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June 27, 2025
ALA celebrates Supreme Court ruling to protect federal broadband programs
The American Library Association (ALA) applauded the Supreme Court 6-3 decision to uphold the Universal Service Fund (USF).

June 27, 2025
American Library Association chooses Daniel Montgomery as new executive director
The American Library Association (ALA) has selected Daniel J. Montgomery as its next executive director. He will replace Interim Executive Director Leslie Burger.

June 12, 2025
Dr. Carla Hayden to appear at 2025 American Library Association Annual Conference
Former Librarian of Congress set to participate in conversation with award-winning author Kwame Alexander.

June 6, 2025
Court allows Trump administration to proceed with efforts to destroy Institute of Museum and Library Services as case continues
A federal judge has declined to block the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The ruling, issued today in ALA v. Sonderling, will allow the administration’s cuts at the independent agency while the case proceeds.

May 21, 2025
ALA welcomes IMLS staff return and select grant reinstatements, cautiously optimistic about national case
ALA welcomed the return of Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) staff to work and the reinstatement of some IMLS grants, which had been terminated following President Trump’s March 14 Executive Order 14238.

May 15, 2025
ALA raises alarm over termination of Digital Equity Act grants
The American Library Association (ALA) raised alarm over the Trump Administration’s cancellation of the Digital Equity Act grant program as of May 9.
ALA in the News
The association, founded in 1876, condemned legislation that would threaten librarians and other educators with criminal prosecution for possessing “obscene” material.

The American Library Association (ALA) and Unite Against Book Bans will host a second annual Rally for the Right to Read: Voters Unite Against Book Bans at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront on Friday, June 28, 2024.

ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom to benefit from new book of essays
A new book of essays, “Why Books Still Matter,” inspired by the late First Amendment champion Joyce Meskis, has been released this month, with proceeds going to the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.
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...

Webinar: Law and the Right to Read: What Your Trustees Need to Know
United for Libraries will host Law and the Right to Read: What Your Trustees Need to Know on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, 1:00-2:00 pm Central. Registration is free to the following United statewide partners: MA, MD, MI, MS, ND, NE, OR, SC, SD, and VA...

In February 2022, the Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table created the Addressing Comics Challenges Committee with the charge of focusing on resources for libraries in preparing for and addressing bans, challenges, and other forms of censorship to comics...
CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce the launch of its state Intellectual Freedom Helpline program. Over the next two years, ten pilot program sites will operate a confidential reporting system that will help connect...
Unite Against Book Bans expands book résumé collection for National Library Week
To commemorate National Library Week, Unite Against Book Bans has expanded its free collection of book résumés to support librarians, educators, parents, students, and other community advocates in their efforts to keep frequently challenged books on shelves.

The American Library Association (ALA) launched National Library Week with today’s release of its highly anticipated annual list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023 and the State of America’s Libraries Report, which highlights the ways libraries...

Unite Against Book Bans Announces a Free Book Résumé Resource
Unite Against Book Bans, in collaboration with the publishing community, unveils a free collection of book résumés at bookresumes.uniteagainstbookbans.org to support librarians, educators, parents, students, and other community advocates in their efforts to keep frequently challenged books on shelves.
Core Webinar Series: Creative Commons
CHICAGO—Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures is excited to present the four-part webinar series “Creative Commons” March-April 2024. This webinar series is from Creative Commons, an international nonprofit organization that empowers people to grow...

Today, the American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce the addition of five new members to the Policy Corps’ Unite Against Book Bans cadre: Kate Alderete, Carolyn Foote, Jamie M. Gregory, Tyler Hahn, and Jennie Pu. Formed in March 2023, the cadre has worked in close coordination with the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) and the ALA Public Policy and Advocacy (PPA) Office.

Libraries without borders chronicled in Library History Round Table volume
CHICAGO — “ Libraries Without Borders: New Directions in Library History,” published by ALA Editions, is a remarkable collection of essays drawn from the Library History Seminar sponsored by the Library History Round Table (LHRT). Edited by Steven A...
NYPL and ALA Toolkits for Libraries and Teens Now Available Oct. 12— The New York Public Library (NYPL) and the American Library Association (ALA) on Wednesday announced they are increasing access to NYPL’s “Books for All” anti-censorship campaign with...

LeVar Burton to lead 2023 Banned Books Week as honorary chair
NEW YORK CITY — Beloved reading advocate, writer, and television and film star LeVar Burton will lead this year’s Banned Books Week, which takes place October 1–7, 2023. Burton is the first actor to serve as honorary chair of Banned Books Week, an annual...
American Library Association Releases Preliminary Data on 2023 Book Challenges
New data shows record surge of challenges in public libraries CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) has released new preliminary data documenting the continued rise in attempts to censor books and materials in public, school and academic...