National Coalition kicks off Banned Books Week with white paper on youth development and the freedom to read
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Press Releases
Sep 19:
Access to a Wide Variety of Reading Materials Is Critical for Student Development & Well-being
Sep 16:
American Library Association Releases Preliminary Data on 2022 Book Bans
Total book challenges in 2022 set to exceed 2021 record
CHICAGO – Eight months into 2022, the number of attempts to ban or restrict library resources in schools, universities and public libraries, is on track to exceed record counts from 2021,...
Sep 15:
American Library Association Highlights Increasing Censorship Attempts During Banned Books Week Programming
American Library...
Sep 14:
Libraries Build Business report highlights impact of small business programs on local communities and library field
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The American Library Association has released a new...
Sep 14:
Sourcebooks and ALA present banned book journal and reading guide
CHICAGO — Sourcebooks, a leading independent publisher based in Chicago, and the American Library Association’s (ALA) book publishing imprint, ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman, announce publication of “Read These Banned Books: A Journal and 52-Week...
Sep 13:
LIS Students: Apply for the 2023 Larew Scholarship for Tuition Help
Core and Baker & Taylor are accepting applications for the Christian (Chris) Larew Memorial Scholarship for those who plan to follow a career in library and information technology...
Sep 13:
ALA’s Civic Imagination Stations Pilot Cohort Announced
CHICAGO — The American Library Association announces twelve artists and library staff teams selected for the pilot cohort for ALA’s Civic Imagination Stations, supported by The Estée Lauder Companies WRITING CHANGE...
Sep 12:
Public Library Association (PLA) releases refresh of strategic goals, positioning Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice (EDISJ) at center
CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) Strategic Plan 2022—2026 is now available on the ...
Sep 12:
Carnegie-Whitney Grant awards up to $5,000 for guides to library resources
The American Library Association Publishing Committee provides a grant of up to $5,000 for the preparation of print or electronic reading lists, indexes or other guides to library resources that promote reading or the use of library resources at any type of library.
Funded projects have...
Sep 12:
ALA, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Invite Public Libraries to Host Traveling Exhibition on Human Evolution
CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA), in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s (NMNH) Human Origins Program, invites applications from public libraries interested in hosting the traveling exhibition...
Sep 08:
Coretta Scott King Book Awards Round Table to launch Ashley Bryan Video Tribute
CHICAGO - The Coretta Scott King Book Awards Round Table will launch the Ashley Bryan Video Tribute on Sept. 15 from 5-7 p.m. Central Standard Time on Zoom.
The virtual event will provide deep insight on the life of CSK award-winning author and illustrator Ashley Bryan.
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Sep 07:
ALA Executive Director Tracie D. Hall Receives Literarian Award from National Book Foundation
CHICAGO – American Library Association (ALA) Executive Director Tracie D. Hall will receive the 2022 Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American...
Sep 07:
Fostering wellness in the library workplace
CHICAGO — As part of their dedication to improving the lives of their patrons, libraries have long offered services, programs, and outreach dedicated to the health and wellness of their communities. There is a growing recognition that library workers themselves are in urgent need of such...
Sep 06:
Marjory Blumenthal and Dr. Christopher Harris Appointed ALA Senior Policy Fellows
The American Library Association (ALA) has appointed Marjory Blumenthal and Dr. Christopher Harris as Senior Policy Fellows in ALA’s Office of Public Policy and Advocacy.
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Sep 06:
Scholarship Application Now Open
If you need a bit of financial help to get through your graduate program, scholarship funds are now available. The American Library Association (ALA) has more than $300,000 available to students who are studying in library science or school library media programs at the master's degree level....
Sep 06:
Final Day to Submit Emerging Leaders Application Nears
The American Library Association (ALA) is now accepting applications for the 2023 class of Emerging Leaders (EL). Details on the program criteria can be found on the Emerging Leaders web page. ...
Sep 02:
The 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Awards Round Table gifts Book Donation Grants
CHICAGO - Each year, the Coretta Scott King Book Awards community offers three underfunded libraries, schools and/or non-traditional organizations that provide educational services to children CSK Book Donation Grants. The grant program provides books submitted for...
Sep 02:
Fall 2022 Online Learning with RUSA
CHICAGO- The American Library Association- Reference and User Services Division (RUSA), continues to offer an outstanding combination of repeat and new courses/webinars. Check out our list...
Sep 01:
ALA Celebrates National Library Card Sign-up Month September 2022
CHICAGO — Since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month has been held each September to mark the beginning of the school year. During the month, the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries unite in a...
Aug 30:
Connecting with teens in urban communities through media literacy
CHICAGO — Information and digital literacies are essential skills to survive and thrive in today’s media-saturated world. But minoritized and economically disadvantaged youth in urban communities often lack these critical media literacy competencies. Offering a multi-faceted perspective, Jimmeka...
Aug 26:
ALA Editions Special Report explores Black and African American students’ experiences in libraries
CHICAGO — Librarianship is still a predominantly white profession. It is essential that current practitioners as well as those about to enter the field take an unflinching look at the profession’s legacy of racial discrimination, including the ways in which race might impact service to users...
Aug 25:
Jim Rettig, 2008-2009 ALA President, Has Died
CHICAGO - Jim Rettig, president of the American Library Association (ALA) from 2008 to 2009, died August 17.
A dedicated library leader, Rettig was awarded a bachelor’s and master’s degree in English from Marquette University. In 1975, he earned a Master of Library Science from ...
Aug 23:
Core Forum Preconference: The New and Official RDA Toolkit: A Practical Approach
CHICAGO—On Thursday, October 13, 2022, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures will host the preconference “The New and Official...
Aug 23:
Core Forum Preconference: Building Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (EDI) Capacity
CHICAGO—Join...
Aug 23:
PLA releases first Staff and Diversity Survey report
(CHICAGO) - The Public Library Association (PLA) today published the 2021 Public Library Staff and Diversity Survey report. The national survey updates...
Aug 22:
ALA/ARL approve Cultural Proficiencies for Racial Equity: A Framework
CHICAGO; WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Joint ALA/ARL Building Cultural Proficiencies for Racial Equity Framework Task Force’s final draft of the Cultural Proficiencies for Racial Equity: A Framework was approved by the boards of directors of the four partner...
Aug 19:
American Library Association Congratulates Two Past Presidents on Appointment to National Museum and Library Services Board
Two Past Presidents of the American Library Association (ALA), Julius C. Jefferson Jr., and James G. Neal, were among 11 new appointees to the National Museum and Library Services Board. The five-year appointments were announced this week by President Biden. The board advises...
Aug 18:
Roselle Public Library District (IL) awarded 2022 Maureen Hayes Award
The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) has awarded the 2022 Maureen Hayes Award to the Roselle Public Library District in Roselle, IL. The award, sponsored by Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, is designed to provide up to $4,000 to an ALSC member’s library to fund a...