ALA Public Policy & Advocacy

ALA public Policy & Advocacy staff posing together in front of an ALA logo banner, holding signs that say "Show up for E-Rate" and "Fund Libraries"

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!

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...

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 👀)

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

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

We appreciate our nation's libraries!

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.

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

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.

Lisa Varga speaking in a ballroom.

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.

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.

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

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/

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

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

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...

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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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...

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...

At 30, E-Rate is a proven success. Let's keep improving it. Sam Helmick in The Hill. [A photo of patrons and staff at San Diego Public Library]

As ALA President Sam Helmick said last week in The Hill, "we should celebrate E-Rate for what it is: a quiet powerhouse that has given nearly every American access to high-speed internet through public libraries and schools."

Read more from President Helmick on #ERate: thehill.com/opinion/tech...

E-Rate Pre-Commitment Process: Question & Answer (Q&A) Session February 19, 2026 On Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 2 pm to 3 p.m. ET, the E-Rate subject matter experts will answer questions about the competitive bidding process, Category Two budgets, and the Eligible Services List. Register. This is recommended for applicants and service providers of all E-Rate experience levels. February 25, 2026 FY2024 Invoicing Deadline for Recurring Services Applicants and service providers must certify their invoices or ask for an invoice deadline extension by February 25, 2026 for FY2024 recurring services, if the applicant or service provider requested and received an invoice deadline extension of the original October 28, 2025 invoice deadline. Applicants and service providers must certify their invoices by this date, as USAC cannot grant a second invoice deadline extension. March 4, 2026 Last Day to File the FY2026 FCC Form 470 Wednesday, March 4, 2026, is the last day that you can submit and certify an FY 2026 FCC Form 470 and still wait the required minimum 28-day period.

Is your library applying for #ERate discounts this year? Deadline are approaching, don't miss out on this year's process!

Have questions? Join USAC's upcoming Pre-Commitment Process Q&A webinar TOMORROW, 2/19: register.gotowebinar.com/register/166...

More key dates: www.usac.org/e-rate/resou...

Two people smile at the camera at the Public Library Association 2026 Conference. The text reads, "Find Your [Library] People. Advance registration rates end Feb. 20!" The event is scheduled for April 1-3 in Minneapolis. The website mentioned is placonference.org.

Public library professionals, take note: advance rates for #PLA2026 end Friday, February 20.

Join us April 1–3 in Minneapolis for 100+ sessions, inspiring speakers, bestselling authors, and an exhibit hall packed with solutions.

Register now to save! https://www.placonference.org/registration

Sepia tone archival photo of an older man and woman. Text over photo reads: "Henry and Edith Carr, ALA's Golden Couple. Possibly the most famous ALA couple of all time, Henry and Edith Wallbridge Carr were well-known within the library community of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Where did the romance of these two librarians begin? At an ALA conference, of course." ALA150, American Library Association

As Valentine's Day arrives, we can’t help but think of perhaps the most famous ALA couple of all time, Henry and Edith Wallbridge Carr, who were well-known within the library community of the late 19th and early 20th century.

Read more about ALA's famous lovebirds: https://bit.ly/4qwsrVt

#ALA150

ALA praises bill to protect passport acceptance services in nonprofit libraries The American Library Association (ALA) endorsed bicameral and bipartisan legislation that would allow nonprofit public libraries to continue providing passport acceptance services.

ALA is proud to support bicameral, bipartisan legislation to protect passport acceptance services in nonprofit public libraries. ALA Pres. Sam Helmick: "Any public library currently authorized to provide passport acceptance services should be able to continue doing so."
www.ala.org/news/2026/02...

Cover of the book "Digital Literacy in Public Libraries" by Jenna Kammer and Lauren Hays. Nearby are digital icons like a light bulb, envelope, and a graduation cap alongside a laptop.

The first guidebook of its kind, this all-in-one resource explores the many services and resources provided by public libraries to close the digital divide and create more digitally inclusive communities. Read an excerpt: https://bit.ly/4trQGa9

Recording Resilience: $1.2M grant supports Altadena Library District in archiving stories of Eaton Fire The Altadena Library District is partnering with the LA County Library and Foundation, LA County Department of Arts and Culture and Library Partners to lead a new collaborative initiative funded

In challenging times, libraries serve as a connector for community members & a place to record our histories. In Altadena, the public library is helping document the community's struggles and resiliency after devastating fires, with a new oral history project: www.pasadenaweekly.com/news/recordi...

The image is a promotional banner for a winter sale, featuring clothing and accessories. A raglan shirt and tote bag, both displaying the text "Free People Read Freely" alongside logos for the Office for Intellectual Freedom and the American Library Association, are shown. The sale offers 25% off from February 10 to 13, with "librarygiftshop.org" at the bottom. Snowflake patterns border the banner.

Today’s the last day for 25% off at the Library Gift Shop.
Find something great for the library lover in your life and help power our advocacy work with every purchase. librarygiftshop.org
📚💙
#FreePeopleReadFreely

Boone County Public Library receives grant to upgrade phones Boone County Public Library received a $9,000 grant to replace its 20-year-old phone system with a modern, cloud-based platform serving six branches.

In Kentucky, federal dollars are helping libraries with everything from literacy programs to new phone service. Boone County Public Library, with federal funds via the Kentucky State Library, is modernizing essential communication infrastructure: linknky.com/news/2026/02... #FundLibraries

Illustration of a simple map connecting several items, including a school, tree, speech bubble, house, computer, atom, stack of books, and stethoscope. Text below reads "The National Commission on Learning Ecosystems"

ALA Executive Director Dan Montgomery has joined as a commissioner of the National Commission on Learning Ecosystems, a new initiative led by @educationwork.newamerica.org to create learning opportunities for kids that all connect to and strengthen each other.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4cnWIlW

Image: Mark Your Calendars Registration Opens Feb. 19 for the #1 Library Event in the World Photo of conference attendees raising one finger in a No. 1 gesture ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition Chicago June 25-29, 2026 FOR OUR LIBRARIES. FOR 150 YEARS MORE. ALA | American Library Association

Mark your calendars! #ALAAC26 Registration Opens February 19! 🎉 Join us in Chicago for the celebration of the year as we honor our history, connect with colleagues, and look ahead to the next 150 years together. Learn more about ALA Annual 2026. https://2026.alaannual.org/