American Libraries magazine

July/August 2025 | American Libraries Magazine

Read our online July/August issue, with full coverage of the recent ALA Annual Conference. ➡️ bit.ly/AL-JulAug25

Find highlights from educational sessions, a report on vendor news from the Library Marketplace by @mbreeding.bsky.social, American Libraries' interview with Geena Davis, and more.

Taking Up Space | American Libraries Magazine Academy Award–winning actor Geena Davis wrote and illustrated The Girl Who Was Too Big for the Page because she was “a tall baby.”

“I wanted to play characters who were in charge of their own fate," Geena Davis, Academy Award–winning actor, author, and @geenadavisorg.bsky.social founder, said at @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social's 2025 Annual Conference and Exhibition last week. #ALAAC25

Visions of 2076 | American Libraries Magazine As the American Library Association's 150th anniversary approaches, library leaders looked ahead to the future of the Association.

Does the original aim that @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social was founded on in 1876 still resonate? Those words and other topics were hashed out at Annual in Philadelphia, as ALA's 150th anniversary approaches.

Own the Digital Space | American Libraries Magazine Ann Ford, vice president of sales and customer support for Hoopla, shared insight on the evolving digital landscape and challenges libraries are facing.

With digital offerings making up 40–60% of some libraries’ circulations, digital strategy is crucial. Ann Ford of Hoopla shared her advice during ALA's Annual Conference and Exhibit in Philadelphia. #ALAAC25

A Garden in the Desert | American Libraries Magazine The collaborative Community Book Gardens initiative helps communities in "book deserts" create their own books.

When Community Book Gardens started to talk with people about writing their own books, they learned that a lot of them "had all these stories stuck inside them, that they wanted to share, but didn’t think they could." #ALAAC25

Adaptive Arcade | American Libraries Magazine Spohn, the former COO of AbleGamers and current director of the Mount Sinai Back to Life Center, and Vicki Karlovsky, inclusion coordinator at Deerfield (Ill.) Public Library (DPL), discussed how libr...

Stuck in the hospital as a child, videogames were often Steve Spohn’s only way to connect. He talked with Vicki Karlovsky, Deerfield Public Library's inclusion coordinator, during “Adaptive Arcade at the Library: Video Games are for Everyone." #ALAAC25

A Rhyme of Himself | American Libraries Magazine At ALA's 2025 Annual Conference and Exhibition, George Takei discussed his life as a closeted actor and why he came out at age 68.

At #ALAAC25: Actor and activist @georgetakei.bsky.social, whose new memoir is "It Rhymes with Takei," discussed his life as a closeted actor and why he "came out roaring" at age 68.

A Brief Debrief | American Libraries Magazine Learn how Calgary Public Library implemented debriefing tools to help staff cope with stressful situations.

Debriefing tools can help break a cycle of “a small incident, and maybe the same day you have another small incident…and then all of a sudden you’re fed up with everybody and you don’t want to do this anymore." #ALAAC25

Influencer Marketing Can Be Good as Hell | American Libraries Magazine From Lizzo to Barack Obama, libraries leverage star power and community networks to articulate impact.

The inside story of Lizzo, James Madison's crystal flute, and the Library of Congress—and how to connect celebrities to library collections and programs. #ALAAC25

What Gives Carla Hayden Hope | American Libraries Magazine The former Librarian of Congress talked with author Kwame Alexander at ALA's Annual Conference and Exhibition in Philadelphia on June 28.

After being abruptly dismissed by the White House, former Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden assured her staff, "‘We’re trying to make sure that the library is protected.' You have to separate this position...from the institution," she said at #ALAAC25.

Tools of Empowerment | American Libraries Magazine Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer opens ALA's 2025 Annual Conference in Philadelphia with a discussion of her young adult memoir, True Gretch.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer opened ALA's 2025 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Philadelphia with advice for young adults, from handling bullies to admitting when you're wrong. #ALAAC25

ALA Appoints Daniel J. Montgomery as Executive Director | American Libraries Magazine Montgomery will start his new role as executive director on November 10. He is currently president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

ALA announces Daniel J. Montgomery will be its next executive director. He will take the helm November 10. #ALAAC25

Supreme Court Protects Federal Broadband Funding | American Libraries Magazine The ALA applauded today's Supreme Court 6–3 decision to uphold the Universal Service Fund, which funds the E-Rate program.

NEW: The Supreme Court has ruled to protect the Universal Service Fund, the E-Rate broadband discount program's funding mechanism!

This is a seismic win for communities that rely on the E-Rate program at their libraries and schools: americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-sc... #ForOurLibraries

Revolutionary Eats | American Libraries Magazine Here are the best of Philadelphia’s best, from old-school Italian joints to food hall cornucopias and whiskey bars to funky vegan eateries.

