Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF)
The New York Public Library and the American Library Association invite library systems and teens to join new campaign
NYPL and ALA Toolkits for Libraries and Teens Now Available Oct. 12— The New York Public Library (NYPL) and the American Library Association (ALA) on Wednesday announced they are increasing access to NYPL’s “Books for All” anti-censorship campaign with...
LeVar Burton to lead 2023 Banned Books Week as honorary chair
NEW YORK CITY — Beloved reading advocate, writer, and television and film star LeVar Burton will lead this year’s Banned Books Week, which takes place October 1–7, 2023. Burton is the first actor to serve as honorary chair of Banned Books Week, an annual...
American Library Association Releases Preliminary Data on 2023 Book Challenges
New data shows record surge of challenges in public libraries CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) has released new preliminary data documenting the continued rise in attempts to censor books and materials in public, school and academic...
American Library Association, Association of American Publishers Reaffirm 1953 Freedom to Read Statement, Joined by the Authors Guild and American Booksellers Association
As censorship threats continue to target libraries, schools, publishers, authors, and booksellers, the American Library Association (ALA) and the Association of American Publishers (AAP) are calling on all members of the book community to affirm their...
American Library Association Welcomes White House Actions to Address Book Bans
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Library Association (ALA) applauds the Biden-Harris Administration’s steps announced today to address the rise in book bans and other attacks on LGBTQIA+ Americans. In a fact sheet released today, the White House announced...
Freedom to Read Foundation Joins Coalition of Publishers, Booksellers, Librarians and Readers in Filing Suit to Defend Arkansas Citizens’ Right to Read
Suit Challenges Arkansas Act 372, a Bill That Would Restrict Access to Books in State Book Stores and Public Libraries The Freedom to Read Foundation, the First Amendment legal defense arm of the American Library Association, today joined a broad...
Intellectual Freedom Round Table announces 2023 John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award
CHICAGO – The ALA Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) is pleased to announce Amanda Jones, as the recipient of the 2023 John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award for notable contributions to intellectual freedom and demonstrations of personal courage in...
ALA Announces Theme for Banned Books Week, October 1-7, 2023
Grant application window open through May 19, 2023 CHICAGO – The American Library Association has announced the theme for Banned Books Week 2023: “Let Freedom Read!” Banned Books Week will take place October 1 – 7, 2023. "As we’ve seen throughout National...
ALA, AASL praise library legislation to expand access for students nationwide
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the American Library Association (ALA) and its division, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), welcomed the bicameral introduction of the Right to Read Act by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Representative Raúl...
Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2024
Every year, the American Library Association compiles a list of the Top 10 Most Frequently Challenged Books based on reports from the field and media coverage.
ALA calls for national day of action to protect the freedom to read, designates Right to Read Monday for 2023 National Library Week
Unite Against Book Bans virtual event to honor a lifetime of free expression through story CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) today announced a national day of action to protect libraries and the freedom to read, designating April 24, the...
American Library Association reports record number of demands to censor library books and materials in 2022
Book Challenges Nearly Doubled From 2021 CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) today released new data documenting* 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources in 2022, the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling...
Intellectual Freedom Round Table announces Emily J.M. Knox as the recipient of the 2023 Eli M. Oboler Award
CHICAGO - The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) of the American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce Emily J.M. Knox, PhD, MSLIS as the recipient of the 2023 Eli M. Oboler Memorial Award — which recognizes the best published work in the...
Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) seeks nominations for the John Phillip Immroth Award
CHICAGO - The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) is accepting nominations for the 2023 John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award. This award, presented annually, honors notable contributions to intellectual freedom and demonstrations of personal courage in...
Intellectual Freedom Round Table seeks nominations for the Eli M. Oboler Award
CHICAGO - The Intellectual Freedom Round Table is seeking nominations for the 2023 Eli M. Obloer Memorial Award. IFRT began giving the award on an annual basis last year. The Oboler Award honors journal articles in even number years (2022, 2024, etc.) and...
OIF's workbook of privacy best practices for libraries
CHICAGO — Privacy is a core value of librarianship, yet it often feels like an overwhelming and onerous undertaking. With the creation of ever larger datasets and methods to track users’ every movement, library workers need to have a deep understanding of...
Access to a Wide Variety of Reading Materials Is Critical for Student Development & Well-being
National Coalition kicks off Banned Books Week with white paper on youth development and the freedom to read CHICAGO – Access to books that represent a variety of cultures and viewpoints may boost a student’s development and well-being, according to a...
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, according...
American Library Association Highlights Increasing Censorship Attempts During Banned Books Week Programming
American Library Association, Unite Against Book Bans and Banned Books Week Coalition Announce Events for September 18-24 CHICAGO -- Libraries nationwide will join the American Library Association to highlight increased censorship of books during this...
ALA’s Response to Question About Disinformation in Libraries
CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) released the following response to questions raised following a session at ALA’s Annual Conference & Exhibition. Holocaust denial is disinformation and the American Library Association unequivocally opposes...