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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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Libraries = Strong Communities logo

ALA President Loida Garcia-Febo announces “Libraries = Strong Communities” advocacy effort

NEW ORLEANS – Today American Library Association (ALA) President Loida Garcia-Febo introduced “Libraries = Strong Communities,” a national advocacy effort aimed at highlighting the value of academic, public and school libraries. This initiative is...

Libraries Respond

American Library Association outraged by the refugee family separation policy

CHICAGO - American Library Association (ALA) President Jim Neal released the following statement regarding the outrageous and devastating act of separating refugee children from their parents and caregivers seeking asylum along the southwest border of the...

Wanda Brown

Brown Wins 2019–2020 ALA Presidency

CHICAGO – Wanda Brown, Director of Library Services at the C.G. O’Kelly Library, Winston-Salem State University, Winston Salem, N.C., has been elected president-elect of the American Library Association. Brown received 6,066 votes, while her opponent...

ALA and AASL release joint statement on Florida Senate Bill 7026

CHICAGO – American Library Association (ALA) President Jim Neal and American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Steven Yates released the following joint statement in response to legislation that will allow for the arming of school librarians in...

ALA president welcomes FY2018 federal budget agreement, applauds library advocates

WASHINGTON, DC — Today Congress passed and the president signed an FY2018 budget deal that will likely include at least level funding for federal library programs at FY2017 levels. Below is the statement of ALA President Jim Neal: We are pleased that...

Presidenta electa de Asociación de Bibliotecas de los Estados Unidos visitará bibliotecas de Puerto Rico

(En Inglés) CHICAGO – En tiempos de desastre, las bibliotecas son un recurso invaluable para las comunidades necesitadas. Cuando hay zonas afectadas por los desastres naturales. ALA, los colaboradores de las bibliotecas y la comunidad en general, se...

American Library Association president-elect to tour Puerto Rico libraries

(El Español) CHICAGO – In times of disaster libraries serve as an invaluable resource to communities in need. When areas are affected by natural disasters, the ALA, library supporters and the community at large work to provide resources needed to help...

ALA Policy Corps

ALA President announces 12-member cohort for newly launched ALA Policy Corps

American Library Association (ALA) President Jim Neal today announced the 12 library and information professionals selected to participate in the inaugural ALA Policy Corps, which aims to develop a cadre of experts with deep and sustained knowledge of...

2018 ALA President's Program Image

The ALA President’s Program at the Midwinter Meeting Debates Neutrality in Libraries.

Are Libraries Neutral? Have They Ever Been? Should They Be? The question of neutrality in librarianship is an old one. ALA’s 1939 Code of Ethics for Librarians calls for unbiased “recommendations”. This is seen in the ALA Library Bill of Rights principles...

ALA, library community support Hurricane Irma response efforts

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) and the library community are supporting response and recovery efforts for the libraries damaged by Hurricane Irma. “We extend our thoughts and prayers to everyone affected by Hurricane Irma,” said ALA...

Libraries Respond

ALA responds to end of Deferred Action to Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program

CHICAGO - Today American Library Association President Jim Neal released the following message regarding the Trump administration’s announcement that it will end the Deferred Action to Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program which protected nearly 800,000...

Libraries Respond

ALA offers support for Clovis-Carver Public Library in wake of shooting

CHICAGO — American Library Association (ALA) President Jim Neal released the following member statement regarding a mass shooting at the Clovis-Carver Public Library in New Mexico, "We are shocked and saddened by the shooting at the Clovis-Carver Public...

PLA echoes ALA statement condemning racism and violence in Charlottesville

CHICAGO - The Public Library Association (PLA) proudly supports the American Library Association's (ALA) position on the recent tragic violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. Last week ALA President Jim Neal released the following statement: “The ALA...

Libraries Transform (logo)

ALA extends commitment to Libraries Transform public awareness campaign

CHICAGO – On June 26, the Executive Board of the American Library Association (ALA) extended its commitment to the Libraries Transform Campaign for an additional three years (Sept. 1, 2017 – Aug. 31, 2020). Libraries Transform is the ALA’s public...

ALA secures search firm in quest for new executive director

CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) has announced that it will enlist the services of Isaacson, Miller to identify and select ALA’s new executive director. ALA’s current Executive Director, Keith Michael Fiels, will retire on July 31, 2017...