American Library Association

This week, the American Library Association, the Freedom to Read Foundation, and the Texas Library Association filed an amicus curae brief in Leila Green Little v. Llano County. https://bit.ly/LlanoBrief Llano County officials have asked the appellate court to rule that the First Amendment does not apply to censorship of library materials because they allege that a public library’s collection is “government speech,” thus allowing government officials to engage in unfettered censorship if they disagree with the viewpoints expressed in those books.
Our amicus curae brief strongly disagrees with that position, arguing that application of the “government speech” doctrine to the collection of a library would “contradict the centuries-old role of libraries in America, professional library practice, and decades of First Amendment jurisprudence.”

Join United for Libraries & Freedom to Read Foundation for a FREE webinar during !

Tues. 9/24 at noon CT, they're teaming up to educate library Trustees/board members on what they need to know about the current state of book bans in the US, how to advocate for the freedom to read, and how to activate local support networks. Plus, discover new resources on the fight against censorship in libraries. https://bit.ly/4glhouu

ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities is once again offering more than $7 million in grants to small and rural libraries to increase the accessibility of facilities, services, and programs to better serve people with disabilities: https://bit.ly/3ZgFFM0

Did you miss out on the first two rounds? Now is your chance! Even if you were awarded previously, you are still eligible to apply. Don’t wait! Applications are open now until December 11 for grants of $10,000 or $20,000.

Apply Now: Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities Round 3 | Programming Librarian In February 2024, ALA announced it received an additional $10 million dollars in support of the LTC: Accessible Small and Rural Communities initiative. A substantial portion of the funding – $7 million – will be distributed in grants of $10,000 and $20,000 to small and rural libraries.

Save 15% on everything at the ALA Graphics Gift Shop through September 15th—plus FREE SHIPPING! bit.ly/GraphicsGiftShop

We are 1️⃣ week away from ! Is your library ready?

Check out our resources for libraries to get inspired: https://www.ala.org/advocacy/reader-voter-ready

Already hosting an event? Sign up your library as a National Voter Registration Day partner: https://bit.ly/NVRD24-ALA

Attending this week? So are we! Come by our booth to chat with ALA staff reps from The Public Programs Office, Public Library Association (PLA), ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom, Booklist, and ALA Editions & ALA Neal-Schuman. See you in Springfield!

Only a few weeks left! Nominate your librarian for the Award by September 30. Ten librarians from across the U.S. will receive $5,000 and the recognition of a lifetime, and yours could be one of them! Learn more and submit your nomination: https://bit.ly/3EMzHao

Eleanor Roosevelt Banned Book Awards Call for Nominations!
https://ervk.org/banned-books/
The Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill wants to hear the voices of those most affected by book bans. Nominate a living author whose book advances human rights and has been challenged or banned for this year's awards. The deadline to nominate is September 30.

💞 Are you ready for ? Follow this simple checklist:

🤝 Join the Facebook Event: https://bit.ly/4gdG9IQ
⬇️ Download graphics, posters, press materials + more: https://bit.ly/3z5L7Xy
▶️ Watch FREE webinars for celebration ideas: https://bit.ly/47bNyEw
👕 Buy NFOLW merch for Friends & supporters: https://bit.ly/46VYRPQ
🗨️ Spread the word! , , ,

Tues. 9/10 at 2pm ET! Learn all about grant writing w/ Carrie Fink and Diana Konopka of Saint Paul Public Library. Free reg for those in MA, MD, MI, NE, SC, SD, ND, OR & VA. https://bit.ly/3ySBV4r

“Libraries are pretty dope places, especially because you can read comics for free,” said Eisner Award-nominated comic artist Jorge Corona (Transformers, No. 1 With A Bullet) in a special message recorded for us to celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month.

Comic artist Jorge Corona: "Libraries are pretty dope places" “Libraries are pretty dope places, especially because you can read comics for free,” said Eisner Award-nominated comic artist Jorge Corona (Transformers, No. 1 With A Bullet, Big Trouble in Little China) in a special message recorded for us to celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month.

ALA 2025 Annual Conference presenters will gain valuable exposure and share their ideas with a dynamic & engaged community of peers. And as a bonus, presenters of accepted programs and posters will enjoy an exclusive registration discount. Submit your proposals before the submission site closes on Sept. 23, 2024, 11:59pm ET. https://bit.ly/3yOf5iD

Exciting news! Award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay has been named honorary chair for 2024! DuVernay will be joined by youth honorary chair Julia Garnett, a student activist who fought book bans in her home state of Tennessee. https://bannedbooksweek.org/filmmaker-ava-duvernay-to-lead-banned-books-week-as-honorary-chair/
DuVernay and Garnett will lead virtual programs during Banned Books Week, September 22-28, 2024. We'll share details as they become available.

If you haven’t heard Amanda Jones’ story yet, take a moment to read this excerpt from her book, "That Librarian." The abuse she faced for defending the freedom to read in her community is truly disgraceful, and unfortunately, it’s a reality for many librarians these days.
We must all .

I Spoke Out Against Library Book Bans. Then the Death Threats Started In her new memoir, That Librarian, middle school educator Amanda Jones opens up about being targeted, slandered, and ostracized for standing up for the right to read—and why she’s still not backing down.

