News and Press Center

Stay updated on ALA's latest news, events, and initiatives in libraries nationwide. Your go-to source for library innovation and impact.

Featured News

View All
Navigate through visible news articles using tab, or use the previous and next buttons to view more articles. Press Enter or Space to interact with article details.

Press Quick Links

ALA in the News

NBC News (logo)

New wave of bills targeting libraries is ‘a threat to our democracy,’ American Library Association warns

The association, founded in 1876, condemned legislation that would threaten librarians and other educators with criminal prosecution for possessing “obscene” material.
 

 

More media coverage

All News

ALA Statement on Staff Unionization Efforts

ALA employees announce plans to form a union.

ala logo

Application Open for ALA Endowment Trustee Position

Applications are now being accepted for two (2) ALA Endowment Trustee positions, who will serve a three-year term. All applicants will be required to submit an electronic application, as well as upload a CV and three references.

Host Applications Open for 2027 Children's Literature Lecture Featuring Kwame Alexander

Applications are now open to host the 2027 Children's Literature Lecture featuring award-winning author Kwame Alexander. The application form is due Thursday, April 30, 2026.

Show Up for Our Libraries - American Library Association (ALA)

ALA denounces federal book banning bill

The American Library Association denounced H.R. 7661, a federal bill targeting LGBTQ+ stories that would modify the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to restrict "sexually oriented" materials.

ALA American Library Association

ALA Names Grant Winners for National Mobile Literacy Initiative with Simple Mobile

The American Library Association (ALA), in partnership with Simple Mobile and World Education, is proud to announce the five winners of the Connected Communities: Mobile Literacy in Action grant.

Best of Core Forum: Competency vs. Character: What Makes a Good Leader?

CHICAGO—Join Core for the webinar "Best of Core Forum: Competency vs. Character: What Makes a Good Leader?" on April 8, 2026, at 1 p.m. CT. Leadership is essential at every level of an organization, as experienced library leaders reach retirement age, the...

American Library Association opens registration for its 2026 Annual Conference & Exhibition and announces opening and closing speakers

CHICAGO — Today, the American Library Association (ALA) opened registration for the ALA 2026 Annual Conference & Exhibition, to be held at the McCormick Place Chicago Convention Center and surrounding hotels in Chicago, June 25-29, 2026.

Best of Core Forum: Power of a Community The Colorado Chicano Movement

CHICAGO—Join Core for the webinar "Best of Core Forum: Power of a Community The Colorado Chicano Movement" on April 15, 2026, at 1 p.m. CT. Engaging with their community through active, collaborative memory work, archivists can provide a voice and build...

2026 Jesse H. Shera Award for the Support of Dissertation Research

The Library Research Round Table is pleased to announce the 2026 Jesse H. Shera Award for the Support of Dissertation Research: Deeth Ellis, Simmons University Examining the Enactment of School Librarian Leadership Practices using Distributed Leadership Theory: A Mixed Methods Study

2026 Jesse H. Shera Award for Distinguished Published Research

The Library Research Round Table is pleased to announce the 2026 Jesse H. Shera Award for Distinguished Published Research: Blair Solon, Margie Montañez, Liz Cooper, Amy Jankowski, Glenn Koelling, and Laura Soito. “Preparing for the Worst but Hoping for the Best: Censorship, Academic Libraries, and Reconsideration Policies.” Library Resources & Technical Services (Chicago) 69, no. 2 (2025). https://doi.org/10.5860/lrts.69n2.8439.

Best of Core Forum: Ethics, AI, and Cataloging: A Practical Approach

CHICAGO—Join Core for the webinar "Best of Core Forum: Ethics, AI, and Cataloging: A Practical Approach" on April 14, 2026, at 1 p.m. CT. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to streamline metadata workflows and increase the capacity of...

Best of Core Forum: AI in Cataloging and Metadata: Developing Community and Best Practices

CHICAGO—Join Core for the webinar "Best of Core Forum: AI in Cataloging and Metadata: Developing Community and Best Practices" on May 6, 2026, at 1 p.m. CT. The presentation will give an overview of the work of the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC)...

Core Interest Group Week Features 30+ Free Sessions from March 2-6

CHICAGO–From March 2-6, Core will host its fifth annual Interest Group Week, this year expanded to over 30 free sessions over 5 days. This dynamic virtual gathering brings together library professionals, thought leaders, and enthusiasts for professional...

ALA American Library Association

ALA praises bill to protect passport acceptance services in nonprofit libraries

The American Library Association (ALA) endorsed bicameral and bipartisan legislation that would allow nonprofit public libraries to continue providing passport acceptance services.

GNCRT logo cicle jpeg.jpg

Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table accepting applications for 2026 Comics Librarian Conference Travel Grant

The Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT) is accepting applications for a conference travel grant intended for comics library workers: The 2026 Oni Press GNCRT Travel Grant. This grant provides funds for newer library professionals with limited...