American Libraries magazine

Patrons exploring the books and displays at the pop-up Star Wars library at Changi Airport in Singapore.

Explore Singapore's new pop-up Star Wars library, the long-awaited reopening of Johannesburg City Library in South Africa, and more news from around the world in our online Global Reach column. https://bit.ly/476zNZD

Our Own Stories | American Libraries Magazine Columnist Allison Escoto reviews firsthand accounts of librarians, as well as realistic portrayals of the profession in popular culture.

In the face of censorship, budget cuts, and personal attacks, firsthand accounts of librarians matter more than ever. Our Librarian's Library column this issue shares several inspiring memoirs by librarians. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/09/02/our-own-stories/

Sustainability at Our Core | American Libraries Magazine Sustainability is a promise we make to future generations that libraries will continue to be cornerstones of community life and prosperity.

ALA President @samhelmick.bsky.social shares five sustainability strategies for librarians. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/09/02/sustainability-at-our-core/

License to Learn | American Libraries Magazine In a growing number of public libraries, virtual driving simulators let users practice driving skills in a safe, low-pressure environment.

Innovative ways libraries help their users, example #1,591: Some libraries offer access to driving simulators for new or anxious drivers to safely build skills. https://bit.ly/4mc41OM

Books by Bots | American Libraries Magazine Librarians grapple with AI-generated material in their library collections.

“We’re learning by experience what to look for. We don’t want to put our library’s name on something that’s not good.” Learn how librarians are responding to the challenges of #AI-generated books in "Books by Bots." https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/09/02/books-by-bots/

Noted and Quoted: Intellectual Freedom | American Libraries Magazine Here's how a few notable figures American Libraries covered have reflected on advocacy, diverse stories, and censorship-free libraries.

Close out #BannedBooksWeek with inspiring quotes about the importance of diverse stories and the threats against them. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/10/09/noted-and-quoted-intellectual-freedom/

Meet the next generation of activists: Read about the National Coalition Against Censorship and Brooklyn Public Library's Teen Advocacy Institute. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/10/09/the-next-generation-of-activists/ #BannedBooksWeek

By the Numbers: Banned Books Week 2025 | American Libraries Magazine Statistics about library censorship, book challenges, and efforts to resist them in observance of Banned Books Week 2025.

Did you know: Only 16% of documented book challenges in school and public libraries in 2024 came from parents. Learn more statistics in our special #BannedBooksWeek By The Numbers. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/10/07/by-the-numbers-banned-books-week-2025/

Newsmaker: Iris Mogul | American Libraries Magazine Banned Books Week Youth Honorary Chair Iris Mogul discusses starting a book club and her work with the National Coalition Against Censorship.

American Libraries interviews #BannedBooksWeek Youth Honorary Chair Iris Mogul about her activism and hopes for the future. https://bit.ly/4mOJkc9 Mogul will moderate a panel of youth activists streaming Oct. 8 at 3 Central: https://bit.ly/4mTC7ro

Walk with a Purpose | American Libraries Magazine Instead of simply highlighting censorship statistics or bemoaning what we can’t read, the Freedom Walk celebrates our right to read.

Learn how one library shifted the focus from book bans from freedom in "Walk with a Purpose." https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/10/06/walk-with-a-purpose/ #BannedBooksWeek #BannedBooks

Newsmaker: R. F. Kuang | American Libraries Magazine Author Rebecca F. Kuang returns to the realm of fantasy and higher education in her latest novel, Katabasis.

Did you know author R.F. Kuang got married in a library? Learn more about her connection with libraries, how she balances logic and imagination in her work, and her attraction to underworld stories in our extended interview. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/09/02/newsmaker-r-f-kuang/

2025 Library Design Showcase | American Libraries Magazine The 2025 Library Design Showcase features libraries that serve as true third spaces while honoring local histories and cultures.

ICYMI: The outstanding facilities in our Library Design Showcase include everything from showstopping new constructions to a $200 renovation that made a big impact. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/09/02/2025-library-design-showcase/

Beyond Inflation Data | American Libraries Magazine The new Consumer Price Index Manual: Theory, 2025 provides an overview of the conceptual issues that drive the methods and practices for constructing Consumer Price Indices.

The new Consumer Price Index Manual: Theory, 2025 provides a comprehensive overview of the issues that drive the methods and practices for constructing Consumer Price Indices. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/beyond-inflation-data/
Sponsored by International Monetary Fund

How the 2025 Government Shutdown Will Impact Libraries | American Libraries Magazine The federal government shutdown, which begins today, will have cascading effects across the nation and our economy.

The federal government shutdown may have major repercussions for libraries. @librarypolicy.bsky.social explains the likely impacts. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/how-the-2025-government-shutdown-will-impact-libraries/

Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Addressing Research and Writing Challenges with the APA Style Manual. 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT

Today, October 1! Join us for the next AL Live, co-presented with Booklist Webinars, “Addressing Research and Writing Challenges with the APA Style Manual" at 2 p.m. Eastern. Register for FREE at bit.ly/4ptaw2G. Sponsored by the American Psychological Association.

