Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS)

ALA awards $3.6 million in library accessibility funding to 310 small and rural libraries

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) today announced the second round of recipients of its Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant, an initiative to help small and rural libraries increase the accessibility of facilities, services and programs to better serve people with disabilities.

Nominations Open for 2024 Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecturer

CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) is accepting nominations for the 2024 Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecturer. The Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecture is held annually during the ALA Annual Conference as a tribute to the efforts of the first director of ALA’s Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (now the Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services) to ensure that all citizens, particularly Native Americans and adult learners, have access to quality library services.

Miriam Tuliao to Participate in 37th Annual Great Saunter to raise funds for the Spectrum Scholarship Program

CHICAGO - Miriam Tuliao has announced that she will participate in the 37th Annual Great Saunter, a 32-mile walk around Manhattan, on May 4, 2024 to raise funds for ALA’s Spectrum Scholarship Program. This is Tuliao's 17th consecutive year organizing an annual fundraiser for Spectrum. 

“Hijab Butch Blues” wins 2024 Stonewall Israel Fishman Non-Fiction Award

CHICAGO – “Hijab Butch Blues: A Memoir,” by Lamya H and published by The Dial Press, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House is the 2024 recipient of the Stonewall Book Awards – Israel Fishman Non-Fiction Award. The awards were announced by the American Library Association’s (ALA) Stonewall Book Awards during a virtual announcement.

The Israel Fishman Non-Fiction Award is given annually to English-language works of biography, memoir, history, criticism, reference works, fine arts, etc. that are of exceptional merit relating to the LGBTQIA+ experience.

“Freedom House” wins 2024 Stonewall Barbara Gittings Literature Award

CHICAGO – “Freedom House” by KB Brookins and published by Deep Vellum is the 2024 recipient of the Stonewall Book Awards – Barbara Gittings Literature Award. The awards were announced by the American Library Association’s (ALA) Stonewall Book Awards during a virtual announcement.

The Barbara Gittings Literature Award is given annually to English-language works that are of exceptional merit relating to the LGBTQIA+ experience.

David Delmar Sentíes to keynote and Dr. Claudette McLinn to present call-to-action at the 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Observance and Sunrise Celebration

CHICAGO – Author and Tech Bootcamp Founder David Delmar Sentíes will deliver the keynote address at the 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Observance and Sunrise Celebration during the American Library Association’s Library Learning Experience (LLX) in Baltimore. The 2024 Celebration will be held from 6:30-8:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 21 in the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor, Key Ballroom 7-12.

Virtual panel discussion on January 16 in recognition of National Day of Racial Healing 2024

CHICAGO — On Tuesday, January 16th, 2024, join the American Library Association (ALA) in recognizing and celebrating the eighth annual National Day of Racial Healing (NDRH). Originally launched in 2017 by the W.K. Kellog Foundation, NDRH is an opportunity to bring all people together to inspire collective action and reflection towards creating a more just and equitable world.

Tuliao to swim for Spectrum Scholarship

Miriam Tuliao announced that she will swim Grimaldo’s Mile, a one mile open water event in New York City, on July 15 to raise funds for ALA’s Spectrum Scholarship Program. This is Tuliao's 16th consecutive year organizing an annual fundraiser for Spectrum. 

Jean E. Coleman Lecturer announced for 2023 ALA Annual Conference

CHICAGO – Ady Huertas (she/her/ella), of the San Diego Public Library, will deliver the 2023 Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecture at the American Library Association’s (ALA) Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago, IL. Presented by the ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS), the 2023 Lecture will take place on Sunday, June 25th from 10:30am -12:00pm CST in room W195 at the McCormick Place Convention Center.

ALA announces 240 recipients of library accessibility funding for small and rural libraries

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) today announced the first recipients of its Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Accessible Small and Rural Communities grants, an initiative that will offer more than $7 million to small and rural libraries to increase the accessibility of facilities, services and programs to better serve people with disabilities.