Our latest update of book bans and challenges happening across the U.S.—and efforts to stop them—includes news from North Carolina, Florida, and the U.S Supreme Court, as well as a look at PEN America’s recent book ban report.
The giving season is upon us. For those with book and library lovers in their lives, an ALA Supporter Membership is the perfect gift—and it helps our libraries thrive!
For our second installment of weekly book reviews from our friends at Booklist, the American Library Association’s nationally distributed book and media review publication, we have Maryann Owen’s review of Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey’s new seasonal favorite for young readers, “The Old Sleigh,” first published in the November 11, 2025, issue of Booklist.
In episode 28 of the “How I Library” podcast, show host and I Love Libraries editor Phil Morehart speaks with musician Brian Baker from legendary punk bands Minor Threat, Bad Religion, and more about his new book of photography, “The Road” (Akashic Books, 2025), the legacy of punk rock, book bans, and, of course, how he libraries.
“The Librarians,” filmmaker Kim A. Snyder’s acclaimed documentary about librarians in Texas, Florida, and other states who unite to combat book banning in the United States, is one of several docs in the running for the Cinema Eye Honor’s Audience Choice Award. And you can help it win by voting online.
For our first installment of our “Book Review of the Week” feature, we have a new review of Pulitzer Prize-winner Philip Caputo’s “Wandering Souls and Other Stories,” first published in the December 1, 2025, issue of Booklist.
Ten librarians from across the U.S. will be selected from more than 1,000 nominations to receive the coveted 2026 I Love My Librarian Award, which includes a $5,000 prize. Your favorite librarian could be among the winners! Nominations are being accepted through Monday, December 15, 2025. That’s next week!
Award-winning librarian, author, and new host of “Reading Rainbow” Mychal Threets will serve as Honorary Chair of the next National Library Week, which will be observed April 19-25, 2026. National Library Week is a weeklong celebration of the important role libraries and library workers play in schools and communities across the U.S.
Actor Jason Schwartzman spoke with the New York Times recently about 10 things he can’t live without, and included along with the Los Angeles Dodgers and helping his daughter with her homework is his library card. He said libraries are where he finds peace.
In episode 27 of the “How I Library” podcast, show host and I Love Libraries editor Phil Morehart speaks with two writers who capture unique aspects of the Indigenous American experience in their work: Kyle Edwards, author of “Small Ceremonies,” and Angeline Boulley, author of “Sisters in the Wind.” They join the show to discuss their books, the importance of telling the stories of Indigenous peoples, book bans, and how they library.
