{"id":3086,"date":"2016-10-06T12:00:31","date_gmt":"2016-10-06T12:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/archives.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/?page_id=3086"},"modified":"2021-01-28T16:04:05","modified_gmt":"2021-01-28T16:04:05","slug":"10-1976-conference","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/140-years-ala-conference-planners\/10-1976-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"The 1976 ALA Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"shortcode sh-grid sh-grid-cols-1 md:sh-grid-cols-12 sh-gap-3\">\n<div class=\"shortcode sh-col-span-9 sh-pb-3\">\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-3086 gallery-columns-5 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/ALA0003398_20161003_0001-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-3768\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-3768'>\n\t\t\t\tAllie Beth Martin, ALA President 1975-76. Photo found in record series 99\/1\/13, Box 2.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/02\/ALA0002856-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-2705\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-2705'>\n\t\t\t\tClara Stanton Jones, Acting President, 1976, ALA President 1976-1977. Photo found in 12\/1\/4, Box 1.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20161004_Sullivan-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-3878\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-3878'>\n\t\t\t\tPeggy Sullivan, Local Arrangements Chair. Photo found in record series 5\/1\/1, Box 18.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20161004_Reich-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-3880\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-3880'>\n\t\t\t\tDavid Reich, Local Arrangements Co-Chair. Photo found in record series 5\/1\/1, Box 18.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20161004_Wedgeworth-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-3879\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20161004_Wedgeworth-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20161004_Wedgeworth.jpg 299w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-3879'>\n\t\t\t\tRobert Wedgeworth, ALA Executive Director. Photo found in record series 5\/1\/1, Box 18.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><strong>The Committees<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The 1976 Centennial Conference was great undertaking and was the result of the collaboration of many people, with plans beginning as early as 1967 with the formation of the ALA Centennial Anniversary Committee. The committee was tasked with initiating plans and recommendations for the anniversary celebration, though it was specifically noted that it was not to serve as the action committee. The Centennial Action Committee was authorized in 1969 by the Executive Board with Mattie Ruth Moore as its first chair.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-3086 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-medium'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20160928_0003.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"229\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20160928_0003-229x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-3809\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20160928_0003-229x300.jpg 229w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20160928_0003-783x1024.jpg 783w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20160928_0003-768x1005.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20160928_0003.jpg 837w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 229px) 100vw, 229px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-3809'>\n\t\t\t\tHandwritten agenda for a planning meeting, found in record series 5\/1\/28, Box 1.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20160928_0006.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"229\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20160928_0006-300x229.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-3811\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20160928_0006-300x229.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20160928_0006-1024x783.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20160928_0006-768x587.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20160928_0006.jpg 1095w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-3811'>\n\t\t\t\tSkeleton schedule for the conference from 1975, found in record series 2\/1\/22, Box 1.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20160928_0004.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"229\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20160928_0004-229x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-3808\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20160928_0004-229x300.jpg 229w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20160928_0004-783x1024.jpg 783w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20160928_0004-768x1005.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20160928_0004.jpg 837w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 229px) 100vw, 229px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-3808'>\n\t\t\t\tLocal Arrangements Committee meeting minutes, found in record series 5\/1\/28, Box 1.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>In addition to the Centennial Action Anniversary Committee, there was also the Chicago Centennial Conference Program Committee and the Local Arrangements Committee (headed by Peggy Sullivan and David Reich), which oversaw committees on the Celebrate a Century, Fair-in-the-Park, Inaugural Banquet, and Librarians-at-Large Day. The conference was truly the result of the collaboration of many people, who worked hard to make it an memorable event. ALA Presidents like Ed Holley, Allie Beth Martin, and Clara Stanton Jones helped to steer the vision of the conference. Executive Director David Clift served as a liaison to the many of the planning committees until his retirement, and then Robert Wedgeworth took up the helm of Executive Director.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Preserving Its History<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The 1976 Centennial Conference was also the catalyst for the establishment of the ALA Archives at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. With scholarly interest in the history of the ALA on the rise in the 1970s, the Association became aware of the need for better organization, preservation, and access to its historical records. University of Illinois Archivist, Maynard Brichford, made the case to have the records transferred to the Urbana-Champaign campus in 1973.