News and Updates

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 California, Colorado, and Florida, as well as an association's efforts to fight book bans.

As youth across the U.S. head back to school, it's vital that we turn our attention to school libraries. Schools with a strong school library program and a certified school librarian ensure their students have the best chance to succeed. Yet, many students are returning to school without a resource essential for success: a strong school library program lead by a certified school librarian.

A city in Texas now has a library thanks to its mayor—who used to be a school librarian.

Episode eight of the “How I Library” podcast features actor and comedian Lil Rel Howery. Howery has appeared in films such as “Get Out,” “Free Guy,” and “Judas and the Black Messiah,” and in the TV shows “The Carmichael Show,” Rel,” and “Eureka!” And now he’s back on the big screen in the film version of Crockett Johnson's beloved children’s book, “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” starring as both the animated and life-action versions of Harold’s friend Moose. He joined us to discuss bringing Johnson's book to the screen, the power of imagination, the intricacies of playing a moose, growing up in Chicago, and of course, his love of libraries.

Have questions about the I Love My Librarian Award? We have answers! Check out some of the most common ones here.

Our latest report on book bans happening in the U.S. and efforts to combat them includes news from Utah, which recently banned 13 books from school libraries across the state.

The classic children's book "Harold and the Purple Crayon" is coming to the big screen! And star and library lover Lil Rel Howery is encouraging everyone to visit their library to discover exciting new worlds, both real and imaginary, in books, comics, games, and more.

Want to get involved in your library at a higher level? Consider becoming a library trustee. Library trustees are powerful advocates for libraries. Through the coordination, hard work, and determination of trustees, new libraries have been built, budgets have been restored and increased, and new respect has been generated for the powerful role libraries play in communities and on campuses.