News and Updates

Join the American Library Association (ALA) and Chicago Today’s Banned Book Club for a discussion of Mikki Kendall’s “Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot” on Tuesday, March 26.

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 Nebraska and Minnesota, as well as a look at the economic impact of book bans.

On April 8, also known as Right to Read Day, the New Republic is presenting a free discussion on banned and challenged books with authors Lauren Groff, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Ellen Hopkins, George M. Johnson, David Levithan, Ashley Hope Perez, Jodi Picoult, and Jacqueline Woodson, hosted by MSNBC's Katie Phang.

It's the first day of spring: What better time to clean, declutter, and refresh one's home, workplace, and life. Libraries are no exception. Did you know that librarians regularly remove books from libraries every year? It’s called “weeding,” and it’s an essential task for a successful, thriving library. Laura Mendez, principal librarian at Carlsbad (Calif.) City Library, explains.

Raj Tawney is an essayist and journalist who often writes about family, food, and culture from his multiracial American perspective. His debut memoir, "Colorful Palate: A Flavorful Journey Through a Mixed American Experience," was recently released. His second book, "All Mixed Up," a middle grade novel, will be released fall 2024. We're happy to have Tawney share with us the impact that libraries have had on his life and career.

In episode two of “How I Library,” American Library Association Communications Manager and show host Phil Morehart speaks with comedian, actor, and children’s book author Jesús Trejo.

The number of book titles targeted for censorship surged 65% in 2023, according to new data released Thursday by the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.

The Oscars celebrate the rich history of cinema, so it’s no surprise that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has a truly incredible library where it collects treasures from the film world.