News and Press Center

Stay updated on ALA's latest news, events, and initiatives in libraries nationwide. Your go-to source for library innovation and impact.

Featured News

View All
Navigate through visible news articles using tab, or use the previous and next buttons to view more articles. Press Enter or Space to interact with article details.

Press Quick Links

ALA in the News

NBC News (logo)

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.
 

 

More media coverage

All News

National Library Week 2024 poster with text Ready, Set, Library! in red, yellow, and green.

American Library Association celebrates National Library Week 2024

The American Library Association (ALA) is thrilled to celebrate National Library Week from April 7 to11. This year’s theme is "Ready, Set, Library!" which illustrates the idea that in an always-online world, libraries give the community a green light to connect with others, learn new skills, and focus on what matters most.

ALA-SLI National Climate Action Strategy Working Group will hold open forum March 14

The National Climate Action Strategy Working Group, a joint project of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative (SLI) and the American Library Association (ALA), is planning an open forum to introduce a draft Climate Action Strategy for Libraries to ALA members and to solicit feedback from the field. The open forum will be held on Thursday, March 14th, at 1 p.m. CT.

Meg Medina

Author and National Ambassador Meg Medina Selected Honorary Chair of National Library Week 2024

CHICAGO — Award-winning author and National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Meg Medina has been selected Honorary Chair of National Library Week, April 7-13, 2024, which celebrates the indispensable role of libraries and library workers in...

I Love My Librarian Award 2024 logo. Text at bottom reads "Your librarian could receive $5,000!"

Nominate a stellar librarian for the 2024 I Love My Librarian Award

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) invites library users nationwide to nominate their favorite librarians for the prestigious I Love My Librarian Award. The national award recognizes the outstanding public service contributions of librarians...

American Library Association Announces New Additions and Appointments to Leadership Team

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce the addition and appointment of new and existing members to its leadership staff: Rebecca Headrick, Payal Patel, Julie Reese and Alena Rivers. The cohort consists of four dynamic...

I Love My Librarian Award logo. Text reads "Your librarian could receive $5,000!"

Nominate a stellar librarian for the national I Love My Librarian Award

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) invites library users nationwide to nominate their favorite librarians for the prestigious I Love My Librarian Award. The national award recognizes the outstanding public service contributions of librarians...

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...

Idina Menzel and Cara Mentzel get loud for libraries as honorary chairs of Library Card Sign-up Month 2022

CHICAGO — Tony Award-winning performer, actress, singer-songwriter, and philanthropist Idina Menzel and her sister, author and educator Cara Mentzel, have been named honorary chairs of Library Card Sign-Up Month. This September, Idina and Cara will join...

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...

National Library Week tools

Free National Library Week tools now available from ALA

CHICAGO – Tools are now available to help communities nationwide celebrate the contributions of libraries and library professionals during National Library Week, April 3 – 9, 2022. Held each April by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries of...

Donna Barba Higuera, Jason Chin win Newbery, Caldecott Medals

CHICAGO – Donna Barba Higuera, author of “The Last Cuentista,” and Jason Chin, illustrator of “Watercress,” are the 2022 recipients of the John Newbery and Randolph Caldecott Medals, the most prestigious awards in children’s literature. Donna Barba...

Carole Boston Weatherford, Floyd Cooper win 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Awards

CHICAGO – Carole Boston Weatherford, author of “Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre” and Floyd Cooper, illustrator of “Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre” are the winners of the 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Awards honoring African American authors and...

Nikki Grimes 2022 recipient of the Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement

CHICAGO – Nikki Grimes is the recipient of the 2022 Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement. The announcement was made this morning by the American Library Association (ALA), during LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience...