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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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K-12 school librarians invited to apply for the annual $5,000 Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award

CHICAGO — School librarians are invited to apply for a $5,000 annual award recognizing outstanding humanities programming in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Nominations for the 2025 Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award will be accepted until...

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LaShonda Campbell Named a 2025 Core Emerging Leader

CHICAGO—Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures is pleased to announce that LaShonda Campbell has been selected as a Core Emerging Leader (EL). Campbell is a Collections Development Librarian at University of Arkansas at Monticello. She earned her...

Core Online Course Scholarship

February-August 2025 Applications Now Open for the Core Online Course Scholarship for Library Professionals from Developing Countries

CHICAGO–Core is now accepting applications for the Online Course Scholarship for Library Professionals from Developing Countries to participate in our online Fundamentals courses held between February 24, 2025, and August 7, 2025. One free seat per...

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Submissions Now Open for the 2025 John Cotton Dana Awards

CHICAGO—The American Library Association (ALA) is now accepting submissions for the 2025 John Cotton Dana Award (JCD). The John Cotton Dana Award is one of the most prestigious awards given to up to eight libraries for outstanding library public relations...

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ALA Core Margaret Mann Citation Applications Due February 28

CHICAGO—Please consider nominating a colleague or self-nominating for the ALA Core Margaret Mann Citation, a prestigious award that recognizes outstanding professional achievement in cataloging or classification, either through publication of significant...

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Games & Gaming Round Table Announces the First Platinum Play Award Recipients

Wrapping up International Games Month 2024, the Games & Gaming Round Table (GameRT) of the American Library Association is pleased to announce the winners of the first annual Platinum Play Hall of Fame Awards (the “Platys”). Building on the first cohort...

Libraries Invited to Apply for the Fifth Annual Peggy Barber Tribute Grant to Support Programs Reducing Social Isolation Among Older Adults

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) invites library workers to apply for the fifth annual Peggy Barber Tribute Grant, a programming grant named after the transformative ALA leader responsible for the creation of National Library Week and the...

ALA Invites Applications for Sixth Annual Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) invites library workers to apply for the Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant (LTCEG), an annual award supporting innovative and meaningful community engagement efforts in libraries...

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American Library Association’s Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT) announces establishment of the GNCRT Outstanding Comics Award

The Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table announces the GNCRT Outstanding Comics Award, dedicated to recognizing excellence in graphic novels for libraries.

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Penguin Random House and United for Libraries Announce New Grant Program

Penguin Random House and United for Libraries today announced a new grant program serving rural and small libraries across the country. The initiative will serve rural and small libraries in need across the country through grant funds, education, and in...

ALA invites applicants for $3.5 million in grants as part of third round of Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) invites applications from small and rural libraries for the third round of funding of the Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant. The initiative will offer 3...

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Call for ALA Awards Jury Volunteers

ALA Members are invited to submit interest in volunteering to serve on ALA Awards Juries. Members who wish to be considered for Awards Juries should submit their interest via this online form by Monday, September 30, 2024. Final jury appointments are made...

Applications Now Open for the Core Online Course Scholarship for Library Professionals from Developing Countries

CHICAGO–Core is now accepting applications for the Online Course Scholarship for Library Professionals from Developing Countries to participate in our online Fundamentals courses held between September 11, 2024 and December 22, 2024. One free seat per...

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NMRT Announces Annual Conference Award Winners

The New Members Round Table (NMRT) of ALA is pleased to announce the winners of its Annual Conference Awards. The NMRT Awards foster active involvement in ALA through various special events at ALA Annual Conferences. The winners of this year’s awards are...

Tom C. Clark High School Awarded ALA’s 2024 Jaffarian Award for Freedom Walk Program

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) has awarded its 2024 Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award to Tom C. Clark High School in San Antonio, Texas for its Freedom Walk program. The $5,000 Jaffarian Award, supported by ALA’s Cultural...