News and Updates

Chabot College library

Look at These Incredible Libraries!

American Libraries, the magazine of the American Library Association, has released the 37th annual edition of its Library Design Showcase, which spotlights the year’s most exciting new and renovated libraries. And, as usual, it’s lovely.

Grace Lin at ALA Annual 2025

Award-winning Author Grace Lin: Libraries are places of wonder and magic

Grace Lin, the lauded author and illustrator—and winner of a Newbery Honor, a Caldecott Honor, and a Children’s Literature Legacy Award—thinks libraries are places of wonder and magic for people of all ages. That’s why she proudly supports the American Library Association.

Exterior of the United States Capitol

Turn Congressmembers into Library Champions

Join policy experts from the American Library Association for a FREE webinar on September 9 at 4:00 pm CT to get updates on the fight to defend library funding and learn the best ways to turn your Congressmembers into true library champions, regardless of their political background.

Show Up for Libraries LOGO

ALA Leads Coalition Urging Federal Court to Block Trump’s Efforts to Dismantle IMLS

On September 3, the American Library Association and a coalition of 13 partner organizations filed an amicus brief in Rhode Island v. Trump, a lawsuit brought by 21 state Attorneys General urging a federal court to uphold an injunction against the Trump-Vance administration’s unlawful attempt to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Woman walking in nature

Booklist Reader: Caregiving and Self-Care

Caring for loved ones struggling with disease, advanced age, or both takes a toll, as do so many aspects of life. These candid, informative, practical, and inspiring memoirs and guides address the demands on caregivers and the need for self-care for everyone.

banned books map March 10 edition

U.S. Book Challenges Update: August 2025 Edition

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 Florida, Michigan, South Carolina, and Maryland.

How I Library episode 21 with Brian Selznick graphic

‘How I Library’ Episode 21: Brian Selznick

In episode 21 of the “How I Library” podcast, show host and I Love Libraries editor Phil Morehart speaks with award-winning author and illustrator Brian Selznick (“The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” “Wonderstruck”). Selznick joins the show to discuss his new YA novel, “Run Away with Me,” the importance of creating stories that depict the LGBTQ+ experience, book repair, Italian art and architecture, and, of course, how he libraries.

Stuttgart City Library

The Library As a Business Model

Libraries remind us that value isn’t always immediate or measurable in quarterly reports, but it’s real. The impact accumulates over time, quietly compounding. And any organization willing to think more expansively, invest in culture, make room for imagination, and support its people and community can experience it.

Dan Pelzer and a page from his book list.

Ohio Man Leaves Behind the Reading List of a Lifetime

When Dan Pelzer died last month at the age of 92, he left his family and friends an incredible gift: a 109-page handwritten list of all the books he’d read since 1962. And now it can be viewed by the world.

Lee Public Library

Creating Accessible Spaces

With a grant from the American Library Association, a small library in rural New Hampshire created accessible and inclusive spaces for its youngest patrons.

death cafe graphic

Discussing Death at the Library

In the almost 15 years since the first Death Café was held in the UK, they have sprouted all over the world. And libraries are often the gathering spots.

Geena Davis Wants YOU to Support ALA

Oscar-winning actor and lifelong advocate for equity and education, Geena Davis believes libraries are magical spaces—full of discovery, imagination, and opportunity for all. That’s why she proudly supports the American Library Association. Join Geena in standing up for libraries and the freedom to read.

How I Library Episode 20: Penn Jillette graphic

‘How I Library’ Episode 20: Penn Jillette

In episode 20 of the “How I Library” podcast, show host and I Love Libraries editor Phil Morehart speaks with magician, actor, and author Penn Jillette from the Emmy Award-winning magic and comedy duo, Penn and Teller. Jillette joins the show to discuss his new novel, “Felony Juggler,” and its influences, magic and skepticism, the importance of libraries in his life growing up, book bans and information access, and of course, how he libraries.

Max Brooks and Ali Velshi

Ali Velshi and Max Brooks Talk Zombies and Book Bans

MSNBC’s Ali Velshi sat down with author Max Brooks recently to learn why Brooks’ book “World War Z” has been banned and to break down its message, exploring why it inspires fear not just in the reader, but also in those in power.

banned books map

U.S. Book Challenges Update: July 2025 Edition

This month’s report on attempts to censor library materials in the U.S., and efforts by librarians, parents, students, and concerned citizens to push back against them, includes news from New Hampshire, Maryland, and Alabama, as well as a look at how psychologists are fighting censorship to keep culturally diverse books available to everyone.

Book cover: How the Boogeyman Became a Poet with Odyssey Medal.

Booklist Reader Listen-alikes: YA Odyssey

“How the Boogeyman Became a Poet,” written by Tony Keith Jr., is a coming-of-age memoir in verse. Teen listeners seeking similar vulnerability and authenticity in poetic form will love these audiobook picks from Booklist Reader.

Judy Blume ALA PSA screengrab

Judy Blume Speaks Out Against Censorship

In a special video message for ALA, author Judy Blume—whose work has been subjected to numerous challenges and bans across the country—encourages everyone to unite against book bans.

Chabot College library

Look at These Incredible Libraries!

American Libraries, the magazine of the American Library Association, has released the 37th annual edition of its Library Design Showcase, which spotlights the year’s most exciting new and renovated libraries. And, as usual, it’s lovely.

Grace Lin at ALA Annual 2025

Award-winning Author Grace Lin: Libraries are places of wonder and magic

Grace Lin, the lauded author and illustrator—and winner of a Newbery Honor, a Caldecott Honor, and a Children’s Literature Legacy Award—thinks libraries are places of wonder and magic for people of all ages. That’s why she proudly supports the American Library Association.

Exterior of the United States Capitol

Turn Congressmembers into Library Champions

Join policy experts from the American Library Association for a FREE webinar on September 9 at 4:00 pm CT to get updates on the fight to defend library funding and learn the best ways to turn your Congressmembers into true library champions, regardless of their political background.

Show Up for Libraries LOGO

ALA Leads Coalition Urging Federal Court to Block Trump’s Efforts to Dismantle IMLS

On September 3, the American Library Association and a coalition of 13 partner organizations filed an amicus brief in Rhode Island v. Trump, a lawsuit brought by 21 state Attorneys General urging a federal court to uphold an injunction against the Trump-Vance administration’s unlawful attempt to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Woman walking in nature

Booklist Reader: Caregiving and Self-Care

Caring for loved ones struggling with disease, advanced age, or both takes a toll, as do so many aspects of life. These candid, informative, practical, and inspiring memoirs and guides address the demands on caregivers and the need for self-care for everyone.

banned books map March 10 edition

U.S. Book Challenges Update: August 2025 Edition

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 Florida, Michigan, South Carolina, and Maryland.

How I Library episode 21 with Brian Selznick graphic

‘How I Library’ Episode 21: Brian Selznick

In episode 21 of the “How I Library” podcast, show host and I Love Libraries editor Phil Morehart speaks with award-winning author and illustrator Brian Selznick (“The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” “Wonderstruck”). Selznick joins the show to discuss his new YA novel, “Run Away with Me,” the importance of creating stories that depict the LGBTQ+ experience, book repair, Italian art and architecture, and, of course, how he libraries.

Stuttgart City Library

The Library As a Business Model

Libraries remind us that value isn’t always immediate or measurable in quarterly reports, but it’s real. The impact accumulates over time, quietly compounding. And any organization willing to think more expansively, invest in culture, make room for imagination, and support its people and community can experience it.