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April 9, 2026

ALA and AFSCME Prevail in Fight to Protect Libraries and Museums Nationwide

On April 9, 2026, the American Library Association (ALA) – the largest library association in the world – and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) – the nation’s largest union of cultural workers – reached a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice that protects the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and ensures the agency will continue carrying out its congressionally mandated work.

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New wave of bills targeting libraries is ‘a threat to our democracy,’ American Library Association warns

The association, founded in 1876, condemned legislation that would threaten librarians and other educators with criminal prosecution for possessing “obscene” material.
 

 

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The American Library Association opposes widespread efforts to censor books in U.S. schools and libraries  

CHICAGO - Due to a dramatic uptick in book challenges and outright removal of books from libraries, ALA's Executive Board and the Boards of Directors for all of ALA's eight divisions have released the following joint statement regarding attempts to remove...

Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction Logo

ALA unveils shortlist for 2022 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction

CHICAGO –Today, the American Library Association (ALA) 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...

2022 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction

Longlist for 2022 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction announced

CHICAGO – A total of 45 books (23 fiction, 22 nonfiction) has been selected for the longlist for the 2022 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction. The list is now available on the awards’ website. The six-title shortlist—three each...

Cynthia Johnson

Cynthia Johnson elected as the 2021-22 President-Elect of RUSA

CHICAGO ⎯ Cynthia Johnson has been elected the 2021-22 President-Elect of the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA). Johnson will serve her Presidential term during 2022-23. “My entire career as a librarian has focused on helping our users figure...

Inclusive and Engaging Online Library Instruction

CHICAGO- Register today for the four-week RUSA course titled " Creating Inclusive and Engaging Online Library Instruction" scheduled to begin on Monday, March 29, 2021. As libraries have rapidly moved their instruction programs online over the last...

2021 Outstanding Reference Sources List Announced

CHICAGO – The most noteworthy reference titles published in 2020 have been named to the 2021 Outstanding References Sources List, an annual list selected by experts of the Collection Development and Evaluation Section (CODES) of the Reference and User...

Book cover: THe Memory Monster

Yishai Sarid named Winner of 2021 Sophie Brody Medal

CHICAGO – The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) has announced its selection for the 2021 Sophie Brody Medal, an annual honor bestowed by the Collection Development and Evaluation Section (CODES) of RUSA during the recent Book & Media Awards...

Book cover: THe Cold War

Dartmouth Medal Awarded to "The Cold War: The Definitive Encyclopedia and Document Collection

Chicago — The winner of the 2021 Dartmouth Medal for most outstanding reference work, an annual award presented by the expert reference and collection development librarians of the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), a division of ALA, is the...

2021 CODES List-Cookbooks Announced

CHICAGO — The CODES List, a committee of the Collection Development and Evaluation Section (CODES) of the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), has announced the 2020 selection of essential cookbooks for public libraries. The CODES List...

Reader's Advisory Experts Announce 2021 Notable Books List

CHICAGO—The Notable Books Council, first established in 1944, has announced the 2020 selections of the Notable Books List, an annual best-of list composed of twenty-five titles written for adult readers and published in the US including fiction...

2021 Carnegie Winners

“Deacon King Kong,” “Fathoms: The World in the Whale” receive 2021 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction

CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) selects “Deacon King Kong,” by James McBride, published by Riverhead Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, as the winner of the 2021 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction, and "Fathoms...

American Library Association joins American Historical Association’s condemnation of the 1776 Commission’s Report

CHICAGO — The American Library Association’s Executive Board has signed on to a statement from the American Historical Association that condemns the Advisory 1776 Commission report from the previous administration that “reject[s] recent efforts to...

Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction

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...

Longlist for 2021 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction announced

CHICAGO – A total of 46 books (26 fiction, 20 nonfiction) has been selected for the longlist for the 2021 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction. The list is now available on the awards’ website. The six-title shortlist—three each...

Seeking Experts to Teach for RUSA

CHICAGO- RUSA invites experienced librarians and subject matter experts to submit proposals for webinars and online courses to be added to RUSA’s outstanding online learning offerings. We particularly encourage submissions that address innovative services...