Public Awareness

ALA unveils shortlist for 2021 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) today announced the six books shortlisted for the esteemed Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction, awarded for the previous year's best fiction and nonfiction books written for adult readers and published in the United States.

LIS Students: Apply for the 2021 Larew Scholarship for Tuition Help

Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures and Baker & Taylor are accepting applications for the Core/Christian (Chris) Larew Memorial Scholarship for those who plan to follow a career in library and information technology, demonstrate potential leadership, and hold a strong commitment to library automation. The winner will receive a $3,000 check and a citation. The application form is open through March 1, 2021.

ALA partners with Humble Bundle to support ALA and the Freedom to Read Foundation

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) and Humble Bundle are teaming up to offer library supporters and advocates an opportunity to fund ALA initiatives supporting social justice and intellectual freedom, including the Spectrum Scholarship Program. The campaign will also support the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF).

Public libraries critical to health coverage during public health crisis

CHICAGO - The eighth open enrollment period of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) began on Sunday, November 1, 2020 and will run through December 15, 2020 during what may be the most challenging year in its ten-year history. Millions of Americans have lost jobs due to the Coronavirus pandemic, leaving many without employer-sponsored health coverage.

ALA decries latest FCC failure on net neutrality

WASHINGTON, DC — On Tuesday, October 27, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) majority approved an order responding to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit's remand in Mozilla v. FCC. The court ordered the FCC to address the impact of its Restoring Internet Freedom Order, particularly the Order’s reclassification of broadband Internet access service on three key issues: 1) public safety; 2) competitive access to pole attachments; and 3) support for the agency’s Lifeline program, which provides broadband subsidies for low-income Americans.

I Love My Librarian Award nominations will close Nov. 9

CHICAGO—Library users have through Monday, Nov. 9, 2020 to nominate their favorite librarians for the American Library Association’s (ALA) esteemed I Love My Librarian Award. Nominations can be made online.

United for Libraries to designate Lloyd Manor a Literary Landmark™ in honor of Jupiter Hammon, first published Black poet

EXTON, Pennsylvania — United for Libraries will designate Joseph Lloyd Manor in Lloyd Harbor, New York, as a Literary Landmark™ in honor of Jupiter Hammon, the first published African-American poet. The designation will take place at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 17, which recognizes Hammon's 309th birthday as well as Black Poetry Day. This will mark the first Literary Landmark dedication to be livestreamed.

Twenty-One public libraries awarded funding to encourage Affordable Care Act enrollment

CHICAGO – Through its health insurance enrollment and education initiative, Libraries Connecting You to Coverage, the Public Library Association (PLA) is encouraging enrollment in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace for 2021. Today, PLA announced it will award $1,000 and $2,000 contracts to 21 public libraries across the U.S.

Nominate an amazing librarian for the national I Love My Librarian Award

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) is inviting all library users 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 Nov. 9, 2020.