"The purpose of this study is to establish that the Alabama Library Association has wielded a powerful influence on the promotion and development of public, school and college libraries within the state, that the Association has been instrumental in securing passage of all legislation relating to libraries enacted up to the present time, that Alabama's Public Library Service Division was created as a function of state government through the efforts of Association leaders, and that the Association spear-headed the library movement in Alabama. The study is a history of the Alabama Library Association, 1904-1939. In it the writer has made an effort to (1) trace the organization, growth and development, (2) record for the profession some highlights concerning a selected group of officers and leaders, (3) report the significant achievements, (4) discuss and evaluate conference programs, themes and speakers, (5) trace and evaluate the scope and limitations of the publications, (6) interpret the primary role of the Association in the promotion and development of library service, (7) point out the influence of the Association in securing municipal and state aid"--Introduction. / Typescript. / "August, 1962." / "Submitted to the Graduate School of Florida State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Sciences." / Advisor: Louis Shores, Professor Directing Study. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 152-155).