Schools with a strong school library program—and a certified school librarian—ensure their students have the best chance to succeed. But in too many schools, school library budgets and school librarian positions are being cut. This puts our children’s education and workforce readiness at peril.
Throughout the month of September, we invited authors and library lovers to share a cherished library moment or tell us what they value most about their library using the hashtag #HowILibrary. Thank you to everyone who participated. There have been some wonderful responses: Mo Willems, Lily Williams, Kelly Yang, and Meg Medina, to name a few.
This story really touched our hearts, so we’re reprinting it with the kind consent of author Jenna Lee-Yun.
It’s finally September, which means summer is waning and fall is approaching. It also means only a few weeks remain to submit your nomination for the 2024 I Love My Librarian Award! While ten librarians will be awarded, more than 1,000 nominations are received for the award every year, so submitting a strong nomination is key to making your librarian stand out among the crowd.
Neil Gaiman wears many hats: novelist, journalist, comic book writer, screenwriter, television producer, musician. And he’s a fierce supporter of libraries. The author of American Gods, Neverwhere, Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch, The Sandman, Coraline, and so many more has had a lifelong love affair with reading. (He’s even featured in a brand-new Celebrity READ poster from ALA Graphics!) And he credits librarians for fostering his curiosity about books and learning at a young age.
Gaiman spoke with I Love Libraries recently about libraries, his literary influences, book banning in the U.S., movies, and more.
Librarian and executive director of the American Library Association (ALA), Tracie D. Hall, has been named to Forbes’ Top 50 Over 50 list for 2023.
It’s no surprise that librarians and library workers rule on Jeopardy! With their research skills and proximity to information daily, it’s hard to think of better contestants. And one more is set to test their skills and knowledge on the popular game show.
Former President of the United States Barack Obama published an open letter July 17 that extends support to America’s librarians in an era of rising book challenges and growing personal attacks against those who resist them.
Has a librarian made a difference in your life or gone above and beyond to serve your community? Then show them some love by nominating them for the 2024 I Love My Librarian Award!
The I Love My Librarian Award invites library lovers like you to recognize the accomplishments of exceptional public, school, college, community college, or university librarians. Each year, up to 10 librarians are honored at a ceremony held in their honor and receive a $5,000 cash award.
Today, the American Library Association (ALA) kicked off National Library Week with the release of the State of America’s Libraries Report, which tells the story of how libraries are innovating and adapting to improve the well-being of their communities in the midst of censorship challenges. It also includes the highly anticipated list of the most challenged books of 2022.
Expanding on the theme of National Library Week 2023-“There’s More to the Story”-the report chronicles how libraries of all types provided access to broadband and phones to patrons in need; offered unique science instruction using digital beehives; helped communities experiencing food insecurity; aided in small business efforts; brought libraries services to incarcerated individuals; and so much more.
The report’s findings on the rising tide of book censorship in the U.S. are alarming. Libraries in every state faced unprecedented attempts to ban books. In 2022, ALA tracked the highest number of censorship reports since the Association began compiling data about library censorship more than 20 years ago. ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 2,571 unique titles targeted for censorship, a 38% increase from the 1,858 unique titles targeted in 2021. Most of the targeted books were written by or about members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people of color.
The report’s most challenged book list reflects 2022’s increase in censorship. Multiple books received the same number of challenges, resulting in the expansion of the list from its usual 10 titles to 13. The most challenged books of 2022-and the reasons behind their challenges-are:
“By releasing the list of Top 10 Most Challenged Books each year, ALA recognizes all of the brave authors whose work challenges readers with stories that disrupt the status quo and offer fresh perspectives on tough issues,” said ALA President Lessa Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozada. “The list also illustrates how frequently stories by or about LGBTQ+ persons, people of color, and lived experiences are being targeted by censors. Closing our eyes to the reality portrayed in these stories will not make life’s challenges disappear. Books give us courage and help us understand each other.
It’s time to take action on behalf of authors, library staff, and the communities they serve. ALA calls on readers everywhere to show your commitment to the freedom to read by doing something to protect it.”
In response to the uptick in book challenges and other efforts to suppress access to information, ALA has designated every Monday of National Library Week moving forward as Right to Read Day, a day of action that encourages communities to fight back against censorship and to protect and celebrate the right to read freely. This year’s National Library Week also marks the one-year anniversary of the launch of Unite Against Book Bans, a nationwide initiative that empowers readers everywhere to stand together in the fight against censorship. More information is available at uniteagainstbookbans.org.
American Library Association Executive Director Tracie D. Hall’s list of accolades grows with the announcement this week that she will receive the Beacon Award from Illinois Humanities.
Founded in 1974, the nonprofit Illinois Humanities is an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities that activates the humanities through free public programs, grants, and educational opportunities. It provides free humanities experiences throughout Illinois, particularly for communities of color, individuals living on low incomes, counties and towns in rural areas, small arts and cultural organizations, and communities highly impacted by mass incarceration.
Illinois Humanities presents the Beacon Award annually to an individual or organization who has been a champion for-or investor in-the humanities in Illinois, elevating the work of humanists in ways that have improved the quality of the state for its residents.
“Advocating for access and inclusion-through libraries, through the arts, through economic and community development-is not something I took on, it was something I was born into,” Hall said, upon learning about receiving the award. “Equity and fairness were central values in my family. Coming to Chicago 20 years ago gave me the opportunity to work alongside people across the state who understand that the arts and humanities are strengthened to the degree that they are accessible and reflective of all our histories and experiences. It is both humbling and energizing to be honored by the community of thinkers, makers, and doers that I so deeply respect and whose work has guided and anchored mine.”
Illinois Humanities will present the Beacon Award to Hall on May 17 at the Public Humanities Awards Ceremony in Chicago. In addition to Hall, three others who exemplify the humanities in action across the state will receive Public Humanities Awards at the event: Chicago radio producer, journalist, and activist Stephanie Manriquez, executive director of Contratiempo and executive producer of Lumpen Radio; Rebecca Ginsburg, director of the Education Justice Project, associate professor of education policy, organization, and leadership at University of Illinois at Urbana Champagne, and co-founder of the Illinois Coalition for Higher Ed in Prison; and librarian, historian, and archivist, Alyson Thompson, library director of Marshall (Ill.) Public Library.
Illinois Humanities said all of the 2023 honorees “highlight the role of libraries and access to stories in this national moment where the question of who has access to stories and whose stories get to be told is front and center.”
“I can’t think of a more timely and impactful group of honorees to acknowledge this year,” said Gabrielle Lyon, executive director of Illinois Humanities. “At a time when books are being banned, histories are being censored, and people who are incarcerated are kept from reading, these awardees have worked to create and protect the ‘windows and mirrors’ we all need to be part of a just society.”
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