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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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Ten Spectrum Scholars receive PLA Conference Travel Grant

CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) has awarded 10 2014 Spectrum Scholar/PLA Conference Travel Grants to Spectrum Scholars LaToya Devezin, Claudia Flores, Gloria Jertberg, William Langston, Sarah Hashemi Scott, Eimmy Solis, Victoria Thomas...

Ina Laguerta

AASL names Ina Laguerta as 2013 Spectrum Scholar

CHICAGO - As part of its commitment to furthering diversity in the school library profession, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) has named Ina Laguerta as its 2013 Spectrum Scholar. The Spectrum Scholarship fund is the American Library...

Jessica Bastian

ACRL funds 2013 Spectrum Scholar Jessica Bastian

CHICAGO – As part of its commitment to furthering diversity in librarianship, the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) is supporting Jessica Bastian as its 2013-14 Spectrum Scholar. Bastian attends the Graduate School of Library and...

Kirk MacLeod

University of Alberta’s Kirk MacLeod selected as RUSA Spectrum Scholar

CHICAGO — Kirk MacLeod, MLIS candidate in the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta and serials technician for the Government of Alberta, will serve as the Spectrum Scholar for the Reference and User Services Association...

Miriam Tuliao prepares to swim for Spectrm

NYC librarian swims to raise funds for Spectrum in memory of Elizabeth A. Blatz and Carol Small

CHICAGO — Miriam Tuliao, assistant director for selection at BookOps of the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) and The New York Public Library (NYPL), announced that she will participate in the IGLA Championship Open Water Swim to help raise funds for ALA’s...

ALA awards 51 Spectrum Scholarships for 2013-2014

CHICAGO — Today, the American Library Association's (ALA) Office for Diversity awards 2013-2014 Spectrum Scholarships to 51 exceptional students pursuing graduate degrees in library and information studies. Since 1997, the ALA has awarded more than 800...

Transliteracy and the School Library Program, Oct. 12-13, 2012

AASL sponsors two Spectrum Scholars to attend Fall Forum

CHICAGO — The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) will sponsor the travel, lodging and attendance of two Spectrum Scholars, Judith Guzman-Montes and Connie Thompson, at the AASL 2012 Fall Forum. Transliteracy and the School Library Program...

Ticha Gwaradzimba, 2012-13 ALSC Spectrum Scholar. Photo courtesy of Ticha Gwaradzimba.

Gwaradzimba named ALSC Spectrum Scholar

CHICAGO —The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) chose Ticha Gwaradzimba as its 2012-2013 Spectrum Scholar. Gwaradzimba is currently pursuing her master's in Library and Information Science from the University of Western Ontario in London...

2012 Spectrum Scholarship winners announced

CHICAGO —This year, the American Library Association's ( ALA) Office for Diversity is awarding a new round of 50 Spectrum Scholarships. The Spectrum Scholarship Program provides scholarships to American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American...

PLA continues its support of Spectrum Presidential Initiative

CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) has reaffirmed its commitment to diversity in the library profession through a gift of $5,000 to the American Library Association’s (ALA) Spectrum Scholarship Program. In recognition of PLA’s contributions to...

PLA supports Spectrum Presidential Initiative

CHICAGO—The Public Library Association (PLA) has reaffirmed its commitment to diversity in the library profession through a gift of $4,000 to the American Library Association’s (ALA) Spectrum Scholarship Program. ALA President Roberta Stevens, Immediate...