Join us in Chicago, June 25–29, for the 2026 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition as we celebrate 150 years of ALA and shape the future of libraries together. Save with Advance Registration Rates through June 19!

Play. Learn. Connect. 
Join 500+ children’s librarians, educators, literacy experts, and more at ALSC National Institute, October 1-3, 2026! 
 

Since 1876, the American Library Association has worked to expand access to information and strengthen communities through libraries. In 2026, we celebrate 150 years and look ahead to what libraries will make possible in the future.

From digital literacy and intellectual freedom to AI governance and community care, our latest publications equip library workers to lead with courage, compassion, and clarity. Browse the catalog.

Meet the 2026 honorees who are exceptional librarians from academic, public, and school libraries who were nominated for their expertise, dedication, and profound impact on their communities.

150 Years Strong, The Official Anniversary Website (pictured: Invitation to early ALA convention, photo of early ALA members, and librarians at a rally holding sign that reads " Too many issues, not enough poster."

Celebrating ALA's 150th Anniversary

Explore the ALA 150 website, your starting point for uncovering the legacy we’re celebrating and the future we’re shaping. Discover stories, milestones, and perspectives from across 150 years, along with rarely seen images from the ALA Archives.

 

Check out the anniversary website

A collage for American Libraries May 2026 issue.

Read the Latest Issue of American Libraries

Read the special May 2026 issue of American Libraries, which celebrates ALA’s 150th anniversary and features a timeline of important moments in library history. Plus, read an article that traces ALA’s legacy through some of its most iconic library poster art, as well as reflections from eight trailblazing leaders at the Association who recount their struggles, triumphs, breakdowns, and breakthroughs while at the helm.

 

Read the May 2026 issue

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.

learn more

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.
 

Bookmark this link!

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.

Report a challenge.

Upcoming eLearning Opportunities

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Core eCourses
18
May
26
Jun

eLearning

Fundamentals of Collection Assessment 2026 - Session 2.0

This course introduces the fundamental aspects of collection assessment in libraries. It is designed for those who are responsible for or interested in collection assessment in all types and sizes of libraries.

Laptop with headphones and notepad
18
May
15
Jun

eLearning

Project Management in Libraries

A four week asynchronous course on project management.

Core Webinars
19
May

eLearning

Best of Core Forum: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Creating an Efficient Library Through Robust Project Management Practices

Is your current project management system a collection of post-it notes? Do you have to be reminded of a project that was due six months ago? Is there no accountability across the system? Turn your scattered

19
May

Webinar

Designing Learning for What’s Next: Scalable Strategies for Future-Ready Libraries

This webinar focuses on scalable, application-driven strategies for designing and delivering transformational learning that supports complex organizational change.

Core Webinars
26
May

eLearning

Best of Core Forum: From Planning to Showtime: a Librarian's Guide

Public libraries are hubs of community engagement, innovation, and learning—and increasingly, they are called upon to lead large-scale events and initiatives that reach diverse audiences and deliver measurable

Core Webinars
02
Jun

eLearning

Best of Core Forum: Elevating Public Spaces: Universal Design, Safety, and Community Voice in a Major Library Renovation

This session will explore how the library and design team embraced universal design principles, community input, and adaptive problem-solving to reimagine a prominent library space. Attendees will gain insight

Core Webinars
03
Jun

eLearning

Best of Core Forum: Unlocking Team Potential: Leading Effective Library Teams

Teams are an increasingly important workplace construct, allowing libraries to tap into staff potential to tackle complex work in our current, dynamic library environment.

Decorative image of a girl and a boy side-by-side on a couch reading books.
03
Jun

eLearning

Webinar

Turn Your Library Into a Dyslexic Positive Literacy Hub and Help Kids Learn to Read

The Dyslexic Positive Libraries Initiative shows how to transform your library into a literacy hub where kids learn to read.

Decorative image of a girl and a boy side-by-side on a couch reading books.
03
Jun

eLearning

Webinar

Turn Your Library Into a Dyslexic Positive Literacy Hub and Help Kids Learn to Read

The Dyslexic Positive Libraries Initiative shows how to transform your library into a literacy hub where kids learn to read.

Core eCourses
15
Jun
24
Jul

eLearning

Fundamentals of Institutional Repositories 2026 - Session 2.0

This course is an introduction to fundamental concepts of institutional repositories (IR), including IR platforms, promoting the IR, faculty publications in the IR, IR metadata, and accessibility of IR content.

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 Best of Children's Books, Recordings, and Digital Media

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.

Learn more

You May Also Be Interested In . . .

5 students and teacher showing off their collages as part of the Great Stories Club

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

illustration for News, Press, and Media

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

ALA Connect logo featuring speech bubbles and the tagline "Engage. Learn. Grow."

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!

Quick Links for Members