ALA President

President’s budget proposal to eliminate federal library funding 'counterproductive and short-sighted'

WASHINGTON, DC — In response to President Trump's proposal to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services in his FY2018 budget, American Library Association (ALA) President Julie Todaro today issued the following statement:

ALA strongly protests rollback of protections for our nation’s transgender students

CHICAGO  – Today American Library Association President Julie Todaro released the following statement strongly protesting the rollback of protections for transgender students in our nation’s public schools.

ALA to launch Book Club Central with Sarah Jessica Parker

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) is creating Book Club Central, a new online platform of reading resources, including recommendations, expert book lists and other content for book clubs and their readers. Award-winning television and film actor, producer, designer, library supporter and avid reader Sarah Jessica Parker is partnering with the ALA to serve as the Honorary Chair of Book Club Central.

ALA denounces recent FCC Lifeline revocations, report retractions

WASHINGTON – On February 3, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) revoked all of the designations of Lifeline Broadband Providers and ordered the retraction of multiple reports, including the “E-rate Modernization Progress Report” and “Improving the Nation’s Digital Infrastructure.”

ALA affirms support for NEH, NEA

WASHINGTONToday American Library Association President Julie Todaro released the following statement in support of the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts.

ALA opposes new administration policies that contradict core values

CHICAGO — Today American Library Association President Julie Todaro released the following statement responding to recent actions by the new administration and specifically addressing issues regarding access to information, discrimination and intellectual freedom.  

ALA president responds to member concerns on new administration

Dear Members:

I would like to thank all who have shared their perspectives, questions and opinions. The American Library Association (ALA) has heard your concerns regarding how we should approach the incoming administration. To address these concerns, we have rescinded the “ALA offers expertise, resources to incoming administration and Congress” press release posted to ALA.org on Nov. 15.

ALA president responds to concerns from members about press release regarding library priorities and the new administration

Dear ALA Members,

Please accept this apology regarding the press release Libraries Bolster Opportunity: New briefs show how libraries support policy priorities of new administration, which was posted Friday. The release was still in draft form; and in the haste to communicate with our members, it went out by mistake without my full review and approval. When I began to receive emails from our members, I realized what had happened and immediately asked for the release to be pulled from our website and issued an apology. 

ALA President Julie Todaro releases statement on Libraries, the Association, Diversity and Inclusion

CHICAGO – Today American Library Association President Julie Todaro released the following statement regarding the invaluable role libraries  and librarians will play within their communities as many search for common ground after the election. 

The ALA joins the list of #GivingTuesday organizations

CHICAGO — Support the future of our nation’s libraries and donate to the ALA and its divisions on #GivingTuesday, Nov.29. #GivingTuesday is a social media driven day of giving held in conjunction with the beginning of the holiday season and end-of-year giving.