Our latest update of book bans and challenges happening across the U.S.—and efforts to stop them—includes news from North Carolina, Florida, and the U.S Supreme Court, as well as a look at PEN America’s recent book ban report.
The giving season is upon us. For those with book and library lovers in their lives, an ALA Supporter Membership is the perfect gift—and it helps our libraries thrive!
For our second installment of weekly book reviews from our friends at Booklist, the American Library Association’s nationally distributed book and media review publication, we have Maryann Owen’s review of Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey’s new seasonal favorite for young readers, “The Old Sleigh,” first published in the November 11, 2025, issue of Booklist.
In episode 28 of the “How I Library” podcast, show host and I Love Libraries editor Phil Morehart speaks with musician Brian Baker from legendary punk bands Minor Threat, Bad Religion, and more about his new book of photography, “The Road” (Akashic Books, 2025), the legacy of punk rock, book bans, and, of course, how he libraries.
“The Librarians,” filmmaker Kim A. Snyder’s acclaimed documentary about librarians in Texas, Florida, and other states who unite to combat book banning in the United States, is one of several docs in the running for the Cinema Eye Honor’s Audience Choice Award. And you can help it win by voting online.
For our first installment of our “Book Review of the Week” feature, we have a new review of Pulitzer Prize-winner Philip Caputo’s “Wandering Souls and Other Stories,” first published in the December 1, 2025, issue of Booklist.
Ten librarians from across the U.S. will be selected from more than 1,000 nominations to receive the coveted 2026 I Love My Librarian Award, which includes a $5,000 prize. Your favorite librarian could be among the winners! Nominations are being accepted through Monday, December 15, 2025. That’s next week!
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.”
Our latest update of book bans and challenges happening across the U.S.—and efforts to stop them—includes news from North Carolina, Florida, and the U.S Supreme Court, as well as a look at PEN America’s recent book ban report.
The giving season is upon us. For those with book and library lovers in their lives, an ALA Supporter Membership is the perfect gift—and it helps our libraries thrive!
For our second installment of weekly book reviews from our friends at Booklist, the American Library Association’s nationally distributed book and media review publication, we have Maryann Owen’s review of Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey’s new seasonal favorite for young readers, “The Old Sleigh,” first published in the November 11, 2025, issue of Booklist.
In episode 28 of the “How I Library” podcast, show host and I Love Libraries editor Phil Morehart speaks with musician Brian Baker from legendary punk bands Minor Threat, Bad Religion, and more about his new book of photography, “The Road” (Akashic Books, 2025), the legacy of punk rock, book bans, and, of course, how he libraries.
“The Librarians,” filmmaker Kim A. Snyder’s acclaimed documentary about librarians in Texas, Florida, and other states who unite to combat book banning in the United States, is one of several docs in the running for the Cinema Eye Honor’s Audience Choice Award. And you can help it win by voting online.
For our first installment of our “Book Review of the Week” feature, we have a new review of Pulitzer Prize-winner Philip Caputo’s “Wandering Souls and Other Stories,” first published in the December 1, 2025, issue of Booklist.
Ten librarians from across the U.S. will be selected from more than 1,000 nominations to receive the coveted 2026 I Love My Librarian Award, which includes a $5,000 prize. Your favorite librarian could be among the winners! Nominations are being accepted through Monday, December 15, 2025. That’s next week!
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.
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