ALA Public Policy & Advocacy

Promotional poster for the Public Library Association 2026 Conference in Minneapolis, featuring an image of two speakers at a podium with a microphone. The poster includes text announcing the last chance to present, with a deadline of December 15. The poster is colored in purple and orange, with event logos and dates provided.

Got something to say—or teach—about public libraries? We want to hear from you at #PLA2026!

Submit a proposal to present on our How-To Stage: https://www.placonference.org/howto
Or give your Hot Take on public libraries: https://www.placonference.org/hottakes

Deadline is Mon. 12/15!

AL could face setbacks after loss of digital equity funds By Sarah Jane Tribble for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Alabama News Service reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Service CollaborationMegan Waiters can recite the ...

ALA President Sam Helmick on the power of digital connectivity through the library: “You could see lives change"

app.publicnewsservice.org/story/al-cou...

AL could face setbacks after loss of digital equity funds By Sarah Jane Tribble for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Alabama News Service reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Service CollaborationMegan Waiters can recite the ...

Across AL and the country, federal funding was poised to get more Americans online and get them the skills they need to thrive, through digital navigator programs and more at libraries nationwide.

But the Administration slashed the grants: app.publicnewsservice.org/story/al-cou... #ForOurLibraries

Thorne Library earns grant to expand children’s and teen literature collection MVNU adds 60 award-winning titles to support teacher education students and provide new resources for local families

Stable federal funding means more materials for children and teens at Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s Thorne Library in Ohio! More www.yourohionews.com/knox-county/...

Tell Congress to #FundLibraries and support programs & collections nationwide: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...

Library Agency Reinstates Grants Canceled by Trump Administration

From the New York Times: IMLS has reinstated all federal grants to libraries following a federal court ruling. More: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/a...

But we can't stop making noise for libraries. Tell Congress to #FundLibraries in FY26: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...

Supreme Court refuses to hear Little v. Llano County. Quote from ALA President Sam Helmick: "Millions of library users now face a diminished right to read and explore information free from government interference. The ruling threatens to transform government libraries into centers for indoctrination instead of protecting them as hubs of open inquiry.” American Library Association logo

ALA is disappointed and concerned with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to allow a lower court ruling in Little v. Llano County stand. This decision will significantly restrict the freedom to read in public libraries across Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Our statement: https://bit.ly/48HOSAl

You only have ONE WEEK to nominate your favorite librarian for the I Love My Librarian Award!

Don't miss the opportunity to recognize the dedication of a library worker in your community! Learn more below ⤵️

Iowa libraries and museums regain access to frozen federal grants In March, the entire Institute of Museum and Library Services staff was placed on administrative leave by the Trump administration, indefinitely pausing all work processing 2025 grant applications. No...

In Iowa, libraries and museums are excited for their communities now that federal grants have been reinstated: www.iowapublicradio.org/arts-life/20...

But this isn't the end. We need to tell Congress to #FundLibraries in Iowa and across the nation: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...

I Love My Librarian Award 2026. Your librarian could win $5,000! URL: ilovelibraries.org/love-my-librarian. Logos for Carnegie Corporation of New York, American Library Association, and the New York Public Library

Have you nominated a librarian for the I Love My Librarian Award? There's only ONE WEEK LEFT!

If your librarian has gone above and beyond, started a new program to fill a gap in the community, or stepped in to save the day, we want to know about it!

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

Library Agency Reinstates Grants Canceled by Trump Administration

Federal grants have been reinstated by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a win for communities all across the country: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/a...

But we can't slow down. We need Congress to #FundLibraries in next year's budget.

Take action: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...

ALA, ARL, and CARL join the fight to defend our future memory. ALA American Library Association. ARL Association of Research Libraries. CARL/ABRC Canadian Association of Research Libraries/Association des bibliothèques de recherche du Canada. Our Future Memory, ourfuturememory.org

ALA is proud to join our partners @arl.org & @carl-abrc.bsky.social in signing the Statement on 4 Digital Rights for Memory Institutions Online, led by @archive.org.

The principles are an essential roadmap to guide policies impacting libraries, archives, & museums:
blog.archive.org/2025/12/03/a...

Show up for our libraries, American Library Association.

New: ALA and @aaslala.bsky.social welcome the reintroduction of the Right to Read Act by @reed.senate.gov and Rep. Adelita Grijalva!

This legislation would help ensure that all students have access to a school library, staffed by a certified school librarian. More: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...

Libraries and museums get federal funding back after Trump cuts Earlier this year, the Trump administration gutted the Institute of Museum and Library Services, leading to canceled federal grants. Now, after a court order, those grants are being reinstated.

Federal grants to libraries from the Institute of Museum and Library Services have been reinstated all across the country: www.npr.org/2025/12/04/n...

But we're not done yet. Congress MUST #FundLibraries in next year's budget. Take action now: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...

