American Library Association

9 sessions across 3 content tracks Preserving Intellectual Freedom (icon: book and torch), Strengthening Leadership (icon: 3 leaders and a gear), and Sustaining Wellbeing (icon: a lotus flower) Plus opening and closing keynotes and interactive, facilitator-led conversations. Registration is Open—Save Your Spot Now! Recharging in Challenging Times AN ALA Virtual Event February 10, 2026 FOR OUR LIBRARIES. American Library Association ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition

#ALAVirtual26 Registration is Open! Join Recharging in Challenging Times: An ALA Virtual Event for a day of reflection, practical insights, and meaningful connection. Access on-demand content—and ALA Student Members attend for FREE! Secure your spot now!
www.ala.org/virtual-event

I Love My Librarian Award 2026. URL: ilovelibraries.org/love-my-librarian. Logos for Carnegie Corporation of New York, American Library Association, and the New York Public Library.

Only a few weeks left! Nominate a librarian you love for the 2026 I Love My Librarian Award - they could win $5,000 and the recognition of a lifetime.

Nominations close December 15! Submit yours here: https://bit.ly/3yiyT9C

Collage of cover images for the 2025 Booklist Books for Youth Editors' Choice list

It's our favorite time of year. No, not fall--even better. It's #EditorsChoice season!😍 We're kicking today off with our 2025 Books for Youth #EditorsChoice list!🎉📚From the humorous to the historical, these books have it all: bit.ly/482VhFY

ALA celebrates today's ruling in federal court in RI permanently blocking the Administration's actions to dismantle IMLS.

ALA Pres. Sam Helmick: "This victory belongs to all of us, and we build the future of our libraries together." Read our full statement & take action: www.ala.org/news/2025/11...

LIBRARIES WIN IN COURT. Federal court issues permanent injunction in Rhode Island V. Trump, stops the dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The court ruled that all actions taken by the Administration to dismantle IMLS are nullified. This injunction takes immediate nationwide effect: all grants, in every state and territory. The Administration is stopped from taking these actions again in the future. Show up for our libraries, American Library Association.

NEWS: Libraries WIN in federal court!

A judge in RI issued a permanent injunction stopping the Administration from dismantling the Institute of Museum & Library Services and nullifying all actions taken to do so.

Read the ruling: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us... (More to come from ALA)

Exhibit booth for ALAstore at a conference, featuring a variety of books and promotional materials displayed on a table, with banners including the American Library Association logo and website URL.

A display of various books and educational materials on a table, including titles about writing, research, and standards in the field of education.

The ALA Store at #NCTE25 is open on the Exhibit floor! Stop by to browse books and library-themed gifts. We're here all weekend!

SALE. Save 20% through November 23. Pictured: Black short-sleeved t-shirt with text: "Read like our rights depend on it" and illustration of raised fist in blue with colorful books in the background. Black tote bag with Banned Books Week theme "Censorship is so 1984,Read for your rights." Light blue hooded sweatshirt with illustration of bookshelf and text "If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear." Sticker with text "Let our stories shine."

Get a jump on your holiday shopping with our weekend sale at LibraryGiftShop.org. Save 20% on everything through Sunday, November 23, and stock up on gifts that support and celebrate libraries.
Proceeds help fund our advocacy work.

ALA stands with school and academic libraries, their dedicated library workers and the talented staff of the Education Department. Together with our partners in education, ALA will work to protect students' and educators' rights to learn and teach as well as the modest federal support provided to school and academic libraries." ALA President Sam Helmick. Show up for our libraries, American Library Association.

NEW: ALA is sounding the alarm after the Administration announced new steps to dismantle the Department of Education. School & academic libraries across the country rely on Dept. of Ed. funding and knowledge to best serve their students and faculty.
More: www.ala.org/news/2025/11... #ForOurLibraries

When the hotspots go dark, who connects the unconnected? "We're really thinking about the broad spectrum of American life and how the lack of connectivity infrastructurally has been devastating," Sam Helmick said.

The FCC's recent removal of #ERate discounts for library & school hotspot lending is a step backwards. ALA President Sam Helmick: "Having digital connection is going to allow us to not only thrive civically but economically, educationally, & socially." More: federalnewsnetwork.com/management/2...

Congratulations to the finalists for the 2026 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction. Winners announced January 27! Book covers: “A Guardian and a Thief,” by Megha Majumdar. “The Unworthy,” by Agustina Bazterrica. Translated by Sarah Moses. “We Do Not Part,” By Han Kang. Translated by e. yaewon and Paige Aniyah Morris. “Baldwin, Styron, and Me,” by Mélikah Abdelmoumen. Translated by Catherine Khordoc. “There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America,” by Brian Goldstone. “Things in Nature Merely Grow,” by Yiyun Li.

