ALA Honorary Membership
About
About the Honorary Membership
Honorary membership may be conferred on a living person whose contribution to libraries and/or librarianship, or a closely related field, is so outstanding that it is of lasting importance to the advancement of the whole field of library service. The awarding of honorary membership is intended to reflect honor upon the American Library Association as well as upon the individual.
Administered by:
Categories:
Details
Recipients receive a plaque and the following benefits:
- ALA membership dues waived for life.
- Complimentary conference registration for all ALA LLX and Annual Conferences for life
- Special invitations to conference events.
- Life membership in all ALA divisions (as desired).
- Complimentary copies of all ALA division journals (as desired).
- Listing in the special Honorary Member section
- Listing on the ALA VIP list to receive complimentary registration and preferential housing assignments at all future ALA LLX and Annual Conferences.
Professional Recognition Information
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
|
Dolly Parton
2023 - Winner(s) The American Library Association (ALA) is set to confer an honorary lifetime membership upon award-winning singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman and philanthropist Dolly Parton for her longstanding... |
2023 - Winner(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
|
Jim Neal
2022 - Winner(s) The American Library Association (ALA) Council elected former ALA President and Treasurer Jim Neal to honorary membership in the association, the ALA's highest honor, during the... |
2022 - Winner(s) |
|
Maureen Sullivan
2022 - Winner(s) The American Library Association (ALA) Council elected former ALA President Maureen Sullivan to honorary membership in the association, the ALA's highest honor, during the virtual... |
2022 - Winner(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
|
Robert Wedgeworth
2021 - Winner(s) Former ALA Executive Director Robert Wedgeworth was elected to Honorary membership, ALA’s highest honor, is conferred in recognition of outstanding contributions of lasting importance to... |
2021 - Winner(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
|
Carla Hayden
2018 - Winner(s) Hayden was nominated in recognition of her passionate dedication to equity of access and her historic appointment as the first woman and first African American... |
2018 - Winner(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
|
Ann K. Symons
2017 - Winner(s) Symons was nominated in recognition of her contributions to advocacy, access, intellectual freedom and services to the LGBTQ community. One of the most prominent school... |
2017 - Winner(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
|
Patricia Glass Schuman
2014 - Winner(s) Schuman co-founded Neal-Schuman Publishers in New York in 1976 with John Vincent Neal. Neal-Schuman specialized in books, media and professional education tools for librarians, educators... |
2014 - Winner(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No Awards Given
2013 - No Awards Given |
2013 - No Awards Given | |
| No Awards Given
2013 - No Awards Given |
2013 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
|
Professor & Dean Emeritus, Rutgers University
2012 - Winner(s) Dr. Turock was nominated in recognition of her outstanding commitment and achievement in the field of library and information science, as a practitioner, educator, advocate... |
2012 - Winner(s) |
|
U. S. Senator, (D, RI)
2012 - Winner(s) He was nominated for his continuing, unwavering and effective support of libraries in the U.S. Congress. Throughout his career, Reed has supported education and libraries... |
2012 - Winner(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Gebregeorgis
2011 - Winner(s) |
2011 - Winner(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
2010 - No Awards Given |
2010 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Judith F. Krug
2009 - Winner(s) |
2009 - Winner(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Stueart
2006 - Winner(s) |
2006 - Winner(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Library Educator and Publisher
2004 - Winner(s) |
2004 - Winner(s) | |
| Berman
2004 - Winner(s) |
2004 - Winner(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Librarian
2003 - Winner(s) |
2003 - Winner(s) | |
| Thomas
2003 - Winner(s) |
2003 - Winner(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Trejo
2001 - Winner(s) |
2001 - Winner(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1999 - No Awards Given |
1999 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1995 - No Awards Given |
1995 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Vosper
1993 - Recipient(s) |
1993 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Becker
1992 - Recipient(s) |
1992 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Bush
1990 - Recipient(s) |
1990 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1989 - No Awards Given |
1989 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Ruffner Jr.
