Advocacy
ALA, AASL decry U.S. Defense Department censorship of schools and libraries on military installations
DoDEA school libraries provide a wealth of information and resources to their communities. By ordering the removal and suppression of learning materials and activities in its schools and libraries, the DoDEA is engaging in censorship...
Savannah Lake Named a 2025 Core Emerging Leader
CHICAGO—Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures is pleased to announce that Savannah Lake has been selected as a Core Emerging Leader (EL). Lake is a Digital Scholarship Librarian for the J. Murrey Atkins Library at University of North Carolina at...
Kay Slater Named a 2025 Core Emerging Leader
CHICAGO—Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures is pleased to announce that Kay Slater has been selected as a Core Emerging Leader (EL). Slater is a Creative Technology Specialist at Oak Park Public Library (OPPL) in Oak Park, IL. In that role, they...
LaShonda Campbell Named a 2025 Core Emerging Leader
CHICAGO—Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures is pleased to announce that LaShonda Campbell has been selected as a Core Emerging Leader (EL). Campbell is a Collections Development Librarian at University of Arkansas at Monticello. She earned her...
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."
American Library Association and American Association of School Librarians Members Featured in Documentary “The Librarians” to Walk the Red Carpet at Sundance Premiere
American Library Association and American Association of School Librarians member leaders Becky Calzada, Carolyn Foote, and Amanda Jones, will walk the red carpet at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, for the premiere of “The Librarians"
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.
February-August 2025 Applications Now Open for the Core Online Course Scholarship for Library Professionals from Developing Countries
CHICAGO–Core is now accepting applications for the Online Course Scholarship for Library Professionals from Developing Countries to participate in our online Fundamentals courses held between February 24, 2025, and August 7, 2025. One free seat per...
ALA files U.S. Supreme Court amicus brief affirming universal service, E-Rate Program and essential roles of libraries
This week the American Library Association (ALA) filed an amicus brief affirming the FCC's essential Universal Service Fund (USF) and the E-rate Program that helps power broadband-enabled services and access through U.S. public libraries & schools.
Arkansas Book-Banning Law Declared Unconstitutional
The US District Court for the Western District of Arkansas today declared Arkansas Act 372 unconstitutional in an opinon indicating that the law is overbroad and void for vagueness, and permanently enjoined its enforcement.
A new analytical framework for supporting public libraries
CHICAGO — “ Understanding Public Libraries: Management, Leadership and Ideology,” published by Facet Publishing and available through the ALA Store, advances a scientific understanding of public libraries and ultimately poses and explores the vital...
ALA vows to defend intellectual freedom and access to information against political threats
In response to results of the 2024 United States election, the American Library Association vowed to continue its defense of the core values of librarianship in the face of political threats.
White House recognizes libraries’ efforts to save lives from overdose
White House recognizes libraries’ efforts to save lives from overdose. American Library Association President Cindy Hohl participated in event with Administration officials and national leaders.
Freedom to Read Community Day of Action rallies support for America’s libraries on October 19
The American Library Association (ALA) and the ALA-founded Unite Against Book Bans campaign are joining some of the nation’s largest and smallest library systems to in a Freedom to Read Community Day of Action on October 19, 2024.
ALA active at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly
The American Library Association (ALA) International Relations Committee (IRC) United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) Subcommittee hosted the first ALA UN in-person event during the United Nations General Assembly 79 (UNGA), and members of...
ALSC, ALA unveil 'Inspiring Future Voters' booklist for young readers
As part of the American Library Association’s Reader Voter Ready civic engagement campaign, the Association for Library Service to Children has released “Inspiring Future Voters,” a new booklist for young readers.
On National Voter Registration Day 2024, ALA President urges library professionals to get Reader Voter Ready
WASHINGTON – On National Voter Registration Day, also Constitution Day, ALA President Cindy Hohl issued the following letter to library professionals: Dear colleagues, Today is National Voter Registration Day. As president of the American Library...
American Library Association to Host Historic Intellectual Freedom Summit at the Library of Congress
Event to Forge Collaborative Playbook to Address Censorship Challenges and Protect Free Expression WASHINGTON - The American Library Association (ALA) is convening a third Intellectual Freedom Summit in its nearly 150-year history, bringing together...
948,000 and Counting: Free Webinar on Public Service Loan Forgiveness
The American Library Association (ALA) will present a free webinar for library workers about Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) on Oct. 2, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.
Applications Now Open for the Core Online Course Scholarship for Library Professionals from Developing Countries
CHICAGO–Core is now accepting applications for the Online Course Scholarship for Library Professionals from Developing Countries to participate in our online Fundamentals courses held between September 11, 2024 and December 22, 2024. One free seat per...