American Libraries magazine
@amlibraries.bsky.social
Magazine of the American Library Association.
“Regardless of whether you adopt AI or not, [you should] have guidelines.” An #alaac26 panel provided tips for navigating products and policies in the world of AI. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/exercising-agency-with-ai/
Exercising Agency with AI | American Libraries Magazine
A panel at ALA’s 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago explored how libraries can navigate the ethics of generative AI.
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"This is something that’s going to affect all of us." An #alaac26 panel addressed how libraries can help fight age-related discrimination. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/a-generation-defining-issue/
A Generation-Defining Issue | American Libraries Magazine
As the population of those 65 and older continues to grow, library services for older adults must evolve and expand, too.
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“Leadership can look like renovation, reuse, reimagining—it can look like showing up.” ALA members spoke about their pathways to leadership in an #alaac26 session. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/leading-from-where-you-are/
Leading from Where You Are | American Libraries Magazine
At “Leading ALA Into the Next 150 Years,” longtime ALA members spoke about their pathways to governance and the importance of mentorship.
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The E-Rate provides critical support for public libraries and schools to provide broadband and Wi-Fi service. New ALA president Maria McCauley addresses the need to protect this program from threatened cuts. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/07/14/save-our-e-rate/
Save Our E-Rate | American Libraries Magazine
E-Rate marks its 30th year, and we should celebrate the federal program that has expanded information access for all Americans.
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How can libraries help teens envision and plan their futures? Plano Public Library's Career Quest program, as explored in an #alaac26 session, provides one example. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/beyond-career-day/
Beyond Career Day | American Libraries Magazine
Plano (Tex.) Public Library offers a three-day summer program designed to help teens envision—and plan for—their futures.
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2-time Newbery Medal Winner Lois Lowry reflected on some of her most renowned books at #alaac26. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/a-storied-career/
A Storied Career | American Libraries Magazine
Two-time Newbery Medal-winning author Lois Lowry reflects on her career at ALA's 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago.
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Learn about Brooklyn Public Library's support for beauty entrepreneurs, as shared at #alaac26. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/library-programming-glow-up/
Library Programming Gets a Glow-up | American Libraries Magazine
Providing support to underrepresented beauty entrepreneurs is part of why LaCresha Neal, started the Glow & Grow program.
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The #alaac26 Top Tech Trends provided nuanced discussions of AI. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/coexisting-with-the-machine/
Coexisting with the Machine | American Libraries Magazine
While AI remained a hot topic at this year’s “Top Tech Trends” panel, some speakers tempered their enthusiasm and focused on specific uses.
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Here are 5 things to consider—and ask your vendors—before selecting an AI product. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/06/01/5-questions-to-ask-your-vendors-about-ai/
5 Questions to Ask Your Vendors about AI | American Libraries Magazine
We must measure emerging AI platforms against our library’s tried-and-true resources to gauge which ones truly add value.
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Learn how libraries are hosting workshops where users can create their own fairy houses. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/06/01/the-gnome-depot/
The Gnome Depot | American Libraries Magazine
Workshops where participants create fairy or gnome houses, offered at public libraries across the country, are gaining traction.
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Libraries shared their experiences operating Pokémon clubs in the "Pokémon Club @ Your Library" #alaac26 session. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/catch-em-all/
Catch ’Em All | American Libraries Magazine
Pokémon clubs in libraries engage children while teaching reading, math, strategy, and social-emotional skills
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Hone your readers' advisory skills with the books reviewed in our Librarian's Library column: https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/06/01/confident-readers-advisory/
Confident Readers’ Advisory | American Libraries Magazine
Librarian's Library columnist Rachel Rosenberg offers recommendations that help librarians perform effective readers' advisory.
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“I think it’s the most romantic thing I could say, but my life has been liberated by public education.” Read more from the #alaac26 session of novelist @minjinlee.bsky.social https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/prices-paid-for-lessons-learned/
Prices Paid for Lessons Learned | American Libraries Magazine
Author Min Jin Lee's latest book explores the hagwon system of Korean education and the economic forces that shape narratives.
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"What happens when we go to the market and see only algae and cricket flour? How does that alter the emotional texture of Sunday lunch?" Read our interview with novelist Megha Majumdar. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/06/01/newsmaker-megha-majumdar/
Newsmaker: Megha Majumdar | American Libraries Magazine
Author Megha Majumdar received this year’s Carnegie Medal for fiction, which will be presented to her at ALA’s Annual Conference in Chicago.