Bookend: The Original Happy Camper | American Libraries Magazine A look at the US Forest Service Smokey Bear Collection, held at the National Agricultural Library in Beltsville, Maryland.

Smokey Bear (no the!) is the longest public advertising campaign in the United States. Join our visit to the Smokey Bear collection at the National Agricultural Library. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/09/02/bookend-the-original-happy-camper/

License to Learn | American Libraries Magazine In a growing number of public libraries, virtual driving simulators let users practice driving skills in a safe, low-pressure environment.

As driver education increasingly is outsourced from public schools to for-profit providers, some libraries are filling the gap by providing free access to driving simulators. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/09/02/license-to-learn/

Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Addressing Research and Writing Challenges with the APA Style Manual. 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT

Coming soon! Join us for the next AL Live, co-presented with Booklist Webinars, “Addressing Research and Writing Challenges with the APA Style Manual" on Wednesday, October 1 at 2 p.m. Eastern. Register for FREE at bit.ly/4ptaw2G. Sponsored by the American Psychological Association.

By the Numbers: Fashion and Beauty | American Libraries Magazine Stats about the libraries, archives, and literature preserving garments and glamour, in observation of Fashion Weeks.

How many products are held in the Estée Lauder Companies Archives? Find fascinating fashion facts in this month's By the Numbers. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/09/02/by-the-numbers-fashion-and-beauty/

Meet Dan Montgomery | American Libraries Magazine Dan Montgomery will start his role on November 10 as the American Library Association’s new executive director.

Meet incoming ALA director Daniel J. Montgomery in American Libraries' new interview. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/09/25/meet-dan-montgomery/

Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Addressing Research and Writing Challenges with the APA Style Manual. 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT.

Join us for the next AL Live webinar, co-presented with Booklist Webinars, “Addressing Research and Writing Challenges with the APA Style Manual" on Wednesday, October 1 at 2 p.m. Eastern. Register for FREE at bit.ly/4ptaw2G. Sponsored by the American Psychological Association.

Top fundraisers in ALA's #ForOurLibraries Fundraising Challenge will win free registration to ALA Annual 2026. The challenge runs through December! Learn more at https://bit.ly/4lezrDW

The Teen Scene | American Libraries Magazine Librarians from Stark Library’s Main Library in Canton, Ohio, discuss how they enlisted teens to help plan and design teen spaces.

What happens when teens design their own library space? Christine Herman and Jo Phillips share how they're engaging their users to help make Stark Library's new Main Library a destination for teens. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/09/02/the-teen-scene/

Carnegie-Whitney Grant awards up to $5,000 for guides to library resources The American Library Association Publishing Committee provides a grant of up to $5,000 for the preparation of print or electronic reading lists, indexes or other guides to library resources that promo...

Apply for the $5,000 Carnegie-Whitney Grant, which provides up to $5,000 for the preparation of print or electronic reading lists, indexes or other guides to library resources. Applications due November 7. https://www.ala.org/news/2025/09/carnegie-whitney-grant-awards-5000-guides-library-resources

An Accessible Expo | American Libraries Magazine Toronto Public Library hosted an Autism Employment Expo, an event designed to connect autistic adults to employers and job resources.

Toronto Public Library shares how it has helped to connect neurodivergent job seekers with employers and employment resources in a sensory-friendly environment. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/09/02/an-accessible-expo/

Road to Recovery | American Libraries Magazine Libraries have become frequent targets of ransomware attacks. These libraries' experiences offer lessons in responding and rebuilding.

While #ransomware attacks are no longer rare and increasingly target public institutions careful preparation and a support network can improve library response. Learn more in "Road to Recovery," https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/09/15/road-to-recovery/

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: ALA Member Town Hall. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: ALA Member Town Hall. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

Coming tomorrow, September 17: Attend the ALA Members Virtual Town Hall at 3 pm Eastern. Hear from ALA leaders, including the incoming executive director. Register at https://ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2HeCuOS_TCWfBhOssSnLEg#/registration

Reading the Room | American Libraries Magazine At the University of Florida’s George A. Smathers Libraries, we’ve brought students into libraries by bringing the library to students.

Learn how the University of Florida's George A. Smathers Libraries brought students in by embedding itself into student life in this issue's Academic Insights column. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/09/02/reading-the-room/

2025 ALA/AIA Library Building Awards | American Libraries Magazine The winners of the 2025 Library Building Awards recognize the best in library architecture and design by any architect licensed in the US.

See the winners of the 2025 AIA/ALA Library Building Awards, including the @Spokane Public Library Liberty Park Branch. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/09/02/2025-ala-aia-library-building-awards/

Our Own Stories | American Libraries Magazine Columnist Allison Escoto reviews firsthand accounts of librarians, as well as realistic portrayals of the profession in popular culture.

In this issue's Librarian's Library column, Allison Escoto highlights recent memoirs by librarians and realistic portrayals of the profession in fiction books. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/09/02/our-own-stories/