News and Updates

Millions of dollars are heading to libraries in small and rural communities across the country, thanks to a major grant initiative from the American Library Association (ALA). On March 4, ALA announced it would be distributing $3.6 million to 310 libraries across 45 U.S. states to help increase the accessibility of their facilities, services, and programs for people with disabilities.

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 West Virginia, Oregon, and New Jersey.

One of the largest collections of Black history and literature in the U.S. can be found in a library in Chicago, but soon it will be accessible to everyone around the world. Thanks to a $2 million grant, nearly 300,000 pieces from the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection will be digitized.

Readers across the country now have unlimited access to the young-adult bestseller, “The Downstairs Girl,” as part of The New York Public Library’s (NYPL) Teen Banned Book Club. Set in Gilded Age Atlanta, Stacey Lee's award-winning novel tells the story of 17-year-old Jo Kuan, who gets into hot water when her anonymous advice column soars.

Join the American Library Association (ALA) and "NBC Chicago Today’s" Banned Book Club for a discussion of Jerry Craft’s award-winning graphic novel "New Kid" on Tuesday, February 27.

As if we needed more reasons to love LeVar Burton. The actor and longtime host of "Reading Rainbow" made an appearance on the "Jimmy Kimmel Show" recently to speak out against book bans, doing so in the form of a spoof of his beloved reading show called “Banned Book Rainbow.”

The American Library Association and I Love Libraries are proud to release the new podcast “How I Library.” This monthly series will feature authors, filmmakers, musicians, scholars, thought leaders, and, of course, librarians discussing the importance of libraries, their favorite library memories, and issues facing the library world.

Show your valentine how much you really care by sharing with them your love of libraries and books!