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March 15, 2025
ALA statement on White House assault on the Institute of Museum and Library Services
An executive order issued by the Trump administration on Friday night, March 14, calls for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the nation’s only federal agency for America’s libraries.
February 10, 2025
American Library Association launches public supporter program
The American Library Association launched a new supporter program on February 10, 2025, inviting the public to join the fight to protect libraries and library professionals at a pivotal moment in our country’s history.
January 26, 2025
ALA to U. S. Department of Education: Book bans are real
The American Library Association responds to the Department of Education's dismissal of complaints about censorship and discrimination: the "effort to terminate protections... advances the demonstrably false claim that book bans are not real."
January 22, 2025
New ALA Initiative Asks Advocates to “Show Up for Our Libraries”
Today the American Library Association (ALA) launched Show Up for Our Libraries, a campaign to harness the collective power of library advocates to influence elected leaders and policymakers.
January 13, 2025
American Library Association extends support to libraries affected by Los Angeles wildfires
The American Library Association extends our deepest sympathies to those who have been affected by and to those who have lost everything during the Los Angeles area fires.
December 10, 2024
PLA provides funding to more than 100 public libraries as part of $2.7 million effort to boost digital literacy
The Public Library Association (PLA) has selected more than 139 public libraries across 42 states to host digital literacy workshops, powered by a generous $2.7 million contribution from AT&T.
ALA in the News
Censorship reports show a mixed picture on U.S. book challenges
In observance of Banned Books Week, the American Library Association and PEN America released reports on book censorship across the country.
Core Webinar: Library Reboot for the Mid-21st Century
CHICAGO—Join Core for the webinar "Library Reboot for the Mid-21st Century" on April 8, 2025, at 1 p.m. CT. This presentation will help pull the shroud of mystery off library design by briefly exploring the history and roots of 20th century libraries...
Washington Library Association- School Library Division Awarded AASL ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant
CHICAGO – The Washington Library Association (WLA) - School Library Division is the recipient of the 2025 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant. Sponsored by ABC-CLIO, the $1,750 grant is given to an AASL Chapter for...
ALA, Unite Against Book Bans share Right to Read Day theme and actions
American Library Association and Unite Against Book Bans invite the community to participate in Right to Read Day, taking place April 7, the Monday of National Library Week.
Core Webinar - Best of Core Forum: Saying Less, Asking More; Expand Your Impact with Coaching
CHICAGO—Join Core for the webinar "Best of Core Forum: Saying Less, Asking More; Expand Your Impact with Coaching," on April 2, 2025, at 1 p.m. CT. Leading staff in an ever-changing, unpredictable environment can be difficult. Right now, library staff at...
Core Webinar - Best of Core Forum: Integrating Linked Data into Library Workflows
CHICAGO—Join Core for the webinar "Best of Core Forum: Integrating Linked Data into Library Workflows" on April 1, 2025, at 1 p.m. CT. As linked data becomes more of a reality for the library community, OCLC has worked with libraries around the world to...
ALA warns new IMLS acting director not to cut programs required by law
The American Library Association sent a letter March 20 warning the new Institute of Museum and Library Services acting director not to cut library programs required by federal law. The letter was sent in response to President Trump’s Executive Order of March 14, “Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy," which takes aim at IMLS.
PLA Now Seeking Proposals for PLA 2026 Conference
The Public Library Association (PLA) has opened the Call for Proposals for educational sessions to be presented at its next biennial conference, to be held April 1–3, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Lisa Varga named Associate Executive Director of ALA’s Public Policy and Advocacy Office
The American Library Association (ALA) announced today that Lisa Varga will become the associate executive director of ALA’s Public Policy and Advocacy Office in Washington D.C.
Melissa Jacobs receives the AASL Intellectual Freedom Award
CHICAGO – Melissa Jacobs, Director of Library Services, New York City Public Schools, New York, is the recipient of the 2025 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Intellectual Freedom Award. Established in 1982 and sponsored by ProQuest, the...
John Oluwaseye Adebayo and Libby Anderson receive SRRT’s 2025 Conference Travel Grants
The Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT) of the American Library Association has named John Oluwaseye Adebayo and Libby Anderson as the 2025 winners of the SRRT Conference Travel Grants to attend the upcoming 2025 ALA Annual Conference.
As the organizations that collectively represent public libraries in the United States, the Association for Rural & Small Libraries, the Public Library Association, and the Urban Libraries Council oppose the Executive Order
ACRL Opposes Elimination of IMLS
CHICAGO - The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) strongly supports the American Library Association’s (ALA) statement regarding the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). ACRL deplores the executive order...
Pam Henderson receives YALSA’s Joann Sweetland Lum Memorial Grant
The award recognizes a librarian who has planned a creative, innovative project that promotes literacy.
Massachusetts School Library Association receives AASL Chapter of the Year Award
CHICAGO – The Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA) is the recipient of the 2025 American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Chapter of the Year Award. The $1,000 award recognizes the AASL Chapter most active and dynamic in achieving the...
ALSC Opens Applications to Host the 2026 Children’s Literature Lecture
This annual event will feature author Cynthia Leitich Smith
