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This button is likely tied to second-wave feminism. In the 1960s and 1970s, the feminist movement was focused on issues such as family, sexuality, the workplace, and reproductive rights. During this time, there was a push to publish books and other literature by women and about feminist issues.

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“Battleaxe for First Amendment Rights” was the slogan for the American Library Association's 1999 Annual Midwinter Meeting, which took place at the Crystal Tea Room of the Wanamaker Building in Philadelphia in honor of the 30th anniversary of its Office for Intellectual Freedom and Freedom to Read Foundation. Both organizations focus on supporting the rights of libraries to collect and provide access to information. According to it’s original charter from November 1969, the four-fold purpose of the Freedom to Read Foundation is to: (1) protect freedom of speech, (2) protect the public’s right to access information and materials, (3) protecting the libraries’ rights to disseminate the information they contain, and (4) supplying libraries and librarians with legal counsel, should they need it in their defense of the First Amendment.

The American Library Association is a non profit organization that supports and promotes libraries, library professionals and library education. The association was founded in 1876 and is the largest library association in the world.

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This button was created by the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom in 2003 in response to a misstatement by then U.S. Attorney General John Ahscroft. In working to build support for the USA PATRIOT Act he described librarians as “hysterics”. Librarians who work to protect the privacy of library users, were some of the first people to denounce aspects of the act that give law enforcement access to library records with very little oversight

The American Library Association is a non profit organization that supports and promotes libraries, library professionals and library education. The association was founded in 1876 and is the largest library association in the world.

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Mary Lyon (1797 – 1849) was a women’s right activist and educator, who advocated for higher education for women. Lyon taught at a number of schools before founding Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in 1837 (now Mount Holyoke College).

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This button was created for the American Library Association’s Social Responsibilities Round Table, a unit within the ALA that works for human and economic rights and to promote other progressive agendas. In 1977 SRRT brought a membership resolution to the ALA Council on “Free Access to Information”.  At the time some publicly funded libraries had begun to charge fees for use of automated bibliographic databases. The resolution was approved and the ALA made it part of the organization’s policy of equal access to information.

The American Library Association is a non profit organization that supports and promotes libraries, library professionals and library education. The association was founded in 1876 and is the largest library association in the world.

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The American Library Association (ALA) provides ALA memberships for students that are enrolled in MLS/MLIS, NCATE, and LTA programs. These students are studying to be public, academic, school, and special librarians. By having a membership in ALA, students are given access to and connection with influential library professionals across the world. The membership also offers students the opportunity to practice the theories and skills learned in school. 

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The "Save America’s Libraries" Campaign was launched during the 2002 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia to address the budget crises facing libraries. The campaign addresses how budget cuts are affecting library operations. ALA members, librarians, and library staff and volunteers were urged to talk and write to their legislators, and make patrons of libraries and the media aware of what’s happening concerning library funding. "Save America's Libraries" is an ongoing campaign. There are now meetings and videos to educate influentials about the library funding crisis.    

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Since the 1920s, writers have worked on publication deadlines: time limits by which issues have to be ready to be published. This button is likely from the gift shop of the Newseum, a Washington, DC-based museum that collected artifacts related to the history of journalism in the United States.

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The American Library Association supports human rights, including gay rights, by supporting intellectual freedom, privacy and confidentiality, and promoting equal access to library services and resources. In 1970, the ALA formed its first LGBT forum called the Task Force on Gay Liberation. Today, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Round Table works to make library resources accessible to this community. The ALA seeks to do this by expanding their collections and services to include and reflect the needs of the LGBT community and by making their facilities welcoming to the LGBT community.