News and Updates

News and Updates

Devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in Asheville, N.C. by Bill McMannis.

Libraries Respond to Communities Hit by Hurricanes

Hurricanes have devastated the southeastern United States this month, and libraries and library associations are stepping up to help their communities in the aftermath.
ALA President Cindy Hohl (right) speaking at the White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose event on October 8.

White House Recognizes Library Efforts to Combat Opioid Crisis

The Biden-Harris administration announced October 8 the participants of the White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose, a nationwide call-to-action for organizations to increase training on and access to life-saving opioid overdose reversal medications like naloxone. The American Library Association (ALA) is one of more than 250 organizations and businesses that have made voluntary commitments to the challenge.
An array of pumpkins, ready for the autumn customer rush at the Kelp's Pumpkin Patch stand near Nashville in Brown County, Indiana. Photo by Carol M. Highsmith, Sept. 2016.

Pumpkin Spice Up Your Fall with the Library of Congress

If you’re like us, you love to fill your spaces with sights, sounds, and smells of fall. Thankfully, the Library of Congress has a plethora of free resources that can be used to add instant autumn ambiance.
TRANSFORMERS character Optimus Prime holds up a Cybertron Public Library library card and says "Roll out with a library card."

Optimus Prime: Librarian? The Origin of the Famed Autobots’ Leader

It’s Library Card Sign-up Month, and TRANSFORMERS’ Optimus Prime is helping libraries everywhere celebrate by showing off his very own Cybertron Public Library library card. But did you know that before he was the hero we know today, Optimus was a librarian named Orion Pax?
How I Library: Beth Ferry

Celebrate Let Freedom Read Day with Beth Ferry’s ‘Roar for Reading’!

On Let Freedom Read Day, the last day of Banned Books Week, we’re spotlighting an amazing new picture book, “Roar for Reading” by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Andrew Joyner. In this special episode of the How I Library podcast, Ferry dives into the book’s inspiration and the ongoing battle against book banning. “Roar for Reading” […]
Screenshot of President Barack Obam speaking from his library

Obama Celebrates Banned Books Week on Instagram

Barack Obama posted a special message on Instagram September 24 to commemorate Banned Books Week.

Preliminary Data on Book Challenges in 2024 Released

To kick off Banned Books Week, ALA released preliminary data documenting attempts to censor books and materials in libraries during the first eight months of 2024.
Banned Books Week graphic

It’s Banned Books Week! Help Protect the Freedom to Read

It’s Banned Books Week, when libraries, schools, bookstores, groups, and individuals around the world—including Banned Books Week Honorary Chair filmmaker Ava DuVernay—call attention to censorship and ways to fight it. Here's how you can get involved.
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