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-3' class='gallery galleryid-3086 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-medium'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2015\/11\/UIUC_UA_ALA_ALAA_CDL_Layout_c1973_Page_2-e1446675542392.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"232\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2015\/11\/UIUC_UA_ALA_ALAA_CDL_Layout_c1973_Page_2-e1446675542392-300x232.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-2537\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2015\/11\/UIUC_UA_ALA_ALAA_CDL_Layout_c1973_Page_2-e1446675542392-300x232.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2015\/11\/UIUC_UA_ALA_ALAA_CDL_Layout_c1973_Page_2-e1446675542392-768x593.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2015\/11\/UIUC_UA_ALA_ALAA_CDL_Layout_c1973_Page_2-e1446675542392.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-2537'>\n\t\t\t\tA detailed, final layout sketch of ALAA stacks at UIUC, circa 1973, found in record series 18\/1\/1, Box 1.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><strong>Celebrate!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In her 1975 inaugural address, ALA President Allie Beth Martin declared, &#8220;The theme for the 1976 conference is &#8216;Celebrate!&#8217; and we are going to do just that in a conference which will be long remembered, and the best in a hundred years.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-4' class='gallery galleryid-3086 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-medium'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2014\/06\/ALA0002064.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"229\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2014\/06\/ALA0002064-229x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-1400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2014\/06\/ALA0002064-229x300.jpg 229w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2014\/06\/ALA0002064.jpg 627w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 229px) 100vw, 229px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-1400'>\n\t\t\t\tALA 1976 Conference programs, from record series 5\/1\/1, Box 18.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20160928_0008.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"138\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20160928_0008-138x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-3814\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20160928_0008-138x300.jpg 138w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20160928_0008.jpg 341w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 138px) 100vw, 138px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-3814'>\n\t\t\t\tTickets to various events, found in record series 2\/1\/22, Box 1.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20161003_0001.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"228\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20161003_0001-228x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-3812\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20161003_0001-228x300.jpg 228w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20161003_0001-778x1024.jpg 778w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20161003_0001-768x1010.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20161003_0001.jpg 837w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 228px) 100vw, 228px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-3812'>\n\t\t\t\tFlyer for the JMRT Kissing Booth at the Fair in the Park, found in record series 5\/1\/28, Box 1.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>Unfortunately, Martin passed away in April 1976 before the conference in July. Clara Stanton Jones, the ALA vice president and president-elect, stepped up as acting president and saw the last of the final plans of the conference come to completion. The conference, held in Chicago from July 18-24, became the second most attended conference in ALA&#8217;s history up to that point, with just over 12,000 people in attendance.<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-5' class='gallery galleryid-3086 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-medium'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/ALA0003397.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"205\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/ALA0003397-300x205.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-3771\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/ALA0003397-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/ALA0003397-768x524.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/ALA0003397.jpg 944w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-3771'>\n\t\t\t\tThe International Reception at the Newberry Library, 13\/6\/17, Box 1.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/ALA0003355-1.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"205\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/ALA0003355-1-205x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-3770\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/ALA0003355-1-205x300.jpg 205w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/ALA0003355-1.jpg 339w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 205px) 100vw, 205px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-3770'>\n\t\t\t\tThe ACRL Pie Throwing booth at the Fair in the Park, found in record series 13\/6\/17, Box 1.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/ALA0003346.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"195\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/ALA0003346-300x195.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-3769\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/ALA0003346-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/ALA0003346-768x498.jpg 768w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/ALA0003346.jpg 965w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-3769'>\n\t\t\t\tTwo women resting in the park with ALA 100 balloons, found in record series 18\/1\/57, Box 1.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>The celebration was marked by several different conference events such the International Reception at the Newberry Library for international guests in attendance, a lecture series, the Fair in the Park with games and activities, the Grant Park Concert, and Librarians-at-Large Day. Special speakers were also highlights of the conference, including poet Gwendolyn Brooks, who delivered an original poem at the ALA Inaugural Banquet, author M.E. Kerr, and state senator and activist Julian Bond. The 1976 Centennial Conference also signaled the start of Clara Stanton Jones&#8217;s official term as ALA President, who was the first African American to hold the position.