Find the guidance and expertise you need alongside a bevvy of brain-teasers & games in the new ALA Editions | Neal-Schuman catalog: https://bit.ly/3VFRDgm

We're challenging everyone to try something new at their library during . Whether it's exploring a new service, learning a skill, or getting your first library card, share your experience with I Love Libraries, and you’ll be entered to win some great prizes! Get the details here ➡️ https://ilovelibraries.org/try-something-new-at-your-library-promotion/

TOMORROW: Join the Public Library Association (PLA) to learn to learn how your library can access federal funding: https://ala.org/pla/education/onlinelearning/webinars/expand

Your library can help fill connectivity gaps in the community - Tune in tomorrow (Sep 4) @ 1pm Central! More resources: https://ala.org/advocacy/broadband/digital-equity-resources

Understanding artificial intelligence (AI) is crucial for navigating and making informed decisions in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Join Dr. Brandy McNeil, Deputy Director of Branch Programs and Services at the New York Public Library, for a free webinar on the complexities of AI and how media literacy plays a vital role in fostering a well-informed public.

Register now:

Media Literacy Education for Adult Audiences: Demystifying AI | Programming Librarian Media Literacy Education for Adult Audiences: Demystifying AI Event Date / Time Wed, Sep 18 2024, 1 - 2pm Timezone Central Time Duration 1 hour Location Zoom Webinar Cost Free Register Here Description In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, understanding artificial intelligence (AI) is cru...

Happy ! Let’s all take a moment to honor the nation's library workers whose dedication and expertise keep our libraries strong, even in today’s challenging political climate. Their steadfast commitment to the freedom to read is vital to our democracy.
Libraries work because library workers do!

ALA offices are closed in observance.

ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman will launch Edi and Neal's Book Club for professional development virtually this fall with "The Readers' Advisory Guide to Horror, Third Edition" by Becky Siegel Spratford as its inaugural selection. (https://alastore.ala.org/RAhorror3)

Join I Love Libraries editor and host Phil Morehart (moderator) for the first Zoom meeting from 1 to 2 PM CT on Wednesday, September 18th. Expected guests from the world of horror and libraries include author Spratford, writer/poet Linda Addison, librarian Lila Denning, writer Gabino Iglesias, writer Hailey Piper, and writer Matthew Salinas for panel discussion and audience Q&A. All scheduled Edi and Neal's Book Club meetings will be free and open to all library workers regardless of ALA membership status.

Visit alaeditions.org/bookclub the week of August 11th for event access information, guest details, and other monthly selections for our professional development book club.

September is here, which means it's ! Whether you're upgrading your skills, scouting for knowledge and information, or connecting with other heroic readers, a library card is your key to an arsenal resources. Roll out to your library and sign up for a library card today!

Some last-minute additions to our toolkit: two fresh sets of social media graphics, Transformers coloring pages, and customizable templates to create your own library-themed comic book covers!
https://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/card

Amanda Jones' story is one all Americans need to hear. The abuse she endured mirrors what librarians across the nation have been facing, and it’s truly shameful.
Thank you to everyone speaking up for libraries and library workers.
Gift link: https://wapo.st/4e1tZAY

Review | Threatened for protesting book bans, this librarian won’t keep quiet In her book “That Librarian,” Amanda Jones shares the story of what happened to her when she stood up against censorship.

✨ 📚 Got innovative ideas, research, or practices to share? Submit your ALA 2025 Annual Conference & Exhibition program and poster proposals and play a key role in shaping the future of libraries. Learn more. https://bit.ly/3yOf5iD

At the National Book Festival session "American History is Native History," ALA President Cindy Hohl received a warm welcome and an enthusiastic response when she asked panelists to speak about the important role libraries play for those researching Native history.

User Clip: American History is Native History At the National Book Festival session "American History is Native History" ALA President Cindy Hohl received a warm welcome and enthusiastic response when she asked panelists to speak about the importance of libraries in researching Native history.

Toni Morrison, Kurt Vonnegut, Anne Frank, Jodi Picoult, Harper Lee, and John Green are among the authors whose books have been banned or restricted by a Colorado school district this month. Read all about it in the latest report on book challenges from I Love Libraries.

U.S. Book Challenges Update: August 23 Edition Libraries and schools across the country are experiencing unprecedented levels of attempts to ban or remove books from their shelves. I Love Libraries will continue to raise awareness by highlighting attempts to censor library materials, as well as efforts by librarians, parents, students, and conce...

New survey results from the Knight Foundation: Two-thirds of Americans oppose efforts to restrict books in public schools and 78% are confident that their community's public schools select appropriate books for students to read.

https://knightfoundation.org/reports/americans-views-on-book-restrictions-in-u-s-public-schools-2024/

Americans’ Views on Book Restrictions in U.S. Public Schools 2024 Book challenges and restrictions in U.S. public schools have increased dramatically since 2021. Yet research on public awareness, attitudes and engagement in these activities is limited. In an effort to fill this critical knowledge gap in the national dialogue, Knight Foundation partnered with Lange...

More stories like this, please. ♥️
In a small town in Texas, a school librarian turned mayor leads the charge to build the town's very first library.
“It’s a dream come true for all of us.”

Sullivan City’s first-ever public library transforming community SULLIVAN CITY — It’s been a long time coming, but Sullivan City residents now have a library to call their own.

The ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services is seeking proposals for its Library as Literacy Centers initiative, a multi-year project aimed at transforming libraries into key literacy hubs. https://www.ala.org/advocacy/literacy/odlos-seeks-proposals-library-literacy-centers-initiative
Proposals are due by September 16, 2024. This initiative will create actionable guidelines and templates to enhance library engagement with adult, family, and community literacy services. It involves assessing national literacy needs, providing funding to support literacy centers in eight key libraries, and sharing lessons learned to boost library-based literacy efforts. The selected consultant will collaborate with ALA to identify regions with high literacy needs, establish grant-supported partnerships, and evaluate the initiative's impact.