Making Memories at the Library
Residents of Redding, Connecticut, can now connect with loved ones experiencing memory loss thanks to a program implemented at Mark Twain Library. And it all began with one simple patron request.
Freedom Walk: School Library Creates Interactive Program to Teach About Censorship
A school librarian in Texas created an award-winning interactive “Freedom Walk” to teach students and the community how censorship issues affect library access.
ALA Vows to Defend Intellectual Freedom and Access to Information Against Political Threats
In response to results of the 2024 United States election, the American Library Association has vowed to continue its defense of the core values of librarianship in the face of political threats. What are the core values?
LeVar Burton Awarded National Humanities Medal for Work Championing Literacy
LeVar Burton, actor, director, author, and former host of “Reading Rainbow,” was honored this week with the National Humanities Medal for his acting and literacy advocacy work in a ceremony at the White House. Seventeen distinguished humanists and two humanities organizations were recognized at the event.
Libraries Respond to Communities Hit by Hurricanes
Hurricanes have devastated the southeastern United States this month, and libraries and library associations are stepping up to help their communities in the aftermath.
White House Recognizes Library Efforts to Combat Opioid Crisis
The Biden-Harris administration announced October 8 the participants of the White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose, a nationwide call-to-action for organizations to increase training on and access to life-saving opioid overdose reversal medications like naloxone. The American Library Association (ALA) is one of more than 250 organizations and businesses that have made voluntary commitments to the challenge.
It’s Banned Books Week! Help Protect the Freedom to Read
It’s Banned Books Week, when libraries, schools, bookstores, groups, and individuals around the world—including Banned Books Week Honorary Chair filmmaker Ava DuVernay—call attention to censorship and ways to fight it. Here’s how you can get involved.
New Survey Looks at Evolving Tech Trends in Libraries
This week, the Public Library Association published its 2023 Public Library Technology Survey report which looks at emerging trends around technology, patron resources, infrastructure, digital literacy, and staffing in U.S. public libraries. This data is vital to understanding how libraries serve as hubs of knowledge and innovation and evolve to meet community needs.
The report addresses questions such as: How are library professionals advancing digital equity in their communities? What types of technology devices do libraries loan to patrons, and are more or fewer libraries offering these items compared to 2020? What are the primary challenges libraries face in providing technology resources and services?
Take Action for Your Library This Election Year
From Congress to local library boards, our elected officials need to hear from library supporters at all levels of government—especially during election years. To launch ALA’s new Reader, Voter, Ready campaign, we’re asking library advocates to pledge to get informed, get registered, and get ready to vote!
Get Involved! Become a Library Trustee
Want to get involved in your library at a higher level? Consider becoming a library trustee. Library trustees are powerful advocates for libraries. Through the coordination, hard work, and determination of trustees, new libraries have been built, budgets have been restored and increased, and new respect has been generated for the powerful role libraries play in communities and on campuses.