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.
Aldrich, Garcia, Pelayo-Lozada, seek 2022-23 ALA presidency
CHICAGO - Stacey A. Aldrich, State Librarian, Hawaii State Public Library System, Honolulu, Hawaii; Ed Garcia, Director, Cranston Public Library, Cranston, Rhode Island; and Lessa Kanani'opua Pelayo-Lozada, Adult Services Assistant Manager, Palos Verdes...
Run for ALA office by filing an electronic petition
CHICAGO - Individuals who were not selected by the ALA Nominating Committee may run for office by petition. Members who are interested in running by petition may do so by completing an e-petition form: President-elect with the signatures of no fewer than...
Mark your calendars for 2020 Fall virtual ALA Council meetings
CHICAGO – This Fall, you can have a front row seat as the American Library Association (ALA) Council discusses issues that will have long-range impact on the association. ALA Council will hold the first of its two Fall virtual council meetings on Friday...
ALA Council approves Core; dissolves ALCTS, LITA and LLAMA
CHICAGO—In votes on Tuesday, June 23, and Saturday, June 27, the ALA Council voted to approve Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures as a new ALA division beginning September 1, 2020, and to dissolve the Association for Library Collections and...
ALA President-Elect Julius C. Jefferson, Jr. invites members to attend free Virtual Inauguration
CHICAGO – You’re invited to the virtual event of the season! On Friday, June 26, 2020, at 4 p.m. CT, incoming American Library Association (ALA) President Julius C. Jefferson, Jr., section head of the Congressional Research Service at the Library of...
2020 Public Library Association election results
CHICAGO -- Today, the Public Library Association (PLA) announced the results of its 2020 Election. Voting was available from Mar. 9 through Apr. 1, and open to all PLA members in good standing. The members elected Melanie Huggins, Executive Director of...
Public Library Association seeks volunteers for committees, task forces, and advisory groups
Members encouraged to apply by April 24 CHICAGO -- Attention: Public Library Association (PLA) members. Are you looking for ways to expand your professional network and become more active in PLA? Please consider applying to serve as a volunteer on one of...
Lucia Gonzalez elected ALSC vice-president/president-elect
CHICAGO — Lucia M. Gonzalez, director, North Miami Public Library (NMPL), North Miami, Florida, has been elected vice president/president-elect of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA)...
Charity Tyler elected 2021-2022 United for Libraries president
EXTON, Pennsylvania — Charity Tyler, Executive Director of the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation, has been elected 2021-2022 United for Libraries president. Tyler will serve as president-elect during 2020-2021. “I am excited to serve United for...
Polls now open in 2020 PLA election
Voting Deadline: Wednesday, April 1, 11:59 p.m. Central Time CHICAGO -- The voting period has begun in the Public Library Association (PLA) 2020 election. Members will have an opportunity to elect three new directors to the PLA Board of Directors. Seven...
American Library Association gears up for 2020 ALA election
CHICAGO – American Library Association (ALA) is gearing up for its upcoming election. Polls will open at 9 a.m. Central Time on Monday, March 9, 2020. ALA members are encouraged to cast a digital ballot to vote for association-wide leadership that will...
ALA responds to financial situation
CHICAGO – American Library Association (ALA) President Wanda K. Brown and the ALA Executive Board released the following statement in response to financial shortfalls in the current fiscal year operating budget that were first brought to light at the...
Booker, Neal and Rivera to serve on ALA Executive Board
CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) Council has elected Latrice Booker, Larry Neal and Alexandra Rivera to serve on the ALA Executive Board. The Executive Board election took place during the 2020 ALA Midwinter Meeting held Jan. 24-28, in...
ALA Appoints Tracie D. Hall as Executive Director
CHICAGO - The American Library Association is pleased to announce the appointment of Tracie D. Hall as its executive director, effective February 24, 2020. Following a nationwide search, Hall was selected to succeed Mary W. Ghikas, who has worked for ALA...
Candidates announced for 2020 Public Library Association board election
CHICAGO – The Public Library Association (PLA) Nominating Committee has unveiled the slate of candidates for the Association’s 2020 Election. This year seven nominees will stand for four positions on the PLA Board of Directors: 2021-2022 president, ALA...
