In the spring of 1906 the librarian of the Iowa State Library wrote to a few of his colleagues suggesting that at the next meeting of the American Library Association they should join in establishing an organization of law librarians. Accordingly, in July of that year, they gathered at Narragansett Pier, Rhode Island, and organized the American Association of Law Libraries. The twenty-four original members were almost equally divided between States libraries, law school libraries, and local or county bar associations. These groups still form a large part of the membership, although government libraries and private firm collections are also strongly represented.