Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS)
Libraries as Literacy Centers: Strengthening Libraries’ Capacity to Meet Local Literacy Needs
Explore the strategies, lessons learned, and scalable models project participants developed to meet local literacy needs
ALA announces 2026-2027 Spectrum Scholars
The American Library Association's (ALA) Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services awarded 2026 Spectrum Scholarships to 60 exceptional students pursuing graduate degrees in library and information studies.
Introducing SRIDP’s “Incidents Against Immigrants in Libraries” Reporting Form
The Services to Refugees, Immigrants, and Displaced Persons Sub-Committee (SRIDP) is proud to announce the first-time launch of the “Incidents Against Immigrants in Libraries” reporting form. [Airtable link] Modeled in part on the American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom’s Challenge Reporting system, our new tool provides a confidential way to document anti-immigrant incidents occurring in libraries, archives, and other information institutions. Reports may involve individuals from any immigrant community, including refugees, international students, undocumented immigrants...
ALA awards $3.5 million in library accessibility funding to 300 small and rural libraries in the fourth and final round of the grant initiative
CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) today announced the fourth and final round of recipients of its Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant, an initiative to help small and rural libraries...
Miriam Tuliao to Participate in the Great Saunter in Support of the Spectrum Scholarship Program and Library and Information Science Educators
Miriam Tuliao to Participate in the Great Saunter in Support of the Spectrum Scholarship Program and Library and Information Science Educators
Co-Designing Library-Based Adult and Family Literacy Centers
This site explores the collaborative "Co-Designing Library-Based Adult and Family Literacy Support (AFLS) Centers" project, completed by ALL-IN and funded by IMLS.
2026 Rise Book Project presents Top Ten feminist books for young readers
Rise: A Feminist Book Project for Ages 0-18, a subgroup of the ALA Social Responsibilities Round Table’s Feminist Task Force, announced its Top Ten feminist books for young readers.
Reverend Dr. Liz Theoharis and Noam Sandweiss-Back to keynote and Amanda Jones to present at 27th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Observance and Sunrise Celebration
The annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Observance and Sunrise Celebration commemorates Dr. King's legacy and recognizes the connection between his life's work and the library world.
Social Responsibilities Round Table seeks nominations for the 2026 Herb Biblo Outstanding Leadership Award for Social Justice & Equality
The Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT) of the American Library Association is happy to announce that nominations for the 2026 Herb Biblo Outstanding Leadership Award for Social Justice & Equality are now open.
ALA and Simple Mobile launch 'Connected Communities' grants to advance mobile literacy in urban libraries
The American Library Association, in partnership with Simple Mobile, invites public libraries in urban areas to apply for participation in Connected Communities: Mobile Literacy in Action.
ALA invites applicants for $3.5 million in grants during round four of the historic Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities initiative
CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) invites applications from small and rural libraries for the fourth round of funding of the Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant, which is anticipated to be...
American Library Association’s Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table Establishes Islamic Information Committee
ALA's Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT) is proud to announce the establishment of the Islamic Information Committee (IIC), expanding its ongoing mission to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in libraries.
Eight Libraries Selected for “Libraries as Literacy Centers” Initiative, A Major Milestone for Library-Driven Literacy Communities
ALA in collaboration with World Education, a division of JSI, announces the selection of eight libraries to participate in the transformative “Libraries as Literacy Centers: Strengthening Libraries’ Capacity to Meet Local Literacy Needs” initiative.
ALA announces 2025-2026 Spectrum Scholars
The Spectrum Scholarship Program actively recruits and provides scholarships to American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern and North African, and/or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students.
Libraries Respond: Queer Literacy
In our current climate, the attack on queer literacy has a ripple effect on our library communities through book bans, criticism on inclusive programming, and isolating members of the LGBTQ community. To support libraries facing challenges we have established this collection of resources. We will continue to add to it and welcome your contributions. ALA, through its actions and those of its members, is instrumental in creating a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive society. This includes a commitment to combating marginalization and underrepresentation within the communities served by...
Libraries Respond: Advocating for Queer Literacy in 2025
Join our panel discussion made up of ALA round table members that will highlight their experiences and perspectives on overcoming the challenges that LGBTQIA+ library professionals face and persevere through.
ALA Literacy Clearinghouse
This website consolidates resources from various sectors of the American Library Association (ALA) that advocate for literacy throughout all stages of life.
2025 American Library Association (ALA) Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT) Distinguished Librarian Award
Shamika Jamalia Simpson, Professor and Collection Development and Outreach Librarian at Long Beach City College, has been named the recipient of the 2025 ALA EMIERT Distinguished Librarian Award.
Miriam Tuliao to run 18 miles for the Spectrum Scholarship Program
Miriam Tuliao has announced that she will run 18 miles on June 4th, 2025 for Global Running Day to raise funds for ALA’s Spectrum Scholarship Program. This is Tuliao's 18th consecutive year organizing an annual fundraiser for Spectrum.
Sanford Berman recipient of SRRT's Herb Biblo Outstanding Leadership Award for Social Justice & Equality
The Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT) of the American Library Association has named Sanford (Sandy) Berman as the 2025 winner of the Herb Biblo Outstanding Leadership Award for Social Justice & Equality.