Communications and Marketing

American Library Association Announces New Additions and Appointments to Leadership Team

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce the addition and appointment of new and existing members to its leadership staff: Rebecca Headrick, Payal Patel, Julie Reese and Alena Rivers. The cohort consists of four dynamic individuals who bring a diverse set of skills and experience to the organization.

Nominate a stellar librarian for the national I Love My Librarian Award

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) invites library users nationwide to nominate their favorite librarians for the prestigious I Love My Librarian Award. The national award recognizes the outstanding public service contributions of librarians working in public, school, college, community college or university libraries. Nominations are accepted online now through Sept. 30, 2022.

Idina Menzel and Cara Mentzel get loud for libraries as honorary chairs of Library Card Sign-up Month 2022

CHICAGO — Tony Award-winning performer, actress, singer-songwriter, and philanthropist Idina Menzel and her sister, author and educator Cara Mentzel, have been named honorary chairs of Library Card Sign-Up Month. This September, Idina and Cara will join the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries nationwide to sing the praises of a library card. Also in September, the sisters’ debut picture book, Loud Mouse, about a little mouse named Dee who loves to sing very loudly, will be released by Disney Hyperion.

National Library Week kicks off with State of America’s Libraries Report, annual 'Top 10 Most Challenged Books' list and a new campaign to fight book bans

Book challenges top 700 – the most since 2000

CHICAGO —The American Library Association (ALA) kicks off National Library Week with the release of its State of America's Libraries Report, highlighting the challenges U.S. libraries faced in the second year of the pandemic – as well as the ways they innovated to meet the needs of their communities. 

Celebrate the freedom to read during National Library Week, April 3-9

CHICAGO – The freedom to read is essential to holding together the fabric of our democracy. Our nation’s libraries are on the front lines, protecting that freedom in the face of threats from groups that would remove or limit access to reading materials and censor content in schools, all in the name of “protecting” our nation’s children from “dangerous” ideas.

The American Library Association (ALA) and the nation will celebrate National Library Week from April 3-9, 2022. This year's theme is "Connect with Your Library."

Free National Library Week tools now available from ALA

CHICAGO – Tools are now available to help communities nationwide celebrate the contributions of libraries and library professionals during National Library Week, April 3 – 9, 2022.

Held each April by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries of all types across the country, the annual celebration highlights the valuable role libraries, librarians and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening communities through education, technology, information access and more.

Donna Barba Higuera, Jason Chin win Newbery, Caldecott Medals

CHICAGO – Donna Barba Higuera, author of “The Last Cuentista,” and Jason Chin, illustrator of “Watercress,” are the 2022 recipients of the John Newbery and Randolph Caldecott Medals, the most prestigious awards in children’s literature.

Carole Boston Weatherford, Floyd Cooper win 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Awards

CHICAGO – Carole Boston Weatherford, author of “Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre” and Floyd Cooper, illustrator of “Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre” are the winners of the 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Awards honoring African American authors and illustrators of outstanding books for children and young adults. Amber McBride, author of “Me (Moth)”, and Regis & Karan Bethencourt, illustrators of “The Me I Choose To Be” are the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent winners.

Nikki Grimes 2022 recipient of the Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement

CHICAGO – Nikki Grimes is the recipient of the 2022 Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement. The announcement was made this morning by the American Library Association (ALA), during LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience, held virtually Jan. 21 – 24. 

“For four decades, Nikki Grimes has captivated young people with her expressive poetry and prose,” said Award Committee Chair Carolyn L. Garnes. “She has effectively articulated the black experience through authentic stories.”