Washington, D.C. – Three years ago, major publishers refused to sell ebooks to libraries, no one knew how to download an ebook file, and the staffs of public libraries were hit with an unforeseen surge of patron interest in ebooks. Now that the dust has settled...
Press Releases
Dec 16:
Lori Bell has been selected as Project Director to oversee revision of the 2011 Revised Standards and Guidelines
Lori Bell has been selected as Project Director to oversee revision of the 2011 Revised Standards and Guidelines of Service for the Library of Congress Network of Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
As project director, Bell will work with a team of professionals to revise...
Dec 16:
ALA President urges Congress to reject controversial cybersecurity rider
Threat to Americans’ privacy shoehorned into omnibus spending bill
Washington, D.C. – Late last night, House Speaker Paul Ryan released the text of an enormous omnibus spending bill, passage of which is required to avoid a...
Dec 16:
104 libraries selected to host traveling exhibition on Native concepts of health and illness
CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office, on behalf of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), has announced the 104 libraries that will host Native Voices: Native Peoples’ Concepts of Health and Illness, a traveling exhibition to U.S....
Dec 16:
Step into 2016 ready to warm readers’ hearts with new products from ALA Graphics
CHICAGO – ALA Graphics’ new catalog is here and filled with products to remind patrons and students the importance of learning and reading all year long. ...
Dec 15:
Action research and autism explored in new School Library Research articles
CHICAGO – Two new articles covering the topics of action research in school libraries and introducing information literacy to students with autism are now available in the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) peer-reviewed online journal, ...
Dec 15:
Hattie Garrow selected as an AASL Emerging Leader
CHICAGO – Hattie Garrow has been selected as one of two American Association of School Librarians (AASL) sponsored participants in the American Library Association’s (ALA) 2016 Emerging Leaders program. Garrow and Meg Finney will join more than 50 of their peers as the program kicks...
Dec 15:
ALA JobLIST launches next generation LIS career center powered by YourMembership
CHICAGO – ALA JobLIST, the online career center for job seekers and employers in library and information science and technology, this week announced the launch of an all-new version of the site. A joint project of the American Library Association...
Dec 15:
Wong withdraws candidacy for 2016-19 ALA Treasurer
CHICAGO – Patricia (Patty) M. Wong, county Librarian and chief archivist of the Yolo County Library in Woodland, California, has withdrawn her candidacy for treasurer of the American Library Association (ALA) citing a family health matter requiring her full attention.
“It...
Dec 15:
ALA, PLA applaud Kentucky Supreme Court decision on libraries’ tax rates
CHICAGO — The Kentucky Supreme Court issued a decision Friday that it will no longer hear arguments in the 2012 lawsuit objecting to Campbell and Kenton County libraries’ tax rates. At that time, Kentucky Circuit Courts ruled against the Campbell County Public Library and the Kenton...
Dec 15:
A new edition of Richard E. Rubin’s benchmark LIS text
CHICAGO— Spanning all types of libraries, from public to academic, school, and special, the new fourth edition of Richard E. Rubin’s “Foundations of Library and Information Science,” published by ALA Neal-...
Dec 14:
Free webcast on virtual reference
CHICAGO — A new episode of American Libraries Live — a one-hour discussion on Virtual Reference— will air live at 2 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, Jan. 14. This free streaming video broadcast is brought to you by...
Dec 14:
ALCTS Virtual Symposium on Research Data Management
CHICAGO —The Association for Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS) will present a two-day virtual symposium (Jan. 19 and 21) designed to provide a thoughtful, interactive, and actionable introduction to building and delivering research data management services. Attendees...
Dec 14:
Fifty fresh program ideas for your adult patrons, popular workshop returns!
CHICAGO — ALA Publishing announces a new iteration of its popular workshop, 20 Subjects in 90 Minutes: Themed Programs for Adults, with Amy Alessio. This workshop will last 90 minutes and is hosted live at 2:30 p.m. Eastern on...
Dec 14:
A bevy of new books, products, special events at the ALA Store at Midwinter Meeting
Longer hours and easy access near the ALA Lounge and Networking Uncommons in the North Lobby, Level 1 of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) make it convenient to shop and browse at the ALA Store at Midwinter Meeting. The ALA Store...
