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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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Photo in order: Ms. Kristina Holzweiss, Educational Technology Specialist, Ms. Trish Sergi, Library Media Specialist, and Dr. Sarah Wasser, Library Media Specialist

Syosset High School named National School Library of the Year

CHICAGO – Syosset High School, located in Syosset, New York, is the recipient of the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) 2024 National School Library of the Year (NSLY) Award. Sponsored by Follett Content Solutions, the NSLY Award annually...

JAHM Jewish American Heritage Month

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

CHICAGO — Ten 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...

Hoboken (NJ) Public Library and Independence (KS) Public Library Awarded ALA’s Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant

The American Library Association (ALA) has awarded its fifth Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant to the Hoboken (NJ) Public Library and the Independence (KS) Public Library. The winning libraries will bolster their initiatives aimed at promoting food security and addressing homelessness within their communities.

Three Libraries Awarded ALA’s 2024 Peggy Barber Tribute Grant for Exceptional Civic Education Programs

The American Library Association (ALA) has awarded its 2024 Peggy Barber Tribute Grant, a programming grant named after the transformative ALA leader, to the Library System of Bradford County (New Albany, Penn.), Danbury (Conn.) Public Library and Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Libraries (Mount Pleasant, Mich.).

Gabriela Gualano receives AASL Frances Henne Award

Gabriela Gualano, teacher librarian at Paul Revere Middle School in Los Angeles, California, is the recipient of the 2024 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Frances Henne Award. Sponsored by Bloomsbury Libraries Unlimited, the $1,250 award recognizes a school librarian with five years or less experience who demonstrates leadership qualities with students, teachers, and administrators. The award will enable Gualano to attend an AASL National Conference for the first time.

ALA/IIDA Library Interior Design Awards 2024 showing one of the library designs recognized

Showcase Your Library’s Interior Design Work by Applying for the 2024 ALA/IIDA Library Interior Design Awards

Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) are currently accepting applications for the 11th annual IIDA/ALA Library Interior Design Awards honoring excellence in library interior design and promoting extraordinary interior spaces across nine categories. Winners and their clients will be honored and showcased during an awards ceremony at the ALA Annual Conference in San Diego. The submission deadline has been extended through April 9.

Arlene Laverde, School Librarian, and Charlene Levi, Joshua Krinsky, and Chris Morrison, History Teachers

“The First Amendment and the Freedom to Read” receives AASL Roald Dahl's Miss Honey Social Justice Award

“The First Amendment and the Freedom to Read” project from Townsend Harris High School in Flushing, New York, is the recipient of the 2024 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Roald Dahl's Miss Honey Social Justice Award. Sponsored by Penguin Young Readers, a division of Penguin Random House, the Roald Dahl Award recognizes collaboration between school librarians and teachers in the instruction of social justice using school library resources.

Wendy Gassaway

Wendy Gassaway receives AASL Innovative Reading Grant

Wendy Gassaway, school librarian at Alder Elementary School in Portland, Oregon, is the recipient of the 2024 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Innovative Reading Grant. Sponsored by Capstone, the $2,500 grant supports the planning and implementation of a unique and innovative program for children that motivates and encourages reading, especially with struggling readers.

Cathi Fuhrman in her library. Cathy, a school librarian at State College Area High School, Pennsylvania, is the recipient of the 2024 AASL Intellectual Freedom Award.

Cathi Fuhrman receives the AASL Intellectual Freedom Award

Cathi Fuhrman, a school librarian at State College Area High School, Pennsylvania, is the recipient of the 2024 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Intellectual Freedom Award. Established in 1982 and sponsored by ProQuest, the award is given for upholding the principles of intellectual freedom as set forth by AASL and ALA.

5 staff members of the Washington Library Association-School Library Division, recipient of the 2024 AASL ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant.

Washington Library Association- School Library Division Awarded AASL ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant

The Washington Library Association (WLA) - School Library Division is the recipient of the 2024 American Association of School Librarians (AASL) ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant. Sponsored by ABC-CLIO, the $1,750 grant is given to an AASL Chapter for planning and implementing leadership programs at the state, regional, or local level.

Wei Ling Goh headshot

Wei Ling Goh Named 2023 Core/OCLC Spectrum Scholar

The American Library Association (ALA) has awarded the 2023 Core/OCLC Spectrum Scholarship in Library and Information Technology to Wei Ling Goh.

Rosetta G. Le headshot

Rosetta G. Le receives AASL Distinguished School Administrator Award

Rosetta G. Le, Principal at Suncrest Elementary School, is the recipient of the 2024 American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Distinguished School Administrator Award.

Ashley Mitchell, 2024 Core Emerging Leader

Ashley Mitchell Named a 2024 Core Emerging Leader

CHICAGO—Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures is pleased to announce that Ashley Mitchell has been selected as a Core Emerging Leader (EL). Mitchell serves as Adult Services Librarian at Camden County Library System in Voorhees, NJ. She has over 20...

Alison Van Norman, 2024 Core Emerging Leader

Alison Van Norman Named a 2024 Core Emerging Leader

CHICAGO—Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures is pleased to announce that Alison Van Norman has been selected as a Core Emerging Leader (EL). Van Norman serves as the Outreach and Marketing Librarian for Elon University, where she plans and markets...

Carrie McClain, 2024 Core Emerging Leader

Carrie McClain Named a 2024 Core Emerging Leader

CHICAGO—Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures is pleased to announce that Carrie McClain has been selected as a Core Emerging Leader (EL). McClain serves as the Chief Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer for Tulsa City-County Library, where she...