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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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AASL Research Paper Awards Announced

CHICAGO – Three research papers have been awarded the 2025 American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Research Paper Award by the Educators of School Librarians Section (ESLS) of AASL. Sponsored by ABC-CLIO, the grants recognize excellence in...

Bound To Stay Bound Books

Thirty AASL Members Awarded Bound to Stay Bound Grants to Attend First 2025 AASL National Conference

CHICAGO – Thirty American Association of School Librarians (AASL) members have been awarded $750 travel grants to attend their first AASL National Conference. Generously sponsored by Bound to Stay Bound Books, Inc. (BTSB), the grants will enable...

Stone Bridge High School Awarded ALA’s 2025 Jaffarian Award for Historical Artifact Footlocker Program

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) has awarded its 2025 Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award to Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn, Virginia, for its Historical Artifact Footlocker Program. The $5,000 Jaffarian Award, supported by...

Intellectual Freedom Round Table. 2025 Intellectual Freedom Awards

ALA Announces 2025 Recipients of Celebrated Library Intellectual Freedom Awards

CHICAGO – The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) of the American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce the Illinois Library Association as the recipient of the 2025 Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award; Nate Coulter...

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Scotts Ridge Middle School named National School Library of the Year

CHICAGO – Scotts Ridge Middle School, located in Ridgefield, Connecticut, is the recipient of the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) 2025 National School Library of the Year (NSLY) Award. Sponsored by Follett Content, the NSLY Award...

JAHM Jewish American Heritage Month

AASL Members Receive Jewish American Heritage Month Collection Development Grants

CHICAGO—Fifteen American Association of School Librarians (AASL) members have been awarded $500 collection development grants. Generously sponsored by The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, the grants allow recipients to create or expand...

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Nominations open for ALA honorary membership

Nominations are being accepted for ALA honorary membership, the Association’s highest honor due September 1, 2025.

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Shannon Bailey receives AASL Frances Henne Award

CHICAGO – Shannon Bailey, school librarian at Manchester High School in Midlothian, Virginia, is the recipient of the 2025 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Frances Henne Award. Sponsored by Bloomsbury Libraries Unlimited, the $1,250 award...

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“Cranford Dixie Giants” receives AASL Roald Dahl's Miss Honey Social Justice Award

CHICAGO – The “Cranford Dixie Giants” project from Cranford High School in Cranford, New Jersey, is the recipient of the 2025 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Roald Dahl's Miss Honey Social Justice Award. Sponsored by Penguin Random House...

Mountain Top Library (N.Y.) and Pottsboro (Texas) Library Awarded ALA’s Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) has awarded its sixth annual Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant to Mountain Top Library (N.Y.) and Pottsboro (Texas) Library. The winning libraries will use the grant to create a collaborative...

AASL Opens Distinguished Service Award Nominations

CHICAGO — The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is pleased to announce the opening of nominations for the esteemed AASL Distinguished Service Award. This prestigious honor recognizes an individual within the library profession who has...

JAHM Jewish American Heritage Month

AASL Announces Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) Collection Development Grants

CHICAGO - Fifteen collection development grants are available to AASL members to create or expand their collection with content to provide context and content that explores Jewish experience, Jewish achievement, and Jewish identity as an antidote to...

Jason Skiba receives AASL Distinguished School Administrator Award

CHICAGO – Jason Skiba, Principal at Allen Park High School, is the recipient of the 2025 American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Distinguished School Administrator Award. Sponsored by ProQuest, the $2,000 award recognizes and honors a school...

Bound To Stay Bound Books

Travel Grants Available for First-Time AASL National Conference Attendees

CHICAGO — Thirty travel grants are available to school library professionals wishing to attend the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) National Conference for the first time. The $750 grants for first-time attendees of the conference are...

Danielle Schwessinger, Media Specialist

Danielle Schwessinger receives AASL Innovative Reading Grant

CHICAGO – Danielle Schwessinger, school library media specialist at Elmer Wolfe Elementary School in Union Bridge, Maryland, is the recipient of the 2025 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Innovative Reading Grant. Sponsored by Capstone...