Press Releases

Feb 03: LITA guide explores usability and the mobile web

CHICAGO — Mobile technology has changed the way we interact with one another and our communities. With the proliferation of mobile devices and the constant availability of information access, it is more important than ever for libraries to meet users on their phones and tablets. But not...

Feb 03: YALSA names 2015 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

CHICAGO —The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), announced its 2015 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers selection list. The list is presented annually at the ALA Midwinter Meeting.

The Quick Picks for...

Feb 03: YALSA names 2015 Best Fiction for Young Adults

CHICAGO -- The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has announced its 2015 list of Best Fiction for Young Adults (BFYA). This year’s list of 58 books was selected from a group of 113 official nominations.

The books,...

Feb 02: President Obama’s budget increases library funding

WASHINGTON, D.C.—President Barack Obama today transmitted to Congress the Obama Administration’s nearly $4 trillion budget request to fund the federal government for fiscal year 2016, which starts October 1, 2015. The President’s budget reflected many of the ideas and proposals...

Feb 02: Apply to host a space, earth science or technology exhibition at your public library

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office, in collaboration with the Space Science Institute’s National Center for Interactive Learning, the Lunar and Planetary Institute and the Afterschool Alliance, invites public libraries to apply to host...

Feb 02: FINRA Investor Education Foundation and the American Library Association announce $1.8 Million in grants to public libraries to support financial literacy

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation and the American Library Association (ALA) have announced $1.8 million in grants to 21 recipients as part of the Smart investing@your library®...

Feb 02: 'Gabi, a Girl in Pieces' wins 2015 William C. Morris Award

CHICAGO – “Gabi, a Girl in Pieces” written by Isabel Quintero, has been named the 2015 winner of the William C. Morris Award, which honors a book written for young adults by a previously unpublished author. The award was presented by the Young Adult Library Services Association...

Feb 02: Sharon M. Draper wins 2015 Edwards Award for 'Tears of a Tiger,' 'Forged by Fire,' 'Darkness Before Dawn,' 'The Battle of Jericho,' 'November Blues' and 'Copper Sun'

CHICAGO – Sharon M. Draper is the recipient of the 2015 Margaret A. Edwards Award honoring her significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens for “Tears of a Tiger”; “Forged by Fire”; “Darkness Before Dawn”; “The Battle of Jericho...

Feb 02: Live Oak Media wins 2015 Odyssey Award for 'H.O.R.S.E. A Game of Basketball and Imagination'

CHICAGO – Live Oak Media, producer of the audiobook, “H.O.R.S.E. A Game of Basketball and Imagination” has won the 2015 Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production. The award announcement was made today during the American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting...

Feb 02: 2015 Schneider Family Book Awards recipients named

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2015 Schneider Family Book Awards, which honor an author or illustrator for the artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences. The award was announced today...

Feb 02: 'I’ll Give You the Sun' wins 2015 Printz Award

CHICAGO – “I’ll Give You the Sun,”written by Jandy Nelson published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Group, (USA) LLC, a Penguin Random House Company, has won the 2015 Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature. The Young Adult Library Services...

Feb 02: 'This Day in June' wins 2015 Stonewall Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award

CHICAGO – “This Day in June” written by Gayle E. Pitman, Ph.D.,  illustrated by Kristyna Litten and published by Magination Press, an imprint of the American Psychological Association, is the 2015 recipient of the Stonewall Book Awards – Mike Morgan...

Feb 02: 2015 Batchelder Award honors Eerdmans Books for Young Readers for 'Mikis and the Donkey'

CHICAGO – Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. is the winner of the 2015 Mildred L. Batchelder Award for “Mikis and the Donkey.” The award was announced today by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a...

Feb 02: Paul R. Gagne and Melissa Reilly Ellard win 2015 Carnegie Medal for 'Me...Jane'

CHICAGO – Paul R. Gagne and Melissa Reilly Ellard of Weston Woods Studios, Inc., producer of  “Me...Jane,” is the 2015 recipient of the Andrew Carnegie Medal for excellence in children’s video. The award was announced today by the Association for...

Feb 02: Kwame Alexander, Dan Santat win Newbery, Caldecott Medals

CHICAGO - Kwame Alexander, author of “The Crossover,” and Dan Santat, illustrator of “The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend,” are the 2015 winners of the John Newbery and Randolph Caldecott Medals, the most prestigious awards in children’...

