# American Library Association Honorary Membership

> award

**Wikidata**: [Q107183707](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107183707)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Library_Association_Honorary_Membership)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/american-library-association-honorary-membership

## Summary
The American Library Association Honorary Membership is an award granted by the American Library Association (ALA) to recognize individuals for their outstanding contributions to the field of librarianship and library services. It honors professionals who have demonstrated exceptional merit, leadership, and dedication to advancing library science and services. The award is part of the ALA's broader recognition programs, celebrating both established and emerging leaders in the library profession.

## Key Facts
- **Conferred by**: American Library Association (ALA)
- **Country**: United States
- **Website**: [https://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/honorary-membership](https://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/honorary-membership) (English)
- **Aliases**: Honorary Membership Award for Professional Recognition, ALA Honorary Membership
- **Instance of**: Award, recognition
- **Described at URL**: [https://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/awards/176/all_years](https://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/awards/176/all_years)
- **Wikipedia title**: American Library Association Honorary Membership
- **Wikipedia languages**: English
- **Sitelink count**: 1

## FAQs
**What is the American Library Association Honorary Membership?**
The American Library Association Honorary Membership is an award given by the ALA to individuals who have made significant contributions to librarianship, library services, and the broader field of library science. It recognizes professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and dedication to advancing the profession.

**Who confers the American Library Association Honorary Membership?**
The award is conferred by the American Library Association (ALA), a major organization dedicated to promoting libraries and librarianship in the United States and internationally.

**What criteria are used to select recipients of the Honorary Membership?**
While specific criteria are not detailed in the provided source material, the award typically recognizes individuals who have shown outstanding merit, leadership, and contributions to librarianship, library services, and related fields.

**How is the American Library Association Honorary Membership different from other ALA awards?**
The Honorary Membership is distinct from other ALA awards in that it is specifically designed to honor individuals for their lifelong contributions and exceptional service to the library profession, often in recognition of their career achievements.

**Can individuals from outside the United States receive the Honorary Membership?**
The provided source material does not specify restrictions on nationality, but the award is associated with the American Library Association, which has a strong U.S. focus. However, the ALA does engage in international activities, so non-U.S. individuals may be considered.

## Why It Matters
The American Library Association Honorary Membership plays a crucial role in recognizing and celebrating the achievements of librarians and library professionals who have made significant contributions to the field. By honoring these individuals, the ALA acknowledges their leadership, innovation, and dedication to advancing library services and librarianship. The award serves as a testament to their impact on the profession and inspires future generations of librarians. Additionally, it reinforces the ALA's commitment to promoting excellence and professionalism within the library community.

## Notable For
- **Recognition of Career Achievements**: The award honors individuals for their lifelong contributions to librarianship, often in recognition of their career-long impact.
- **Celebration of Leadership**: It celebrates professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing library services and the profession.
- **Professional Distinction**: The Honorary Membership is a prestigious recognition within the library community, distinguishing recipients as leaders in librarianship.
- **ALA's Commitment to Excellence**: The award reflects the ALA's dedication to recognizing and promoting excellence in librarianship and library services.

## Body
### Overview
The American Library Association Honorary Membership is an award granted by the American Library Association (ALA) to individuals who have made significant contributions to librarianship and library services. The award recognizes professionals who have demonstrated exceptional merit, leadership, and dedication to advancing the field. It is part of the ALA's broader recognition programs, celebrating both established and emerging leaders in the library profession.

### History and Establishment
The award was established as part of the ALA's efforts to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the library profession. The ALA, a major organization dedicated to promoting libraries and librarianship, confers the Honorary Membership to recognize and celebrate the achievements of librarians and library professionals.

### Criteria and Selection
While specific criteria for the award are not detailed in the provided source material, the Honorary Membership typically recognizes individuals who have shown outstanding merit, leadership, and contributions to librarianship, library services, and related fields. The selection process likely involves a review of an individual's career achievements, professional impact, and dedication to the profession.

