Library History Round Table (LHRT) | The American Library Association Archives

At the 66th Annual Conference in June 1947, the Council approved a proposal for the establishment of the American Library History Round Table (LHRT) (1). Its purpose was to encourage research and publication in library history and promote awareness and discussion of historical issues in librarianship (2). In 1948 the Round Table started to publish "Library Abstract" in Library Journal.

At the 1977 ALA Conference the members decided to remove the word "American" from phrases in their constitution which indicated that the Round Table's function was limited to the encouragement of research and publication only in the field of American library history (3). At the 1979 ALA Conference, ALHRT voted to drop the word "American" from the name of the organization as well, "to extend an invitation to all members of the American Library Association concerned with the historical signifiance of librarianship to become members of the Round Table" (4).

The Library History Round Table is governed by a chairperson, chairperson-elect, and secretary-treasurer (5). The annual Library History Round Table Award is given to the best unpublished manuscript in library history (6).

Sub-Groups:

1-Officers

2-Publications -LHRT Newsletter

1. ALA Bulletin, September 1947, pp. P-18.

2. ALA Handbook of Organization, 1982-1983, p. 144.

3. ALA Yearbook, 1978, p. 24.

4. ALA Yearbook, 1980, p. 188.

5. ALA Handbook of Organization, 1982-83, p. 144.

6. ALA Yearbook, 1978, p. 24.