ALA - Honorary Membership

Organization: American Library Association

Honorary membership may be conferred on a living citizen of any country whose contribution to 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. It is intended to reflect honor upon the ALA as well as upon the individual. The designation should recognize the contribution of an individual per se, rather than that of an individual representing the accomplishments of many. The person elected to honorary membership should be of such caliber as to reflect honor upon ALA by this designation. Honorary membership should be conferred because of a contribution of more than passing interest and of more than local or regional achievement. The contribution may be to librarianship or to a closely related field. Any ALA member (except current members of the ALA Executive Board) may nominate an individual for Honorary Membership. The nominee need not be a member of ALA.