We are honored to share this year's #ALA_Carnegie shortlist titles! Join us in celebrating these six books which exemplify excellence in fiction and nonfiction.
Two winners will be announced January 27. Congratulations!
💙📚
https://www.ala.org/carnegie-medals/2026-winners

Aging Together: An Evaluation of Library Programming for Older Adults Call for Advisors

ALA is seeking nine librarian advisors to support the "Aging Together: An Evaluation of Library Programs for Older Adults" project. This new project will evaluate and summarize the current state of older adult programming in libraries across the U.S.

Apply by Dec 1, 2025: https://bit.ly/49ZmAn1

Unisex Baseball T-Shirt | Library Gift Shop READ? ⭐ literacy, read ❗ libraries

I’ve talked about my most comfortable pants ( @meactnet.bsky.social joggers) — hands down best shirt for looking like clothes and feeling like PJs and wearing in bed —- my @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social #BannedBooksWeek unisex baseball tee (sized up to xl) — different designs now but same shirt:

David Sleasman, librarian of the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play, in front of pinball machines and next to several items from the library's collections.

Were you a Berenstain Bears reader? At the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play at the Strong National Museum of Play, you can find original sketches from their creators—and much more! Read more in our Bookend department. https://bit.ly/47FviUF

Text in graphic: "Cards Against Humanity generously donated 100% of profits from their limited-edition informational product, 'Cards Against Humanity Explains the Joke,' to the American Library Association. ALA Explains the Donation at ala.org/CAH." Illustration of a Cards Against Humanity box on top of a short stack of books.

@cardsagainsthumanity.com, longtime supporter of libraries, organized a creative way to support ALA with presales of a special edition product—Cards Against Humanity Explains the Joke—during Banned Books Week. CAH will donate 100% of proceeds to ALA.

ALA Explains the Donation: ala.org/CAH

#IGM25

ALA Welcomes New Executive Director Daniel J. Montgomery takes the helm at the American Library Association today, with priorities that include federal and state funding, civic partnerships, AI competencies, and anti-censorship advocacy...

“We’re excited to be with somebody so deeply experienced with lifelong learning, literacy, and organizing, who understands the value of building community, bringing people together, and making sure our organizational structure is sound.” - ALA Pres. Helmick

Welcome, Dan Montgomery! bit.ly/4oB26FP

Jam Forever | American Libraries Magazine Panelists shared ways for libraries to host game jams to help students and patrons of all ages create games.

What do you need for a game jam? “Two tables. Done.”

Game jams—accelerated game creation events—started as a way to develop video games, but they’re also useful for creating tabletop role-playing games, which have grown in popularity in recent years.

Read more: https://bit.ly/43qkkRQ

Federal Cuts, Immigration Raids and a Slowing Economy Hit Rural Libraries

Today in the New York Times: How federal funding cuts are hurting rural library budgets. "The financial margins were tight even before Mr. Trump tried to eliminate the Institute of Museum & Library Services." More: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/us/politics/rural-libraries.html #ForOurLibraries

Collaborative Grantseeking for Library Staff: Self-paced eCourse. FREE Informational session: November 17, 2025, 12:30pm CT. Register Today. ALA eLearning

Level up your library’s future with collaborative grantseeking! This first-of-its-kind, self-paced ALA eCourse provides a comprehensive foundation in collaborative grantseeking, proposal development, and submission - no experience required.

Join the free info session Nov 17: https://bit.ly/43q987M

Closeup of November cover of BOOKLIST READER with text DIGITAL BOOKLIST READER READ THE NOVEMBER ISSUE NOW with burst: DIGITAL VERSION NOW AN ALA MEMBER BENEFIT

Hey #ALAMembers! Your membership includes access to the digital issue of BOOKLIST READER, the monthly readers' advisory magazine from the editors of @ala-booklist.bsky.social. Use your ALA Membership ID to login and start reading:
bit.ly/3jRuX9V

Sam Helmick speaking to the audience at a CHicgo screening of The Librarians movie.

ALA President @samhelmick.bsky.social moderated a post-screening discussion of The Librarians at Chicago’s Landmark Theatre this week.
Screenings are happening in cities across the country. See where the film is headed next. ➡️ https://thelibrariansfilm.com/screenings/

The Pulse of Our Profession | American Libraries Magazine ALA chapters are our first indicators of new trends, tightening pressure on legislative challenges, and the steady rhythm of community needs.

