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Show Up for Our Libraries

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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ALA in the News

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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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Core Webinar: Best of Core Forum: Navigating Institutional Change Through Collaboration and Use of Management Tools

CHICAGO—Join Core for the webinar "Best of Core Forum: Navigating Institutional Change Through Collaboration and Use of Management Tools" on April 8, 2026, at 1 p.m. CT. Over the past two years, the Collection Services department of our library faced...

Core Webinar: Best of Core Forum: How to Create a Patron-Centered Administration

CHICAGO—Join Core for the webinar "Best of Core Forum: How to Create a Patron-Centered Administration" on April 7, 2026, at 1 p.m. CT. Do you want to take your library’s customer service to the next level? If so, this session is for you. We’ll share a...

Best of Core Forum: Competency vs. Character: What Makes a Good Leader?

CHICAGO—Join Core for the webinar "Best of Core Forum: Competency vs. Character: What Makes a Good Leader?" on March 25, 2026, at 1 p.m. CT. Leadership is essential at every level of an organization, as experienced library leaders reach retirement age...

Best of Core Forum: Competency vs. Character: What Makes a Good Leader?

CHICAGO—Join Core for the webinar "Best of Core Forum: Competency vs. Character: What Makes a Good Leader?" on March 25, 2026, at 1 p.m. CT. Leadership is essential at every level of an organization, as experienced library leaders reach retirement age...

OCLC

Applications Open for 2026 Core LIFT Award for Professional Development

CHICAGO–Core is pleased to announce applications are open for the Career LIFT Award to support skill development and networking opportunities for information professionals. The award consists of up to $1,500 the recipient may use on professional...

Core Forum 2026

Submit a Proposal for Core Forum 2026 in Louisville

Join Core Forum 2026 at the The Galt House Hotel for an incredible opportunity to celebrate the diverse and interconnected library work of you, our Core members. The event will take place from Wednesday, November 18 to Friday, November 20, 2026. We will...

Core Webinars

Best of Core Forum: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Project Management

CHICAGO—Join Core for the webinar "Best of Core Forum: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Project Management" on February 11, 2026, at 1 p.m. CT. Is your current project management system a collection of post-it notes? Do you have to be reminded of a project...

Core Webinar: It’s Never Too Late: Pathways to Career Advancement

CHICAGO—Join Core for the webinar "It’s Never Too Late: Pathways to Career Advancement" on February 24, 2026, at 1 p.m. CT. Ready for the next phase of your career but worried you missed the moment to transition? Scared to make a change? Struggling to...

Core RUSA Webinar

Core Webinar: Navigating Mental Health In Information Spaces

CHICAGO—Join Core for the webinar "Navigating Mental Health In Information Spaces" on March 11, 2026, at 1 p.m. CT. Mental health is a critical component of an individual's health and well-being. Historically, seeking mental health help has been fraught...

Core Webinars

Core Webinar: Creating a Knowledge Management Initiative for Ongoing Team Success

CHICAGO—Join Core for the webinar "Creating a Knowledge Management Initiative for Ongoing Team Success" on March 10, 2026, at 1 p.m. CT. Libraries employ skilled practitioners who, throughout their work, accrue experience and develop troubleshooting...

Core/ALA 150 Years

LIS Students: Apply for the 2026 Larew Scholarship for Tuition Help

Core and The American Library Association are accepting applications for the 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...

John Cotton Dana Awards logo

Submissions Now Open for the 2026 John Cotton Dana Awards

CHICAGO—The American Library Association (ALA) is now accepting submissions for the 2026 John Cotton Dana Award (JCD). The John Cotton Dana Award is one of the most prestigious awards given to up to eight libraries for outstanding library public relations...

Core logo

ALA Core Margaret Mann Citation Applications are Now Open

CHICAGO—Please consider nominating a colleague or self-nominating for the ALA Core Margaret Mann Citation, a prestigious award that recognizes outstanding professional achievement in cataloging or classification, either through publication of significant...

Core Webinars

Core Webinar: Challenges for Collecting Digital Games

CHICAGO—Join Core for the webinar "Challenges for Collecting Digital Games" on February 25, 2026, at 1 p.m. CT. This webinar is an adaptation of a Core presentation at ALA Annual 2025, addressing emerging challenges for both academic and public libraries...

Core Webinars

Core Webinar: Transforming LibGuides: A Case Study

CHICAGO—Join Core for the webinar "Transforming LibGuides: A Case Study" on February 3, 2026, at 1 p.m. CT. Join us as we explore the technical and political processes of overhauling and streamlining our LibGuides and the A-Z database list. Through case...