Press Releases

Jun 13: ALA president responds to Orlando mass shooting

CHICAGO – American Library Association (ALA)  President Sari Feldman released the following statement regarding the tragic mass shooting at Pulse, a popular GLBTQ nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

“The library community is deeply saddened by the tragedy at the Pulse...

Jun 10: Library improvement through data analytics

CHICAGO — More than ever, funding agencies are looking for cost effectiveness. Sound data analytics is the foundation for making an evidence-based case for library programs, in addition to guiding myriad organizational decisions, from optimizing operations for efficiency to responding to...

Jun 09: Key committee recommends Dr. Carla Hayden for Senate confirmation as nation’s Librarian of Congress

Washington, D.C. – Earlier today, the Senate Rules Committee voted to recommend that the full Senate approve the nomination of Dr. Carla Hayden to serve as the nation’s next Librarian of Congress. Dr. Hayden, who served as President of the American Library Association (ALA) from 2003...

Jun 09: PLA Member Welcome Breakfast to feature Diana Nyad at ALA Annual

CHICAGO — Join the Public Library Association (PLA) on Saturday, June 25, at the 2016 ALA Annual Conference in Orlando for an exclusive PLA members-only breakfast featuring Diana Nyad.

The PLA Member Welcome Breakfast...

Jun 08: Products hot off the press, special events at the ALA Store in Orlando

Located just inside the Shuttle Bus Entrance at the Orange County Convention Center, the ALA Store offers products that meet the widest range of your promotional and continuing education/professional development needs—as well as fun gift items. Make sure to carve out some time in your...

Jun 07: AASL holds ESSA listening session with U.S. Department of Education

CHICAGO – On Friday, June 3, American Association of School Librarians (AASL) leaders met virtually with Dr. Monique Chism, deputy assistant secretary from the U.S. Department of Education (USED), Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. This one-hour “listening session”...

Jun 07: Federal experts to walk libraries through government red tape and unfunded mandates at the 2016 ALA Annual Conference
 
ORLANDO, Fla.—Ever felt frustrated by the prospect of another unfunded mandate from the federal, local or state government? Empower yourself, your library and your community by learning to navigate major e-government resources and websites by attending...
Jun 07: Library leaders to talk revolutionary ways to offer e-books to the print-disabled at 2016 ALA Annual Conference
 
There has been a shift in the way people access information: E-books and the widespread use of graphics to convey information have created a “new normal” for how we read and learn. While these resources are readily available, too many of them are not accessible....
Jun 07: Kristi Green wins a year of free AASL membership

CHICAGO – By sharing the wealth of AASL membership with a colleague, Kristi Green has won a free year of AASL membership for herself. Green's name was drawn as a monthly winner of the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Share the Wealth Campaign. Green referred...

Jun 07: AASL seeks gaming proposals

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) seeks proposals for sessions on tabletop and/or digital gaming to be presented during GAME | Gaming as Meaningful Education taking place Sept. 23-24, 2016, in Rochester...

Jun 06: United for Libraries to host 'First Author' panel at ALA Annual Conference

BRYN MAWR, Pennsylvania — United for Libraries will host “First Author, First Book” from 1-2:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 26 at the ALA Annual Conference in Orlando.

Enjoy light refreshments while debut authors speak about their books and writing experiences during this...

Jun 06: Registration Open for 2016 ALSC Virtual Institute

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

Jun 06: Seven librarians earn scholarships from ALA and EBSCO to expand professional development opportunities

CHICAGOSeven librarians will attend the ALA Annual Conference after winning scholarships co-sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and EBSCO Information...

Jun 06: ALA 2016 Student Chapter of the Year Award Winner Announced

The New Members Round Table (NMRT) and the American Library Association (ALA) Membership Committee wish to congratulate the ALA Student Chapter at the University of South Carolina (USC) as the winner of the 2016 ALA Student Chapter of the Year Award, and the Pratt Institute Student Chapter of...

Jun 06: Leaders to address the digital divide at 2016 ALA Annual Conference
 
From the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development’s ConnectHome effort to the Federal Communications Commission’s...
Jun 06: Seminole and Miccosukee Tribes of Florida

2016 Annual Conference will be held in Orlando, FL. The American Library Association would like to acknowledge the indigenous history of the state of Florida and recognize the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the ...

Jun 06: Angela Glowcheski named recipient of the 2016-2017 Pat Carterette Professional Development Grant

The Learning Round Table (LearnRT) of the American Library Association is pleased to announce Angela Glowcheski, Public Services Director at the Sequoyah Regional Library System in Canton, Georgia as the recipient of the 2016-2017 Pat Carterette Professional Development Grant.

Glowcheski...

Jun 06: Engaging babies in the public library

CHICAGO — Public libraries across the nation continue to transform themselves into learning centers for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. There are many resources available to help librarians create baby-friendly play spaces and enhanced storytimes, but until now there has been gap in...

Jun 03: Support Minority and Women Owned Businesses in Orlando

Looking for places in the Orlando area to grab a bite or do some shopping in between programs and meetings at the 2016 Annual Conference?  As you prepare for your trip, add this list of minority and women owned businesses: ...

Jun 03: Veterans Memorial Elementary School named National School Library Program of the Year

CHICAGO – Veterans Memorial Elementary School, located in Naples, Florida, is the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) 2016 National School Library Program of the Year (NSLPY) Award recipient. Sponsored by Follett, the NSLPY Award annually recognizes a school library...

Jun 03: ALA awards 61 Spectrum Scholarships

CHICAGO — Today, the American Library Association's (ALA) Office for Diversity awards 2016-2017 Spectrum Scholarships to 61 exceptional students pursuing graduate degrees in library and information studies.  Since 1997, the ALA has awarded more than 1,000 Spectrum Scholarships....

Jun 03: Funding opportunity for rural, small, and tribal libraries to provide college and career readiness services

CHICAGO – Rural, small and tribal libraries can apply now to participate in the “Future Ready with the Library: Connecting with Communities for College & Career Readiness Services” project, which YALSA is...

Jun 02: Accepting Applications for 2017 Class of ALA Emerging Leaders

The American Library Association (ALA) is now accepting applications for the 2017 class of Emerging Leaders (EL).  Details on the program criteria as well as a link to the application can be found on the...

Jun 02: Experts to talk election year opportunities, challenges for libraries at 2016 ALA Annual Conference

ORLANDO, Fla.—The presidential election is right around the corner, with the presidency, Congress, and the U.S. Supreme Court in the balance, and a new Librarian of Congress imminent. Learn about actions that the American Library Association (ALA) is taking to prepare for the coming...

Jun 02: Bring federal job training funding home to your library: Learn how at 2016 ALA Annual Conference
 
Learn how to secure workforce support funding for your library at this year’s 2016 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in Orlando, Fla. During the Washington Update session...
Jun 02: Technology experts to discuss socially-conscious 3D services in libraries at 2016 ALA Annual Conference
 
ORLANDO, Fla.—3D printers may seem novel, but they are already being harnessed for social good. A prime example: The Silicon Valley-based social advocacy organization Benetech has forged a partnership between libraries, museums and schools to level the playing...
Jun 02: Don’t miss Astronaut Yvonne Cagle talk about getting girls excited about science and math

What are the best ways that libraries can excite young learners about science and math? How can leaders facilitate informal learning through libraries and entertainment? Join the “...