Becky Calzada

Cover of the March/April 2026 issue of American Libraries Magazine. Cover features a portrait of Mychal Threets wearing a "Library Joy!!" t-shirt and holding a copy of his book "I'm So Happy You're Here: A Celebration of Library Joy" and standing in front of a large rainbow. Text on cover reads: "Newsmaker: Mychal Threets p. 14. 5 Library Wins Worth Celebration p. 20. Plus: Airport Libraries, ADA Compliance, Meeting with Congress"

Check out the March/April issue of @amlibraries.bsky.social, featuring Newsmaker (and National Library Week Honorary Chair!) @mychal3ts.bsky.social, recent library wins, airport libraries, and tips for congressional advocacy.

Read here: https://bit.ly/4ueZrom

The 10th edition is a go-to resource for me | Be sure to order the newest edition to learn about best practices, advocacy and more!

Intellectual Freedom Manual, 11th Edition book cover image Erin Jones, Editor Office of Intellectual Freedom, American Library Association

The 11th Edition of OIF's Intellectual Freedom Manual is now available to purchase! I am grateful for the opportunity to be one of the contributors in this very important resource

Press release: www.ala.org/news/2026/03...

@amlibraryassoc.bsky.social
@oif.bsky.social

Such an incredible book & a favorite of mine!

Show up for our libraries. ALA 150, American Library Association.

NEW: Congress has begun preparation for next year's federal budget, and they need to hear from library advocates like you.

The best way to show up #ForOurLibraries during the budget process? Take action.

Tell your Representative to #FundLibraries in FY 2027: ala.org/showup

Image: Photo of Featured Speaker Melissa Villaseñor Photo Credit: Jim McCambridge Register Today and SAVE with early rates! ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition June 25-29, 2026 Chicago FOR OUR LIBRARIES. FOR 150 YEARS MORE. American Library Association | ALAAnnual.org

✨We’re thrilled to welcome Melissa Villaseñor to #ALAAC26! The multifaceted actress, impressionist, artist, and writer will discuss her debut picture book, "Cat and Lola: School Picture Day." @gloobooks.bsky.social

Register Today. https://bit.ly/4qJALBq

This image is a graphic promoting "United for Libraries 2026 Survey of the Library Field." It features a chart with a rising white arrow over green bars, symbolizing growth. The text invites completion of the survey by Friday, March 13, for a chance to win free United Virtual 2026 registration.

United for Libraries supports those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries.

Complete their 2026 survey on ways to best support library Friends, Foundations & Trustees for a chance to win FREE registration for United for Libraries Virtual 2026! https://bit.ly/4kDlksW

Proud to support my dedicated colleague @becalzada.bsky.social for @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social President! She is principled, brave, and focused! I respect all the candidates but hope you will consider supporting Becky!

Text overlayed on a picture of books on shelves reads: WLA wants to thank you for supporting libraries, local control, and intellectual freedom in Wyoming!

This is what community looks like! Wyoming’s Book Banning Bill, HB10, FAILED to advance tonight after not being introduced by the deadline. I am so relieved and grateful. I hope this victory can give others a little hope in difficult times. We fight on, together. #fReadom

The startup that turned Texas's book ban law into big business Bookmarked’s software promises districts cover under SB 13. Whether that looks like oversight or overreach depends on whom you ask.

The startup that turned Texas’s book ban law into big business
Bookmarked’s software promises districts cover under SB 13.

Whether that looks like oversight or overreach depends on whom you ask.

Yes, this is about OnShelf by BookmarkED.

www.fastcompany.com/91496176/boo...

God is good 💗

Thank you, @maxuf.bsky.social and @fastcompany.com for this informative piece on Bookmarked.

As I say in the piece, “Bookmarked is a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist.”

Y’all. Banning books is bad. Quit it.

Four More Books Banned from All Utah Public Schools; 27 Now Banned Statewide Utah banned four more books from all public schools this week, bringing the number of state-sanctioned book bans to 27.

Yesterday, the state of Utah banned four more books, bringing the number of state-sanctioned book bans to 27. These have to be removed from every public library.

bookriot.com/utah-bans-fo...

Core Interest Group Week is back with 35 free sessions. Join us March 2–6 for a virtual gathering that brings together library professionals from across the field to talk leadership, metadata, collections, preservation, technology, and more.
Explore the full lineup: www.ala.org/core/interes...

The American Library Association strongly denounces new federal book banning legislation proposed in Congress. Call your Reps. Tell them to oppose H.R. 7661. Capitol switchboard: 202-224-3121 American Library Association, Show Up For Our Libraries

"Parents, not politicians, should guide their children’s reading. In our school, campus, and public libraries, materials are selected by trained literacy professionals who understand child development and community needs. Their work is grounded in one clear purpose: helping young people become lifelong readers. H.R. 7661 isn’t fundamentally about protecting kids. It’s about giving politicians broad authority to restrict whose stories are allowed on the shelves. That should concern anyone who believes in the freedom to read and the right of families to make decisions for themselves.” - ALA President Sam Helmick

"Rather than targeting librarians and teachers, Congress should invest in them. The Right to Read Act offers a better path, supporting well-staffed and well-resourced school libraries, strengthening evidence-based literacy instruction, and protecting the dedicated professionals who help young people discover books that open doors and expand horizons. When we trust families, support educators, and protect the freedom to read, our young people thrive.” - ALA President Sam Helmick.

