News and Press Center
Featured News
January 22, 2025
New ALA Initiative Asks Advocates to “Show Up for Our Libraries”
Today the American Library Association (ALA) launched Show Up for Our Libraries, a campaign to harness the collective power of library advocates to influence elected leaders and policymakers.
January 13, 2025
American Library Association extends support to libraries affected by Los Angeles wildfires
The American Library Association extends our deepest sympathies to those who have been affected by and to those who have lost everything during the Los Angeles area fires.
December 16, 2024
Ten honorees receive prestigious I Love My Librarian Award for outstanding public service
The American Library Association (ALA) is thrilled to announce this year’s ten recipients of the coveted I Love My Librarian Award.
December 10, 2024
PLA provides funding to more than 100 public libraries as part of $2.7 million effort to boost digital literacy
The Public Library Association (PLA) has selected more than 139 public libraries across 42 states to host digital literacy workshops, powered by a generous $2.7 million contribution from AT&T.
December 9, 2024
The American Library Association Receives Transformational Gift to Fund Scholarships
James W. Lewis has made the largest individual bequest to the American Library Association in the association’s history.
December 5, 2024
Telgemeier, McCloud chosen as National Library Week honorary chairs
Award-winning author and illustrator Raina Telgemeier and cartoonist and comic theorist Scott McCloud have been selected Honorary Chairs of the American Library Association’s National Library Week, April 6-12, 2025.
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.
Candidates announced for 2021 Public Library Association board election
CHICAGO – The Public Library Association (PLA) 2021 Nominating Committee has unveiled the slate of candidates for the Association’s 2021 Election. This year, six nominees will stand for three positions on the PLA Board of Directors: 2022-2023 president...
ALA Statement on Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping
CHICAGO - On September 22, the White House issued its Executive Order On Combating Race And Sex Stereotyping, prohibiting federal employees, contractors, and grant recipients from discussing or considering concepts such as critical race theory and white...
ALA Nominating Committee Councilors-at-Large candidates announced
CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) Nominating Committee annually nominate candidates from among the general membership for members-at-large of Council. Individuals who are not selected by the Nominating Committee may run for office by...
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...
