News and Updates

Barack Obama posted a special message on Instagram September 24 to commemorate Banned Books Week.

To kick off Banned Books Week, ALA released preliminary data documenting attempts to censor books and materials in libraries during the first eight months of 2024.

It’s Banned Books Week, when libraries, schools, bookstores, groups, and individuals around the world—including Banned Books Week Honorary Chair filmmaker Ava DuVernay—call attention to censorship and ways to fight it. Here's how you can get involved.

More and more libraries are using library cards to gain even further community engagement by holding library card design contests and by partnering with local organizations, sports teams, and national brands to create designs. Here are some of our favorites that have been unveiled this Library Card Sign-up Month.

Johnny Weir, three-time U.S. national champion in men’s figure skating, two-time Winter Olympian, and current television commentator, posted a video on his Instagram to encourage support for Quarryville (Penn.) Library Center, his hometown library. Last year, Fulton and East Drumore Townships in Lancaster County withheld $6,500 from the library over objections to LGBTQ+ content.

The latest episode of our “How I Library” podcast features actor and author Max Greenfield. Greenfield’s TV acting credits include “New Girl,” “The Neighborhood,” and “Bob’s Burgers.” He is also a successful author of books for kids. He joins us to discuss his writing career, the inspirations for his latest book, "Good Night Thoughts," and, of course, his love of libraries.

This National Voter Registration Day, we're asking library advocates to pledge to get informed, get registered, and get ready to vote by joining ALA's Reader, Voter, Ready campaign.

My sister recently texted me, “The local library near the park just reserved a room with internet connection for me even though I’m not a resident. LIBRARIES ARE AMAZING!” She had been arranging a road trip to introduce her first grandson to members of the family, which included stops in multiple cities across the Midwest. […]