For immediate release | May 6, 2026
Nominations open for ALA honorary membership
CHICAGO — Nominations are being accepted for ALA honorary membership, the Association’s highest honor, which is bestowed 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.
Honorary members are elected for life by vote of the ALA Council upon recommendation of the ALA Executive Board. Nominations will be reviewed by the ALA Executive Board and presented to Council for vote during their 2027 Winter Virtual Council Session. Newly elected honorary members will be formally recognized at the Opening General Session during the 2027 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition.
Members who wish to forward nominations must complete the online ALA Honorary member Nomination form. The completed nomination packet, with all attachments, must be received no later than Sept. 1, 2026. Application is by electronic submission only.
Additional information about ALA honorary membership, plus a complete list of all honorary members elected since the designation was first awarded in 1893, is available at on the ALA Honorary Membership webpage.
About the American Library Association
The American Library Association is the largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to America’s libraries. The ALA mission is to empower and advocate for all libraries and library workers to ensure equitable access to information for all. For 150 years, ALA has provided resources for information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more information, visit www.ala.org.
