ALA's advocacy and public policy staff are committed to helping library workers, policy analysts, government officials, and the public to identify and prepare for the future. Our research covers a broad range of issues, all related to how libraries serve the public and uphold the public's right to free and open information.
NEW: Gen Z and Millennials: How They Use Public Libraries and Identify Through Media Use (November 2023)
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October 2020 - ALA Webinar - Advancing Your Library Agenda After the Elections: Webinar recording (Code: +Fp9&Lu4) and Webinar slides
September 2020 - Built by E-Rate: A Case Study of Two Tribally-Owned Fiber Networks and the Role of Libraries in Making it Happen; Executive Summary
Policy Briefs
 October 2018 Libraries and the 2020 Census Libraries are essential partners in achieving a complete count in the 2020 Census. |
 September 2018 Equitable Opportunity for Tribal Communities Broadband is essential for learning, working, and daily life overall. |
 January 2018 Leveraging E-rate to Provide Opportunity The work of libraries demands robust and reasonably-priced internet connectivity. |
 April 2017 Careers for America’s Youth in the Digital Age Libraries represent a cost-effective method for developing opportunities for youth to code, thus driving job growth and innovation. |
 March 2017 Libraries Help and Honor Our Veterans: Employment, Education, and Connection As service members become Veterans, America’s libraries are well-positioned to address them. |
 January 2017 From Baby's First Words: Libraries Promote Early Learning Libraries are trusted leaders in boosting early learning and strengthening K–12 school learning. |
 January 2017 Digital Empowerment and America's Libraries Libraries are essential to addressing broadband adoption and digital literacy. |
 December 2016 The Manufacturing Sector and The Knowledge Economy Libraries are established centers for learning and enable broad economic opportunity. |
 November 2016 Building Entrepreneurial Opportunity in America’s Communities Libraries are a turnkey network of resources for advancing entrepreneurship. |