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“Our democracy is stronger and healthier thanks to our libraries. For me, library work is justice work.” Read more from the #alaac26 closing session. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/joy-as-an-act-of-resistance/
Joy as an Act of Resistance | American Libraries Magazine
With intertwining milestone anniversaries—the nation’s 250th and ALA’s 150th—ALA leaders discussed intellectual freedom and democracy.
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Library critics frequently resort to abusive language. Darcy Lipp-Acord examines patterns in this language and provides guidance on how to cope. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/06/01/fighting-words/
Fighting Words | American Libraries Magazine
Many who attempt to challenge books, ban books, and “protect children” follow similar abusive communication and behavior patterns.
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The new memoir from civil rights scholar @kimberlecrenshaw.bsky.social traces history and pushes back against authoritarianism. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/talking-back-to-injustice/
Talking Back to Injustice | American Libraries Magazine
Civil rights scholar and professor Kimberle Williams Crenshaw discussed her new memoir, Backtalker, at ALA’s 2026 Annual Conference in Chicago.
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New OIF director Sarah Lamdan introduces herself in our 11 Questions feature: https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/11-questions-sarah-lamdan/
11 Questions: Sarah Lamdan | American Libraries Magazine
Meet Sarah Lamdan, executive director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom at the American Library Association.
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New ALA President Maria McCauley discusses the need for E-Rate activism. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/07/14/save-our-e-rate/. Learn more at a July 16 webinar: https://www.shlb.org/events/the-future-of-e-rate-inside-the-fccs-proposal-and-how-to-make-your-voice-heard/register
Save Our E-Rate | American Libraries Magazine
E-Rate marks its 30th year, and we should celebrate the federal program that has expanded information access for all Americans.
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Learn about the ALA's approach to socially responsible investing. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/05/11/principled-investments/
Principled Investments | American Libraries Magazine
ESG investing allows ALA's endowment to grow and support our work while remaining mindful of the ethical impact of our portfolio.
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Review the activities at Council's three meetings at #alaac26. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/tag/ala-council/
ALA Council Archives | American Libraries Magazine
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“I say to my students all the time that we have to commit ourselves to the act of kindness,” declared former First Lady @DrBiden at #alaac26. Read more: https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/balancing-it-all/
Balancing It All | American Libraries Magazine
Former First Lady Jill Biden spoke about empathy in her career and the White House, and her family's efforts to support cancer research.
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“I love making adults laugh, but when you make a kid crack up, that means you’re real funny, because they tell the truth.” Melissa Villaseñor delighted her #alaac26 audience. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/creativity-that-lights-the-soul/
Creativity That Lights the Soul | American Libraries Magazine
Comedian Melissa Villaseñor discusses finding her individual style and creativity, and how to help children do the same.
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“I think it’s important for readers to have things to wonder about”—read more from Lois Lowry's appearance at #alaac26. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/a-storied-career/
A Storied Career | American Libraries Magazine
Two-time Newbery Medal-winning author Lois Lowry reflects on her career at ALA's 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago.
americanlibrariesmagazine.org
At #alaac26, Rachel Maddow looked to history for answers on rebuilding democracy. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/inheritance-as-nourishment/
Inheritance as Nourishment | American Libraries Magazine
Award-winning news host Rachel Maddow appeared at ALA's 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago on June 26.
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Get ready for #LibraryCardSignUpMonth and #BannedBooksWeek at the Library Gift Shop. Save 20% on everything through July 3! https://www.librarygiftshop.org/
We created this guide to Chicago attractions for the 2023 Annual Conference, but it remains a good guide to tourist hotspots and lesser-known neighborhood gems. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2023/06/01/welcome-to-the-windy-city/
Welcome to the Windy City | American Libraries Magazine
American Libraries staff recommend their favorite Chicago attractions in anticipation of the ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition.
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Our #ALAAC26 dining guide has outstanding recommendations for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—with plant-based options and an overview of some historic bakeries. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/06/01/city-of-big-appetites/
City of Big Appetites | American Libraries Magazine
We've compiled a master list of Chicago restaurants where you can celebrate ALA150 while attending the 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition.
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It's almost here! Prepare for #ALAAC26 with our Annual Conference preview, full of all the can't-miss speakers, educational sessions, networking opportunities, and celebrations. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/06/01/2026-annual-conference-preview/
2026 Annual Conference Preview | American Libraries Magazine
A look at the speakers, programs, and celebrations happening at ALA's 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago.
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"While this is my first #ALAAC26 as executive director, I’m eager to meet many of you and make the most of those exciting, jam-packed days." https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/06/01/summer-connections/
Summer Connections | American Libraries Magazine
As we put the finishing touches on our Annual Conference, I’m eager to meet many of you and make the most of these exciting, jam-packed days.
americanlibrariesmagazine.org