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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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Intellectual Freedom Manual, Eleventh Edition. Erin Jones, Editor. Office for Intellectual Freedom, American Library Association.

Pre-Orders Open for 11th Edition of Intellectual Freedom Manual

The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (ALA OIF) is proud to announce the spring 2026 release of the comprehensively updated 11th Edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual, available for pre-order now in the ALA Store. Edited...

ALA American Library Association

American Library Association Strengthens Intellectual Freedom Work Through Integrated Advocacy Leadership

The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) joins the Public Policy & Advocacy Office (PPA) to strengthen ALA’s legal, policy, advocacy, and member support.

IFRT Seeks Nominations for the 2026 Intellectual Freedom Awards

CHICAGO—The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) of the American Library Association (ALA) is now accepting nominations for its prestigious awards recognizing individuals and organizations that have supported intellectual freedom: the Eli M. Oboler...

ALA American Library Association

Supreme Court refuses to hear Little v. Llano County: ALA responds

ALA expressed disappointment and concern following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to allow a lower court ruling from the Fifth Circuit to stand. This decision will significantly restrict the freedom to read in public libraries across TX, LA, and MS.

ALA logo on red background

“Faith for Libraries” Campaign Will Combat Book Censorship and Defend Religious Freedom

Interfaith Alliance, a national leader in defending civil rights and multi-faith democracy, today is launching a new campaign with the American Library Association and Unite Against Book Bans to combat book censorship and defend the freedom to read.

Legendary Actor/Author/Activist George Takei Named Honorary Chair of Banned Books Week 2025

Pioneering actor, author, and activist George Takei has been named honorary chair of Banned Books Week, which will take place October 5 – 11, 2025. Takei will be joined in leading the annual event by youth honorary chair Iris Mogul.

Intellectual Freedom Round Table. 2025 Intellectual Freedom Awards

ALA Announces 2025 Recipients of Celebrated Library Intellectual Freedom Awards

CHICAGO – The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) of the American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce the Illinois Library Association as the recipient of the 2025 Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award; Nate Coulter...

ALA logo on red background

ALA ANNOUNCES BANNED BOOKS WEEK 2025 THEME

The American Library Association and Banned Books Week Coalition are pleased to announce the theme for Banned Books Week 2025: “Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.” Banned Books Week will take place October 5 – 11, 2025.

State of America's Libraries: A Snapshot of 2024. American Library Association

American Library Association kicks off National Library Week with the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2024 and the State of America’s Libraries Report

The American Library Association (ALA) today released the highly anticipated Top 10 Most Challenged Books List.

ALA, Unite Against Book Bans share Right to Read Day theme and actions

American Library Association and Unite Against Book Bans invite the community to participate in Right to Read Day, taking place April 7, the Monday of National Library Week.

ALA, AASL decry U.S. Defense Department censorship of schools and libraries on military installations

DoDEA school libraries provide a wealth of information and resources to their communities. By ordering the removal and suppression of learning materials and activities in its schools and libraries, the DoDEA is engaging in censorship...

Red background, white words: BOOK BANS ARE REAL. ALA logo

ALA to U. S. Department of Education: Book bans are real

The American Library Association responds to the Department of Education's dismissal of complaints about censorship and discrimination: the "effort to terminate protections... advances the demonstrably false claim that book bans are not real."

Intellectual Freedom Round Table. John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award. Recognizing notable contributions to intellectual freedom and demonstrations of personal courage in defense of free expression. Nominations due March 1 2025. bit.ly/ImmrothAward

IFRT Opens Nominations for 2025 John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award

The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) is accepting nominations for the 2025 John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award, which honors notable contributions to intellectual freedom and demonstrations of personal courage in defense of freedom of expression...

Office for Intellectual Freedom logo and Writers Guild Initiative Logo

ALA, Writers Guild Initiative Announce Creative Writing Workshops for Librarians

The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (ALA-OIF) and the Writers Guild Initiative (WGI) are seeking 25 librarians for a unique series of online writer’s workshops that will pair the librarians with professional film and...

ALA reveals preliminery data on 2024 book challenges. New data shows a slowdown in callenge reports.

American Library Association reveals preliminary data on 2024 book challenges

Between January 1 and August 31, 2024, ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 414 attempts to censor library materials and services.