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.
 

Register now!

Present your ideas on topics facing library Trustees, Friends, and Foundations, and receive two complimentary registrations for United Virtual 2026! Program proposals are open through April 24.

ALA members can now cast their ballots in the 2026 ALA Election. Learn more about the candidates and vote by April 1.

Learn More & Vote

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.

Congress has begun preparation for next year's federal budget. Make sure libraries are supported by contacting your representative before March 20.

Contact Your Representative 

150 Years Strong: ALA's Official Anniversary Blog at ALA150.org

Celebrating ALA's 150th Anniversary

Our anniversary blog is your behind-the-scenes look at the legacy we’re honoring and the future we’re building, with regular stories on how we’re celebrating. Plus: Explore rarely seen images from the ALA Archives—snapshots of 150 years of librarianship, leadership, and community impact.

 

Check out the Anniversary Blog

American Libraries March-April issue

Read the Latest Issue of American Libraries

Read the March/April 2026 issue of American Libraries, featuring an interview with Mychal Threets, host of the new Reading Rainbow reboot and this year’s National Library Week honorary chair. Plus, articles on library wins worth celebrating, turning political representatives into library champions, airport libraries, and more.

 

Read the March/April 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
16
Mar
24
Apr

eLearning

Fundamentals of Acquisitions 2026 - Session 1.0

This six-week online course is a basic primer for library acquisitions concepts common to all library material formats.

Core eCourses
16
Mar
10
Apr

eLearning

Fundamentals of Collection Development and Management 2026 - Session 1.0

This four-week online course addresses the basic components of collection development and management (CDM) in libraries.

Decorative circle collage of household items.
18
Mar

eLearning

Webinar

Any Library Can Create a Library of Things

Learn to build inclusive lending systems with tools for home, education, science, and more, to reflect your communities.

Decorative circle collage of household items.
18
Mar

eLearning

Webinar

Any Library Can Create a Library of Things

Learn to build inclusive lending systems with tools for home, education, science, and more, to reflect your communities.

2026 Virtual Retreat: Shaping the Future for Your Friends of the Library
21
Mar

eLearning

Shaping the Future for Your Friends of the Library - A Retreat for Friends Groups

United for Libraries presents a virtual retreat to help Friends of the Library ensure a bright future. Sessions will cover recruitment, retention, and engagement, and Friends and Foundations working together.

Core eCourses
23
Mar
01
May

eLearning

Fundamentals of Collection Assessment 2026 - Session 1.0

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.

Core eCourses
23
Mar
17
Apr

eLearning

Fundamentals of Preservation 2026 - Session 1.0

This 4-week online course introduces participants to the principles, policies and practices of preservation in libraries and archives.

ALSC Webinar Logo
24
Mar

eLearning

Future-Ready Youth: Preparing Our Patrons to Navigate the Age of AI

Join ALSC to learn more about how AI is impacting young people and library service to children and families.

Core Webinars
25
Mar

eLearning

Best of Core Forum: Competency vs. Character: What makes a good leader

Leadership is essential at every level of an organization, as experienced library leaders reach retirement age, the next generation of leaders must be prepared to take the helm. Leadership is not confined to

Laptop and Window
26
Mar

eLearning

The Business of Self: Personality-driven business models (influencers, TTRPG players, etc)

A 90 minute presentation on personality-driven business models.

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

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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

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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