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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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Terri Lesley Receives IFRT Immroth Memorial Award

Terri Lesley Receives IFRT Immroth Memorial Award

The American Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) Immroth Award Committee is pleased to announce Terri Lesley as the recipient of the 2022 John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award, which honors notable contributions to intellectual...

Jamie M. Gregory Oboler Award IFRT

Jamie M. Gregory Receives IFRT Oboler Memorial Award

The American Library Association's Eli M. Oboler Memorial Award is presented each year for an excellent work in the area of intellectual freedom. The 2022 award cycle marked a change for the Oboler Award. Starting this year, articles and books will be...

State Legislative Toolkit - ALA American Library Association

ALA publishes state legislative toolkit for legislative advocacy

CHICAGO, IL - The American Library Association (ALA) has published a State Legislative Toolkit to help organizations advance state legislation that supports libraries, library workers, and the communities they serve. Authored by the Public Policy and...

Nominations open for 2022 IFRT Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award

The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) Coalition Building Committee is accepting nominations for the 2022 Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award. Do you know of a state chapter or organization that has: bravely defended the...

Nominations open for 2022 IFRT John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award

The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) is accepting nominations for the 2022 John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award. This award, presented annually, honors notable contributions to intellectual freedom and demonstrations of personal courage in defense...

IFRT accepting nominations for 2022 Eli M. Oboler Memorial Award

The Intellectual Freedom Round Table is pleased to announce that beginning in 2022 that the Round Table will be awarding the Eli M. Oboler Memorial Award annually. The Oboler Award will honor journal articles in even number years (2022, 2024, etc.) and...

United for Libraries President’s Program to focus on ‘Challenges & Crises: Preparing Your Board of Trustees’

EXTON, Pennsylvania — The United for Libraries President’s Program, “ Challenges & Crises: Preparing Your Board of Trustees,” will be held Friday, June 25, 10 a.m. CT at the ALA Annual Virtual Conference. United for Libraries President David Paige...

Intellectual Freedom Awards Celebration

IFRT, FTRF and UIUC iSchool Honor Intellectual Freedom Award Winners at Virtual Celebration featuring Banned Author Kyle Lukoff

The ALA Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT), the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF), and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) iSchool invite library professionals and the public to a free virtual celebration for their intellectual freedom...

The Intellectual Freedom Round Table of the American Library Association is pleased to announce that the Missouri Library Association (MLA) is the 2021 recipient of the Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award.

Missouri Library Association receives the 2021 Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award

The Intellectual Freedom Round Table of the American Library Association is pleased to announce that the Missouri Library Association (MLA) is the 2021 recipient of the Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award. Proposed Missouri House...

Martin Garnar, recepient of the 2021 John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award

Martin Garnar Receives IFRT Immroth Memorial Award

The American Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) Immroth Award Committee is pleased to announce Martin Garnar as the recipient of the 2021 John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award, which honors significant contributions defending...

IFRT Free Memberships for Students

The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) is offering free memberships for students. Beginning March 15, 2021, students can fill out this form to receive a free membership to IFRT. Up to 200 current ALA student members and up to 25 students who are not...

First Ever IFRT All Member Gathering

First Annual IFRT Meeting

The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) invites all current members to attend its First All Member Gathering of IFRT on Friday, April 30, 2021, from 3-4pm (Central Time). This virtual gathering will feature an overview of IFRT's current and vital work...

Intellectual Freedom Round Table Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award 2021

Call for nominations for the Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award

The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) Coalition Building Committee is accepting nominations for the 2021 Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award. Do you know of a state chapter or organization that has: bravely defended the...

Nominations open for 2021 IFRT John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award

The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) is accepting nominations for the 2021 John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award. This award, presented annually, honors notable contributions to intellectual freedom and demonstrations of personal courage in defense...

GNCRT, IFRT, and Image Comics team-up to celebrate Banned Books Week with webinar series

ALA Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table and the ALA Intellectual Freedom Round Table are celebrating Banned Books Week with Image Comics by producing a week-long webinar series featuring creators and librarians in conversation on topics centered around...