“This isn’t a hoax, is it?” That is what American Libraries editor, Arthur Plotnik, asked Professor Wayne Wiegand after receiving Wiegend’s unsolicited manuscript about disgraced and forgotten ALA President, Klas August Linderfelt. Read part two of Mr. Linderfelt's Trouble: https://bit.ly/3Rv142V

A new federal book banning bill is under consideration in the Senate. But library advocates are making our voices head. The right to read is too important to stay silent. Tell your Senators to reject S4925: https://www.action.ala.org/campaign/S4925

September is almost here. Is your library ready for #LibraryCardSignUpMonth? This year's theme is "A Library Card Hits All the Right Notes." Find free graphics (English & Spanish), outreach resources, sample materials, and more to help your library celebrate. Check them out at ala.org/card.

ALA is proud to support @repricklarsen.bsky.social's Read for Reentry Act, legislation designed to study new & existing ways to support libraries serving incarcerated patrons. As ALA President Maria McCauley said, "Prison libraries make a world of difference." More: larsen.house.gov/news/documen...

At ALA Annual 2026, ALA Council passed a resolution calling for the adoption and recognition of the Librarians’ and Library Workers’ Bill of Rights, a landmark framework affirming the dignity, safety and professional rights of library workers across all sectors. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4pW49FN

United for Libraries is hosting a free virtual Gala Author Tea tomorrow, 7/30 at 4:30pm ET! It's a great opportunity for library staff, supporters, and book lovers across the country to connect over a shared love of reading. Registration is free and open to all. https://bit.ly/4pBwwsD

On April 28, 1892, the first librarian of the Milwaukee Public Library, Klas August Linderfelt, was summoned to a meeting with library trustees and Mayor Peter J. Somers. There, he was accused of embezzling $4,000 and subsequently arrested. Read part 1 of the story: https://bit.ly/4vXZCnQ #ALA150

On our 50th (🥳) episode of #ShelfCare, we take a broader look at the field of librarianship with a conversation with former ALA Executive Director Bob Wedegeworth, the first Black person to hold that position, about his memoir, BREAKING BARRIERS. Plus, reading recs from our editors: bit.ly/4fGkDNE

The FCC's new proposals could gut the #ERate program, an critical support for broadband in libraries and schools in every state and territory. We can't stay silent in this face of these proposals. Use your voice and take action. Tell Congress to #SaveOurERate: action.ala.org/campaign/saveourerate/

As critic and journalist Ron Charles writes, the book banning legislation under consideration in Congress is dangerous and fundamentally flawed. More: https://roncharles.substack.com/p/the-book-banning-bill-that-wont-die Tell the Senate to reject censorship: https://action.ala.org/campaign/S4925/

The Book Banning Bill That Won’t Die

What looked like political theater is becoming a genuine threat to the freedom to read.

roncharles.substack.com

A new federal book banning bill has been introduced in the Senate. And we can't stay silent when the right to read is under threat. Join library advocates by telling your Senators to say no to book bans and reject S4925: action.ala.org/campaign/S4925/

Get ready for #BannedBooksWeek and #LibraryCardSignUpMonth with fresh gear from the Library Gift Shop. Save 20% on everything thru July 26. Stock up on apparel, tote bags, and more at librarygiftshop.org. Sales help fund ALA advocacy efforts.

The FCC has pushed forward a proposal for potentially dismantling the #ERate program, an essential source of support for broadband and connectivity in libraries and schools. We can't let that happen. Make your voice heard and tell Congress to #SaveOurERate. Take action: ala.org/erate

NEW: A federal book banning bill has been introduced in the Senate. It's time to make our voices heard. Tell your Senators to REJECT pro-censorship legislation like S. 4925 that would limit the freedom to read! We need every advocate to speak out against censorship: action.ala.org/campaign/S4925

Now shipping: Grounded in core ALA principles, this ALA Editions Special Report will empower library administrators, managers, and trustees to craft AI-related policies that effectively serve their library and community. https://bit.ly/4aEtqOx