NEW: ALA strongly denounces new federal book banning legislation introduced in Congress, HR 7661.

As ALA President Sam Helmick said, "Parents, not politicians, should guide their children's reading." Call your Rep and tell them to oppose this new bill.

More from ALA: www.ala.org/news/2026/02...

So thankful for everyone’s advocacy at #NLLD26

Support public libraries. Donate to ALA and get a free audiobook credit from Libro.fm! #LibraryLoversMonth. Logos for American Library Association and Libro.fm

Today (Sat, Feb 28) is the LAST DAY to score a free audiobook credit from @libro.fm when you donate $15+ to either ALA or directly to your public library / library Friends group!

Learn more and give to ALA today: https://bit.ly/4rFew1l

Two Documentaries That Explain This Moment in Libraries and Book Censorship The Librarians and An American Pastoral together are a robust, if imperfect, means of understanding this censorship moment.

Two Documentaries That Explain This Moment in Libraries and Book Censorship

The Librarians and An American Pastoral together are a robust, if imperfect, means of understanding this censorship moment.

Can't emphasize enough if The Librarians resonated, see the other.

buttondown.com/wellsourced/...

Digital poster announcing that applications are open for two 2026 APALA Scholarship Awards. Text: APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN! For the: 2026 APALA Scholarship Award JCLC NALCo LIS Student Scholarship All applications are due on Monday, March 23, 2026! Learn more and apply at: https://www.apalaweb.org/awards/apala-scholarship/ APALA - asian pacific american librarians association

We're excited to announce that applications are now open for two scholarships: The APALA Scholarship and the JCLC NALCo LIS Student Scholarship!

To apply and get more information, check out: www.apalaweb.org/awards/apala...

Applications are due on March 23rd, so don't delay!

It is as bad as it sounds, and freedom to read folks have been anticipating this now for years.

Make your phone calls. Send your emails.

Two Documentaries That Explain This Moment in Libraries and Book Censorship The Librarians and An American Pastoral together are a robust, if imperfect, means of understanding this censorship moment.

Two Documentaries That Explain This Moment in Libraries and Book Censorship

The Librarians and An American Pastoral together are a robust, if imperfect, means of understanding this censorship moment.

buttondown.com/wellsourced/...

Let me be crystal clear on something: were this law to be passed, every one of the 13 states with Freedom to Read laws would cease to have those laws to protect them anymore.

We have poured so much energy into those state laws–which matter, hear me–but they are not going to solve the big issue.

Call your reps about this. Every time a book ban has been overturned or shut down, it's because the vast majority of people who believe in the freedom to read spoke up.
Find your reps' info at reps.fyi.

Thank you Kathy!

Thank you for your support @libro.fm! ❤️

Donate $15 or more this week to your local public library, library Friends group, or to ALA and receive a free audiobook credit!

Give to ALA here: bit.ly/4rFew1l

“Our organization is member-led, which means we simply couldn’t function without you.”

Take time to read @aaslala.bsky.social President-Elect April Dawkins’ & sign up to volunteer!

knowledgequest.aasl.org/from-lurker-...

Don't Ban Books in the United States Across the country, the freedom to read is under attack. Books are being removed from shelves, librarians are being targeted, and students are losing access to diverse, age-appropriate materials that

Here's a quick action you can take to support Right to Read legislation at the Federal level. Yes, we know, we know, but Congress changes and we can't get what we don't fight for

Just a reminder as we look forward to this weekend...

We're going to win. There's a ton of hard work ahead of us & a lot more really bad days, but we've won before, with less resources & more capable foes. So we will win again.

Every reader of every age will have access to the books they need.

Image: Photos of Opening General Session Speaker Rachel Maddow and Closing General Session Speaker Wayne Brady Photo Credit: Maddow: MS NOW and Brady: Jason Michael Fordham Register Today and SAVE with early rates! ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition June 25-29, 2026 Chicago FOR OUR LIBRARIES. FOR 150 YEARS MORE. American Library Association | ALAAnnual.org

✨ Registration is officially OPEN for #ALAAC26! Hear from author and MS NOW host Rachel Maddow and author and Emmy Award-winning actor Wayne Brady @kensingtonbooks.bsky.social when they headline ALA Annual this summer. Register Now and SAVE with early rates. https://2026.alaannual.org/

6 school librarians record a podcast episode on conflict resolution. Tune in Friday Feb 20 to the School Librarians United podcast with Amy Hermon.

#Schoollibrarians share their experiences and lessons in navigating conflicts! TY @becalzada.bsky.social @mauramadigan7.bsky.social @livluvlibrary.bsky.social Kaycie Hoffman Blaylock, Blake Hopper and Heather Hornor. #libraries #library #schoollibraries