U.S. reinstates all canceled library grants after court order A court ruled that Trump’s effort to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the only federal agency dedicated to funding libraries, was unlawful.

From the Washington Post: All library grants reinstated at Institute of Museum and Library Services. Read more about the great news: www.washingtonpost.com/style/2025/1...

But the fight isn't over. We need to tell Congress to #FundLibraries: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag... #ForOurLibraries

Did you hear the good news? IMLS has restored EVERY canceled federal grant in every state and territory.

But the fight's not over yet. Tell Congress to #FundLibraries in next year's budget: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...

ALL IMLS grants restored in every state & territory.

In response to a ruling from a federal judge in Rhode Island, the Institute of Museum and Library Services reinstated all previously canceled grants in every state and territory. It's a huge win for libraries and our communities.

"The reinstatement of all IMLS grants means that libraries across the country will be able to resume vital services for learning, imagination, and economic opportunity. We are breathing a sigh of relief, but the fight is not over." ALA President Sam Helmick. Show up for our libraries, American Library Association.

NEWS: The Institute of Museum & Library Services has restored ALL previously canceled federal grants to libraries, following a ruling by a federal judge in Rhode Island last month.

This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory!

Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...

Kirstin Downey: Trump-Targeted Agency Has Done A Lot For Hawaiʻi Fortunately, it appears a legal fight to preserve the Institute of Museum and Library Services has succeeded.

In Hawai'i, federal funds for libraries have supported a swath of programs, from literacy to cultural stewarship. Civil Beat's columnist Kirstin Downey celebrates the recent legal wins: www.civilbeat.org/2025/11/kirs...

Tell Congress to #FundLibraries: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...

"I honestly do not know how they do it. My library responds to crisis after crisis. Recently, they became a food distribution site." - Madeline K., Library user, Wisconsin. GIVE NOW TO SUPPORT LIBRARIES. American Library Association. For Our Libraries.

Libraries are doing more than ever. This #GivingTuesday, your gift strengthens the work that makes moments like this possible.

Support ALA and help build stronger libraries and stronger communities. Give today: bit.ly/ForOurLibraries

For our libraries, for the cornerstones of our communities. American Library Association. [An adult and a child in a library, reading a book and bumping fists.]

This #GivingTuesday, show up #ForOurLibraries.

Become a Supporter of the American Library Association and help sustain our advocacy, programs, and more.

Your support powers the work we do for our members and libraries across the country. bit.ly/ForOurLibraries

For our libraries. For the cornerstones of our communities. American Library Association. Photo: A man and boy smile and bump fists as they read together in the library.

Libraries are responding to crisis after crisis and still finding ways to lift their communities. This #GivingTuesday, stand with them. Become a Supporter of the American Library Association. bit.ly/ForOurLibraries

📚💙 #ForOurLibraries

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

Welcome back from the holiday! Do you know what we're grateful for this season? Library advocates like YOU who show up #ForOurLibraries!

Show your thanks for everything libraries & library workers do, tell Congress to #FundLibraries in the federal budget: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...

Supreme Court bars Trump from firing Library of Congress official for now | CNN Politics The Supreme Court on Wednesday blocked barred President Donald Trump from replacing a top official at the Library of Congress for now, deferring a decision on his emergency appeal until it resolves a ...

TODAY: another big win for libraries - at least for now. The Librarian of Congress chooses the Copyright Register, not the President.

www.cnn.com/2025/11/26/p...

Advocacy Groups, Major Publishers Reject Call by Tennessee Demanding Compliance with White House Executive Order on Gender Identity PEN America today joins 33 major publishers and national library and literary advocacy groups denouncing directives from the Tennessee Secretary of State warning public libraries to review their colle...

ALA is proud to join @PENamerica & dozens of @UAbookbans partners on a letter to the TN Secretary of State, whose call for TN libraries to review materials within 60 days "has created widespread confusion, fear and operational disruption across the state's public libraries." 
pen.org/press-releas...

ICYMI: Last week a federal judge in Rhode Island permanently enjoined the Administration from taking actions to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services! Learn more below ⤵️

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

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)

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.

Presenters at the National Council of Teachers of English conference in Denver, CO, posting together with an NCTE 2025 sign. From left to right: Lisa Varga, Associate Executive Director for Public Policy & Advocacy, American Library Association; Ann David, Professor, University of the Incarnate World; Danielle Sullivan, Associate Professor of English, Bemidji State University; Cody Miller, Associate Professor of English Education, SUNY Brockport; Jennifer Silver, Humanities Faculty, Vistamar High School; and Lisa Ortmann, Associate Professor in Education, Gustavus Adolphus College.

Thank you so much @ncte.org for hosting our team's Lisa Varga at #NCTE25 in Denver!

Along with educators and intellectual freedom defenders from across the country, Lisa presented on the challenges and opportunities facing libraries and schools in this intellectual freedom environment.

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