### Notable Recipients
The award has been bestowed upon a diverse range of individuals, including librarians, educators, politicians, and other professionals who have made significant contributions to the field. Notable recipients include:
- **Jimmy Carter**: Former president of the United States (1977–1981), recognized for his contributions to librarianship and library services.
- **Wendell Ford**: American politician and former U.S. Senator, honored for his leadership in advancing library causes.
- **William O. Douglas**: U.S. Supreme Court justice (1939–1975), recognized for his contributions to the legal profession and library services.
- **Willard Fiske**: American librarian, book collector, and chess player, celebrated for his significant impact on librarianship.
- **Daniel Berkeley Updike**: American printer and historian, honored for his contributions to the field of librarianship.
- **Frank Arthur Vanderlip**: American journalist, recognized for his work in promoting library services and education.
- **William Warner Bishop**: American librarian, celebrated for his leadership in advancing the profession.
- **Herbert Hoover**: Former president of the United States (1929–1933), honored for his contributions to librarianship and library services.
- **Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge**: American patron of music, recognized for her support of libraries and librarianship.
- **William David Ford**: American politician and Michigan governor, honored for his leadership in advancing library causes.
- **John Brademas**: American politician and educator, recognized for his contributions to librarianship and education.
- **Herbert Putnam**: American librarian and lawyer, celebrated for his significant impact on the profession.
- **Vartan Gregorian**: American academic administrator, honored for his contributions to higher education and librarianship.
- **Seymour Lubetzky**: American librarian, recognized for his leadership in advancing library services.
- **Daniel Coit Gilman**: American educator and academic, celebrated for his contributions to education and librarianship.
- **Barbara Gittings**: American librarian and LGBT rights activist, honored for her advocacy and contributions to the profession.
- **Jack Reed**: American politician, recognized for his leadership in advancing library causes.
- **Carl Elliott**: American congressman, honored for his contributions to librarianship and library services.
- **John Edward Fogarty**: American politician, recognized for his work in promoting library services and education.
- **Fred Kilgour**: American librarian, celebrated for his leadership in advancing the profession.
- **Paul Simon**: American politician, honored for his contributions to librarianship and library services.
- **Charles William Eliot**: American president of Harvard, recognized for his impact on higher education and librarianship.
- **Herman Liebaers**: Belgian linguist, honored for his contributions to librarianship and language studies.
- **Jesse Shera**: American librarian, celebrated for his significant impact on the profession.
- **Judith Krug**: American librarian and freedom of speech proponent, recognized for her advocacy and contributions to librarianship.
- **Pat Mora**: Mexican American poet and children's writer, honored for her literary contributions and support of libraries.
- **Henriette Avram**: American computer programmer and system analyst, recognized for her technical contributions and support of librarianship.
- **Dolly Parton**: American singer, songwriter, and actress, honored for her philanthropic efforts and support of libraries.
- **Barbara Bush**: First Lady of the United States (1989–1993), recognized for her contributions to librarianship and library services.
- **Jacob Javits**: American politician, honored for his leadership in advancing library causes.
- **Clara Stanton Jones**: American librarian, celebrated for her contributions to the profession.
- **J. Lister Hill**: American politician, recognized for his work in promoting library services and education.
- **Melinda Gates**: American philanthropist, honored for her contributions to librarianship and library services.
- **Andrew Carnegie**: Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist, recognized for his significant impact on librarianship and library services.
- **Mark Hatfield**: American politician and governor of Oregon, honored for his leadership in advancing library causes.
- **Carl D. Perkins**: American politician, recognized for his contributions to librarianship and library services.
- **John H. Vincent**: American theologian, celebrated for his contributions to librarianship and religious studies.
- **Richard Rogers Bowker**: American publisher, editor, and journalist, honored for his impact on the publishing industry and librarianship.
- **Oprah Winfrey**: American talk show host, actress, producer, and author, recognized for her philanthropic efforts and support of libraries.
- **Johnny Carson**: American talk show host and comedian, honored for his contributions to media and library services.
- **John Patrick Williams**: American politician, recognized for his leadership in advancing library causes.
- **Major Owens**: American politician, honored for his contributions to librarianship and library services.
- **Carla Hayden**: American librarian and 14th Librarian of Congress, celebrated for her leadership in advancing the profession.
- **Charles Evans**: American librarian and bibliographer, honored for his contributions to librarianship and library services.
- **John Huston Finley**: American academic and NY Times editor-in-chief, recognized for his impact on journalism and librarianship.
- **Bill Gates**: American businessman, investor, and philanthropist, honored for his contributions to technology and library services.
- **George Aiken**: American politician, recognized for his leadership in advancing library causes.

### Impact and Significance
The American Library Association Honorary Membership has a significant impact on the library profession by recognizing and celebrating the achievements of librarians and library professionals. The award serves as a testament to their contributions and inspires future generations of librarians. It also reinforces the ALA's commitment to promoting excellence and professionalism within the library community.

### Related Programs and Awards
The Honorary Membership is part of the ALA's broader recognition programs, which include other awards and honors for librarians and library professionals. These programs celebrate the achievements of individuals who have made significant contributions to the field, furthering the ALA's mission to promote libraries and librarianship.

### Conclusion
The American Library Association Honorary Membership is a prestigious award that recognizes individuals for their outstanding contributions to librarianship and library services. It honors professionals who have demonstrated exceptional merit, leadership, and dedication to advancing the profession. The award plays a crucial role in celebrating the achievements of librarians and library professionals, reinforcing the ALA's commitment to promoting excellence and professionalism within the library community.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/)