News and Updates

Ali Velshi, host of "Velshi" and chief correspondent for MSNBC, believes libraries are indispensable in the fight for social justice; places where everyone can explore and learn about new worlds, cultures, and perspectives to help create a world of better understanding and equality.

For this special Halloween episode of the "How I Library" podcast, I Love Libraries editor and show host Phil Morehart speaks with actor, writer, and producer David Dastmalchian. Dastmalchian joins the show to discuss his love of comics and horror movies, his writing career, and of course, how he libraries.

Do things go bump in the night at your house? Do you see or feel otherworldly presences in your home? Do you think you have a ghost? Libraries across the country are helping amateur ghost hunters in their communities by lending out ghost-hunting kits, complete with instructions on how to use the equipment.

LeVar Burton, actor, director, author, and former host of “Reading Rainbow,” was honored this week with the National Humanities Medal for his acting and literacy advocacy work in a ceremony at the White House. Seventeen distinguished humanists and two humanities organizations were recognized at the event.

Coordinated by United for Libraries, the 19th annual National Friends of Libraries Week, observed October 20-26, finds libraries across the United States celebrating and honoring the often-unsung heroes working behind-the-scenes to make a lasting difference for their libraries and communities: library Friends groups. 

In episode 11 of the “How I Library” podcast, I Love Libraries editor Phil Morehart speaks with New York Times-bestselling author Daniel Kraus ("The Shape of Water") about his new book, "Pay the Piper," a posthumous collaboration with the late horror filmmaker George A. Romero ("Night of the Living Dead").

It's more important than ever to show support for local libraries and the freedom to read: Book bans and challenges in the U.S. reached an all-time high in 2023 and continue at an alarming rate. On Saturday, October 19, libraries, bookstores, readers, and partners across the U.S. will be hosting rallies and events to unite against book bans and demonstrate a shared commitment to this fundamental freedom. 

Librarians across the U.S. joined author Jodi Picoult to spread the word about book bans during the writer's recent book tour.