American Library Association

ALA, Leading Digital Inclusion Advocates Launch Airwaves for Equity Coalition

New coalition asks Congress to dedicate revenue from future spectrum auctions to support digital literacy and adoption efforts

Register now for ALA Connect Live session focusing on sustainability and climate action for libraries and communities

CHICAGO — This month's ALA Connect Live session is one you won't want to miss. It will showcase what library champions are doing to help their communities address climate change.

Register now for this important discussion, which takes place at 11 a.m. Pacific time/ 1 p.m. Central time on Thursday, Feb. 24. 

ALA upholds Maryland e-books law and state’s defense as federal district court issues preliminary injunction

WASHINGTON--On February 16, 2022, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland granted a preliminary injunction of Maryland’s library digital book law in the case of Association of American Publishers v. Brian Frosh. The legislation, which went into effect on January 1, 2022, requires publishers who sell e-book licenses to Maryland consumers to also sell licenses to Maryland public libraries “on reasonable terms.” Court proceedings continue towards final adjudication of the complaint by the Association of American Publishers.

ALA names Maureen Sullivan Honorary Member

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) Council elected former ALA President Maureen Sullivan to honorary membership in the association, the ALA's highest honor, during the virtual 2022 Library Learning Experience. Honorary membership is conferred in recognition of outstanding contributions of lasting importance to libraries and librarianship.

ALA names Jim Neal Honorary Member

CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) Council elected former ALA President and Treasurer Jim Neal  to honorary membership in the association, the ALA's highest honor, during the virtual 2022 Library Learning Experience. Honorary membership is conferred in recognition of outstanding contributions of lasting importance to libraries and librarianship.

ALA encourages library workers to ascertain eligibility and apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness waiver before October 31

PSLF Coalition webinar series begins February 2

WASHINGTON–The American Library Association (ALA) encourages library workers with federal student loans to review their eligibility under the U.S. Department of Education’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Library workers in all contexts—school, public, academic and others—with federal student aid may be eligible for the waiver, known as the Temporary Expanded PSLF (TEPSLF).

Actress and comedian Molly Shannon to serve as 2022 National Library Week honorary chair

CHICAGO—Molly Shannon, multiple Emmy-nominated and Spirit Award-winning actress, comedian, and legendary Saturday Night Live cast member, will help celebrate our nation’s libraries as the honorary chair of National Library Week, April 3–9, 2022. Shannon will highlight the numerous ways libraries serve to connect communities to books, resources, programs, and, of course, each other.  

U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono to join ALA President Patricia 'Patty' Wong in conversation plus more

CHICAGO — ALA President Patricia “Patty” Wong will be joined by U.S. Senator, Mazie K. Hirono in conversation at the LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience Opening Session, Jan. 22, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. CT.

Library and archives associations call on members to take action on US National Day of Racial Healing

CHICAGO — On January 18, 2022, the sixth annual US National Day of Racial Healing, the American Library Association (ALA), the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), and the Society of American Archivists (SAA) call upon our collective memberships—comprised of several hundred thousand archivists, librarians, and other information professionals, and thousands of libraries and archives of all kinds—to observe the day with reflection and action.