1987 - Recipient(s) |
1987 - Recipient(s) | |
| Owens
1987 - Recipient(s) |
1987 - Recipient(s) | |
| Moon
1987 - Recipient(s) |
1987 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1986 - No Awards Given |
1986 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Young
1985 - Recipient(s) |
1985 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Moore
1980 - Recipient(s) |
1980 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Cole
1978 - Recipient(s) |
1978 - Recipient(s) | |
| Cheney
1978 - Recipient(s) |
1978 - Recipient(s) | |
| University Librarian, former ALA President
1978 - Recipient(s) |
1978 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1977 - No Awards Given |
1977 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| University Librarian, former ALA President
1976 - Recipient(s) |
1976 - Recipient(s) | |
| Library Educator
1976 - Recipient(s) |
1976 - Recipient(s) | |
| Publisher
1976 - Recipient(s) |
1976 - Recipient(s) | |
| University Librarian
1976 - Recipient(s) |
1976 - Recipient(s) | |
| Library Educator, former ALA President
1976 - Recipient(s) |
1976 - Recipient(s) | |
| Liebaers
1976 - Recipient(s) |
1976 - Recipient(s) | |
| Public Librarian, former ALA President
1976 - Recipient(s) Special Centennial Honorary Membership |
1976 - Recipient(s) | |
| Public Librarian, former ALA President
1976 - Recipient(s) |
1976 - Recipient(s) | |
| Library Educator
1976 - Recipient(s) |
1976 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Intellectual Freedom Advocate
1975 - Recipient(s) |
1975 - Recipient(s) | |
| Douglas
1975 - Recipient(s) |
1975 - Recipient(s) | |
| Children's Librarian
1975 - Recipient(s) |
1975 - Recipient(s) | |
| U.S. Congressman
1975 - Recipient(s) |
1975 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1974 - No Awards Given |
1974 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Krettek
1973 - Recipient(s) |
1973 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Rollins
1972 - Recipient(s) |
1972 - Recipient(s) | |
| Clift
1972 - Recipient(s) |
1972 - Recipient(s) | |
| Librarian of Congress
1972 - Recipient(s) |
1972 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Morton
1970 - Recipient(s) |
1970 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1969 - No Awards Given |
1969 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1968 - No Awards Given |
1968 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Clapp
1967 - Recipient(s) |
1967 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Fogarty
1966 - Recipient(s) |
1966 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1965 - No Awards Given |
1965 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Wheeler
1964 - Recipient(s) |
1964 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Chancellor
1962 - Recipient(s) |
1962 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1961 - No Awards Given |
1961 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1960 - No Awards Given |
1960 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1959 - No Awards Given |
1959 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1958 - No Awards Given |
1958 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1957 - No Awards Given |
1957 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Hill
1956 - Recipient(s) |
1956 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1955 - No Awards Given |
1955 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1953 - No Awards Given |
1953 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1950 - No Awards Given |
1950 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Stevens
1949 - Recipient(s) |
1949 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1948 - No Awards Given |
1948 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1947 - No Awards Given |
1947 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1946 - No Awards Given |
1946 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1944 - No Awards Given |
1944 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1943 - No Awards Given |
1943 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1941 - No Awards Given |
1941 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Finley
1939 - Recipient(s) |
1939 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Collins
1938 - Recipient(s) |
1938 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1937 - No Awards Given |
1937 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1936 - No Awards Given |
1936 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1935 - No Awards Given |
1935 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1934 - No Awards Given |
1934 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1932 - No Awards Given |
1932 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1931 - No Awards Given |
1931 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Benefactor
1930 - Recipient(s) |
1930 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. President
1929 - Recipient(s) |
1929 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1928 - No Awards Given |
1928 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Librarian
1927 - Recipient(s) |
1927 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1926 - No Awards Given |
1926 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1925 - No Awards Given |
1925 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1924 - No Awards Given |
1924 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1923 - No Awards Given |
1923 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1922 - No Awards Given |
1922 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1921 - No Awards Given |
1921 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1920 - No Awards Given |
1920 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Chairman, Library War Council
1919 - Recipient(s) |
1919 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1918 - No Awards Given |
1918 - No Awards Given | |
| No awards given
1918 - No Awards Given |
1918 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1917 - No Awards Given |
1917 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1916 - No Awards Given |
1916 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1915 - No Awards Given |
1915 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1914 - No Awards Given |
1914 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1913 - No Awards Given |
1913 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1912 - No Awards Given |
1912 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1911 - No Awards Given |
