Bookmobiles on Parade
By Phil Morehart |
It’s National Library Outreach Day, when we celebrate library outreach and dedicated library professionals who are meeting their patrons where they are. Whether it’s a bookmobile stop at the local elementary school, services provided to community homes, or library pop-ups at community gatherings, these services are essential to the community. This National Library Outreach Day, …
A Snapshot of America’s Libraries in 2021
By Phil Morehart |
On April 4, the American Library Association (ALA) released the State of America’s Libraries Special Report: Pandemic Year Two, a snapshot of the library community’s resilience, determination, and innovation in unprecedented circumstances. The report, which comes out annually during National Library Week, highlights how US libraries navigated the second year of the pandemic, an upswing …
The Top 10 Challenged and Banned Books of 2021
By Phil Morehart |
Libraries stand up for everyone’s right to read, even materials that might be considered controversial. This week, the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF)—which tracks censorship attempts in libraries and schools—announced their list of the top 10 most challenged books of 2021. Last year, ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 729 challenges to …
Celebrate National Library Week with Us
By Phil Morehart |
April 3-9 is National Library Week—a time for library lovers across the country to celebrate literacy, intellectual freedom, and equitable access to information. As the COVID-19 pandemic moves into its third year, libraries are proving to be more essential than ever, providing services and programs that have kept communities strong even while socially distancing. The …
This Week in Book Censorship News
By Phil Morehart |
Book challenges and book banning are increasing in libraries and schools throughout the United States. To help spread the word about these activities and efforts to combat them by librarians, parents, students, politicians, and concerned citizens, I Love Libraries will highlight several stories each week on the current crisis. This roundup includes news from Utah, Texas, and …
Library Workers Are Stars
By Phil Morehart |
National Library Workers Day is next Tuesday, April 5. Part of National Library Week, it’s a day for library staff, users, administrators, and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers across the country. Show your support and appreciation for the library worker in your life during National Library Workers Day by …
Show the World Your Love for LeVar
By Phil Morehart |
LeVar Burton is a national treasure. The actor, director, and author has engaged and entertained audiences for decades in movies like The Hunter and Ali and on television in Roots and Star Trek: The Next Generation. And as the longtime host and executive producer of PBS’s Reading Rainbow, he taught a generation of kids the …
Majority of Voters Support the Freedom to Read
By Phil Morehart |
Amid the recent upswing in efforts to ban books across the United States, a new national poll commissioned by the American Library Association (ALA) shows that seven in 10 voters oppose efforts to remove books from public libraries, including majorities of voters across party lines. According to the poll, large majorities of voters (71%) oppose …