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March 15, 2025
ALA statement on White House assault on the Institute of Museum and Library Services
An executive order issued by the Trump administration on Friday night, March 14, calls for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the nation’s only federal agency for America’s libraries.
February 10, 2025
American Library Association launches public supporter program
The American Library Association launched a new supporter program on February 10, 2025, inviting the public to join the fight to protect libraries and library professionals at a pivotal moment in our country’s history.
January 26, 2025
ALA to U. S. Department of Education: Book bans are real
The American Library Association responds to the Department of Education's dismissal of complaints about censorship and discrimination: the "effort to terminate protections... advances the demonstrably false claim that book bans are not real."
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 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.
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.
“The First Amendment and the Freedom to Read” project from Townsend Harris High School in Flushing, New York, is the recipient of the 2024 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Roald Dahl's Miss Honey Social Justice Award. Sponsored by Penguin Young Readers, a division of Penguin Random House, the Roald Dahl Award recognizes collaboration between school librarians and teachers in the instruction of social justice using school library resources.
Wendy Gassaway receives AASL Innovative Reading Grant
Wendy Gassaway, school librarian at Alder Elementary School in Portland, Oregon, is the recipient of the 2024 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Innovative Reading Grant. Sponsored by Capstone, the $2,500 grant supports the planning and implementation of a unique and innovative program for children that motivates and encourages reading, especially with struggling readers.
Hutchinson Memorial Library awarded 2024 Baker & Taylor Summer Reading Program Grant
The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) has awarded the 2024 ALSC/Baker & Taylor Summer Reading Program Grant to the Hutchinson Memorial Library in Randolph, Wisconsin. The grant encourages outstanding summer reading programs by providing financial assistance while recognizing ALSC members for outstanding program development.
Emma K. McNamara and Don Michael Jr. are the 2024 recipients of the SRRT’s Conference Travel Grants
The Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT) of the American Library Association has named Emma K. McNamara and Don Michael Jr. as the 2024 winners of the SRRT Conference Travel Grants to attend the upcoming 2024 ALA Annual Conference in San Diego, CA. The SRRT Conference Travel Grants sponsored by the Social Responsibilities Round Table help finance SRRT member attendance at the ALA Annual Conference. The $1000 award covers limited fees related to airfare, lodging, and conference registration. SRRT funds up to two applicants per year.
Washington Library Association- School Library Division Awarded AASL ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant
The Washington Library Association (WLA) - School Library Division is the recipient of the 2024 American Association of School Librarians (AASL) ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant. Sponsored by ABC-CLIO, the $1,750 grant is given to an AASL Chapter for planning and implementing leadership programs at the state, regional, or local level.
The Library Instruction Round Table (LIRT) is please to announce the Randall Library at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) is the recipient of the 2024 Innovation in Instruction Award.
ALA announces applications for second year of the Building Library Capacity Grants
The American Library Association (ALA) announces the opening of the second year of the ALA Building Library Capacity Grants that will provide grants to libraries serving incarcerated persons or assisting those re-entering society. Up to sixteen $10,000 grants will be given to successful applicants nationwide. The application site is open now. The application deadline is April 12, 2024, with awards announced at the end of May.
ALA awards $3.6 million in library accessibility funding to 310 small and rural libraries
The American Library Association (ALA) today announced the second round of recipients of its Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant, an initiative to help small and rural libraries increase the accessibility of facilities, services and programs to better serve people with disabilities. The 310 funded proposals represent 45 U.S. states. Of the selected libraries, 62 percent serve communities of less than 5,000 people.
The American Library Association (ALA) announced today that it has received $10 million in support of its Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC) initiative to continue providing libraries with tools and resources to serve people with disabilities. A substantial portion of the funding – $7 million – will be distributed in grants of $10,000 and $20,000 to small and rural libraries.
Sally Miller receives YALSA's Joann Sweetland Lum Memorial Grant
CHICAGO — The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) has named Sally Miller, a librarian at Walt Morey Middle School in Troutdale, Oregon as the recipient of this year's Joann Sweetland Lum Memorial Grant, which aims to recognize a librarian who...
Miriam Tuliao has announced that she will participate in the 37th Annual Great Saunter, a 32-mile walk around Manhattan, on May 4, 2024 to raise funds for ALA’s Spectrum Scholarship Program. This is Tuliao's 17th consecutive year organizing an annual fundraiser for Spectrum.
The Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT) is accepting applications for the 2024 Comics Librarian Conference Travel Grant. These grants provide funds for newer library professionals with limited financial support to attend the upcoming 2024 ALA Annual Conference in San Diego, CA and recognize the value and expertise of comics librarianship. Applications for the grant are open now and the deadline to apply is April 1, 2024.
LIS Students: Apply for the 2024 Larew Scholarship for Tuition Help
Core and Baker & Taylor are accepting applications for the Christian (Chris) Larew Memorial Scholarship for those who plan to follow a career in library and information technology, demonstrate potential leadership, and hold a strong commitment to library...
Applications Open for Core LIFT Award for Professional Development
Core is pleased to announce applications are open for the Career LIFT Award to support skill development and networking opportunities for information professionals. Sponsored by OCLC, it consists of up to $1,500 the recipient may use on professional...
ALA News Spectrum Scholarship Program Announces Sponsorships for the 25th Scholarship Cohort
CHICAGO — The Spectrum Scholarship Program, which advances racial equity, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Through the Spectrum Scholarship Program, the American Library Association (ALA) new generations of racially and ethnically diverse librarians...
