The New York Public Library recently hosted filmmaker Guillermo del Toro for a tour the library’s Carl H. Pforzheimer Collection of Shelley and His Circle to explore and experience some of the historical materials in the collection related to Mary Shelley and “Frankenstein.”
For this installment of our weekly book reviews from Booklist, the American Library Association’s nationally distributed book and media review publication, we have Tony Miksanek’s review of “Becoming Martian: How Living in Space Will Change Our Bodies and Minds” by Scott Solomon, first published February 1, 2026, in Booklist.
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 New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Utah, as well as a look at an Ohio author who’s fighting back against book bans.
February is Library Lovers Month, and to celebrate, audiobook company Libro.fm is giving a free audiobook credit to anyone who donates $15 or more to the American Library Association (ALA) or their local public library or library Friends group now through February 28.
On the afternoon of July 16, 1960, eight African American students bravely filed into the whites-only Greenville County (S.C.) Public Library and sat down in the reading room to look at newspapers and books. One of those students was a young Jesse Jackson—later to become famous as a civil rights activist and minister—who was home in Greenville on summer break from the University of Illinois.
For this installment of our weekly book reviews from Booklist, the American Library Association’s nationally distributed book and media review publication, we have Allison Escoto’s review of “Paule Marshall: A Writer’s Life” by Mary Helen Washington, first published February 1, 2026, in Booklist.
In the midst of the Civil Rights era in America, librarians were battling for and against segregated libraries in the South, however they were also battling over integration within their own ranks. Integration of the library profession was a long process that started in the early 20th century.
Funded by ALA’s American Rescue Plan: Humanities Grants for Libraries, Alpha Park Public Library’s “Stories from the Bowen Building” podcast series dives into the fascinating history of the Peoria (Ill.) State Hospital, which closed in 1973.
In episode 30 of the “How I Library” podcast, show host and I Love Libraries editor Phil Morehart speaks with musician and author Jon King from the legendary post-punk band Gang of Four about his new memoir, “To Hell with Poverty! A Class Act: Inside the Gang of Four.”
Ten librarians from across the U.S. will be selected from more than 1,000 nominations to receive the coveted 2026 I Love My Librarian Award, which includes a $5,000 prize. Your favorite librarian could be among the winners! Nominations are being accepted through Monday, December 15, 2025. That’s next week!
Award-winning librarian, author, and new host of “Reading Rainbow” Mychal Threets will serve as Honorary Chair of the next National Library Week, which will be observed April 19-25, 2026. National Library Week is a weeklong celebration of the important role libraries and library workers play in schools and communities across the U.S.
Following a decision in federal court, the Institute of Museum and Library Services announced it had reinstated all of the grants it had previously terminated.
Actor Jason Schwartzman spoke with the New York Times recently about 10 things he can’t live without, and included along with the Los Angeles Dodgers and helping his daughter with her homework is his library card. He said libraries are where he finds peace.
The banning and censorship of books is often only one part of a wider project to limit access to information. Censorship can go hand-in-hand with political propaganda, which hinges on manipulating peoples’ views and understanding of history and current events. It’s important for kids and teens to recognize propaganda when they see it, and the following works of nonfiction and fiction compiled by Booklist demonstrate when and how propaganda is used, as well as potential consequences of its influence.
In episode 27 of the “How I Library” podcast, show host and I Love Libraries editor Phil Morehart speaks with two writers who capture unique aspects of the Indigenous American experience in their work: Kyle Edwards, author of “Small Ceremonies,” and Angeline Boulley, author of “Sisters in the Wind.” They join the show to discuss their books, the importance of telling the stories of Indigenous peoples, book bans, and how they library.
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 Missouri, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and a look at Southern states that have ordered the removal of books related to transgender identity from public libraries.
We love videogames here at I Love Libraries—especially the first generation of home videogaming systems and their games. Unfortunately, many of these systems and their games have become difficult to find, much less in working order. Thankfully, libraries, institutions, and archivists have stepped in to archive and preserve this essential element of gaming and pop culture history.
The New York Public Library (NYPL) has announced its Best Books of 2025, a list of 225 titles curated by NYPL staff. More than 80 librarians work on the lists each year, reading thousands of titles to develop each list. They look for literary excellence and originality, as well as titles they believe will appeal to patrons.
Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz is a storyteller, author, and curandera who presents frequently around the country on traditional healing practices, culinary medicine, folk herbalism, and Native American food sovereignty. We sat down with her to discuss her picture book for kids, “Nana Lupita and the Magic Sopita,” her work as a curandera, book bans, and her love of libraries.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The giving season is upon us. For those with book and library lovers in their lives, an ALA Supporter Membership is the perfect gift—and it helps our libraries thrive!
For our second installment of weekly book reviews from our friends at Booklist, the American Library Association’s nationally distributed book and media review publication, we have Maryann Owen’s review of Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey’s new seasonal favorite for young readers, “The Old Sleigh,” first published in the November 11, 2025, issue of Booklist.
In episode 28 of the “How I Library” podcast, show host and I Love Libraries editor Phil Morehart speaks with musician Brian Baker from legendary punk bands Minor Threat, Bad Religion, and more about his new book of photography, “The Road” (Akashic Books, 2025), the legacy of punk rock, book bans, and, of course, how he libraries.
“The Librarians,” filmmaker Kim A. Snyder’s acclaimed documentary about librarians in Texas, Florida, and other states who unite to combat book banning in the United States, is one of several docs in the running for the Cinema Eye Honor’s Audience Choice Award. And you can help it win by voting online.
For our first installment of our “Book Review of the Week” feature, we have a new review of Pulitzer Prize-winner Philip Caputo’s “Wandering Souls and Other Stories,” first published in the December 1, 2025, issue of Booklist.
Ten librarians from across the U.S. will be selected from more than 1,000 nominations to receive the coveted 2026 I Love My Librarian Award, which includes a $5,000 prize. Your favorite librarian could be among the winners! Nominations are being accepted through Monday, December 15, 2025. That’s next week!