ALA President @samhelmick.bsky.social highlights how ALA chapters are "our first indicators of new trends, the tightening pressure on legislative challenges, and the steady rhythm of community needs." https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/the-pulse-of-our-profession/

Show Up, Speak Up: One Voice for Library Ecosystem Funding. Thur, Nov 13, 2025, 4pm Central. Jonna Ward, Founder & CEO Library Support Network; Deborah Doyle, President United for Libraries (2024-2025); Lisa Varga, Associate Exec. Director, ALA Public Policy & Advocacy Office. #ALAOneVoice.

Unite libraries for stronger advocacy! Learn about ALA’s Ecosystem Initiative to boost funding, influence & partnerships on our next webinar, featuring our office's Lisa Varga. #ALAOneVoice

Join us on Thursday, Nov 13 @ 4pm Central / 5pm Eastern

Register now: ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Barnes, Calzada Seek 2027–2028 ALA Presidency | American Libraries Magazine The American Library Association has announced the candidates running for president for the 2027–2028 term.

We are excited to announce the 2027–2028 presidential candidates: Tamika Barnes of Georgia State University and Becky Calzada of Leander Independent School District.

Learn more about these two accomplished library leaders. ➡️ americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-sc...

Main heading reads "BOOKLIST READER: ELEMENTARY-SCHOOL BIOGRAPHIES OF NATIVE WOMEN." Body text reads "Native women have been leaders throughout history; these picture books and early-reader chapter books offer a glimpse into the strength, courage, tenacity, and fierce compassion embodied by them."

Check out these elementary-school biographies of Native women recommended by our friends at Booklist Reader!

Visit https://bit.ly/3LwV8CV to check out Booklist's full list of recommendations.

Event flyer for "How Faith Communities and Librarians Can Advocate for the Freedom to Read on November 5, 2025 at 4 p m eastern time."

Join us Wednesday @ 4pm ET / 1pm PT!

We're teaming up with @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social's @uabookbans.bsky.social to discuss how faith communities and librarians can come together to advocate for the right to read.

Register here: support.interfaithalliance.org/a/how-faith-...

Libraries Warn Federal Cuts Could Undo Digital Inclusion Gains Officials say agency funding underpins broadband and workforce access.

Presenting at #AnchorNets2025 last week, ALA's Megan Janicki told the audience that proposed & enacted federal cuts have created “an atmosphere of uncertainty” for libraries across the country.

Read more about the challenges facing libraries & digital equity: broadbandbreakfast.com/libraries-wa...

FOR OUR LIBRARIES Fundraising Challenge. Two photos: Chicago river on left, people in a crowd cheering. Text at bottom reads: 'Help raise funds for our libraries through December 31 and win your way to the 2026 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago next June!' American Library Association logo

Have you joined the For Our Libraries fundraising challenge? There's still time to catch up! Top 10 fundraisers win free registration to ALA Annual 2026 in Chicago, with free lodging and $1,500 to cover travel expenses for our grand prize winner!

Challenge ends Dec. 31! ilovelibraries.org/fundraise

I LOVE MY LIBRARIAN AWARD 2026. Your librarian could win $5,000! ilovelibraries.org/love-my-librarian. Logos for Carnegie Corporation of New York, American Library Association, and the New York Public Library

Has a librarian made a difference in your life? Nominate them for the #ILoveMyLibrarian Award for a chance to win $5,000 and the honor of a lifetime. Nominations close Dec. 15!

Submit your nomination: https://bit.ly/3uVK4V0

Nonprofit offers alternative funding for school, library Wi-Fi programs Mission Telecom said it would match any discounts those institutions received under the FCC’s E-Rate program for loaning out Wi-Fi hotspots and providing service on school buses.

OPPORTUNITY: After rollbacks to #ERate funding for Wi-Fi hotspots, many libraries have new gaps in their budgets.

@missiontelecom.bsky.social is offering to help bridge the gaps for libraries & schools that received approval only to see it taken away. Learn more: www.route-fifty.com/digital-gove...

Advertisement for the PLA 2026 Conference in Minneapolis from April 1-3 at the Convention Center. The banner mentions a scholarship covering registration and travel fees with an application deadline of November 6. Background shows a city skyline and green park.

We're offering 150 scholarships for #PLA2026!

Recipients get comp. conference registration, travel stipend & one year of ALA/PLA membership, incl. access to American Libraries & Public Libraries magazines, discounts on webinars + more.

Learn more: https://www.placonference.org/scholarships