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.
Following a decision in federal court, the Institute of Museum and Library Services announced it had reinstated all of the grants it had previously terminated.
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.
The banning and censorship of books is often only one part of a wider project to limit access to information. Censorship can go hand-in-hand with political propaganda, which hinges on manipulating peoples’ views and understanding of history and current events. It’s important for kids and teens to recognize propaganda when they see it, and the following works of nonfiction and fiction compiled by Booklist demonstrate when and how propaganda is used, as well as potential consequences of its influence.
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.
Libraries and schools across the country are experiencing unprecedented levels of attempts to ban or remove books from their shelves. I Love Libraries will continue to raise awareness by highlighting attempts to censor library materials, as well as efforts by librarians, parents, students, and concerned citizens to push back against them. This report includes news from Missouri, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and a look at Southern states that have ordered the removal of books related to transgender identity from public libraries.
We love videogames here at I Love Libraries—especially the first generation of home videogaming systems and their games. Unfortunately, many of these systems and their games have become difficult to find, much less in working order. Thankfully, libraries, institutions, and archivists have stepped in to archive and preserve this essential element of gaming and pop culture history.
The New York Public Library (NYPL) has announced its Best Books of 2025, a list of 225 titles curated by NYPL staff. More than 80 librarians work on the lists each year, reading thousands of titles to develop each list. They look for literary excellence and originality, as well as titles they believe will appeal to patrons.
Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz is a storyteller, author, and curandera who presents frequently around the country on traditional healing practices, culinary medicine, folk herbalism, and Native American food sovereignty. We sat down with her to discuss her picture book for kids, “Nana Lupita and the Magic Sopita,” her work as a curandera, book bans, and her love of libraries.
In episode 26, show host and I Love Libraries editor Phil Morehart speaks with award-winning author and illustrator Grace Lin. She joins the show to discuss her new book (and her first novel in nine years), “The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon” and its influences, her work as an illustrator, her podcasts, book bans, and of course, how she libraries.
During Banned Books Week this year, longtime supporter of libraries Cards Against Humanity offered presales of its new, special edition product, Cards Against Humanity Explains the Joke, and 100% of the net proceeds from the preorder will be donated to the American Library Association.
Hennepin County (Minn.) Library (HCL) has released a new library card to honor the iconic musician Prince, who lived in Chanhassen, Minnesota, until his death in 2016. The new card corresponds with the opening of the new Prince musical, “Purple Rain.”
Bullying can impact individuals in any environment, but it can be particularly devastating in an educational setting. Students and a school librarian in Montana decided to address the issue directly with help from an American Library Association grant.
Author Raj Tawney (“Colorful Palate: A Flavorful Journey Through a Mixed American Experience,” “All Mixed Up”) finds new friends and community amongst his peers at the 2025 Louisiana Book Festival in Baton Rouge.
Native women have been leaders throughout history. From ballerinas to congresswomen and from tribal leaders to scientists, these strong role models have broken barriers and paved the way for future generations. The following picture books and early-reader chapter books compiled by ALA’s Booklist offer a glimpse into the strength, courage, tenacity, and fierce compassion embodied by this broad range of people.
In a special Halloween episode of the “How I Library” podcast, show host and I Love Libraries editor Phil Morehart speaks with Jerry Drake, author of “Hazel Was a Good Girl: Solving the Murder that Inspired Twin Peaks.”
Libraries in the U.S. are full of ghosts, from the famed Grey Lady who haunts Evansville (Ind.) Public Library and the spectral nun who appears in the library of Ramona Convent Secondary School in Alhambra, California, to the plethora of spirits who inhabit Peoria (Ill.) Public Library and George and Helen Mahon Public Library in Lubbock, Texas. Let’s explore them and more from the safety of home.
Libraries and schools across the country are experiencing unprecedented levels of attempts to ban or remove books from their shelves. I Love Libraries will continue to raise awareness by highlighting attempts to censor library materials, as well as efforts by librarians, parents, students, and concerned citizens to push back against them. This report includes news from Utah, California, Texas, and a victory in the fight to get books returned to schools on U.S. military bases.
Penguin Random House and Online Ceramics are donating 100% of the net proceeds from the sales of select items to ALA to help in the fight against book bans and to help librarians across the country.
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.
Following a decision in federal court, the Institute of Museum and Library Services announced it had reinstated all of the grants it had previously terminated.
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.
The banning and censorship of books is often only one part of a wider project to limit access to information. Censorship can go hand-in-hand with political propaganda, which hinges on manipulating peoples’ views and understanding of history and current events. It’s important for kids and teens to recognize propaganda when they see it, and the following works of nonfiction and fiction compiled by Booklist demonstrate when and how propaganda is used, as well as potential consequences of its influence.
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.
Libraries and schools across the country are experiencing unprecedented levels of attempts to ban or remove books from their shelves. I Love Libraries will continue to raise awareness by highlighting attempts to censor library materials, as well as efforts by librarians, parents, students, and concerned citizens to push back against them. This report includes news from Missouri, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and a look at Southern states that have ordered the removal of books related to transgender identity from public libraries.
We love videogames here at I Love Libraries—especially the first generation of home videogaming systems and their games. Unfortunately, many of these systems and their games have become difficult to find, much less in working order. Thankfully, libraries, institutions, and archivists have stepped in to archive and preserve this essential element of gaming and pop culture history.
The New York Public Library (NYPL) has announced its Best Books of 2025, a list of 225 titles curated by NYPL staff. More than 80 librarians work on the lists each year, reading thousands of titles to develop each list. They look for literary excellence and originality, as well as titles they believe will appeal to patrons.
Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz is a storyteller, author, and curandera who presents frequently around the country on traditional healing practices, culinary medicine, folk herbalism, and Native American food sovereignty. We sat down with her to discuss her picture book for kids, “Nana Lupita and the Magic Sopita,” her work as a curandera, book bans, and her love of libraries.
In episode 26, show host and I Love Libraries editor Phil Morehart speaks with award-winning author and illustrator Grace Lin. She joins the show to discuss her new book (and her first novel in nine years), “The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon” and its influences, her work as an illustrator, her podcasts, book bans, and of course, how she libraries.
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