1911 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1910 - No Awards Given |
1910 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1909 - No Awards Given |
1909 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1908 - No Awards Given |
1908 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1907 - No Awards Given |
1907 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1906 - No Awards Given |
1906 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1905 - No Awards Given |
1905 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1904 - No Awards Given |
1904 - No Awards Given | |
| No awards given
1904 - No Awards Given |
1904 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1903 - No Awards Given |
1903 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1902 - No Awards Given |
1902 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1901 - No Awards Given |
1901 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1900 - No Awards Given |
1900 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Benefactor
1899 - Recipient(s) |
1899 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Founder, Chautauqua Institution
1898 - Recipient(s) |
1898 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1897 - No Awards Given |
1897 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1896 - No Awards Given |
1896 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| University Librarian
1895 - Recipient(s) |
1895 - Recipient(s) | |
| Jencks
1895 - Recipient(s) |
1895 - Recipient(s) | |
| Harris
1895 - Recipient(s) |
1895 - Recipient(s) | |
| University President
1895 - Recipient(s) |
1895 - Recipient(s) | |
| Fiske
1895 - Recipient(s) |
1895 - Recipient(s) | |
| University Librarian
1895 - Recipient(s) |
1895 - Recipient(s) | |
| Upson
1895 - Recipient(s) |
1895 - Recipient(s) | |
| Hale
1895 - Recipient(s) |
1895 - Recipient(s) | |
| Grant
1895 - Recipient(s) |
1895 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1894 - No Awards Given |
1894 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Commissioner of Education
1893 - Recipient(s) |
1893 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1892 - No Awards Given |
1892 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1891 - No Awards Given |
1891 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1890 - No Awards Given |
1890 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1889 - No Awards Given |
1889 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1888 - No Awards Given |
1888 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1887 - No Awards Given |
1887 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1886 - No Awards Given |
1886 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1885 - No Awards Given |
1885 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1884 - No Awards Given |
1884 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1883 - No Awards Given |
1883 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1882 - No Awards Given |
1882 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1881 - No Awards Given |
1881 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| No awards given
1880 - No Awards Given |
1880 - No Awards Given |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Library Trustee
1879 - Recipient(s) |
1879 - Recipient(s) | |
| University President
1879 - Recipient(s) |
1879 - Recipient(s) |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Harry Miller Lydenberg
- Recipient(s) |
- Recipient(s) | |
| Lowell A. Martin
- Recipient(s) |
- Recipient(s) |
A person’s contributions to libraries and/or librarianship must be so outstanding that there can be no question about their eligibility
- The designation recognizes the contribution of an individual, rather than that of an individual representing the accomplishments of many.
- Honorary membership is conferred because of a contribution of more than passing interest and of more than local or regional achievement.
- The nominee’s actions or contribution to libraries and/or librarianship should be in clear alignment with or support of one or more of ALA’s Core Values of Librarianship.
- The recipient may be a library worker or a person in a related field.
Nomination Instructions
To nominate an individual to Honorary Membership, complete the online ALA Honorary Member Nomination Form. The form and all attachments must be received by September 1, 2024. Late nominations will not be considered.
The ALA Honorary Member Nomination Form includes the following submission materials:
- Attachments
- Copy of curriculum vitae, which includes biography, career, honors, memberships, leadership positions, and/or publications
- Letters of Recommendations (min. 3, max. 5)
- Questions
- Tell us about the outstanding contributions this individual has made to libraries and librarianship.
- If the nominee does not work in the library field, how has their work and contributions had an impact on libraries and librarianship?
- With which ALA Core Value(s) do the nominee's actions or contributions directly align? Please provide examples of how their work and contributions align with each value you have identified.
- Is there anything else regarding this nomination that the Executive Board should know?
Criteria were developed by the ALA Executive Board Committee on Honorary Members, Special Nominations and Assignments (Kathleen Molz, Norman Horrocks, and Eric Moon, Chair) and first approved by the ALA Executive Board, June 1979. Revised by ALA Executive Board members (Stephanie Chase, Ana Elisa de Campos Salles, Amy Lappin and Christina Rodriques) February 2024.
Recipients receive a plaque and the following benefits:
- ALA membership dues waived for life.
- Complimentary conference registration for all ALA LLX and Annual Conferences for life
- Special invitations to conference events.
- Life membership in all ALA divisions (as desired).
- Complimentary copies of all ALA division journals (as desired).
- Listing in the special Honorary Member section
- Listing on the ALA VIP list to receive complimentary registration and preferential housing assignments at all future ALA LLX and Annual Conferences.
In the Fall, the ALA Executive Board considers Honorary Membership nominations.
In January, the ALA Executive Board forwards recommendation(s) to ALA Council for approval.
Newly elected Honorary Member(s) receive award recognition at the ALA Annual Conference Opening General Session.
ALA Governance Office
225 N Michigan Ave
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Chicago, IL 60601