For more than 50 years, ALA and REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking, have been partners in the goal of providing better library services to Latino communities. Read more: https://bit.ly/4bJ171E #ALA150

Join ALA and the League of Women Voters on Wednesday, July 15, for a free webinar on the election landscape and how libraries and local Leagues are teaming up to empower voters and ensure communities are ready for upcoming elections. Register: bit.ly/ALA-LWV-2026webinar

Now shipping! This updated handbook will help new supervisors, librarians, library staff aspiring to supervisory roles, and seasoned administrators alike thoroughly grasp the dynamic responsibilities entailed in putting people foremost in their libraries. https://bit.ly/4vtWAbo

High-speed broadband fuels modern library services, and the federal E-Rate program makes broadband affordable for about 73% of all public libraries in the U.S., but the FCC is threatening to end it. https://bit.ly/4vjPnK0 Join ALA in working to protect E-Rate: ala.org/erate

Libraries lament ‘cascading effects’ of E-Rate’s potential demise

Advocates warned the FCC’s vote to review the program could blow massive holes in their budgets and force service reductions or even closures if new funding sources aren’t found.

bit.ly

Register today. Early bird savings end tomorrow! www.ala.org/alsc/confsce...

ALSC National Institute

ALSC National Institute 2020 Virtual Institute

ala.org

Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)@wearealsc.bsky.social · 4w ago

Join us October 1-3 in Buffalo for the ALSC National Institute! Connect with children's, teen, and school library professionals from across the country, hear keynote speaker Angie Thomas, and leave inspired with fresh ideas. Early bird rates end July 10! https://www.ala.org/alsc/confsce/institute

In this episode of the "How I Library" podcast, show host Phil Morehart speaks with "Pachinko" author and recent #ALAAC26 featured speaker Min Jin Lee about her new book, “American Hagwon.” Listen at https://bit.ly/4vogKTt or wherever you get your podcasts!

Get your bids in by this Friday, July 10! https://bit.ly/3QHHYGp

Celebrity 'READ' posters, including one with Taylor Swift, are up for sale

The American Library Association is auctioning off pieces featuring Paul Newman, David Bowie and others. Bidding is open through Friday.

phillyvoice.com

Grace Stannard shows off her Laufey Book Club library card from the Fulton County Library System while purchasing a Laufey READ poster! Bring collaborative library cards to your library in time for #LibraryCardSignUpMonth! Enroll by July 10: https://bit.ly/4baJ1W4 Poster: https://bit.ly/3SNb9s5

Read more about the #ALAAC26 Closing General Session - 250/150: Intellectual Freedom, Public Engagement, and the Infrastructure of Democracy Panel Session in American Libraries. https://bit.ly/4wgcgPq

Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw’s new memoir traces history, pushes back against authoritarianism. #ALAAC26 Read more in American Libraries. https://bit.ly/4oWL0De

❤️🎉As we close #ALAAC26, we want to say "THANK YOU" to every single person who joined us. It's YOUR ideas, conversations, energy, and commitment to libraries that bring the ALA Annual experience to life. We're excited to share this experience together again in New Orleans! https://bit.ly/3Qx0AJ3

🎉Let's all congratulate Crissi Brandhuber, the 2026 Haiku Writing Contest Winner for her haiku, "Just One More." #ALAAC26

The most overlooked opportunity in comics is the ALA Annual artist alley. They give FREE tables and admission to cartoonists in exchange for a piece of art for a charity auction. If you make books that end up in libraries, that is the room you want to be in, and you can do it at no cost.

Overheard at ALA: "The library isn't a community center. It's the center of a community." @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social

#ALAAC26 ALA seeks to provide a conference setting where diverse participants can learn, network, and enjoy the company of colleagues in a culture of mutual human respect. Review our Statement of Appropriate Conduct and Community Guidelines. https://bit.ly/4eHKgx8