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ALA in the News

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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.
 

 

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Games and Gaming Round Table

Applications Open for Games and Gaming Round Table 2026 “Game On!” Grant

The Games and Gaming Round Table of the American Library Association is proud to sponsor its annual grant program to enable libraries to develop gaming programs or collections for their patrons. This year’s grant will fund $2,000 in awards, as either a...

book cover for Leading in Libraries: Perspectives from Lived Experiences

International perspectives in library leadership

CHICAGO — In a world of constant change and evolving societal expectations, libraries stand at a critical crossroads. As institutions traditionally dedicated to knowledge preservation and dissemination, libraries now face unprecedented challenges that...

Pulitzer on the Road

ALA and The Pulitzer Prizes open applications for new ‘Pulitzer on the Road’ traveling exhibition tour for libraries

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office, in collaboration with The Pulitzer Prizes, invites public libraries to apply to host Pulitzer on the Road: Prize-Winning Works that Inform, Empower & Inspire, a new traveling exhibit...

PLA launches Transformative Technology Task Force with focus on artificial intelligence

The Public Library Association (PLA) has established the Transformative Technology Task Force to advise the association on the evolving role and impacts of transformative technology on library work and to identify and recommend priority training topics relevant to public library staff and users.

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AASL commends twenty programs, events, and products across the country

CHICAGO — Acting upon recommendations made by its state association chapters, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) formally commended twenty outstanding programs, events, and products for their support of the school librarian profession...

Love to Learn

Kick Off The Year with RUSA's 2026 Online Learning

The American Library Association- Reference and User Services Division (RUSA) 2026 CE offerings are booming with an outstanding combination of repeat and new courses/webinars. Our list of upcoming programming is below: Passports & Notaries @ Your Library...

ALA American Library Association

ALA welcomes pathbreaking study on the state of the nation’s library facilities

The American Library Association (ALA) welcomed the release of a major national study conducted by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) about the condition of public library buildings.

Core Webinars

Core Webinar: Transforming LibGuides: A Case Study

CHICAGO—Join Core for the webinar "Transforming LibGuides: A Case Study" on February 3, 2026, at 1 p.m. CT. Join us as we explore the technical and political processes of overhauling and streamlining our LibGuides and the A-Z database list. Through case...

School Library Research- Research Journal of the American Association of School Librarians

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...

book cover for Small Public Library Management, Second Edition

A comprehensive handbook for small public library management

CHICAGO — Most libraries in the US are small in size and rural in location. And, since most of them don’t require a degree to be hired as Library Director, many new hires step into the position with limited management or librarianship experience...

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AASL Announces Candidates for 2026 Election

CHICAGO – Barbara Johnson and Heather Thore will seek the 2027-2028 American Association of School Librarians (AASL) presidential term during the 2026 American Library Association (ALA) election. Barbara Johnson is an educator and library leader with more...

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American Library Association announces slate of petition council candidates for 2026 election

American Library Association announces slate of petition council candidates for 2026 election

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...

Core Webinar: Leadership Skills Through Professional Service

CHICAGO—Join Core for the webinar "Leadership Skills Through Professional Service" on January 21, 2026, at 1 p.m. CT. Service work or professional service, whether through professional associations, conference planning, editorial boards, or task forces...

Social Responsibilities Round Table seeks nominations for the 2026 Herb Biblo Outstanding Leadership Award for Social Justice & Equality

The Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT) of the American Library Association is happy to announce that nominations for the 2026 Herb Biblo Outstanding Leadership Award for Social Justice & Equality are now open.