History of the ALP
History of the Association of Library Professionals (ALP)
In April of 2023, a small group of librarians from various regions across the country initiated virtual discussions regarding the potential establishment of a new professional library organization. Their motivations stemmed from a perceived shift in the library profession towards what they viewed as divisive social activism.
They aimed to guide the library profession back to its traditional duty of impartially offering books and resources to all users, while also staying attuned to the needs and interests of patrons and communities. The founders emphasized the importance of refraining from exposing minors to content deemed propagandistic and unsuitable for their developmental stage.
Selecting a name for the organization posed challenges, as the founding members sought inclusivity across diverse backgrounds, religious beliefs, and political affiliations. Several proposed names were considered, with some deemed too politically aligned or geographically restrictive.
On July 21, 2023, the name “Association of Library Professionals” was unanimously chosen by the organization’s founders. Acknowledging past stigmatization associated with the term “professional” within library organizations, the ALP founders articulated a broader definition, encompassing all library workers passionate about librarianship, regardless of their level of formal education.
Michael Q. Dudley, a Canadian academic librarian specializing in articulating principles of neutral librarianship, was tasked with drafting statements of purpose for the ALP, while a committee chaired by Caleb H. May, an academic librarian experienced in public library administration, began formulating the organization’s bylaws. Becky Isbell, a public library director in Texas, also served on the bylaws committee with Michael and Caleb.
The bylaws of the ALP were adopted on September 22, 2023, prompting the founding members to hold officer elections and pursue registration as a nonprofit corporation in Kansas. C. Erik Wilkinson, an academic librarian from Texas, was elected as the first president of the ALP. The organization prepared for a forthcoming public launch in early spring 2024.
Despite being in its early stages of development, the ALP has attracted charter members from a majority of U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. The ALP strives to live up to its mission to advocate for the promotion of fair, unbiased, nonsectarian library and information services for all users; enhance excellence in librarianship; organize ongoing educational and networking opportunities; and to provide support to library administrators, government and community stakeholders, and library workers in delivering exceptional library services while upholding the fundamental philosophical principles of our shared culture.
Membership in the ALP is open to library professionals and advocates who align with its core principles and objectives. We warmly invite you to join us in our mission!