Press Releases

May 19: Experts to discuss policy strategies that yield dollars for libraries at 2015 ALA Annual Conference

SAN FRANCISCO—The revolution in libraries creates many new opportunities for serving communities and campuses. But those in power—decision makers and influencers—often do not understand these new roles and possibilities for libraries. And without this understanding, the needed...

May 19: Ramp up negotiation skills to advance library agenda

SAN FRANCISCO—From the boardroom to City Hall, powerful negotiation skills make a big difference in advancing library goals. Power up your ability to persuade at the 2015 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference interactive session “The Policy Revolution! Negotiating to...

May 19: American Library Association and Lambda Literary to collaborate on LGBTQ Writers in Schools Program

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) is collaborating with Lambda Literary to utilize the American Library Associations’ Rainbow Book List in Lambda Literary's LGBTQ Writers in Schools Program.

The Rainbow Book List, an annual bibliography of the year’s...

May 18: Award winning author Brian Selznick to appear at AASL national conference

CHICAGO – Brian Selznick, award winning author of “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” will appear during a special author general session on Sat., Nov. 7, 2015, during the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) 17th National Conference & Exhibition. The...

May 18: ALA invites member feedback at Kitchen Table Conversations at 2015 Annual Conference

CHICAGO — As part of an ongoing effort to improve member experience, the American Library Association (ALA) will host a series of gatherings at the 2015 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition in San Francisco to receive feedback about how it is communicating with current and prospective...

May 18: Six elected to Freedom to Read Foundation Board

CHICAGO — Six people were elected to two-year terms on the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) Board of Trustees in the annual FTRF election held in April.

Current FTRF trustee Jim Neal (university librarian emeritus, Columbia University)...

May 18: Ann Marie Pipkin receives Norman Horrocks-Rowman & Littlefield Press Annual Conference Award for 2015

CHICAGO — The Retired Members Round Table of the American Library Association announces that the winner of the Norman Horrocks-Rowman & Littlefield Press Annual Conference Award for 2015 is Ann Marie Pipkin. Pipkin retired in 2011 after...

May 18: Library Instruction Round Table Awards Ceremony at ALA Annual Conference

CHICAGO — In recognition of the accomplishments of librarians and libraries who promote information literacy, the Library Instruction Round Table (LIRT) will host an Awards Ceremony and Reception from 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 28 during the American Library Association (ALA) 2015...

May 18: Diversity and Outreach Fair, book drive to highlight library services for people experiencing poverty and homelessness

CHICAGO – This year’s ALA Diversity and Outreach Fair, to be held from 3 – 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 27 in the Exhibits Special Events Area highlights innovations in library services to people experiencing poverty and homelessness. Additionally, two task forces of the Social...

May 18: LLAMA announces three new webinars for managers

CHICAGO — The Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA), a division of ALA, is offering three upcoming webinars.

June 3 -- “Embedded Librarianship: Connecting the Dots, and Avoiding the Pitfalls”

Description: Embedded librarianship--...

May 18: RUSA members elect Houston as president-elect; Garcia and Mintz on board

CHICAGO — Anne Houston, director of Teaching, learning and research at the Smith College libraries has been elected the 2016-2017 president of the Reference and User Services Association, (RUSA). Prior to working in her current position, she was the director of humanities and social...

May 18: ASCLA members elect Golrick as president-elect; McKenney and Pannebaker to board

CHICAGO — Michael Golrick, head of reference at the State Library of Louisiana, has been elected the 2016-2017 president of the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA).

“I am honored to have been chosen by my colleagues to help ASCLA over the next...

May 15: New workshop examines legal issues impacting makerspaces

CHICAGO — ALA Editions announces a new workshop, Makerspaces: The Library's Legal Answers, with Mary Minow, Tomas Lipinski, and Gretchen McCord. This workshop will last 90 minutes and is hosted live at 2:30 p.m...

May 15: Blue Valley High School named National School Library Program of the Year

CHICAGO — Blue Valley High School, located in Stilwell, Kansas, is the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) 2015 National School Library Program of the Year (NSLPY) Award recipient. Sponsored by Follett, the NSLPY annually recognizes a school library program that meets...

May 14: ALA Store warehouse is moving

CHICAGO — Effective May 22, 2015, the ALA Store is moving to a new physical warehouse and fulfillment center. Our new vendor offers highly rated customer service and...

