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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.
CHICAGO -- The Freedom to Read Foundation and the American Association of School Librarians have joined the Association of University Presses, Barnes & Noble Booksellers and Freedom to Learn Advocates in filing an amicus curiae brief that supports the...
Court Upholds First Amendment rights of Libraries, Librarians, Booksellers, Publishers, Authors and Readers in Commanding Opinion Washington, D.C. — On July 29, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas granted a Preliminary Injunction...
As censorship threats continue to target libraries, schools, publishers, authors, and booksellers, the American Library Association (ALA) and the Association of American Publishers (AAP) are calling on all members of the book community to affirm their...
An updated guide to LGBTQIA+ books for children and teens
CHICAGO — Books for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, asexual, and intersex readers and their allies continue to thrive and evolve in reflection of the variety of families and individual identities today. Deemed "an essential...
Freedom to Read Foundation Files Amicus Brief in Support of Llano County Texans’ Lawsuit Challenging County’s Library Book Censorship The Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) today filed an amicus curiae brief with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Leila...
Suit Challenges Arkansas Act 372, a Bill That Would Restrict Access to Books in State Book Stores and Public Libraries The Freedom to Read Foundation, the First Amendment legal defense arm of the American Library Association, today joined a broad...
Carrie Russell's updated copyright guidance for K–12 librarians and educators
CHICAGO — Previously awarded The ABC-CLIO Greenwood Award for the Best Book in Library Literature, Carrie Russell’s new second edition of “ Complete Copyright for K–12 Librarians and Educators,” published by ALA Editions, will encourage readers to stop...
CHICAGO - The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) of the American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce the Michigan Library Association (MLA) as the recipient of the 2023 Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award. The...
ALA Announces Theme for Banned Books Week, October 1-7, 2023
Grant application window open through May 19, 2023 CHICAGO – The American Library Association has announced the theme for Banned Books Week 2023: “Let Freedom Read!” Banned Books Week will take place October 1 – 7, 2023. "As we’ve seen throughout National...
Book Challenges Nearly Doubled From 2021 CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) today released new data documenting* 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources in 2022, the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling...
A holistic perspective on intellectual freedom
CHICAGO — Enshrined in the mission statement of ALA, intellectual freedom is one of the core values of the information professions. The importance of ensuring information access to all, and the historical, social, and legal foundations of this commitment...
Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) seeks nominations for the John Phillip Immroth Award
CHICAGO - The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) is accepting nominations for the 2023 John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award. This award, presented annually, honors notable contributions to intellectual freedom and demonstrations of personal courage in...
Intellectual Freedom Round Table seeks nominations for the Eli M. Oboler Award
CHICAGO - The Intellectual Freedom Round Table is seeking nominations for the 2023 Eli M. Obloer Memorial Award. IFRT began giving the award on an annual basis last year. The Oboler Award honors journal articles in even number years (2022, 2024, etc.) and...
OIF's workbook of privacy best practices for libraries
CHICAGO — Privacy is a core value of librarianship, yet it often feels like an overwhelming and onerous undertaking. With the creation of ever larger datasets and methods to track users’ every movement, library workers need to have a deep understanding of...
American Library Association Releases Preliminary Data on 2022 Book Bans
Total book challenges in 2022 set to exceed 2021 record CHICAGO – Eight months into 2022, the number of attempts to ban or restrict library resources in schools, universities and public libraries, is on track to exceed record counts from 2021, according...
