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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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12 Keys to Successful Digital Content Promotion

12 Keys to Successful Digital Content Promotion: An American Libraries Live webcast

CHICAGO — Libraries often struggle with creative or effective ideas to promote digital content to their patrons. Common challenges include lacking a budget, not having an in-house marketing department, and trying to reach patrons who are not physically in...

American Libraries Live

Community Engagement and Fundraising: An American Libraries Live webcast

CHICAGO — Libraries serve their communities above all else, and it’s crucial that librarians work not only with people in the community but also with institutions and businesses. Building positive and productive relationships with these organizations can...

American Libraries Live

The Opioid Epidemic and Libraries: An American Libraries Live Webcast

CHICAGO — The opioid epidemic has sunk its teeth into communities all over the United States, and many libraries are finding themselves caught right in the middle. This crisis creates a variety of issues for librarians—we find ourselves faced with...

American Libraries Live

Tackling Fake News: An American Libraries Live Webcast

CHICAGO—Everyone is talking about Fake News. People are more aware than ever that when you see a “news” story, you need to dig a lot deeper than the headline or the text of the article to know whether what you are seeing is fact rather than speculation...

Podcast investigates the A1 Mystery of Avon Lake

CHICAGO — Whodunit? That’s the question many are asking as they anticipate the Oct. 25 episode of Dewey Decibel, the monthly podcast of American Libraries magazine. In early 2017 dozens of A1 Sauce bottles began mysteriously appearing in the stacks at...

American Libraries Live

Accessibility and Libraries: An American Libraries Live Webcast

CHICAGO— Technology highly influences accessibility—many patrons use assistive technology, such as screen readers, literacy software, and speech input, to access and use library materials and e-resources. This free episode of AL Live explores the rapid...

Driving Decisions with Data: An American Libraries Live Webcast

Driving Decisions with Data: An American Libraries Live Webcast

CHICAGO—Join us July 24 for a free episode of AL Live, where Jason Kuscma, deputy director at Toledo Lucas County (Ohio) Public Library and 2017 Library Journal Mover and Shaker, will discuss how his library uses Analytics On Demand to inform patrons and...

American Libraries Live: Episode sponsored by School Outfitters

Revamping Your Space—Creating a Modern Media Center: An American Libraries Live Webcast

CHICAGO — In the August episode of AL Live, you’ll join the School Outfitters team and Sycamore Community (Ohio) School District leaders to discuss tips for creating a modern media center. They’ll show you how they’ve converted Sycamore High School’s...

Makerspaces: An American Libraries Live Interactive Webcast

CHICAGO — Library makerspaces are transformative, inviting library users to create, innovate and collaborate. But like any new initiative, makerspaces also bring up a host of unique challenges. How do you get started? How can you work within your library...

Library Marketing: A new American Libraries live webcast

CHICAGO — Marketing can be a daunting process for many librarians. New technologies offer diverse avenues for promoting library services, and commercial marketing methods have become expected for libraries, too. Where do you start? What’s the best way to...

Keith Michael Fiels

ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels announces retirement

American Library Association Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels announced today that he will retire in July 2017. Fiels has led ALA since 2002, making him one of the longest-serving executive directors in the Association’s history. Before he came to...