ALA Public Policy & Advocacy (@librarypolicy) — Bluesky Profile

9 hours ago

Sen. Andy Kim introduces bill to combat illiteracy: 'Reading unlocks life-long success' Senator Andy Kim, D-N.J., is aiming to tackle the nation's literacy crisis with a new bill focused on increasing children's access to books.

ALA is proud to support @kim.senate.gov's new Open Books, Open Doors Act. This legislation would enhance library programs like the Innovative Approaches to Literacy Program and Library Services & Technology Act so every child has access to books & literacy support.

More: abcnews.com/Politics/sen...

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13 hours ago

Fund Libraries: Tell Congress to invest in libraries. ALA 150, American Library Association. #FundLibraries.

Advocates are ramping up the campaign to #FundLibraries: are you ready to take action? Congress needs to hear from constituents like you.

Call your House Rep TODAY and urge them to include library funding in next year's federal budget: ala.org/showup

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1 day ago

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

Have you taken action yet to #FundLibraries? Time is running out to send a message to your House Rep: tell them to include library funding in the FY 2027 federal budget!

Take action and show up #ForOurLibraries today: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...

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4 days ago

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

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5 days ago

Cover of the "Intellectual Freedom Manual" by the Office for Intellectual Freedom, American Library Association, Eleventh Edition. The design features colorful, patterned triangles overlaying text snippets.

When facing a tough intellectual freedom issue, you don’t have time to wade through dense text to find the answers you need. Designed as a real-world reference, the new edition of OIF’s "Intellectual Freedom Manual" provides trusted, comprehensive guidance in plain language. https://bit.ly/46Jfn8i

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5 days ago

Have you taken action yet to #FundLibraries? Use the link below to tell your House Rep to support federal library funding in the upcoming Fiscal Year 27 budget!

We need every advocate to show up #ForOurLibraries.

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6 days ago

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

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1 week ago

At 30, E-Rate is a proven success. Let's keep improving it. Sam Helmick in The Hill.

We're celebrating ALA's 150th Anniversary all year - but we're ALSO celebrating 30 years of #ERate!

As ALA Pres. Sam Helmick said in a recent article for The Hill, "The E-Rate program provides broadband that entire communities rely on."

Read more ALA's E-Rate advocacy: thehill.com/opinion/tech...

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1 week ago

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

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1 week ago

Pressley Unveils Resolution to Celebrate & Protect Black History Museums & Cultural Institutions, Marking 100th Anniversary of Black History Month - Ayanna Pressley Pressley Has Fought to Protect Black History Against Trump’s Crusade to Whitewash Museums Pressley, Tonko Demanded an Investigation into Trump’s...

ALA was proud to support @pressley.house.gov's resolution in the House of Representatives to protect Black History Month celebrations and programs at cultural institutions - and to honor the celebration's 100th anniversary as the month came to a close!

Read more: pressley.house.gov/2026/02/26/p...

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1 week ago

Responding to ICE at the Library: Real World Approaches.
Public Library Association. Free to ALA individual members. On Demand. Register now.

When ICE officers enter a public library, staff need to respond calmly and within the law. Watch this on-demand webinar for real-world guidance from libraries navigating these situations.

Free for ALA members. Open to nonmembers for a registration fee.
elearning.ala.org/local/catalo...

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1 week ago

From our team here in Washington, THANK YOU to every ALA member and advocate who showed up #ForOurLibraries in DC this week for #NLLD26!

As you might have been able to tell, we were thrilled to welcome you to the District and support your advocacy in Congress. We can't wait to see you next year!

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1 week ago

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...

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1 week ago

ALA advocates walking towards the Capitol Building in Washington, DC

That's a wrap on National Library Legislative Day!

To every advocate who showed up #ForOurLibraries and brought your voice to Capitol Hill: thank you. From coast to coast & beyond, libraries are stronger because of you.

Stay tuned for more photos from #NLLD26 (& ways to take action from home 👀)

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1 week ago

A photo of a large group of people on the steps of Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

National Library Legislative Day is officially here! Library advocates are on the Hill in Washington to make their voices heard and urge support for our country’s libraries in Congress. Thank you to EVERY ALA member and advocate who’s here to show up #ForOurLibraries! #NLLD26 #FundLibraries

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2 weeks ago

Hey look, a photo from the last time I was in DC (last spring), where we (@librarypolicy.bsky.social) did a stand out for E-Rate! #NLLD26

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2 weeks ago

We appreciate our nation's libraries!

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2 weeks ago

Advocates and presenters speaking on stage at NLLD 2026

Advocates here in Washington today for #NLLD26 are preparing for their meetings with elected officials - this is incredibly important work, and we’re grateful for EVERY advocate and presenter for putting in the time to show up #ForOurLibraries.

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2 weeks ago

ALA Exec Director Dan Montgomery, Rep Sean Casten, RAILS’ Monica Harris, and ALA’s Lisa Varga, posing together in Rep Casten’s office.

Meetings with Congress are already underway during #NLLD26!

