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.
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.

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

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

New Research Examines Recruitment and Retention of Black Female School Librarians

CHICAGO – Newly published research study from the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) peer-reviewed online journal, School Library Research (SLR), used interviews and research methodology to analyze recruitment and retention rates of Black...

Legendary Actor/Author/Activist George Takei Named Honorary Chair of Banned Books Week 2025

Pioneering actor, author, and activist George Takei has been named honorary chair of Banned Books Week, which will take place October 5 – 11, 2025. Takei will be joined in leading the annual event by youth honorary chair Iris Mogul.

The Librarians

AASL to Host a Screening of The Librarians

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) will host a screening of the documentary The Librarians, from Oscar-nominated and Peabody Award-winning director and producer Kim A. Snyder, at the AASL National Conference. Sponsored by the...

Perez Headshot.jpeg

AASL President’s Program Brings Banned Together Author Ashley Hope Pérez to ALA Annual Conference

CHICAGO— AASL President Becky Calzada will host Ashley Hope Pérez, author of Banned Together: Our Fight for Readers’ Rights, for a compelling conversation on the transformative power of books. Together, they will explore the critical question, “What is...

ALA, Unite Against Book Bans share Right to Read Day theme and actions

American Library Association and Unite Against Book Bans invite the community to participate in Right to Read Day, taking place April 7, the Monday of National Library Week.

ALA, AASL decry U.S. Defense Department censorship of schools and libraries on military installations

DoDEA school libraries provide a wealth of information and resources to their communities. By ordering the removal and suppression of learning materials and activities in its schools and libraries, the DoDEA is engaging in censorship...

Red background, white words: BOOK BANS ARE REAL. ALA logo

ALA to U. S. Department of Education: Book bans are real

The American Library Association responds to the Department of Education's dismissal of complaints about censorship and discrimination: the "effort to terminate protections... advances the demonstrably false claim that book bans are not real."

ALA logo on red background

American Library Association and American Association of School Librarians Members Featured in Documentary “The Librarians” to Walk the Red Carpet at Sundance Premiere

American Library Association and American Association of School Librarians member leaders Becky Calzada, Carolyn Foote, and Amanda Jones, will walk the red carpet at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, for the premiere of “The Librarians"

Arkansas Book-Banning Law Declared Unconstitutional

The US District Court for the Western District of Arkansas today declared Arkansas Act 372 unconstitutional in an opinon indicating that the law is overbroad and void for vagueness, and permanently enjoined its enforcement.

2025 Eli M Oboler Memorial Award. Now accepting submissions! Books published in 2023/2024 with the central concern of one or more issues, events, questions, or controversies in the area of intellectual freedom. Deadline: January 2, 2025. ala.org/ifrt/oboler. Intellectual Freedom Round Table

IFRT Seeks Nominations for the Eli M. Oboler Award

The Intellectual Freedom Round Table is seeking book nominations for the 2025 Eli M. Oboler Memorial Award. The award winner will be announced in the spring of 2025. A certificate of recognition and $500 cash award will be presented at the 2025 American...

Red, white and blue copy on black background: 10.19.24 FREEDOM TO READ DAY OF ACTION COMMUNITIES UNITE AGAINST BOOK BANS

Freedom to Read Community Day of Action rallies support for America’s libraries on October 19

The American Library Association (ALA) and the ALA-founded Unite Against Book Bans campaign are joining some of the nation’s largest and smallest library systems to in a Freedom to Read Community Day of Action on October 19, 2024.

ALA reveals preliminery data on 2024 book challenges. New data shows a slowdown in callenge reports.

American Library Association reveals preliminary data on 2024 book challenges

Between January 1 and August 31, 2024, ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 414 attempts to censor library materials and services.

American Library Association Hosts Historic Intellectual Freedom Summit at the Library of Congress

ALA convened a third Intellectual Freedom Summit in its nearly 150-year history, bringing together national organizations, publishing allies, educational institutions, foundations, authors and other champions of intellectual freedom.

Promotional graphic with the text: "FREE PEOPLE READ FREELY. 09|17 2024 AT THE Library of Congress. A National Summit on Democracy, Intellectual Freedom, and Book Censorship in the 21st Century."

American Library Association to Host Historic Intellectual Freedom Summit at the Library of Congress

Event to Forge Collaborative Playbook to Address Censorship Challenges and Protect Free Expression WASHINGTON - The American Library Association (ALA) is convening a third Intellectual Freedom Summit in its nearly 150-year history, bringing together...

A headshot of Ava DuVernay

Filmmaker Ava DuVernay To Lead Banned Books Week As Honorary Chair

White House Honoree Julia Garnett to Serve as Youth Honorary Chair CHICAGO — Award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay has been named honorary chair for Banned Books Week 2024, which takes place September 22 – 28. DuVernay will be joined by youth honorary...