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Show Up for Our Libraries

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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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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Laufey takes center stage as honorary chair of Library Card Sign-up Month 2026

Icelandic-Chinese composer, singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Laufey has been named honorary chair of Library Card Sign-up Month.

Carnegie-Whitney Grant 2026 Award Winners

The American Library Association Publishing Committee is proud to announce the 2026 Carnegie-Whitney Award winners, whose proposed projects promote reading or the use of library resources.

ALA American Library Association

ALA, SHLB partners disappointed with FCC decision to impose new E-Rate bidding portal

The American Library Association today expressed disappointment following the Federal Communications Commission's vote to establish a new competitive bidding portal for the federal E-Rate program.

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Banned Books Week 2026 Artwork Unveiled

The American Library Association (ALA) and Banned Books Week Coalition today unveiled the artwork for Banned Books Week 2026, October 4–10. Designed for use in Banned Books Week events nationwide and internationally, the 2026 theme is “Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read.”

Lisa Wells honored with 2026 ALA Ken Haycock Award for Promoting Librarianship Award

CHICAGO — Lisa Wells, Executive Director of the Pioneer Library System (PLS) in Oklahoma, has been honored with the 2026 ALA Ken Haycock Award for Promoting Librarianship

New from ACRL - “Inclusive Leadership in Academic Libraries”

CHICAGO – The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) announces the publication of “ Inclusive Leadership in Academic Libraries,” edited by Annie Bélanger, Jennifer A. DeVito, and John J. Meier. This collection explores what inclusive...

Chulin Meng and Sammie Johnson Headshots

Core Board of Directors Appointment

CHICAGO – The Core Division of the American Library Association is proud to announce two new Directors-at-large starting July 2026. Sammie Johnson won election to a three-year term, and Chulin Meng was appointed by the Core Board of Directors on Tuesday...

School Library Research- Research Journal of the American Association of School Librarians

AASL Opens Call for School Library Research Editorial Board Members

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) seeks a dynamic group of school library practitioners, educators, and researchers to serve on the School Library Research (SLR) Editorial Board. School Library Research advances the profession...

ALSC releases 2026 Summer Reading Lists

Meet the 2026 summer reading lists from ALSC. Free to download and packed with book and digital media recommendations that appeal to young people (ages birth to 14), these lists will help keep children reading and exploring all summer.

ALA American Library Association

2026 Lemony Snicket Prize for Noble Librarians Faced with Adversity Winner- Mary Anne Antonellis

CHICAGO - The 2026 Lemony Snicket Prize for Noble Librarians Faced with Adversity is awarded to Mary Anne Antonellis, Director of the Shutesbury Public Library in Massachusetts.

ALA American Library Association

American Library Association releases 2025 Most Challenged Books List as National Library Week Begins

State of America’s Libraries Report reveals 4,235 unique titles challenged in 2025, marking the second-highest total on record

ALA American Library Association

American Library Association Applauds Congressional Efforts to Expand Library Access for Incarcerated Individuals

The American Library Association (ALA) welcomes the introduction of the Prison Libraries Act, bicameral legislation aimed at expanding access to library services and educational opportunities for people who are incarcerated.

2026 Beta Phi Mu Award Winner- Dr. Laura Saunders

Dr. Laura Saunders, Associate Dean and Professor of the Simmons University’s School of Library and Information Science in Boston and Director of the Simmons Center for Information Literacy has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Beta Phi Mu Award.

2026 W.Y. Boyd Literary Novel Award Winner- Robert Inman for the book "Villages"

CHICAGO — Villages by Robert Inman is the winner of the 2026 W.Y. Boyd Literary Novel Award “for excellence in military fiction.” The book was published by Livingston Press, an imprint of The University of West Alabama in 2025.

Page to Practice AASL Book Club

AASL Launches “Page to Practice” Book Club to Transform Professional Reading into Action

CHICAGO- The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) announces the launch of the AASL Page to Practice Book Club, a new online professional learning community designed to help school librarians and K–12 educators turn professional reading into...