Join us online for Recharging in Challenging Times, a one-day Virtual Event designed to inspire new ideas, share practical tools, and help you reconnect and renew. On-demand access to sessions through May 2026. Free for ALA student members!
In 2026, we mark 150 years of standing up for libraries. But this milestone isn’t just about looking back. It’s about rallying together to protect what matters now, and to imagine the libraries we’ll need for the next 150 years.
Whether you have 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or more, here are actions you can take to Show Up for Libraries.
Plus: Sign up for Advocacy Alerts and receive timely alerts and updates on policy issues that impact library services
One of the best ways for you to support libraries and have a better shot at impacting Congress’s approach to library-related legislation is by sharing a personal story about how libraries have helped YOU or your community.
ALA launched a new supporter program in February, inviting the public to join the fight to protect libraries and library professionals at this pivotal moment in our country’s history.
The ALA Mission
The ALA Mission: Empowering and advocating for libraries and library workers to ensure equitable access to information for all. The Association advocates for funding and policies that support libraries as great democratic institutions, providing the full range of information resources to people of every age, income level, location, ethnicity, or physical ability.
Read the Latest Issue
Read the November/December 2025 issue of American Libraries, which—in honor of International Games Month, held every November—features stories about the transformative power of games, gaming, and play. Plus, read an interview with award-winning chef Sean Sherman, an article about reimagining professional development as an employee well-being program, and more.
Get Involved
ALA is the largest membership association in the library industry. It's a community of people working together to ensure that libraries remain vital centers of literacy, access, and opportunity.
By giving to ALA, you are helping us improve library and information services and the profession of librarianship to ensure access to information for all.
Fight Censorship: Take Action Against Book Bans
ALA compiles data on book challenges from reports filed by library professionals in the field and from news stories published throughout the United States.
Book Résumés help librarians, parents, and community members defend books from censorship. They detail each title’s significance and educational value and are easy to share with administrators, review committees, and elected officials.
Your front line reports help ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom to stay on top of trends and supply library workers with resources to combat censorship. You can also help get the word out and encourage reporting of book censorship.
News Around ALA
See all ALA News at the ALA News and Press Center
PLA seeks responses to 2025 Public Library Services for Strong Communities Surv…
Aging Together: An Evaluation of Library Programming for Older Adults
Shop ALA
Underserved populations frequently do not have access to a library—or they may even be unaware that they have an information need. How can we as a profession effectively reach them?
Visit the Graphics Gift Shop for all-new Vintage ALA items--t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, pencil pouches, stickers, and more!
Designed to support state curricula and teaching standards, this full-color book combines facsimiles of primary sources from the Library of Congress's unparalleled collections with teaching strategies and mroe resources.
Whether it's a hardcover or paperback, an audiobook, or eBook, it's all reading! Display this poster to celebrate and promote reading in a variety of formats.
Resource Quick Links
ALSC's Children's Notable lists highlight media for children 14 years of age and younger of especially commendable quality that demonstrate respect for young people’s intelligence and imagination; exhibit venturesome creativity; and reflect and encourage the interests of children and young adolescents in exemplary ways.
- 2025 Notable Children's Books
- 2025 Notable Children's Recordings
- 2025 Notable Children's Digital Media
You May Also Be Interested In . . .
- Book Awards Lists
- I Love Libraries
- Unite Against Book Bans
- Advocate for Libraries
- Become a Librarian
- How I Library Podcast
- Visit the Library Gift Shop
Programming Resources
The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office empowers libraries to create vibrant hubs of learning and connection in communities of all types.
Learn more about the ALA Public Programs Office
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ALA's Programming Librarian website is a place for library professionals to share, learn, and be inspired to present excellent programming for their communities.
Browse the Programming Librarian website
More Resources for Librarians
- ALA eLearning
- Programming and Exhibitions Resources
- Transforming Communities
- Challenge Support
- JobList
News and Press Center
For more than 140 years, the American Library Association has been the trusted voice for all libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all.
Contact the ALA Communications, Marketing, and Media Relations team to learn more about ALA positions and actions and get comprehensive insights into key issues facing libraries nationwide.
Visit the News and Press Center
News and Press Resources
- Media Contacts
- Press Releases
- Press Kits
- Book Censorship Resources for Press
- Submit News Items to ALA
ALA Connect
Discussion boards and shared libraries provide collaboration tools connecting more than 50,000 library professionals with a wide variety of interests and specialization is the place to share ideas and make new connections with library workers across the globe.
Complete your profile and grow your online professional network at ALA Connect!