Press Releases

Oct 13: Upcoming RUSA CODES Conversation: Reader’s Advisory Teaching and Training

CHICAGO — How to teach and learn to perform readers' advisory work in the library is the subject of the next CODES Conversation, a listserv-based discussion hosted by the Reference and User Services Association’s Collection Development and Evaluation Section (RUSA CODES), the...

Oct 11: Award-winning children’s author Kwame Alexander is 2017 Midwinter Meeting President’s Program speaker

Kwame Alexander—poet, educator, and award-winning, bestselling author of 24 books for children of all ages, including the 2015 Newbery Medal-winning The Crossover, the New York Times bestselling novel Booked, and the forthcoming...

Oct 11: Follett supports AASL’s ESSA implementation efforts

CHICAGO – Follett School Solutions continues to support the importance of school librarians in students educational careers with a matching funds sponsorship of American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) implementation workshops. Presented...

Oct 11: American Dream Round Five application launches

$5,000, $10,000 grants available to public libraries for adult ELL services

CHICAGO – With a generous grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, the American Library Association (ALA) and its Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS)...

Oct 11: Diversity in Libraries: An American Libraries Live Interactive Webcast

CHICAGO — Diversity is a term that gets thrown around a lot in the professional world these days, and the library world is no exception. What does diversity mean when it comes to libraries—how do we build a diverse staff? How do we serve diverse communities? How do we make sure our...

Oct 11: ACRL Diversity Alliance launches

CHICAGO – The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) is pleased to announce the launch of the ACRL Diversity Alliance. Approved by the ACRL Board of Directors at the 2016 ALA Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida, the...

Oct 11: Three Literary Landmarks to be dedicated in New York

BRYN MAWR, Pennsylvania – United for Libraries, in partnership with Empire State Center for the Book, will dedicate three Literary Landmarks in the coming weeks that will commemorate the rich literary heritage of New York State. The three landmarks are Steepletop (Austerlitz, N.Y.)...

Oct 11: AASL coalition focuses on school library advocacy and legislation

CHICAGO – To strengthen and consolidate its advocacy and legislation efforts, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) has launched an Advocacy and Legislation Coalition. The coalition’s goal is to increase two-way communication between AASL and state and local...

Oct 10: ALSC now accepting applications for 2017 ALSC/Candlewick Press 'Light the Way' Grant

CHICAGO — The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and the Library Service to Special Population Children and Their Caregivers Committee are now accepting online applications for the 2017 Light the Way: Library Outreach to the Underserved grant. This $3,000 grant, made...

Oct 07: 2016 LITA Forum - 3 Amazing Keynotes

Chicago -- This year's LITA Forum has three amazing keynotes you won't want to miss. Join your LITA and library technology colleagues for the...

Oct 07: New Workshop: Supporting Patrons' College Planning Information Needs

CHICAGO—ALA Editions announces an exciting new workshop, Supporting Patrons' College Planning Information Needs with Africa Hands. This workshop will last 90 minutes and take place at 2:30pm Eastern/1:30 Central/12:30...

Oct 07: New Workshop: Liven Up Baby and Toddler Storytimes with Sign Language

CHICAGO—ALA Editions announces an exciting new workshop, Liven Up Baby and Toddler Storytimes with Sign Language with Kathy MacMillan. This workshop will last 90 minutes and take place Wednesday, December 7, 2016, at 2:...

Oct 06: Being an evidence based librarian

CHICAGO — Bringing together recent theory, research, and case studies, “Being Evidence Based in Library and Information Practice,” published by ALA Neal-Schuman, takes an open and encompassing approach to exploring...

Oct 06: PLA Midwinter Institute offers strategies for partnering with law enforcement to advance social justice

The Public Library Association (PLA) is offering an interactive institute from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on January 20, 2017 at the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. "...

Oct 04: GLBTRT, GODORT seek nominations for first-ever Larry Romans Mentorship Award

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Round Table (GLBTRT) and Government Documents Round Table (GODORT) is seeking nominations for the inaugural Larry Romans Mentorship Award.

