News and Press Center
Featured News
November 6, 2024
ALA vows to defend intellectual freedom and access to information against political threats
In response to results of the 2024 United States election, the American Library Association vowed to continue its defense of the core values of librarianship in the face of political threats.
press release
October 16, 2024
American Library Association opens registration and launches Preliminary Program for 2025 LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience in Phoenix, AZ
LibLearnX is a four-day learning conference that invites ALA members and non-members to participate in collaborative and engaging education, networking, and celebrations.
press release
October 1, 2024
Freedom to Read Community Day of Action rallies support for America’s libraries on October 19
The American Library Association (ALA) and the ALA-founded Unite Against Book Bans campaign are joining some of the nation’s largest and smallest library systems to in a Freedom to Read Community Day of Action on October 19, 2024.
press release
September 23, 2024
American Library Association reveals preliminary data on 2024 book challenges
Between January 1 and August 31, 2024, ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 414 attempts to censor library materials and services.
press release
September 19, 2024
ALSC, ALA unveil 'Inspiring Future Voters' booklist for young readers
As part of the American Library Association’s Reader Voter Ready civic engagement campaign, the Association for Library Service to Children has released “Inspiring Future Voters,” a new booklist for young readers.
press release
July 25, 2024
Sam Helmick chosen 2024-2025 American Library Association president-elect
The American Library Association Council decided on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, that Sam Helmick will be the 2024-2025 president-elect effective immediately.
press release
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.
The American Library Association Receives Transformational Gift to Fund Scholarships
James W. Lewis has made the largest individual bequest to the American Library Association in the association’s history.
Using manga to cultivate engagement and inclusion in K–12 settings
CHICAGO — The appeal of manga is undeniable. As a worldwide publishing phenomenon, it has deservedly garnered the attention of scores of young learners. School librarians are willing and excited to harness its overwhelming popularity, and the benefits are...
Thornton withdraws candidacy for 2025-2028 ALA treasurer
Joel Thornton, associate dean, Collections and Scholarly Communication, University of Utah, has withdrawn his candidacy for treasurer of the American Library Association (ALA).
Genevieve Stevens Selected as a 2025 Lois Ann Gregory-Wood Fellow
The American Library Association has selected Genevieve Stevens as one of the 2025 Lois Ann Gregory-Wood (LAGW) Fellows. Stevens will receive a stipend totaling $2,500 to offset the cost of attending the 2025 LibLearnX experience in Phoenix, Arizona and...
Ryan King Selected as a 2025 Lois Ann Gregory-Wood Fellow
The American Library Association (ALA) has selected Ryan King as one of the 2025 Lois Ann Gregory-Wood (LAGW) Fellows. King will receive a stipend totaling $2,500 to offset the cost of attending the 2025 LibLearnX experience in Phoenix, Arizona and the...
New posters from award-winning illustrators and more debut in winter ALA Graphics catalog
CHICAGO – The winter ALA Graphics catalog delivers a host of exciting posters and bookmarks to inspire and encourage readers of all ages. Gracing the cover is a new poster by award-winning author and illustrator Raina Telgemeier and cartoonist and comic...
YALSA Announces 2025 Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Award finalists
The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), selected five books as finalists for the 2025 Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Award.
YALSA Announces 2025 William C. Morris finalists
The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), selected five books as finalists for the 2025 William C. Morris Award.
Telgemeier, McCloud chosen as National Library Week honorary chairs
Award-winning author and illustrator Raina Telgemeier and cartoonist and comic theorist Scott McCloud have been selected Honorary Chairs of the American Library Association’s National Library Week, April 6-12, 2025.
A new analytical framework for supporting public libraries
CHICAGO — “ Understanding Public Libraries: Management, Leadership and Ideology,” published by Facet Publishing and available through the ALA Store, advances a scientific understanding of public libraries and ultimately poses and explores the vital...
ALA Announces the 2025 Class of Emerging Leaders
The American Library Association (ALA) has selected forty-six (46) people to participate in its 2025 class of Emerging Leaders (EL). The EL program is designed to enable library staff and information workers to participate in project planning work groups...
CHICAGO - The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) announces the publication of " Supporting Diversity through Collection Evaluation, Development, and Weeding: CLIPP #48," compiled and authored by Erika Barber, Julia Bauder, Micki Behounek...
Discover and Learn about the Civil Rights Movement with the Library of Congress
CHICAGO — The inaugural publication in “Discover and Learn with the Library,” an educational series published by the Library of Congress in association with ALA Editions, the book publishing arm of the American Library Association, “ The Civil Rights...
New Research Examines Self-Censorship in School Library Collection Development
CHICAGO – A newly published research study from the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) peer-reviewed online journal, School Library Research (SLR), used a survey methodology to examine self-censorship of controversial topics in collection...
Games & Gaming Round Table Announces the First Platinum Play Award Recipients
Wrapping up International Games Month 2024, the Games & Gaming Round Table (GameRT) of the American Library Association is pleased to announce the winners of the first annual Platinum Play Hall of Fame Awards (the “Platys”). Building on the first cohort...