News and Updates

Trump Administration Calls for Elimination of Federal Agency that Funds Libraries
The Trump Administration has called for the elimination of the Institute for Museum and Library Services, the nation’s only federal agency that provides funds for America’s libraries.

A Lifelong Love of Books and Libraries
Hubbard (Ohio) Public Library’s oldest patron, Lily Walter, who celebrates her 105th birthday in May, stopped by the library last month to renew her library card. She told the library she has loved reading and libraries for 101 years—as long as she can remember.

Kentucky School Program Grows Readers, Leaders, and Community
In Louisville, Kentucky, an elementary school’s path to become a Spanish-immersion magnet school helped create an ALA award-winning program that raised awareness of the Hispanic/Latinx community and fostered the cultural competence and unity of all students by asking: What unites us?

‘The Blair Witch Project’ Joins University of Pittsburgh Library’s Horror Studies Collection
The University of Pittsburgh Library System’s Horror Studies Collection is a horror-lover’s dream. Amongst the holdings are the George A. Romero Archival Collection, consisting of hundreds of items from the influential “Night of the Living Dead” filmmaker, the literary papers of “Whalefall” and “The Shape of Water” author Daniel Kraus, scripts from filmmakers Wes Craven (“A Nightmare on Elm Street”) and John Carpenter (“Halloween”), and first editions of “Frankenstein,” “Dracula,” and various Edgar Allan Poe works. And now, students and researchers will have access to items from the 1999 found-footage classic, “The Blair Witch Project,” courtesy of the film’s producer.

The American Library Association is Defending E-Rate at the Supreme Court. Here’s Why that Matters.
E-Rate has been a quiet powerhouse providing broadband connectivity to libraries and schools across the U.S. for nearly three decades. A conservative group is challenging it in court.

Opening Doors
In Goldthwaite, a small, but vibrant town of approximately 1,700 people in central Texas, Jennie Trent Dew Library fills many voids in a community that is missing essential nonprofit and civic organizations. This made the library an ideal candidate for ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant, an initiative to assist small and rural libraries in providing greater accessibility of facilities, services, and programs for patrons with disabilities.

U.S. Book Challenges Update: February 2025 Edition
More than 500 books removed from schools in Tennessee. An Oscar-winning actor reacts to her book being banned. These are among the stories in our latest report on book bans and challenges happening across the U.S. and efforts to thwart them.

‘How I Library’ Podcast Episode 15: Eric Rogers
In episode 15 of the “How I Library” podcast, show host and I Love Libraries editor Phil Morehart speaks with television, film, and podcast writer Eric Rogers, whose credits include “Futurama,” “NYPD Blue,” “Skylanders Academy,” “Polly Pocket,” “Teen Titans Go!,” and more. He is currently the creator, executive producer, and showrunner of the animated series for kids, “Angry Birds: Mystery Island.” Rogers joins the show to discuss “Angry Birds,” his writing career, what goes into making a television show, especially an animated show for kids, and of course, how he libraries.

Fifty-Five Years of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association
Fifty-five years ago, Black librarians came together to establish an organization that would change librarianship and the American Library Association. Established in 1970, the Black Caucus of the American Library Association advocates for the development, promotion, and improvement of library services and resources to the nation’s African American community and provides leadership for the recruitment and professional development of African American librarians. It was the culmination of decades of conversations and work.

And the Best Graphic Novels for Adults of 2024 Are…
Attention comic book and graphic novel lovers—this is big news! The American Library Association’s Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table has announced its 2024 Best Graphic Novels for Adults Reading List and Top 10 List.

What Does It Mean to Be Human?
A touring exhibit that looks deep into the past to explain how humankind evolved over millennia has found welcome homes in libraries and seminaries across the United States.

Poverty and Philanthropy: Combining Education with Community Needs
In the latter half of the 2010s, 6th graders at Wyoming (Ohio) Middle School took a class that gave them firsthand experience in addressing food disparity in the community—one that ended up winning the school in the Cincinnati suburbs a grant from the American Library Association.

Trump Administration Calls for Elimination of Federal Agency that Funds Libraries
The Trump Administration has called for the elimination of the Institute for Museum and Library Services, the nation’s only federal agency that provides funds for America’s libraries.

A Lifelong Love of Books and Libraries
Hubbard (Ohio) Public Library’s oldest patron, Lily Walter, who celebrates her 105th birthday in May, stopped by the library last month to renew her library card. She told the library she has loved reading and libraries for 101 years—as long as she can remember.

Kentucky School Program Grows Readers, Leaders, and Community
In Louisville, Kentucky, an elementary school’s path to become a Spanish-immersion magnet school helped create an ALA award-winning program that raised awareness of the Hispanic/Latinx community and fostered the cultural competence and unity of all students by asking: What unites us?

‘The Blair Witch Project’ Joins University of Pittsburgh Library’s Horror Studies Collection
The University of Pittsburgh Library System’s Horror Studies Collection is a horror-lover’s dream. Amongst the holdings are the George A. Romero Archival Collection, consisting of hundreds of items from the influential “Night of the Living Dead” filmmaker, the literary papers of “Whalefall” and “The Shape of Water” author Daniel Kraus, scripts from filmmakers Wes Craven (“A Nightmare on Elm Street”) and John Carpenter (“Halloween”), and first editions of “Frankenstein,” “Dracula,” and various Edgar Allan Poe works. And now, students and researchers will have access to items from the 1999 found-footage classic, “The Blair Witch Project,” courtesy of the film’s producer.

The American Library Association is Defending E-Rate at the Supreme Court. Here’s Why that Matters.
E-Rate has been a quiet powerhouse providing broadband connectivity to libraries and schools across the U.S. for nearly three decades. A conservative group is challenging it in court.

Opening Doors
In Goldthwaite, a small, but vibrant town of approximately 1,700 people in central Texas, Jennie Trent Dew Library fills many voids in a community that is missing essential nonprofit and civic organizations. This made the library an ideal candidate for ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant, an initiative to assist small and rural libraries in providing greater accessibility of facilities, services, and programs for patrons with disabilities.