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White House Cutting Off Opportunities for Americans with IMLS Staff Cuts, Says ALA President

Phil Morehart on April 2, 2025

On March 31, Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) staff were placed on administrative leave and all grants and contracts were suspended and ultimately likely to be cancelled as a result of President Trump’s executive order requiring IMLS and six other federal agencies to “be eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.” American Library Association president Cindy Hohl pleaded with Congress to act and urged Americans everywhere to speak out against the move.

U.S. Book Challenges Update: March 2025 Edition

Phil Morehart on March 26, 2025

Texas threatens jail time for school librarians who provide classic literature to students. “The Kite Runner” author speaks out about his book being banned in Minnesota schools. These are among the stories in our latest report on book bans and challenges happening across the U.S. and efforts to thwart them.

Books to Build Civic Engagement

Phil Morehart on March 25, 2025

It’s never too early to learn about the importance and power of elections. Developed by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, the Inspiring Future Voters booklist is a collection of titles that will help young people understand the importance of voting, civic engagement, and making their voices heard.

What Does the Institute of Museum and Library Services Do, and How Will Its Elimination Affect You?

Phil Morehart on March 19, 2025

Some of the many programs that may be affected by the Trump administration’s decision to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services include: early literacy development; summer reading programs for kids; high-speed internet access; employment assistance for job seekers; braille and talking books for people with visual impairments; staff training, recruitment, and professional development; preservation, maintenance, and digitization of collections; and so much more.

A Lifelong Love of Books and Libraries

Phil Morehart on March 14, 2025

Hubbard (Ohio) Public Library’s oldest patron, Lily Walter, who celebrates her 105th birthday in May, stopped by the library last month to renew her library card. She told the library she has loved reading and libraries for 101 years—as long as she can remember.

‘The Blair Witch Project’ Joins University of Pittsburgh Library’s Horror Studies Collection

Phil Morehart on March 11, 2025

The University of Pittsburgh Library System’s Horror Studies Collection is a horror-lover’s dream. Amongst the holdings are the George A. Romero Archival Collection, consisting of hundreds of items from the influential “Night of the Living Dead” filmmaker, the literary papers of “Whalefall” and “The Shape of Water” author Daniel Kraus, scripts from filmmakers Wes Craven (“A Nightmare on Elm Street”) and John Carpenter (“Halloween”), and first editions of “Frankenstein,” “Dracula,” and various Edgar Allan Poe works. And now, students and researchers will have access to items from the 1999 found-footage classic, “The Blair Witch Project,” courtesy of the film’s producer.

‘How I Library’ Podcast Episode 15: Eric Rogers

Phil Morehart on February 27, 2025

In episode 15 of the “How I Library” podcast, show host and I Love Libraries editor Phil Morehart speaks with television, film, and podcast writer Eric Rogers, whose credits include “Futurama,” “NYPD Blue,” “Skylanders Academy,” “Polly Pocket,” “Teen Titans Go!,” and more. He is currently the creator, executive producer, and showrunner of the animated series for kids, “Angry Birds: Mystery Island.” Rogers joins the show to discuss “Angry Birds,” his writing career, what goes into making a television show, especially an animated show for kids, and of course, how he libraries.

Fifty-Five Years of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association

Phil Morehart on February 26, 2025

Fifty-five years ago, Black librarians came together to establish an organization that would change librarianship and the American Library Association. Established in 1970, the Black Caucus of the American Library Association advocates for the development, promotion, and improvement of library services and resources to the nation’s African American community and provides leadership for the recruitment and professional development of African American librarians. It was the culmination of decades of conversations and work.

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