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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.
How does librarianship help people to be free? How is library capacity and expertise used to increase freedom, justice, and community? “Liberatory Librarianship: Stories of Community, Connection, and Justice,” published by ALA Editions in collaboration with Core, unpacks these questions, and many others, to reveal ways that library workers and their institutions are applying skills, knowledge, abilities, professional ethics, and personal commitment to practice liberatory librarianship.
Introduction to Documentation Studies
What do a composer, a writer, a painter, a historian, a political activist, and a social agency office have in common? They all create documents to communicate and inform the world, making documentation a necessity for any human interaction in society. Published by Facet Publishing and available through the ALA Store, “Introduction to Documentation Studies” outlines the historical background of, and the theoretical foundation for a complementary approach to documentation issues and processes.
Library services and healthcare knowledge in the UK
Published by Facet Publishing and available through the ALA Store, “Introduction to Healthcare Knowledge and Library Services” explores the range of roles in this important area of practice, from "traditional" librarian roles to those that break new ground, from clinical, embedded, and outreach librarians to knowledge management workers. Edited by Geoff Walton, Frances Johnson, David Stewart, Gil Young, and Holly Case-Wyatt, this collection provides a comprehensive, practitioner-focused introduction to all aspects of knowledge and library work in the UK health sector. Starting with an overview of NHS England and how knowledge and library work sits within it, the book addresses such critical areas as services supporting evidence-based practice, the developing area of health information literacy, collaborative working, demonstrating impact, and value and research discovery.
An updated guide to web metrics
CHICAGO — Published by Facet Publishing and available through the ALA Store, the new second edition of David Stuart’s “ Web Metrics for Library and Information Professionals” explores the many opportunities web metrics provide for measuring the impact of...
ALA Store at ALA’s 2024 LibLearnX in Baltimore
Conveniently located in the LLX Marketplace, the ALA Store will offer a variety of posters, bookmarks, clothing, gift books, and more. Store hours are: Saturday, January 20: 9:30am – 4:00pm Sunday, January 21: 10:00am – 4:00pm Monday, January 22: 9:30am –...
Building representative community archives
CHICAGO — Libraries and archives are grappling with the problems created by collection practices of the past, many of which document those in power while bypassing alternate perspectives and stories. “ Building Representative Community Archives: Inclusive...
Library of Congress and ALA announce new educational series
CHICAGO — ALA Editions, the book publishing arm of the American Library Association, is pleased to announce a new educational series, “Discover and Learn with the Library of Congress,” to be published in association with the Library of Congress. Combining...
The 12 steps to a community-led library
CHICAGO — Libraries want to be more responsive to their diverse communities. Yet many libraries lack the structures, cultures, and mindsets to sustain community-led methods. “ The 12 Steps to a Community-Led Library,” published by ALA Editions, lays out...
A complete guide to scholarly communication and publishing academic research
CHICAGO — Published by Facet Publishing and available through the ALA Store, “ The Scholarly Communication Handbook: From Research Dissemination to Societal Impact” is guided by the question "Where to publish?" Author Lai Ma explores publication types...
Libraries without borders chronicled in Library History Round Table volume
CHICAGO — “ Libraries Without Borders: New Directions in Library History,” published by ALA Editions, is a remarkable collection of essays drawn from the Library History Seminar sponsored by the Library History Round Table (LHRT). Edited by Steven A...
Bibliotherapy-informed practices, programs, and events
CHICAGO — Bibliotherapy can be defined as the use of guided reading for therapeutic ends. And though you might not be a licensed mental health professional, you can—and do, even without knowing it—support mental health and personal growth by connecting...
AASL’s exploration of the Shared Foundations concludes with Curate
CHICAGO — Published by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and ALA Editions, “ Curate” helps to connect learners to resources in more thoughtful, meaningful ways. Through teaching learners and other educators to curate—to overcome their...
Using experimentation to make evidence-based decisions
CHICAGO — The last five years have demonstrated that sticking with the status quo is not an option; instead, as the experiences of many libraries show, those that experiment are better positioned to adapt to rapidly changing environments and evolving user...
Applying learning theories in real-world contexts
CHICAGO — From makerspaces to book clubs, from media facilities to group study spaces, from special events to book displays, libraries support learning in numerous ways. In “ The Librarian's Guide to Learning Theory: Practical Applications in Library...
Understanding and leveraging your data
CHICAGO — Published by Facet Publishing and available through the ALA Store, “ Halo Data: Understanding and Leveraging the Value in your Data” proposes a paradigm shift in methodology for organizations to properly appreciate and leverage the value of...
