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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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American Library Association Welcomes White House Actions to Address Book Bans

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Library Association (ALA) applauds the Biden-Harris Administration’s steps announced today to address the rise in book bans and other attacks on LGBTQIA+ Americans. In a fact sheet released today, the White House announced...

Red lit torch on a black book with "Freedom to Read Foundation" in blue and "FREE PEOPLE READ FREELY" in red

Freedom to Read Foundation Joins Coalition of Publishers, Booksellers, Librarians and Readers in Filing Suit to Defend Arkansas Citizens’ Right to Read

Suit Challenges Arkansas Act 372, a Bill That Would Restrict Access to Books in State Book Stores and Public Libraries The Freedom to Read Foundation, the First Amendment legal defense arm of the American Library Association, today joined a broad...

Intellectual Freedom Round Table announces 2023 John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award

CHICAGO – The ALA Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) is pleased to announce Amanda Jones, as the recipient of the 2023 John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award for notable contributions to intellectual freedom and demonstrations of personal courage in...

Image of a poster with a black background and a book opening in a bring spectrum of colors. Text in the book reads "LET FREEDOM READ". American Library Association logo in bottom right.

ALA Announces Theme for Banned Books Week, October 1-7, 2023

Grant application window open through May 19, 2023 CHICAGO – The American Library Association has announced the theme for Banned Books Week 2023: “Let Freedom Read!” Banned Books Week will take place October 1 – 7, 2023. "As we’ve seen throughout National...

ALA American Library Association

ALA, AASL praise library legislation to expand access for students nationwide

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the American Library Association (ALA) and its division, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), welcomed the bicameral introduction of the Right to Read Act by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Representative Raúl...

Text graphic with comic-book style font over a background of book pages. Text in graphic reads "RIGHT TO READ DAY. April 24, 2023. PROTECT YOUR FREEDOM TO READ." American Library Association and Unite Against Book Bans logos side by side under text..

ALA calls for national day of action to protect the freedom to read, designates Right to Read Monday for 2023 National Library Week

Unite Against Book Bans virtual event to honor a lifetime of free expression through story CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) today announced a national day of action to protect libraries and the freedom to read, designating April 24, the...

Text with line graph: Black and blue thick text - Number of Attempts to Ban or Restrict Library Materials in the U.S. by Year" - background photo of books - line graph shows dramatic spike in 2022; border multicolored

American Library Association reports record number of demands to censor library books and materials in 2022

Book Challenges Nearly Doubled From 2021 CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) today released new data documenting* 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources in 2022, the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling...

Intellectual Freedom Round Table announces Emily J.M. Knox as the recipient of the 2023 Eli M. Oboler Award

CHICAGO - The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) of the American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce Emily J.M. Knox, PhD, MSLIS as the recipient of the 2023 Eli M. Oboler Memorial Award ⁠— which recognizes the best published work in the...

Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) seeks nominations for the John Phillip Immroth Award

CHICAGO - The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) is accepting nominations for the 2023 John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award. This award, presented annually, honors notable contributions to intellectual freedom and demonstrations of personal courage in...

Intellectual Freedom Round Table seeks nominations for the Eli M. Oboler Award

CHICAGO - The Intellectual Freedom Round Table is seeking nominations for the 2023 Eli M. Obloer Memorial Award. IFRT began giving the award on an annual basis last year. The Oboler Award honors journal articles in even number years (2022, 2024, etc.) and...

book cover for The Ultimate Privacy Field Guide: A Workbook of Best Practices

OIF's workbook of privacy best practices for libraries

CHICAGO — Privacy is a core value of librarianship, yet it often feels like an overwhelming and onerous undertaking. With the creation of ever larger datasets and methods to track users’ every movement, library workers need to have a deep understanding of...

Unite Against Book Bans

Access to a Wide Variety of Reading Materials Is Critical for Student Development & Well-being

National Coalition kicks off Banned Books Week with white paper on youth development and the freedom to read CHICAGO – Access to books that represent a variety of cultures and viewpoints may boost a student’s development and well-being, according to a...

ALA, American Library Association

American Library Association Releases Preliminary Data on 2022 Book Bans

Total book challenges in 2022 set to exceed 2021 record CHICAGO – Eight months into 2022, the number of attempts to ban or restrict library resources in schools, universities and public libraries, is on track to exceed record counts from 2021, according...

Banned Books Week Events - Free Expression for Young People (Sep 19), A Conversation with Author Jennifer Niven (Sep 20), How to Fight Book Bans in Your Community (Sep 21) and Practical Strategies for Defending Books in Your Library (Sep 22)

American Library Association Highlights Increasing Censorship Attempts During Banned Books Week Programming

American Library Association, Unite Against Book Bans and Banned Books Week Coalition Announce Events for September 18-24 CHICAGO -- Libraries nationwide will join the American Library Association to highlight increased censorship of books during this...

ALA’s Response to Question About Disinformation in Libraries

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) released the following response to questions raised following a session at ALA’s Annual Conference & Exhibition. Holocaust denial is disinformation and the American Library Association unequivocally opposes...