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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.
Large majorities of voters oppose book bans and have confidence in libraries
First survey of its kind confirms national bipartisan support for the freedom to read CHICAGO—Amid the recent proliferation of efforts to ban books in every state across the country, a new national poll commissioned by the American Library Association...
Celebrate the freedom to read during National Library Week, April 3-9
CHICAGO – The freedom to read is essential to holding together the fabric of our democracy. Our nation’s libraries are on the front lines, protecting that freedom in the face of threats from groups that would remove or limit access to reading materials...
American Library Association releases new privacy field guides
CHICAGO — Privacy is a core value of librarianship, but what does it mean to put privacy in action in the library? Wading through suggested best practices, technology requirements, and the laws addressing privacy rights can be daunting and can raise more...
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...
Make your voice heard within ALA at the Virtual Membership Meeting, Thursday, March 17
CHICAGO – ALA members will have the opportunity to engage in real time with ALA leadership during the association’s Virtual Membership Meeting, at 1 p.m. Central/2 p.m. Eastern, Thursday, March 17. Virtual meetings are part of ALA’s ongoing focus to...
United for Libraries to present ‘Keeping Governance on Track’ webinars March 29 and 31
EXTON, Pennsylvania - United for Libraries will present a free two-part webinar series, “ Keeping Governance on Track ,” March 29 at 2 p.m. Eastern and March 31 at 7 p.m. Eastern. Increasingly, library board meetings are facing disruptions, often making...
CHICAGO — This month's ALA Connect Live session is one you won't want to miss. It will showcase what library champions are doing to help their communities address climate change. Register now for this important discussion, which takes place at 11 a.m...
PLA responds to growing intellectual freedom challenges with virtual townhall
CHICAGO — As libraries continue confronting unprecedented attacks on the freedom to read, the Public Library Association (PLA) will offer a virtual townhall event, Facing the Challenge: Intellectual Freedom in Libraries, on Friday, March 4, from 1–2 p.m...
New intellectual freedom resource helps librarians address challenges to problematic authors
CHICAGO – Librarians face an increasing number of book challenges, with objections aimed specifically at the content contained in the books themselves, including LGBTQ+ content and critical race theory. But today the objections are increasingly reaching...
Freedom to Read Foundation seeks nominations for Board of Trustees
CHICAGO — The Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) is seeking individuals who are willing to sustain and support the Foundation's mission to stand as candidates for election to its 2022-2023 Board of Trustees. FTRF is a non-profit legal and educational...
Library services and incarceration
CHICAGO — As part of our mission to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all library patrons, our profession needs to come to terms with the consequences of mass incarceration, which have saturated the everyday lives of people in the...
A new book of quotes for library lovers
CHICAGO — Celebrate librarianship and the love of libraries with “ Uncommon Quotes for Library Lovers,” published by ALA Editions. Included are 100 of the most insightful, thought-provoking, and uplifting aphorisms about books, the joy of reading...
Quick copyright guidance for common situations
CHICAGO — Faculty, students, and colleagues come to you with copyright questions, both simple and complex. And they all want reliable answers—as fast as you can get them. With “ Compact Copyright: Quick Answers to Common Questions,” published by ALA...
Celebrate Banned Books Week 2021 with Resources, Events
During Banned Books Week (Sept. 26 – Oct. 2, 2021), libraries, their users and readers everywhere are invited to celebrate and exercise their freedom to read with resources and events from the American Library Association (ALA). Banned Books Week is an...
An updated history of ALA policy on intellectual freedom
CHICAGO — Collecting several key documents, “ A History of ALA Policy on Intellectual Freedom” is a supplement to the tenth edition of “Intellectual Freedom Manual,“ published by ALA Editions in collaboration with ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom...
