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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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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...

book cover for The Ultimate Privacy Field Guide: A Workbook of Best Practices

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...

ALA, American Library Association

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...

Banned Books Week Events - Free Expression for Young People (Sep 19), A Conversation with Author Jennifer Niven (Sep 20), How to Fight Book Bans in Your Community (Sep 21) and Practical Strategies for Defending Books in Your Library (Sep 22)

American Library Association Highlights Increasing Censorship Attempts During Banned Books Week Programming

American Library Association, Unite Against Book Bans and Banned Books Week Coalition Announce Events for September 18-24 CHICAGO -- Libraries nationwide will join the American Library Association to highlight increased censorship of books during this...

book cover for “Read These Banned Books: A Journal and 52-Week Reading Challenge"

Sourcebooks and ALA present banned book journal and reading guide

CHICAGO — Sourcebooks, a leading independent publisher based in Chicago, and the American Library Association’s (ALA) book publishing imprint, ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman, announce publication of “ Read These Banned Books: A Journal and 52-Week...

ALA’s Response to Question About Disinformation in Libraries

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) released the following response to questions raised following a session at ALA’s Annual Conference & Exhibition. Holocaust denial is disinformation and the American Library Association unequivocally opposes...

UABB Black logo.png

Authors Jason Reynolds, Nancy Pearl join high schoolers to Unite Against Book Bans at world’s biggest library event in Washington, D.C., June 25

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Award-winning young adult author Jason Reynolds, Book Lust author Nancy Pearl and American Library Association (ALA) intellectual freedom advocate Deborah Caldwell-Stone will join Bell Multicultural High School (Washington, D.C.)...

Freedom to Read Celebration

Freedom to Read Celebration, Supporting the Merritt Fund, and Featuring Banned Author David Levithan

Join the ALA Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) and the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) along with banned author David Levithan, library professionals, authors, and friends for this 2022 Freedom to Read Celebration, Merritt Fund fundraiser, and...

ALA logo: Red box with white lettering "ALA American Library Association"

Library, author, bookseller groups condemn legal action attempting to censor books in Virginia

The American Library Association (ALA) joined with Virginia librarians and booksellers, publishers and civil liberties organizations to issue a statement on June 1 condemning a Virginia political candidate’s legal action that seeks to halt distribution of...

Freedom to Read Foundation 2022 Election Results

CHICAGO-The Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF), a non-profit legal and educational organization affiliated with the American Library Association dedicated to protecting and defending each person’s First Amendment right to read, concluded its annual...

Graphic: Book cover open with fuschia-orange-yellow multicolor page edges Bold text in black: Unite Against Book Bans An Initiative of the American Library Association

More than 25 organizations join forces with the American Library Association to Unite Against Book Bans

Campaign urges decisionmakers to oppose book bans, protect the freedom to read The American Library Association (ALA) and a coalition of more than 25 groups are banding together to empower individuals and communities to fight censorship and protect the...

front cover of the Spring/Summer 2022 ALA Graphics catalog

New Banned Books Week materials and more debut in spring/summer ALA Graphics catalog

CHICAGO – The Spring/Summer 2022 ALA Graphics catalog delivers a range of exciting posters and bookmarks to inspire and encourage readers of all ages. The cover displays the new Banned Books Week poster which offers the important and timely message that...

Congratulations TLA and TASL on receiving the 2022 Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award.

IFRT awards 2022 Hodges Award to two Tennessee Organizations

The Intellectual Freedom Round Table's Coalition Building Committee will award the 2022 Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award to the Tennessee Library Association (TLA) and the Tennessee Association of School Librarians (TASL). For...

G N C R T. Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table

GNCRT seeks information about censorship of comics in schools and libraries

In February 2022 the Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT) of the American Library Association (ALA) launched a new committee focused on preparing for and addressing bans, challenges, and other forms of censorship of comics in libraries. This...

ALA Working Group on Intellectual Freedom and Social Justice schedules online discussions on potential alternatives to neutrality

CHICAGO — The ALA Working Group on Intellectual Freedom and Social Justice will host three online sessions for members and library workers that will provide opportunities to learn more about potential alternatives to neutrality. The alternatives to...