ALA COVID-19 News

Nov 10, 2020

CHICAGO - The eighth open enrollment period of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) began on Sunday, November 1, 2020 and will run through December 15, 2020 during what may be the most challenging year in its ten-year history. Millions of Americans have lost jobs due to the Coronavirus pandemic, leaving many without employer-sponsored health coverage.

Sep 30, 2020

Learn the latest techniques for planning and implementing a contactless hold, pickup service to keep you and your library safe. The Loyola University Chicago staff developed a successful model over this summer with very limited time. The presenters will share examples of the related services that other libraries have implemented and what methods worked for their library space. Even when contactless pickup may no longer be necessary, these are techniques that libraries can apply to create similar services and adapt to new realities.

Sep 22, 2020

CHICAGO — The ALA Chapter Relations Office and United for Libraries will present the free webinar “Responding When COVID Comes to Your Library: Learning from Real Stories” on Monday, Sept. 28, noon-1 p.m. Central. Register at www.ala.org/united/responding.  

Sep 11, 2020

CHICAGO – As schools across the country make critical decisions about how to handle a variety of back-to-school scenarios, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is collecting data from school librarians across the country to gauge the status of teaching, school library use, and school librarians’ roles as school/district plans continue to adapt to the pandemic.

Sep 10, 2020

CHICAGO – Today Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) President Kirby McCurtis, appeared as a guest on "Pandemic: What You Need to Know," a new ABC Network program temporarily replacing the third hour of Good Morning America.

Aug 7, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the bipartisan Accelerating Connected Care and Education Support Services on the Internet Act (ACCESS the Internet Act), which includes funding for libraries. The $2 billion legislation addresses immediate gaps in internet access necessary for distance learning and telehealth.

Jul 17, 2020

ALA urges libraries to register as partners

WASHINGTON - The American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce that it has joined National Voter Registration Day (NVRD) as a premier partner for 2020. ALA encourages libraries to sign up to participate in this important event, culminating in a nation-wide day of action on September 22, 2020. 

Jul 15, 2020

CHICAGO – Strong libraries are essential to the recovery of communities devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. To help guide communities, library workers and library supporters along the path to recovery, the American Library Association (ALA) today launched a curated, online repository of tools, guides and resources.

Jul 2, 2020

Sen. Reed, Rep. Levin introduce bicameral legislation to support libraries

Jun 23, 2020

Today, the American Library Association (ALA) released a new publication, “Libraries and the 2020 Census: Adapting Outreach in Response to COVID-19” and announced a free webinar for library staff, “2020 Census: Last Chance for a Complete Count,” to be held on July 8, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time.