News and Press Center
Featured News
April 7, 2025
American Library Association, AFSCME Challenge Trump Administration Gutting of Institute of Museum and Library Services
American Library Association, AFSCME Challenge Trump Administration Gutting of Institute of Museum and Library Services
April 7, 2025
American Library Association kicks off National Library Week with the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2024 and the State of America’s Libraries Report
The American Library Association (ALA) today released the highly anticipated Top 10 Most Challenged Books List.
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.
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.
Columbus, Ohio selected as site of PLA 2024 Conference
CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) is proud to announce Columbus, Ohio, as the host city for the PLA 2024 Conference. The PLA Conference typically draws between 8,000 and 10,000 attendees, and the Columbus event will be held Apr. 3–6, 2024, at...
Registration & housing now open for PLA 2020 Conference
CHICAGO — Today, the Public Library Association (PLA) announced that registration and housing are officially open for the PLA 2020 Conference. The conference will take place Feb. 25-29 in downtown Nashville, Tennessee; most events will be held at the...
PLA announces plans to commemorate 75th anniversary
CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) will officially turn 75 years old on Oct. 13, 2019, and the entire public library field is encouraged to be a part of PLA’s Diamond Anniversary celebration. From now through the PLA 2020 Conference, we will...
PLA now accepting proposals for 2020 Conference
CHICAGO — Today, the Public Library Association (PLA) officially opened the Call for Proposals for educational sessions to be presented at its next biennial conference, to be held Feb. 25-29, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn. The PLA 2020 Conference will highlight...
Latest 'Quick Reads' publication highlights essential programs from PLA 2018 Conference
CHICAGO -- The Public Library Association (PLA) has added a new publication to its collection of resources that are available free of charge to all PLA personal members in good standing. PLA 2018: Ten Essential Programs is the sixth installment in the...
Two PLA Conference programs, cancelled in Philadelphia, now offered as free webinars
CHICAGO -- The Public Library Association (PLA) announced today that the content from two educational programs originally scheduled for presentation at the PLA 2018 Conference will be offered as free webinars this month. The two programs -- Conflict as...
PLA 2018 draws thousands of library professionals, supporters to Philadelphia
CHICAGO – As Philadelphians braced for the third Nor’easter in less than two weeks, library supporters and professionals from across the country made their way to the east coast to attend the Public Library Association (PLA) 2018 Conference, March 20 – 24...
Public Library Association brings Short Story Dispensers to U.S. public libraries
Knight Foundation funds initiative with Public Library Association and publisher Short Edition to foster creative community connections PHILADELPHIA – Today, at the Public Library Association’s (PLA) 2018 conference, PLA announced a new partnership with...
New national study reveals voter perceptions of libraries
Joint PLA/ALA/OCLC research updates 2008 “From Awareness to Funding” report PHILADELPHIA — The Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), and the ALA Office for Library Advocacy, in partnership with OCLC, today...
PLA Virtual Conference registration to close March 14
CHICAGO — Time is running out for interested participants to register for the Public Library Association's (PLA) 2018 Virtual Conference. The Virtual Conference is an opportunity for public library workers who are unable to attend the Association's...
Ten ALA Spectrum Scholars awarded grants to attend PLA 2018 Conference
CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) has awarded travel grants for ten Spectrum Scholars to attend the PLA 2018 Conference, taking place Mar. 20-24 in Philadelphia. Penn. The American Library Association's Spectrum Scholarship Program actively...
Three outstanding authors to speak at PLA 2018 Conference luncheons
CHICAGO -- The Public Library Association (PLA) has announced the special guest speakers for the author luncheons at the PLA 2018 Conference, taking place March 20-24 in Philadelphia, Penn. Offered biennially, the PLA Conference is the premier event for...
Tim Wu to share Big Ideas at PLA 2018 Conference
CHICAGO -- Author, policy advocate, and director of Columbia University's Poliak Center for the Study of First Amendment Issues Tim Wu has been added to the slate of speakers at the PLA 2018 Conference, the Public Library Association announced today. He...
PLA opens registration for 2018 Virtual Conference
CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) is offering an alternative opportunity for public library workers who are unable to attend the Association's 2018 Conference in Philadelphia, Penn. PLA will present a condensed, live, online conference...
Sally Yates announced as opening session speaker at PLA 2018 Conference
CHICAGO -- Former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Q. Yates will join the lineup of speakers at the PLA 2018 Conference, the Public Library Association announced today. She will headline the conference's Opening Session, taking place on Wednesday, Mar...
