The mandate of this new institution would be thought leadership and the formation and clarification of opinions relating to library issues.
In July 1905, at a conference in Portland, OR, the ALA voted to establish the American Library Institute.
[1] The committee that initially defined the membership along elitist lines designed an organization that could not maintain its longterm relevancy.
Records of later meetings show personal opinion and preference entering into the decision making of the institute.
The vote was finalized the following year and remaining funds were transferred to the American Library Association in early 1951.