Thank you @casten.house.gov for meeting with the Illinois library community - we’re tremendously grateful for your support for libraries in Illinois and across the country. #FundLibraries

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2 weeks ago

Thank you NLLD 2026 sponsors! Ingram Content Group, Library Services. Sno-Isle Libraries.

ALA is extremely grateful to the sponsors of #NLLD26 for supporting this critical event and ALA’s advocacy!

Thank you to Ingram Content Group and Sno-Isle Libraries. Your support helps bring library voices to Capitol Hill and ensures that our elected officials hear us loud and clear.

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2 weeks ago

Slide that reads “Our Unified Front: From Every Corner to DC”

ALA’s Lisa Varga - the leader of the @librarypolicy.bsky.social team - reminds us at #NLLD26 that we do not need all the answers to be effective advocates.

“You’re already miles ahead” as information professionals.

We know that our advocates are prepared and excited to make the case for libraries.

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2 weeks ago

ALA Executive Director Dan Montgomery speaking in front of a ballroom.

ALA Executive Director Dan Montgomery speaking to the crowd at #NLLD26: “Our greatest strength is YOU and your dedication to the profession.”

Our members power our library advocacy. YOU make the difference, and we couldn’t do it without you.

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2 weeks ago

Advocates sitting together in a. ballroom for National Library Legislative Day 2026.

ALA staff posing in front of ALA logos holding a sign saying “Fund Libraries”

ALA President Sam Helmick in front of the room at NLLD 2026.

What’s that noise we hear…? It’s the sound of library advocates rallying together in Washington, DC!

We’re THRILLED to welcome ALA members & library advocates from across the country for National Library Legislative Day 2026 here in DC. Next stop: Capitol Hill, to show up #ForOurLibraries. #NLLD26

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2 weeks ago

Thank you @libro.fm! If you donate $15 USD or more to your public library, friends of the library, or ALA this week, you'll get a free audiobook!

Whether you're supporting ALA or your local library, we're grateful for EVERYONE showing up #ForOurLibraries.

More info: blog.libro.fm/librarylove/

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2 weeks ago

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

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2 weeks ago

Black and white photo of a Black woman checking materials out to a group of children.

Small caption in top right reads: "Photo [original caption]: 'LOS ANGELES, October, 1949 – Elementary school pupils William Bias, Elizabeth Coggins and Jerry Sekido think it’s pretty interesting to watch Nellie Greene charge out their library books with the new Recordak charger on the Children’s Traveling Branch, operated by the Los Angeles Public Library.'"

Text over photo reads: "ACTION, NOT REACTION: Integrating the Library Profession. Words: Denise Rayman, Photos: ALA Archives"

ALA150, American Library Association

In the midst of the Civil Rights era in America, librarians were battling for and against segregated libraries in the South, and over integration within their own ranks. Integration of the library profession was a long process that started in the early 1900s.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3ZJpar4

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2 weeks ago

Libraries help communities weather storms. Many are getting snowed under COMMENTARY | The recent winter storms showed how vital libraries are, but they are struggling with deferred maintenance and an uncertain funding future.

With more storms on the East Coast this week, we're reminded that libraries & library workers show up for their communities in difficult moments.

But as ALA President Sam Helmick writes, library facilities are struggling under the weight of deferred maintenance: www.route-fifty.com/digital-gove...

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2 weeks ago

ALA President Sam Helmick: #PLA2026 is an opportunity to show up for Minnesota library workers, celebrate resilience in our profession, and learn, network, and grow together.

Join us April 1–3 in Minneapolis.
Advance registration rates end today!

Learn more & register: placonference.org
.

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2 weeks ago

First portion of a letter from ALA to Chairman Risch and Ranking Member Shaheen on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "Re: S.3733, Community Passport Services Access Act - SUPPORT.

Dear Chairman Risch and Ranking Member Shaheen,
On behalf of the American Library Association (ALA), I write in support of S. 3733, the
Community Passport Services Access Act, and its House companion, H.R. 6997. These bills
would allow nonprofit public libraries to continue serving as passport acceptance facilities
designated by the State Department.
Many libraries across the country serve as passport acceptance facilities. These libraries offer a
convenient location for Americans to apply for a U.S. passport, especially in rural areas which
may be distant from other passport acceptance facilities."

ALA reiterates our strong support for proposed legislation in Congress to protect passport acceptance services at nonprofit libraries. As we said in a letter to Congressional committee leadership, thousands of Americans use these critical services.

Our earlier statement: www.ala.org/news/2026/02...

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2 weeks ago

ALA American Library Association: Submission to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce
Statement of the American Library Association delivered on February 11, 2026, to the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) during its listening session regarding the
use of BEAD non-deployment funds.

ALA is showing up for libraries in all venues, including the NTIA's latest listening session on BEAD non-deployment funds.

We're making it clear: libraries are already supporting digital opportunity & skills. Funding decisions *must* include library partners.

More: www.ala.org/sites/defaul...

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