News and Updates

"A Splintering" book cover detail

Book Review of the Week: ‘A Splintering’

“[A] raw, unflinching portrait of feminine rage, gender constraints, class resentment, and the corrosive pull of worldly ambition.” For this installment of our weekly book reviews from Booklist, the American Library Association’s nationally distributed book and media review publication, we have Andrienne Cruz’s review of “A Splintering” by Dur e Aziz Amna.

Ann Arbor District Library Summer Day

A City That Plays Together: What It Takes to Run a 17,000-Player Library Game

City dwellers are used to seeing lawn signs for politicians, schools, or reminders to pick up after your dog. But during the summer in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a different kind of sign begins sprouting up across the city. These colorful, circular signs aren’t for an upcoming election but instead “lawn codes” for the Ann Arbor District Library’s (AADL) Summer Game.

July 21 banned books map

U.S. Book Challenges Update: March 2026 Edition

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 update includes news from the U.S. House of Representatives and the states of Texas and Pennsylvania, as well as thoughts from author and scholar Ibram X. Kendi on the banning of his books.

Dolly Parton READ poster

Get Your Dolly Parton READ Poster Before It’s Too Late!

ALA’s Dolly Parton READ poster will no longer be available after April 16 when our licensing for it ends. A lifelong advocate for libraries and literary, Parton received an honorary lifetime membership to ALA in 2023 for her longstanding support and commitment to inspiring a love of books and reading.

Book of Lives cover detail

Book Review of the Week: ‘Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts’

“Atwood’s voice is always magical….” For this installment of our weekly book reviews from Booklist, the American Library Association’s nationally distributed book and media review publication, we have Milena Durek’s review of the audiobook of “Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts” by Margaret Atwood.

'How I Library' Episode 31: Roddy Bottum

‘How I Library’ Episode 31: Roddy Bottum

In episode 31 of the “How I Library” podcast, show host and I Love Libraries editor Phil Morehart speaks with musician and author Roddy Bottum from the band Faith No More about his recent memoir, “The Royal We” (Akashic Books, 2025).

Fund Libraries

Tell Congress to #FundLibraries

We need library supporters nationwide to contact their U.S. Senators now to encourage them to sign “Dear Appropriator” letters requesting funding for federal library programs by the April 17 deadline. It’s easy to do with our simple form.

Wake Now in the Fire cover detail

Book Review of the Week: ‘Wake Now in the Fire’

For this installment of our weekly book reviews from Booklist, the American Library Association’s nationally distributed book and media review publication, we have Sarah Hunter’s review of “Wake Now in the Fire,” written by Jarrett Dapier and illustrated by AJ Dungo, first published January 16, 2026, on Booklist Online.

How I library episode 29 with Thien Ho logo

‘How I Library’ Episode 29: Thien Ho

In episode 29 of the “How I Library” podcast, show host and I Love Libraries editor Phil Morehart speaks with Thien Ho, District Attorney of Sacramento County, California, whose new book, “The People vs. the Golden State Killer” (Third State Books, 2025), documents the hunt for and prosecution of serial killer Joseph DeAngelo, aka the Golden State Killer.

For 150 Years graphic

ALA Turns 150

2026 marks the 150th anniversary of the American Library Association (ALA). To kick off the year’s festivities, ALA President Sam Helmick has penned a thoughtful piece on ALA’s anniversary and the year ahead for the Association, ALA members, and library and book lovers everywhere.

The Librarians Right to Read Rally graphic

Watch ‘The Librarians’ and Rally for the Right to Read

Have you not yet seen the award-winning documentary “The Librarians”? Or want to see it again? Then you’re in luck. On January 10, the creators of “The Librarians” are hosting a one-night-only online screening of the film on Kinema, followed by a virtual “Right to Read” rally featuring a conversation with the filmmakers and more.

Twain book cover detail

Booklist Reader: Top 10 Biographies

Booklist’s picks for the 10 best biographies of 2025 feature exceptional individuals who profoundly influenced literature, art, music, entertainment, politics, spycraft, and the long fight for civil rights.

Age of Calamities feature image

Book Review of the Week: ‘The Age of Calamities’

For this installment of our weekly book reviews from Booklist, ALA’s nationally distributed book and media review publication, we have Allison Cho’s review of Senaa Ahmad’s “The Age of Calamities,” first published November 6, 2025, on Booklist Online.

banned books map 3.24.23

U.S. Book Challenges Update: December 2025 Edition

Our latest update of book bans and challenges happening across the U.S.—and efforts to stop them—includes news from North Carolina, Florida, and the U.S Supreme Court, as well as a look at PEN America’s recent book ban report.

Detail of the front cover of Plague House.

Book Review of the Week: ‘Plague House’

“A win for adult horror fans and a surprisingly unique take on the haunted house story.” For this installment of our weekly book reviews from Booklist, the American Library Association’s book and media review publication, we have Jack Phoenix’s review of the trade paperback edition of the comic book, “Plague House,” written by Michael W. Conrad and illustrated by Dave Chisholm.

2026 National Film Registry graphic

Library of Congress Adds 25 Films to National Film Registry

What do “The Karate Kid,” “Clueless,” “Before Sunrise,” and “The Big Chill” have in common (besides being great films that hold-up over multiple watches)? They’ve all been added to the National Film Registry for 2025 by the Library of Congress.

2026 Carnegie Medal winners graphic

And the 2026 Carnegie Medal Winners Are …

The American Library Association has selected “A Guardian and a Thief” by Megha Majumdar as the winner of the 2026 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction and “Things in Nature Merely Grow” by Yiyun Li as the winner of the 2026 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction. The selections were announced Tuesday, January 27.

Finding My Way cover detail

Book Review of the Week: ‘Finding My Way’

For this installment of our weekly book reviews from Booklist, the American Library Association’s nationally distributed book and media review publication, we have Kaitlin Conner’s review of the audiobook of “Finding My Way,” written and read by Malala Yousafzai, first published January 1, 2026, in Booklist.

2026 Youth Media Awards graphic

Join Us for the 2026 Youth Media Awards

The annual announcement of the American Library Association’s Youth Media Awards is the biggest event of the year in the world of children’s publishing—and you can be there this January 26.

banned books map March 10 edition

U.S. Book Challenges Update: January 2026 Edition

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 update includes news from Utah, Texas, and Ohio.

Wake Now in the Fire cover detail

Book Review of the Week: ‘Wake Now in the Fire’

For this installment of our weekly book reviews from Booklist, the American Library Association’s nationally distributed book and media review publication, we have Sarah Hunter’s review of “Wake Now in the Fire,” written by Jarrett Dapier and illustrated by AJ Dungo, first published January 16, 2026, on Booklist Online.