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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.
Metadata creation as a part of cataloging
CHICAGO — Published by Facet Publishing and available through the ALA Store, Mauro Guerrini’s new book “ From Cataloguing to Metadata Creation: A Cultural and Methodological Introduction” maps the evolution of cataloging towards the metadata creation...
Library services for people with dementia
CHICAGO — Libraries have enormous potential to support people with dementia and their caregivers. Demand for dementia-friendly library services is only likely to increase in the future as the numbers of people affected by dementia rise and there is...
The social future of academic libraries
CHICAGO — The current focus in higher education on student engagement, holistic education, social responsibility, and community partnerships demands a significant mindshift for academic libraries to reclaim their place at the heart of academic...
An essential handbook of the Dewey Decimal Classification System
CHICAGO — The Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC), used in 200,000 libraries across 140 countries, has entered a new age, primarily maintained today as a continuously revised electronic system rather than an occasionally updated set of print volumes. Its...
A new readers’ advisory guide to romance
CHICAGO — "Happily ever after" and all it entails keeps millions of romance fiction readers devouring approximately 10,000 titles published in the genre annually. Whether they’re already a devotee or a newbie in urgent need of some orientation, library...
Actionable guidance on serving patrons with disabilities
CHICAGO — Ensuring accessibility is more important than ever; however, answering questions of what needs to be done and why to make a library accessible can be an uncomfortable and daunting hurdle to true inclusion. “ Serving Patrons with Disabilities...
A guide to sexual and reproductive health information
CHICAGO — The need to find accurate information about sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion, has never felt more urgent. At the same time, mis- and disinformation proliferates as never before. Libraries are community organizations...
Tabletop role-playing games at school and public libraries
CHICAGO — Published by Facet Publishing and available through the ALA Store, “ Let's Roll: A Guide to Setting up Tabletop Role-Playing Games in your School or Public Library” is a practical guide to delivering a tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) within...
A guide to manga for teen librarians
CHICAGO — Manga, which encompasses comics originating from Japan, is treasured by readers of all ages. And because of its emotional storytelling, breathtaking artwork, and relatable and transformative stories about humanity, manga is especially popular...
ALA Store at ALA’s 2023 LibLearnX in New Orleans
Located in the LLX Marketplace at Booth #719, the ALA Store will offer a variety of posters, bookmarks, clothing, gift books, and more. Store hours are: Saturday, January 28: 10:00am – 5:00pm Sunday, January 29: 12:00pm – 5:00pm Monday, January 30: 9:00am...
Cassell and Hiremath's updated introduction to reference and information services
CHICAGO — From the ongoing flood of misinformation to the swift changes occasioned by the pandemic, a myriad of factors is spurring our profession to rethink reference services. Luckily, Kay Ann Cassell & Uma Hiremath’s “ Reference and Information...
CHICAGO — Open Access (OA) has evolved into the most complex challenge of the scholarly publishing landscape and something libraries grapple with continuously. But although librarians hold increasingly positive perceptions about OA, including its richness...
Libraries supporting refugees and new arrivals
CHICAGO — Published by Facet Publishing and available through the ALA Store, “ Libraries and Sanctuary: Supporting Refugees and New Arrivals” is a practical guide to how libraries and their staff can support people who have crossed borders into a...
Supporting data-driven research and instruction
CHICAGO — In the last decade, data science has generated new fields of study and transformed existing disciplines. As data science reshapes academia, how can libraries and librarians engage with this rapidly evolving, dynamic form of research? Published...
Technical services training and development
CHICAGO — Today's next generation catalogs, changing cataloging rules, and diverse formats and delivery models demand that technical services professionals and paraprofessionals keep up with evolving best practices for the work they do. Fortunately...
