From internal email today, I learned that I work for an organization whose birthday is today. Yes, ALA is 130 today!

"During the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876, 103 librarians responded to a call for a 'Convention of Librarians' to be held October 4-6 at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. At the end of the meeting, according to Ed Holley in is essay 'ALA at 100,' 'the register was passed around for all to sign who wished to become charter members.'

In attendance were 90 men and 13 women, among them Justin Winsor (Boston Public, Harvard), Willaim Frederick Poole (Chicago Public, Newberry), Charles Ammi Cutter (Boston Athenaeum), Melvil Dewey, and Richard Rogers Bowker.

The aim of the Association, in that resolution, was 'to enable librarians to do their present work more easily and at less expense.' "

Thanks to Karen Muller and Mary Ellen Davis for the info! I think it's pretty cool I work for an organization that is that old, although, sometimes you definitely feel 130-year old bureaucracy! On the plus side, two quotes from Mary Ghikas from my orientation day.

• "To fight the Justice Department, you have to keep your nose clean" (which is why we have to be careful about politicking on our websites).
• "We're older than the Internal Revenue Service."