Feb 02: Anna Kang, Christopher Weyant win Geisel Award for 'You Are (Not) Small'

CHICAGO – Author Anna Kang and illustrator Christopher Weyant are the 2015 recipients of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for “You Are (Not) Small,” published by Two Lions, New York. The award was announced today by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a...

Feb 02: Donald Crews wins 2015 Wilder Award

CHICAGO Donald Crews is the winner of the 2015 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award honoring an author or illustrator, published in the United States, whose books have made a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children. His numerous works include “Ten...

Feb 02: Jen Bryant, Melissa Sweet win 2015 Sibert Medal

CHICAGO – Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet, author and illustrator of “The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus,” were named the winners of the 2015 Robert F. Sibert Medal for the most distinguished informational book for children published in 2014. The award was...

Feb 02: Pat Mora to deliver 2016 Arbuthnot Honor Lecture

CHICAGO – Pat Mora, author and literacy advocate, will deliver the 2016 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture. The announcement was made today by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), during the ALA Midwinter Meeting held...

Feb 02: Yuyi Morales y Marjorie Agosín ganan premios Pura Belpré

CHICAGO – Yuyi Morales, ilustradora de Viva Frida, y Marjorie Agosín, autora de I Lived on Butterfly Hill, fueron seleccionadas como las ganadoras del Premio de Ilustración Pura Belpré 2015, y el Premio al Autor Pura Belpré 2015 respectivamente. Las distinciones...

Feb 02: Yuyi Morales, Marjorie Agosín win Pura Belpré Awards

CHICAGO – Yuyi Morales, illustrator of “Viva Frida,” and Marjorie Agosín, author of “I Lived on Butterfly Hill,” are the 2015 winners of the Pura Belpré Illustrator Award and Author Award, honoring Latino authors and illustrators whose work best portrays, affirms...

Feb 02: Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek wins 2015 Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Award

CHICAGO – Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek written by Maya Van Wagenen, has been named the 2015 winner of the Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Award,  the first national award that honors the best nonfiction books for teens. The...

Feb 02: Deborah D. Taylor 2015 recipient of the Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement

CHICAGO – Deborah D. Taylor, coordinator of School and Student Services, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, is the recipient of the 2015 Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Practitioner Award for Lifetime Achievement. The announcement was made today by the American Library Association (...

Feb 02: Woodson, Myers win 2015 Coretta Scott King Book Awards

CHICAGO – Jacqueline Woodson, author of “brown girl dreaming” and Christopher Myers, illustrator of “Firebird” are the winners of the 2015 Coretta Scott King Book Awards honoring African American authors and illustrators of outstanding books for...

Feb 02: YALSA announces 2015 Alex Awards

CHICAGO – The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has selected 10 adult books with special appeal to teen readers to receive the 2015 Alex Awards. The awards, sponsored by the Margaret A. Edwards Trust and Booklist, were...

Feb 01: Annual list of Best Historical Materials selected by RUSA’s History Section

CHICAGO —The annual list of Best Historical materials was announced by the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) Book and Media Awards Ceremony at the American Library Association’s Midwinter Meeting.

The list, in its 11th year, recognizes the evaluation and...

Feb 01: 2015 Sophie Brody Medal for achievement in Jewish literature names winner, honorable mentions

CHICAGO — The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) has announced its selection for the 2015 Sophie Brody Medal, an honor bestowed by the...

Feb 01: The 'Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism' wins Dartmouth Medal for excellence in reference sources

CHICAGO  The winner of the 2015 Dartmouth Medal for most outstanding reference work, an annual award presented by the expert reference and collection...

Feb 01: 2015 Outstanding Reference Sources List: Reference publications for small and medium-sized public and academic libraries

CHICAGO  The most noteworthy reference titles published in 2014 have been named to the 2015 Outstanding References Sources List, an annual list...

Feb 01: Winner of 2015 Zora Neale Hurston Award for promoting African-American Literature announced

CHICAGO — Carolyn Garnes, founder and CEO of Aunt Lil’s Reading Room, is the 2015 recipient of the Zora Neale Hurston Award, an annual achievement award administered by the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), a division of the American Library Association and sponsored by...