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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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Authors Jason Reynolds, Nancy Pearl join high schoolers to Unite Against Book Bans at world’s biggest library event in Washington, D.C., June 25

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Award-winning young adult author Jason Reynolds, Book Lust author Nancy Pearl and American Library Association (ALA) intellectual freedom advocate Deborah Caldwell-Stone will join Bell Multicultural High School (Washington, D.C.)...

Freedom to Read Celebration

Freedom to Read Celebration, Supporting the Merritt Fund, and Featuring Banned Author David Levithan

Join the ALA Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) and the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) along with banned author David Levithan, library professionals, authors, and friends for this 2022 Freedom to Read Celebration, Merritt Fund fundraiser, and...

ALA logo: Red box with white lettering "ALA American Library Association"

Library, author, bookseller groups condemn legal action attempting to censor books in Virginia

The American Library Association (ALA) joined with Virginia librarians and booksellers, publishers and civil liberties organizations to issue a statement on June 1 condemning a Virginia political candidate’s legal action that seeks to halt distribution of...

Graphic: Book cover open with fuschia-orange-yellow multicolor page edges Bold text in black: Unite Against Book Bans An Initiative of the American Library Association

More than 25 organizations join forces with the American Library Association to Unite Against Book Bans

Campaign urges decisionmakers to oppose book bans, protect the freedom to read The American Library Association (ALA) and a coalition of more than 25 groups are banding together to empower individuals and communities to fight censorship and protect the...

ALA Working Group on Intellectual Freedom and Social Justice schedules online discussions on potential alternatives to neutrality

CHICAGO — The ALA Working Group on Intellectual Freedom and Social Justice will host three online sessions for members and library workers that will provide opportunities to learn more about potential alternatives to neutrality. The alternatives to...

Deborah Caldwell-Stone

United for Libraries and OIF to present May 11 webinar on ‘First Amendment Audits: What Your Library Board and Staff Need to Know’

Exton, Pennsylvania — What should library staff do when self-proclaimed “citizen journalists” enter the library claiming a right to question employees and film in any space accessible to the public? The May 11 webinar “ First Amendment Audits: What Your...

National Library Week kicks off with State of America’s Libraries Report, annual 'Top 10 Most Challenged Books' list and a new campaign to fight book bans

Book challenges top 700 – the most since 2000 CHICAGO —The American Library Association (ALA) kicks off National Library Week with the release of its State of America's Libraries Report, highlighting the challenges U.S. libraries faced in the second year...

Large majorities of voters oppose book bans and have confidence in libraries

First survey of its kind confirms national bipartisan support for the freedom to read CHICAGO—Amid the recent proliferation of efforts to ban books in every state across the country, a new national poll commissioned by the American Library Association...

National Library Week

Celebrate the freedom to read during National Library Week, April 3-9

CHICAGO – The freedom to read is essential to holding together the fabric of our democracy. Our nation’s libraries are on the front lines, protecting that freedom in the face of threats from groups that would remove or limit access to reading materials...

American Library Association releases new privacy field guides

CHICAGO — Privacy is a core value of librarianship, but what does it mean to put privacy in action in the library? Wading through suggested best practices, technology requirements, and the laws addressing privacy rights can be daunting and can raise more...

Fred Rogers Productions wins Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award for “Alma’s Way”

CHICAGO – Producer Fred Rogers Productions is the 2022 recipient of the Award for “Alma’s Way”. The award was announced today by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), during LibLearnX...

New intellectual freedom resource helps librarians address challenges to problematic authors

CHICAGO – Librarians face an increasing number of book challenges, with objections aimed specifically at the content contained in the books themselves, including LGBTQ+ content and critical race theory. But today the objections are increasingly reaching...

State Legislative Toolkit - ALA American Library Association

ALA publishes state legislative toolkit for legislative advocacy

CHICAGO, IL - The American Library Association (ALA) has published a State Legislative Toolkit to help organizations advance state legislation that supports libraries, library workers, and the communities they serve. Authored by the Public Policy and...

Banned Books Week September 26 through October 2. ALA American Library Association. Books Unite Us.

Celebrate Banned Books Week 2021 with Resources, Events

During Banned Books Week (Sept. 26 – Oct. 2, 2021), libraries, their users and readers everywhere are invited to celebrate and exercise their freedom to read with resources and events from the American Library Association (ALA). Banned Books Week is an...

book cover for “A History of ALA Policy on Intellectual Freedom” is a supplement to the tenth edition of “Intellectual Freedom Manual“

An updated history of ALA policy on intellectual freedom

CHICAGO — Collecting several key documents, “ A History of ALA Policy on Intellectual Freedom” is a supplement to the tenth edition of “Intellectual Freedom Manual,“ published by ALA Editions in collaboration with ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom...