association Archives at 50 Years (April 2023 – Present)
Library Gallery in the University Library: Defending the Freedom to Read: The American Library Association and Intellectual Freedom (October 2023).
Past exhibits include:
Traveling Libraries: The Library Extension Board and Rural Library Service – June 2019 – curated by Sarah Brewer.
Out of the Closet & Onto the Shelves: Librarians and the Oldest Gay Professional Organization in the U.S. – June 2018 – curated by Sarah Brewer.
A Book for Every Man: Commemorating the Centennial of the Library War Service though the American Library Association Archives – April 2017 – Curated by Leanna Barcelona
American Library Association 140th Anniversary Celebration – October 6, 2016 – Curated by Leanna Barcelona
The ALA Library War Service – October 2014 – Curated by Lydia Tang and Denise Rayman