Joining us in Philadelphia for #ALAAC25? Here's your guide to the food scene that awaits you.

Stopping the Spread | American Libraries Magazine Misinformation seems to be everywhere and can have dangerous consequences. How do librarians keep patrons from falling for false claims?

More than 100 libraries have used fun, hands-on games from the University of Washington’s Information School and Center for an Informed Public to help educate their communities about misinformation.

Five Months into the Trump Presidency | American Libraries Magazine As President Trump's actions continue to cause upheaval for libraries, here are updates on Trump's attacks against US libraries and how library supporters are pushing back.

We’ve charted the latest offensives against libraries and how advocates are pushing back.

Going to Press | American Libraries Magazine To expand the audience for local authors and stories, some libraries have started book-publishing operations.

Several libraries in the last decade have started their own publishing operations, expanding the audience for local authors and stories that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Press 1 for Engagement | American Libraries Magazine Engaging Beyond Our Walls, a project by DC Public Library and Playful City Lab, uses app-free mobile tech to tell community stories by phone.

Over the past five years, DC Public Library has partnered with Playful City Lab, a game design initiative from American University in Washington, D.C.

Slide into the Library | American Libraries Magazine As PowerPoint finds new life among Gen Zers who share niche slideshows on social media, now libraries are hosting PowerPoint parties.

Today, you're going to learn how to turn PowerPoint into a community builder. Next slide, please. 🖱️

Judge Denies Preliminary Injunction in IMLS Lawsuit | American Libraries Magazine ALA issued a statement on June 6 in response to a ruling that denies a motion to block the Trump administration from dismantling IMLS.

On June 6, a federal judge denied a motion to block the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). ALA issued the following statement about the ruling.

Newsmaker: Brewster Kahle | American Libraries Magazine Internet Archive founder Brewster Kahle discusses the music industry copyright lawsuit against the Archive and why he feels “very encouraged."

The future of the Internet Archive is uncertain, amid a $700 million copyright lawsuit. Founder Brewster Kahle says, "The bad behavior is growing on the part of corporations, legislatures, politicians, the judiciary. But we’re still here."

Gritty is MORE than welcome! 🧡

2025 Annual Conference Preview | American Libraries Magazine ALA returns to Philadelphia for its 2025 Annual Conference (June 26–30), featuring authors, education programs, and exhibitors.

Learn what’s in store at ALA’s 2025 Annual Conference and Exhibition, June 26–30 in Philadelphia—where the first Convention of Librarians took place in 1876. #ALAAC25

June cover, featuring the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, and headlines "Annual Preview and Philadelphia Dining Guide," "Banning Book Bans," and "Misinformation Escape Rooms."

Our June issue is online now!

➡️ bit.ly/AL-Jun25

In this issue: Get ready for ALA's 2025 Annual Conference in Philadelphia and the city's amazing food scene 🍽️. Plus, lauded author Grace Lin talks with us about her first novel in nearly nine years.

Access Timely Economic Data | American Libraries Magazine IMF's new data portal provides streamlined access to timely, reliable, and easy-to-understand macroeconomic and financial data.

Get access to timely, reliable, and easy-to-understand macroeconomic and financial data.

Sponsored by International Monetary Fund

11 Questions: Teresa “Teri” Anderson | American Libraries Magazine Meet Teresa "Teri" Anderson, the new executive director of ALA's Association of College and Research Libraries.

Teresa “Teri” Anderson, the new executive director of the Association of College and Research Libraries, agrees with Einstein on "the only thing you absolutely have to know."

Bookend: On the Origin of Scopes | American Libraries Magazine Jennifer Beals curated the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections and University Archives exhibit marking the Scopes Trial's centennial.

Even after 100 years, the State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes, also known as the Scopes Monkey Trial, remains a touchstone for how society parses tensions between conflicting beliefs.

Brewing Connections | American Libraries Magazine A growing number of libraries are working with local brewers to create signature drinks for fundraising and awareness campaigns.

Libraries + local breweries = hoppy partnerships

2025 Library Systems Report | American Libraries Magazine In the 2025 Library Systems Report, technology consultant Marshall Breeding covers recent platform upgrades, leadership changes, and AI enhancements in library tech.

“Technologies that can help library professionals perform their work with fewer resources may be more welcomed than ever," writes Marshall Breeding in this year's annual analysis of current library tech and trends.💻

Newsmaker: Adriana Harmeyer | American Libraries Magazine "There’s a reason we see so many librarians and archivists on the show," says Harmeyer, the winningest library professional ever on Jeopardy!

Adriana Harmeyer is the winningest #library professional ever to appear on this game show.