Named for Larry Romans (1947-2016), Head of Government...

Oct 04: LLAMA Webinar Highlights the Nuts and Bolts of Supervision

CHICAGO — Are you a new or aspiring library manager? Do you have questions about your role and responsibilities but aren’t comfortable asking your employer? Are you unsure how to handle unmotivated employees, absent management, or patrons who blur the line of legally acceptable...

Oct 04: LLAMA Thought Leaders Webinar will feature Megan Oakleaf

CHICAGO — The Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA), a division of ALA, will present a free webinar featuring Megan Oakleaf from noon - 1 p.m. Central time on Wednesday, November 9, 2016. This webinar is part in an ongoing series of free webinars featuring...

Oct 04: ACRL releases updated scholarly communication toolkit

CHICAGO – The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) has released a new version of its popular Scholarly Communication Toolkit. The Toolkit has been updated with new and revised content and is now hosted through...

Oct 04: Nominees sought for 2017 Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) is accepting nominations for the Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Practitioner Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award is named for award-winning children’s author Virginia Hamilton (1936-2002), recipient of the 1983, 1986 and...

Oct 04: Georgia, Illinois and Indiana school librarians unpack ESSA

CHICAGO – On Sep. 24, school librarians and educational stakeholders in Georgia, Illinois and Indiana attended workshops dedicated to unpacking the provisions for school libraries in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Presented by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) in...

Oct 04: Applications sought for 2017 GLBTRT Political Activism Award

CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Round Table (GLBTRT) is seeking nominations for its second-annual Political Activism Award.

Given since 2016, the award honors librarians, library related organizations (...

Oct 04: GLBTRT seeks nominations for Newlen-Symons Award for Excellence in Serving the GLBT Community

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) is accepting nominations for the second-annual Newlen-Symons Award for Excellence in Serving the GLBT Community.

Given since 2016, the Newlen-Symons Award honors recent library initiatives that demonstrate excellence in library...

Oct 04: New ALA Editions session: Survive and Thrive as a Library Director – A Four-Part Interactive Event

CHICAGO — ALA Editions announces a new session of its popular online event, Survive and Thrive as a Library Director – A Four-Part Interactive Event with Maxine Bleiweis.

This winter, Maxine...

Oct 04: ALA announces 45-115 Federal Initiative to promote libraries’ national agenda

Today the American Library Association announced the 45-115 ALA Federal Initiative to promote the capacity of libraries to advance our nation’s goals to leading federal policymakers....

Oct 03: Run for office by filing electronic petition

CHICAGO – Interested in running for ALA President-elect or Councilor-at-Large but weren’t approached by the Nominating Committee? You can still get your name on the 2017 spring ballot by completing a petition form and obtaining the signatures of no fewer than 25 ALA current personal...

Oct 03: ALA President Julie Todaro responds to Kansas City (Mo.) Public Library free speech arrests

CHICAGO - On May 9, 2016 Kansas City Public Library Director of Public Programing Steve Woolfolk was arrested for his efforts to protect free speech during a public program entitled “Truman and Israel.” During the program off-duty police officers hired by the event...

Oct 03: Applications now being accepted for 2017 Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) and the Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation are now accepting applications for the 2017 Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries, which recognize libraries for their role in the growth of graphic literature.

The...

Oct 03: Why do librarians need to know about ontologies?

CHICAGO — More data and information is being created than ever before. Ontologies, formal representations of knowledge with rich semantic relationships, have become increasingly important in the context of today's information overload and data deluge. The publishing and sharing of...

Sep 30: Exciting Breakfast for Bill at the ALSC Mini Institute

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA) announced a very special...

Sep 30: Register for free webinar on how to participate in 2017 Money Smart Week

CHICAGO — Register today for a free webinar on Oct. 14, 2016, to learn how your library can participate in 2017 Money Smart Week, April 22-29. Register at http://bit.ly/2cqny1i and participate in this hour-long webinar that will provide you with...