Dec 14:
Design and build your effective library website, returning workshop!
CHICAGO — ALA Publishing announces a new iteration of its popular workshop, Building the Digital Branch: Designing Effective Library Websites, with David Lee King. This workshop will last 90 minutes and is hosted live at 2:30 p....
Dec 13:
Jeff Julian is new Public Awareness Office director
CHICAGO – Cathleen Bourdon, associate executive director for advocacy and member relations, has announced that Jeff Julian will be the new director of the Public Awareness Office, effective January 4, 2016.
Julian previously served as the executive director of communications at...
Dec 11:
Intro to Web Service APIs: eCourse and eBook bundle
CHICAGO — ALA Publishing eLearning announces a new iteration of its popular eCourse, Introduction to Web Service APIs Using PHP and HTML eCourse/eBook bundle. Jason Paul Michel will serve as the instructor for this four-week facilitated eCourse starting...
Dec 11:
Learn basic reference skills in popular eCourse
CHICAGO — ALA Publishing announces a new iteration of its popular eCourse, Basic Reference Skills for Non-Reference Librarians. Francisca Goldsmith will serve as the instructor for a four-week facilitated eCourse starting on...
Dec 11:
Learn how to use change management to transform your library, new workshop!
CHICAGO — ALA Publishing eLearning announces a new workshop, Using Change Management to Transform Your Library with Catherine Soehner. This workshop will last 90 minutes and is hosted live at 2:30 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, Feb...
Dec 11:
New workshop on Letting Go of Legacy Services: Weeding Materials and Programs
CHICAGO — ALA Publishing eLearning announces a new workshop, Letting Go of Legacy Services: Weeding Materials and Programs with Mary Evangeliste, Suzanne Ward, and Katherine Furlong. This workshop will last 90 minutes and is...
Dec 11:
Learn how to liven up your programming with cosplay in new workshop
CHICAGO — ALA Publishing eLearning announces a new workshop, Programming with Cosplay: Embracing Costume Play in Your Library with Ellyssa Kroski. This workshop will last 90 minutes and is hosted live at noon. Eastern on...
Dec 11:
Sannwald’s revised checklist of library building design considerations
CHICAGO— The needs and functions of library buildings have certainly changed over the last decade, but the necessity for planning intelligently and thoroughly hasn’t. In fact, tighter budgets and the complex demands of both library...
Dec 11:
Metaliteracy in practice
CHICAGO— In their earlier book “Metaliteracy,” Trudi E. Jacobson and Thomas P. Mackey offered an original framework for engaging learners as reflective and collaborative participants in today's complex...
Dec 09:
PLA to offer free member-exclusive readers’ advisory webinar with Becky Spratford
CHICAGO – At 1 p.m. Central on December 16, the Public Library Association (PLA) will host “Attack of the ‘Best’ Lists: Becky’s Practical Recap of 2015’s Best Reads,” ...
Dec 09:
Senate passage of Every Student Succeeds Act boosts U.S. school children’s chances of 21st century success
CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) and the American Association of School Librarians applaud the passage of S. 1177, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The bill is the first piece of federal legislation in more than 50 years opens up use of federal...
Dec 09:
A no-nonsense guide to archives and recordkeeping
CHICAGO — Ideal for professionals involved in the management of archives and records, especially if they are just starting out or without formal training, “The No-nonsense Guide to Archives and Recordkeeping,”...
Dec 09:
Policymakers: 3D printing in libraries advances education and entrepreneurship
Washington, D.C. – Libraries are now the leading place where the public accesses 3D printers. Whether it’s to provide increased opportunities for children to experiment with new technologies or encourage new technology-based innovation in small business, policymakers...
Dec 08:
Christina Golm as the 2016 Emerging Leader for ASCLA
The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), a division of ALA, announced Christina Golm as the 2016 Emerging Leader. Golm is currently the Library Director at the Newaygo Area District Library, in Newaygo, MI.
The Emerging Leaders program enables newer...