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The First Step Into ALA&#8217;s Second Century<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-6' class='gallery galleryid-3086 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-medium'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/02\/ALA0002392.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"197\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/02\/ALA0002392-197x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-6-2684\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/02\/ALA0002392-197x300.jpg 197w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/02\/ALA0002392.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 197px) 100vw, 197px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-6-2684'>\n\t\t\t\tVirginia Jones receiving an ALA Honorary Membership, found in record series 13\/6\/17, Box 1.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20161004_0003.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"192\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20161004_0003-192x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-6-3815\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20161004_0003-192x300.jpg 192w, https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2016\/10\/IMG_20161004_0003.jpg 539w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 192px) 100vw, 192px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-6-3815'>\n\t\t\t\tCentennial Banquet Program, 1000 copies were printed, this one is number 154, found in record series 5\/1\/1, Box 18.\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>In Jones&#8217;s inaugural address at the end of the 1976 Conference, she reflected on the struggles of the Association, debates within the membership as social charge swept through the nation. She also acknowledged that the current mood of the membership was one towards hope and renewal, and addressed the librarian&#8217;s place in the world:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Our vision has been enlarged by our coming together, our confidence and hope renewed. ALA is at the height of vigor in strong staff leadership and creative membership involvement. There is every reason to expect that librarians in everyday practice and in Association activities will think and understand their way into the new chapter ahead, rather than drift and trail. [&#8230;] Librarianship is only one component of civilization, but we must recognize that at this crucial period in the human struggle, no profession or unit of society is dealing with just its own isolation practice or commodity. Librarians must appreciate the true weight of their contribution in the delicate and desperate balance in today&#8217;s world. [1]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Jones&#8217;s words echoed the hope and responsibility she felt that the Association needed. The 1976 Centennial Conference not only served as a celebration for the Association, but also a time for it to come together after a period of financial struggle and internal debate.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/140-years-ala-conference-planners\/11-1976-conference-sources\/\">In the Archives: the 1976 ALA Conference<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[1] Clara Stanton Jones, &#8220;The First Step into ALA&#8217;s Second Century,&#8221; in <em>Step into 200: American Library Association Gala Inaugural Banquet<\/em>, July 23, 1976, Record series 5\/1\/1, Box 18, Folder: 1976.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"shortcode sh-col-span-3 sh-pb-3\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/140-years-ala-conference-planners\/\">Introduction<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/140-years-ala-conference-planners\/1-curators-note\/\">Curators\u2019 Note<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/140-years-ala-conference-planners\/2-1853-conference\/\">The 1853 Convention of Librarians<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/140-years-ala-conference-planners\/3-1853-conference-sources\/\">In the Archives: the 1853 Convention of Librarians<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/140-years-ala-conference-planners\/4-1876-conference\/\">The 1876 Conference<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/140-years-ala-conference-planners\/5-1876-conference-sources\/\">In the Archives: The 1876 Conference<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/140-years-ala-conference-planners\/6-1926-conference\/\">The 1926 Conference<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/140-years-ala-conference-planners\/7-1926-conference-sources\/\">In the Archives: The 1926 Conference<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/140-years-ala-conference-planners\/8-1951-conference\/\">The 1951 Conference<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/140-years-ala-conference-planners\/9-1951-conference-sources\/\">In the Archives: The 1951 Conference<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/140-years-ala-conference-planners\/10-1976-conference\/\">The 1976 Conference<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/140-years-ala-conference-planners\/11-1976-conference-sources\/\">In the Archives: The 1976 Conference<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Committees The 1976 Centennial Conference was great undertaking and was the result of the collaboration of many people, with plans beginning as early as 1967 with the formation of the ALA Centennial Anniversary Committee. The committee was tasked with initiating plans and recommendations for the anniversary celebration, though it was specifically noted that it [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":578,"featured_media":0,"parent":2829,"menu_order":9,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3086","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3086","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/578"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3086"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3086\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7307,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3086\/revisions\/7307"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2829"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.library.illinois.edu\/ala\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3086"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}