Intellectual Freedom
New Research Examines School Library Smartphone Use in Croatia
CHICAGO – Newly published research study from the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) peer-reviewed online journal, School Library Research (SLR), used surveys and research methodology to analyzed smartphone usage by school librarians in...
IFRT Seeks Nominations for the 2026 Intellectual Freedom Awards
CHICAGO—The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) of the American Library Association (ALA) is now accepting nominations for its prestigious awards recognizing individuals and organizations that have supported intellectual freedom: the Eli M. Oboler...
Supreme Court refuses to hear Little v. Llano County: ALA responds
ALA expressed disappointment and concern following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to allow a lower court ruling from the Fifth Circuit to stand. This decision will significantly restrict the freedom to read in public libraries across TX, LA, and MS.
“Faith for Libraries” Campaign Will Combat Book Censorship and Defend Religious Freedom
Interfaith Alliance, a national leader in defending civil rights and multi-faith democracy, today is launching a new campaign with the American Library Association and Unite Against Book Bans to combat book censorship and defend the freedom to read.
New Research Examines Recruitment and Retention of Black Female School Librarians
CHICAGO – Newly published research study from the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) peer-reviewed online journal, School Library Research (SLR), used interviews and research methodology to analyze recruitment and retention rates of Black...
Legendary Actor/Author/Activist George Takei Named Honorary Chair of Banned Books Week 2025
Pioneering actor, author, and activist George Takei has been named honorary chair of Banned Books Week, which will take place October 5 – 11, 2025. Takei will be joined in leading the annual event by youth honorary chair Iris Mogul.
AASL to Host a Screening of The Librarians
CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) will host a screening of the documentary The Librarians, from Oscar-nominated and Peabody Award-winning director and producer Kim A. Snyder, at the AASL National Conference. Sponsored by the...
AASL President’s Program Brings Banned Together Author Ashley Hope Pérez to ALA Annual Conference
CHICAGO— AASL President Becky Calzada will host Ashley Hope Pérez, author of Banned Together: Our Fight for Readers’ Rights, for a compelling conversation on the transformative power of books. Together, they will explore the critical question, “What is...
ALA, Unite Against Book Bans share Right to Read Day theme and actions
American Library Association and Unite Against Book Bans invite the community to participate in Right to Read Day, taking place April 7, the Monday of National Library Week.
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...
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"
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.
IFRT Seeks Nominations for the Eli M. Oboler Award
The Intellectual Freedom Round Table is seeking book nominations for the 2025 Eli M. Oboler Memorial Award. The award winner will be announced in the spring of 2025. A certificate of recognition and $500 cash award will be presented at the 2025 American...
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.
American Library Association reveals preliminary data on 2024 book challenges
Between January 1 and August 31, 2024, ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 414 attempts to censor library materials and services.
American Library Association Hosts Historic Intellectual Freedom Summit at the Library of Congress
ALA convened a third Intellectual Freedom Summit in its nearly 150-year history, bringing together national organizations, publishing allies, educational institutions, foundations, authors and other champions of intellectual freedom.
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...
Filmmaker Ava DuVernay To Lead Banned Books Week As Honorary Chair
White House Honoree Julia Garnett to Serve as Youth Honorary Chair CHICAGO — Award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay has been named honorary chair for Banned Books Week 2024, which takes place September 22 – 28. DuVernay will be joined by youth honorary...
American Library Association Council strongly reaffirms freedom for all to read freely
The association’s elected Council delivered a strong message opposing censors and those who are trying to remove hundreds of books at a time targeting LGBTQ+ and people of color from library shelves.