May 14: ALA 2015 Annual Conference programs to help libraries lead positive community change

CHICAGO — All communities have challenges. Libraries are uniquely positioned to help conquer them — given the right tools.

The American Library Association (ALA) will offer a series of free learning sessions at its 2015 Annual Conference that will help libraries leverage their...

May 14: Internet Archive founders to discuss future of digital preservation at 2015 ALA Annual Conference

SAN FRANCISCO—The Internet Archive started by archiving the Web, but now works with hundreds of librarians and partners to create digital collections both centralized and distributed. Join Internet Archive founder and digital librarian Brewster Kahle at this year’s 2015 American...

May 14: New workshop: Tumblr for Special Collections

CHICAGO — ALA TechSource introduces a new workshop Tumblr for Special Collections, with Colleen Theisen and Kate Tkacik. This 90-minute workshop is hosted live at 2:30 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, June 17, 2015.

...

May 14: Experts to discuss library digital content reading habits at 2015 ALA Annual Conference in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO—Join a panel of Book Industry Study Group (BISG) and American Library Association (ALA) leaders at this year’s 2015 ALA Annual Conference in San Francisco when they discuss the results of a newly-released study on public library patrons’ use of digital content....

May 13: Libraries say "nothing less" to USA FREEDOM, "nothing more" on Patriot Act extensions

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the American Library Association (ALA) Washington Office, released the following statement responding to today’s passage of the USA FREEDOM Act (H.R. 2048) in the U.S. House:

"The American people, through...

May 13: Education experts to discuss library hacker spaces at 2015 ALA Annual Conference

SAN FRANCISCO—How can libraries ensure that learners of all ages stay curious, develop their passions, immerse themselves in learning? Learn about developing library learning spaces at this year’s 2015 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in San Francisco. The...

May 13: Library leaders to discuss innovative veteran services at 2015 ALA Annual conference

SAN FRANCISCO—How can libraries better connect veterans and their families to veteran benefits and services? Learn more about providing veteran services at “Veterans Connect @ Your Library: Veterans Resource Centers in California Libraries,” an interactive conference session...

SAN FRANCISCO—It’s been an exciting year in copyright law, with important precedents set on fair use and mass digitization, search engines, and what is protected by copyright. Join us at the 2015 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference session “Copyright Litigation...

May 13: Panel to discuss ebook lending growth at 2015 ALA Annual Conference

SAN FRANCISCO—A leading panel of library and publishing experts will provide an update on the library ebook lending market and discuss best ways for libraries to advance library access to digital content at the 2015 American Library Association’s (ALA) Annual Conference in San...

May 13: AASL opens targeted call for national conference session proposals

CHICAGO — The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) opens a second call for concurrent session proposals to be presented during its 17th National Conference & Exhibition taking place Nov. 5-8, 2015, in Columbus, Ohio. AASL seeks sessions specifically targeting the...

May 13: Experts to discuss, demystify IP implications of 3D printing at 2015 ALA Annual Conference in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO—As more and more libraries nationwide begin to offer 3D printing services, library leaders are now confronting a litany of copyright, trademark and patent complications that arise from the new technology. To help the library community address 3D printing concerns, the...

May 13: Electronic Frontier Foundation chief to keynote Washington Update at 2015 ALA Annual Conference

SAN FRANCISCO—For decades, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and the American Library Association (ALA) have stood shoulder to shoulder on the front lines of the fight for privacy online, at the library and in many other spheres of our daily lives. EFF Executive Director Cindy Cohn...

May 13: LITA members elect Fifarek as president-elect; Smith and Varnum to board

CHICAGO — Aimee Fifarek is the newly elected vice-president/president-elect of the Library and Information Technology Association (LITA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). Fifarek is deputy library director for IT and digital initiatives at Phoenix Public Library in...

May 12: Deadline approaching for candidate nominations for 2016 election

CHICAGO — The Nominating Committee for the 2016 ALA election would like to remind everyone that the deadline is quickly approaching for anyone interested in running on the 2016 spring ballot for the offices of ALA president-elect, treasurer, and councilor-at-large.

The...

May 12: Todaro wins 2016–2017 ALA presidency

CHICAGO — Julie Todaro, PhD, Dean of Library Services at Austin (Texas) Community College, has been elected president-elect of the American Library Association.

Todaro received 2,899 votes, while her opponents, Joseph Janes, associate professor and chair of the MLIS program at the...