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

EMIERT logo

Now Accepting Nominations: 2026 David Cohen/EMIERT Multicultural Award

The Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT) of the American Library Association (ALA) is now accepting nominations for the David Cohen/EMIERT Multicultural Award.

American Library Association’s Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table Establishes Islamic Information Committee

ALA's Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT) is proud to announce the establishment of the Islamic Information Committee (IIC), expanding its ongoing mission to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in libraries.

EMIERT logo

2025 American Library Association (ALA) Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT) Distinguished Librarian Award

Shamika Jamalia Simpson, Professor and Collection Development and Outreach Librarian at Long Beach City College, has been named the recipient of the 2025 ALA EMIERT Distinguished Librarian Award.

Literacy Nation Inc. and EMIERT announce the 2nd Annual Freedom to Read-a-Thon at ALA Annual Conference

Philadelphia — Literacy Nation Inc., in partnership with the Ethnic & Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT), our Supporter and partners, is thrilled to announce the 2nd Annual Freedom to Read-a-Thon. This exciting event will take place...

ALA announces 2024 EMIERT David Cohen Award Recipients

Lisely Laboy, Dr. Rachael Elrod, Dr. Krista Aronson, and Brittany Kester have been named recipients of the 2024 American Library Association (ALA) Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT) David Cohen/EMIERT Multicultural Award.

David Cohen/EMIERT Multicultural Award nominations open

CHICAGO - The Ethnic Multicultural Information Exchange Roundtable (EMIERT) of the American Library Association is now accepting nominations for the David Cohen/EMIERT Multicultural Award. This award recognizes recent articles that include significant new...

Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table announces 2023 Distinguished Librarian Award

CHICAGO - Evelyn Shimazu Yee, Associate Professor, Research & Instruction Librarian, Head of Library Community Relations, and Curator in Special Collections at Azusa Pacific University Marshburn Memorial Library, is the recipient of the 2023 American...

2022 David Cohen/EMIERT Multicultural Award recipient named

Dr. LaTesha Velez, PhD, Assistant Professor of Library & Information Science (LIS) at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro is the recipient of the 2022 American Library Association (ALA) Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table...

Applications sought for 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Donation Grants

CHICAGO — Underfunded libraries, schools and non-traditional organizations that provide educational services to children are invited to apply to receive one of three Coretta Scott King Book Donation Grants. Every year, in the process of choosing the...

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...

YMA Webcast Logo.JPG

ALA to announce the next classics in children’s and YA literature and media

CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) will announce its Youth Media Awards at 8 a.m. CT, Jan. 24, 2022. Selections will span more than 22 categories, including the coveted Newbery and Caldecott medals, Printz Award and Coretta Scott King Book...

Jerry Craft, Kadir Nelson win 2020 Coretta Scott King Book Awards

PHILADELPHIA – Jerry Craft, author of “New Kid,” and Kadir Nelson, illustrator of “The Undefeated,” are the winners of the 2020 Coretta Scott King Book Awards honoring African American authors and illustrators of outstanding books for children and young...

Photograph of Mildred D. Taylor

Mildred D. Taylor 2020 recipient of the Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement

PHILADELPHIA–Mildred D. Taylor, is the recipient of the 2020 Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement. The announcement was made today by the American Library Association (ALA), during the ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits held...

Applications for 2020 Coretta Scott King Book Donation Grant open

CHICAGO — Underfunded libraries, schools and non-traditional organizations that provide educational services to children are invited to apply to receive one of three Coretta Scott King Book Donation Grants. Every year, in the process of choosing the...

Nominations open for 2020 David Cohen/EMIERT Multicultural Award

CHICAGO - The Ethnic & Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT) of the American Library Association seeks nominations for the 2020 David Cohen/EMIERT Multicultural Award. The David Cohen/EMIERT Multicultural Award recognizes recent articles...