History and Archives

History

The Iowa Library Association was established in 1890 and is the second oldest state library association in the country. ILA has approximately 1300 members and 15 subdivisions. Membership is compris ed of librarians, library workers, trustees, students, and friends.

Legislative Day is held during the legislative session. 
An Annual Conference is held each year during October. 


Documenting our Past

The book A Century of Iowa Libraries in Association: A History of the Iowa Library Association 1890-1990 was written by William M. Cochran in 1990 to capture the history of our association. 

ILA Archives

The Special Collections at the University of Iowa holds records that document the organization's history and current activities with reports, minutes, correspondence, photographs, district meeting files, ledgers, and membership list. 

Records of the Iowa Library Association, 1890-1996. 38.5ft. ILA was founded in Des Moines, IA in 1890 to make library service readily available to all Iowans. 

Note
Records less than 10 years old require authorizations by the Iowa Library Association or its Executive Board. Records more than 10 years old are open for research.

Resources











A Century of Iowa Libraries in Association: A History of the Iowa Library Association 1890-1990. Read the book online: 

Interactive Timeline

  1. 1890
  2. 1905
  3. 1940
  4. 1970
  5. 1990
  6. 2001
  1. ILA is Formed

    The Iowa Library Association was founded on September 2, 1890, at the State Library in the Capitol building, as the Iowa Library Society. Ada North, Librarian at the State University of Iowa at Iowa City, initiated the first meeting with the help of four other organizers including Mary Miller, State Librarian; T.S. Parvin, Iowa Masonic Library; Clara M. Smith, Burlington Public Library; and Clara C. Dwight, Dubuque Y.M. Library. Iowa became the second state to have a library association, with Mary H. Miller as the first president.

  2. First In The Nation

    A Librarian of State Institutions was appointed making Iowa the first state in the nation to undertake a systematic development of library services for its institutionalized residents.

  3. The Catalyst

    The Catalyst newsletter debuted for the purpose of keeping trustees informed and involved. It was discontinued after only four issues and did not reappear until November 1948.

  4. Minimum Guidelines Created

    Minimum Guidelines for Iowa Public Libraries was the resulting publication of an ILA group of librarians working to develop standards for public libraries. Also that year, a Handbook on Intellectual Freedom was put together by the Intellectual Freedom Committee.

  5. Milestone for ILA

    ILA celebrates its 100 year anniversary.

  6. Library Systems Bill

    A Library Systems Bill was passed in the Legislature. This bill helps create a new library system for Iowa including allowing our regional library system to evolve into “library service area” with a more equitable distribution of resources.