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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.

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Patty Wong and Mazie Hirono

U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono to join ALA President Patricia 'Patty' Wong in conversation plus more

CHICAGO — ALA President Patricia “Patty” Wong will be joined by U.S. Senator, Mazie K. Hirono in conversation at the LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience Opening Session, Jan. 22, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. CT. They will discuss Senator Hirono’s memoir,...

American Library Association, Digital Equity Through Universal Broadband and America's Libraries. [Blue text on white background with drawing of a cell tower]

ALA applauds congressional passage of digital equity funds available to libraries

President Biden expected to sign Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act WASHINGTON, DC - The American Library Association (ALA) celebrates the final passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684), a bipartisan infrastructure bill, by...

Patty Wong

ALA President Patty Wong to host ALA Connect Live on equity, diversity, and inclusion

CHICAGO, IL – The American Library Association (ALA)’s Connect Live series continues in November with a program focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion. The online event will take place Thursday, November 18, 2021, at 1pm CT/11am PT. Hosted by...

Emily Drabinski headshot

Drabinski, Watson seek 2023-24 ALA presidency

CHICAGO – Emily Drabinski, interim chief librarian at The Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY), and Kelvin Watson, executive director of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, are the candidates for the 2023-24 presidency of the...

ALA praises passage of Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, inclusion of library broadband funding

Libraries gain access to gigabit internet service WASHINGTON, DC – The American Library Association (ALA) today praised the passage of the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (H.R. 3684), a bipartisan infrastructure bill, by the U.S. Senate, which would...

ALA applauds FY 2022 federal funding for libraries in House Appropriations bill, looks to Senate for support

WASHINGTON, DC – The American Library Association (ALA) welcomed substantial increases in federal funding for libraries approved today by the House Appropriations Committee. The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), administered by the Institute of...

ALA welcomes more than 9,000 to virtual gathering

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) hosted the ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition – Virtual, June 23-29, 2021, attracting 9,142 attendees and 306 exhibitors. Designed to educate, entertain, and inspire librarians and library workers, the...

ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition

Library service through a post-COVID lens at ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition (Virtual)

CHICAGO – During the pandemic, libraries met the challenge of adapting services even when their physical doors were closed. Now that libraries across the country are reopening, they face new challenges and see fresh opportunities to serve their...

Patricia "Patty" Wong

ALA President-elect Patricia “Patty” Wong invites members to attend free Virtual Inauguration

CHICAGO – You are invited to take part in a historic virtual event! Join Patricia “Patty” Wong at 1 p.m. CT on June 29, as she begins her term as the first Asian American to serve as president of the American Library Association (ALA) and shares her plans...

A Promised Land

Former President of the United States Barack Obama will headline ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition (Virtual) Closing Session

CHICAGO — Former President of the United States Barack Obama will close the ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition (Virtual) Closing Session. He will appear noon – 1 p.m. CT, Tuesday, June 29, 2021, in conversation with Lonnie G. Bunch III, the 14th secretary...

ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition (Virtual)

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Nikole Hannah-Jones and Isabel Wilkerson announced as ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition featured speakers

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...

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...

Lessa Pelayo-Lozada headshot

Pelayo-Lozada wins 2022-2023 ALA presidency

CHICAGO - Lessa Kanani'opua Pelayo-Lozada, adult services assistant manager, Palos Verdes Library District, Rolling Hills Estates, California has been elected 2021-2022 president-elect of the American Library Association (ALA). Pelayo-Lozada is the first...

ALA announces $1.25M emergency fund for libraries impacted by COVID-19

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) announced today it will make available $1.25M in emergency relief grants to libraries that have experienced substantial economic hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic. The ALA COVID Library Relief Fund...

ALA Elections now open – cast your vote today!

CHICAGO -- American Library Association (ALA) election polls are now open! ALA members are encouraged to cast a digital ballot to vote for association-wide leadership that will shape the future and direction of the association. ALA’s annual election will...