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John Cox writes: “A clear identity matters for libraries. It explains what the library is, what it does and why, as well as who can benefit from what it provides. Crucially, it makes it as easy as possible for everyone to understand its offering and its value. Without that clarity, institutional leaders, decision-makers, and other stakeholders can overlook the library. Students and academics may turn elsewhere, the library suffers from lower visibility and less recognition, its contributions are underestimated, it loses its competitiveness in the fight for resources, and it struggles to advance its position within the institution.”
Times Higher Education, May 25
18h
As part of ALA’s 2026 sesquicentennial, the Association is launching a comprehensive fundraising campaign, “For Our Libraries. For 150 Years More.” The $60 million campaign goal represents the most ambitious philanthropic initiative in ALA’s history and reflects a long-term investment in libraries, library workers, literacy, intellectual freedom, and equitable access to information. Key action areas for the campaign include advancing the library profession, advocacy, equitable access to information, and intellectual freedom. The campaign extends through December 31, 2027.
ALA Communications & Media Relations Office, June 3
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“For this year’s report, we cover the new challenges academic libraries faced, including radical political and regulatory shifts in academic institutions, developments in artificial intelligence disrupting traditional research methods and tools, and Americans with Disabilities Act Title II whole-scale redesign of websites, digital repositories, and future collection and intake processes. The report also highlights a bright spot: the Data Rescue Project, a grassroots volunteer community launched in 2025 by data librarians to recover and house at-risk public data from shuttered government websites.”
College & Research Libraries News, vol. 87, no. 6, June
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ALA has partnered with NonProfit Vote as a partner for National Voter Registration Day, which will take place on September 15. ALA and the League of Women Voters will host a webinar July 15 at 3 p.m. Eastern that will highlight how the voter engagement landscape has changed in recent years, how local Leagues and libraries are evolving their collaborations in response, and how to contribute to increasing voter participation in 2026.
ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office, May 29
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Phenix S. Halley writes: “Just days after Alex Haley’s Roots was swept into Tennessee’s growing book ban, his historic work has been restored to school library shelves in Knox County following ongoing public backlash. The district reversed course after lawmakers put Roots on a restricted list under Tennessee’s book review policies, which allow parents and community members to challenge school materials they believe are inappropriate for students. The banned book list already included over 115 titles.” The Knox County Board of Education is scheduled to vote June 4 on two resolutions urging the Tennessee General Assembly to change treatment of challenged books.
The Root, May 27; Tennessee Lookout, May 26; WATE-TV (Knoxville), June 1
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Celeste Leeds-Laliberte writes: “In my first full-time librarian job, I was often scared I didn’t belong or that I wouldn’t live up to my coworker’s expectations. With over a year in my current position, I still sometimes feel like I have no idea what I’m doing, but I’m now able to piece together what I’m doing, what my job demands, and how best to accomplish it. As you settle into your jobs, I’d like to share some things that have been the most helpful on my journey as a librarian.”
New Members Round Table Notes, May 31
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Pride Month is celebrated annually in June. Our collection of statistics offers fascinating facts about the AIDS Memorial Quilt, the Digital Transgender Archive, the founding of Drag Story Hour, and San Diego Public Library’s Pride library card design contest, which was won by Annie Alwine with a design resembling a vintage date-due slip filled with the names of LGBTQ+ icons, including Marsha P. Johnson, Harvey Milk, and Edie Windsor.
American Libraries Trend, Summer
