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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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'Lost Children Archive,' 'Midnight in Chernobyl,' receive 2020 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction

PHILADELPHIA - The American Library Association (ALA) selects “Lost Children Archive,” by Valeria Luiselli, published by Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, as the winner of the 2020 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction...

Genealogy Institute sponsored by ProQuest at ALA Midwinter

On Friday, January 24, 2020 the RUSA Genealogy Midwinter Institute sponsored by ProQuest will explore German History during the ALA Midwinter Meeting at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA This year’s institute will feature a hands-on...

book cover for Competency-Based Career Planning for Reference and User Services Professionals

Career planning using RUSA's Professional Competencies

CHICAGO — Reference and user services librarians need to be in charge of their own careers. And when it comes to their own professional development, that means being proactive. “ Competency-Based Career Planning for Reference and User Services...

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ALA unveils shortlist for 2020 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 2020 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction announced

CHICAGO – A total of 49 books (24 fiction, 25 nonfiction) has been selected for the longlist for the 2020 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction. The list is now available on the awards’ website. The six-title shortlist—three each...

book cover for Making Sense of Business Reference: A Guide for Librarians and Research Professionals, Second Edition

A new edition of Ross’s acclaimed business reference guide

CHICAGO — “It reads as if you have an expert coach in business reference helping you each step of the way." That’s how Academic BRASS summarized “ Making Sense of Business Reference: A Guide for Librarians and Research Professionals,” published by ALA...

Gain Business Reference Skills

Business Reference 101 is for any librarian in-training who wants to gain confidence and knowledge around BizRef topics such as company and industry research, consumer and market research, entrepreneurship topics and more. This 3-week long, asynchronous...

Literary Tastes: Celebrating the Best Reading of the Year

What could be better than books and breakfast? Maybe signed books and breakfast? Join your fellow readers and book lovers and listen to some of the year's best authors from RUSA book and media award winners and Best of Lists Authors discuss their works...

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2019-2020 President-Elect of RUSA Announced

CHICAGO- Courtney McDonald, Learner Experience & Engagement Librarian and Associate Professor at the University of Colorado Libraries, has been elected the 2019-20 President-Elect of the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA). McDonald will serve...

St. Petersburg College Awarded for Excellence in Reference and Adult Library Services

Heather Holtzman, Paula Knipp, and Kassie Sherman from St. Petersburg College were selected as the 2019 winner of the Award for Excellence in Reference and Adult Library Services, sponsored by ReferenceUSA, for the Speed Dating project. This project is an...

Nicollette Warisse Sosulski wins Margaret E. Monroe Award for Library Adult Services

Chicago - Nicolette Warisse Sosulski, Business Librarian at Portage District Library was selected as the 2019 winner of the Margaret E. Monroe Library Adult Services Award, sponsored by NoveList. Nicolette Sosulski’s librarianship has had a wide range and...

Kay Ann Cassell awarded Isadore Gilbert Mudge Award

Kay Ann Cassell, Professor Emerita, School of Communication & Information, Rutgers University was selected as the 2019 winner of the Isadore Gilbert Mudge Award, the Reference and User Services Association’s highest honor. Ms. Cassell has been a dedicated...

Create Impactful Library Services for Older Adults

Many communities are home to an aging population. Libraries are a community focal point with capacity to strategically facilitate, coordinate and partner with other organizations and these libraries need to be able to educate, empower and engage older...

Enhance your Project Management, Leadership, and Marketing Skills!

Need help managing projects in your library? Want to become a manager or are early in your management career. Don't have a lot of patrons taking advantage of your library offerings? If you answered yes, this three three-part eCourse strategy series is for...

book cover for the newly updated third edition of “Conducting the Reference Interview”

Conducting the reference interview

CHICAGO — Based on the latest research in communication theory but tailored specifically for real-world application, the newly updated third edition of “ Conducting the Reference Interview,” published by ALA Neal-Schuman, speaks equally to the needs of...