News and Press Center
Featured News
November 6, 2024
ALA vows to defend intellectual freedom and access to information against political threats
In response to results of the 2024 United States election, the American Library Association vowed to continue its defense of the core values of librarianship in the face of political threats.
press release
October 16, 2024
American Library Association opens registration and launches Preliminary Program for 2025 LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience in Phoenix, AZ
LibLearnX is a four-day learning conference that invites ALA members and non-members to participate in collaborative and engaging education, networking, and celebrations.
press release
October 1, 2024
Freedom to Read Community Day of Action rallies support for America’s libraries on October 19
The American Library Association (ALA) and the ALA-founded Unite Against Book Bans campaign are joining some of the nation’s largest and smallest library systems to in a Freedom to Read Community Day of Action on October 19, 2024.
press release
September 23, 2024
American Library Association reveals preliminary data on 2024 book challenges
Between January 1 and August 31, 2024, ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 414 attempts to censor library materials and services.
press release
September 19, 2024
ALSC, ALA unveil 'Inspiring Future Voters' booklist for young readers
As part of the American Library Association’s Reader Voter Ready civic engagement campaign, the Association for Library Service to Children has released “Inspiring Future Voters,” a new booklist for young readers.
press release
July 25, 2024
Sam Helmick chosen 2024-2025 American Library Association president-elect
The American Library Association Council decided on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, that Sam Helmick will be the 2024-2025 president-elect effective immediately.
press release
ALA in the News
Censorship reports show a mixed picture on U.S. book challenges
In observance of Banned Books Week, the American Library Association and PEN America released reports on book censorship across the country.
ALA stands with Ukrainian library community
CHICAGO — The American Library Association and its divisions support our Ukrainian colleagues and will work with the global library community to answer the appeal from the Ukrainian Library Association to provide accurate information as a means to support...
2022 ALA/Core Elections Open in March
CHICAGO—The 2022 ALA/Core elections open Monday, March 14. The Core ballot will include candidates for three Core Board positions: President-Elect, Councilor, and Director-at-Large. The Core President is elected to a three-year term that begins at the...
ALA names Maureen Sullivan Honorary Member
CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) Council elected former ALA President Maureen Sullivan to honorary membership in the association, the ALA's highest honor, during the virtual 2022 Library Learning Experience. Honorary membership is...
ALA names Jim Neal Honorary Member
CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) Council elected former ALA President and Treasurer Jim Neal to honorary membership in the association, the ALA's highest honor, during the virtual 2022 Library Learning Experience. Honorary membership is...
ALA, ACRL issue joint statement in support of HBCUs after recent bomb threats
CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) and the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), a division of ALA, have issued the following joint statement in response to incidents of bomb threats against Historically Black Colleges and...
Kathy Carroll, Sara Dallas to serve on ALA Executive Board
CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) Council has elected Kathy Carroll and Sara Dallas to serve on the ALA Executive Board. The Executive Board election took place during the virtual 2022 Library Learning Experience. Elected board members will...
Lanza-Galindo withdraws candidacy for 2022-25 ALA treasurer
CHICAGO — Oscar Lanza-Galindo, associate dean, Library and Learning Commons, Bunker Hill Community College, Boston, has withdrawn his candidacy for treasurer of the American Library Association (ALA). "It is with a heavy heart that I must officially...
United for Libraries welcomes six new board members
EXTON, Pennsylvania — United for Libraries welcomes six individuals to its board. Mary Soucie, Camille McCutcheon, Kathy Kosinski, Peter Pearson, Ben Carter, and Debbie Smart have been appointed to board positions effective immediately. Each newly...
ALA announces slate of petition Council candidates
CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) announces that the following individuals have filed petitions for the Councilor-at-Large position on the ALA Council for the 2022 ALA Election: Charles Kratz, Jr., Library Dean Emeritus, The University of...
CHICAGO - Due to a dramatic uptick in book challenges and outright removal of books from libraries, ALA's Executive Board and the Boards of Directors for all of ALA's eight divisions have released the following joint statement regarding attempts to remove...
ALA Nominating Committee announces councilors-at-large candidates
CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) announced that 68 candidates are running for 34 at-large seats on the ALA Council. The following candidates were accepted by the Nominating Committee (listed alphabetically by last name): Tarida Anantachai...
Hepburn, Lanza-Galindo running for 2022-25 ALA treasurer
CHICAGO – Peter Hepburn, head librarian at the College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, California, and Oscar Lanza-Galindo, associate dean, Library and Learning Commons, Bunker Hill Community College, Boston, are the candidates for the treasurer of the...
CHICAGO – The American Library Association today announced that Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of “The 1619 Project, A New Origin Story,” Nikole Hannah-Jones will open the virtual 2021 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition, June 23-29, and...
Mary Davis Fournier named PLA executive director
CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) announced today the appointment of Mary Davis Fournier as executive director, Public Library Association (PLA), a division of ALA. Her first day in her new role will be Monday, June 14. Fournier is a 20...
ALA Nominating Committee seeks candidates for 2022 election
CHICAGO — The Nominating Committee for the 2022 ALA election is soliciting nominees to run on the 2022 spring ballot for the offices of ALA president-elect, treasurer, and councilor-at-large. The Nominating Committee will select candidates to run for...
