The State of America’s Libraries 2019

New report affirms Libraries = Strong Communities

April 7, 2019

On April 8 the American Library Association (ALA) released The State of America’s Libraries 2019, an annual summary of library trends released during National Library Week, April 7–13, that outlines statistics and issues affecting all types of libraries.

The report finds that library workers are on the front lines addressing community challenges. Many serve as first responders who take on roles outside of traditional library service that support patrons’ needs and community development. Functioning at various times as career counselors, social workers, teachers, and technology instructors, library staffers give special care to adopt programs and services that support our most vulnerable and curious.

Additional findings illustrate library workers’ efforts to safeguard library collections and the freedom to read. In 2018, the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) tracked 347 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services. Many of these library materials and services included or addressed LGBTQIA+ content. Traditionally ALA releases a top 10 list within The State of America’s Libraries 2019. This year 11 books were selected, since two titles were tied for the final position on the list, and both books were burned by a religious activist to protest a Pride event.

Overall, 483 books were challenged or banned in 2018, with the following comprising the top 11 most frequently challenged:

George, by Alex Gino. Reason: for including a transgender character
A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo, by Jill Twiss, illustrated by E. G. Keller. Reasons: for LGBTQIA+ content, political and religious viewpoints
Captain Underpants series, written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey. Reasons: for including a same-sex couple, perceived as encouraging disruptive behavior
The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas. Reasons: for profanity, drug use, sexual references, deemed “anti-cop”
Drama, written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier. Reason: for LGBTQIA+ characters and themes
Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher. Reason: for addressing teen suicide
This One Summer, by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki. Reasons: for profanity, sexual references, certain illustrations
Skippyjon Jones series, written and illustrated by Judy Schachner. Reason: for depicting cultural stereotypes
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie. Reasons: for profanity, sexual references, religious viewpoint
This Day in June, by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Kristyna Litten. Reason: for LGBTQIA+ content
Two Boys Kissing, by David Levithan. Reason: for LGBTQIA+ content

Additional information regarding why the books were challenged, access to a top 11 list video announcement, and infographics regarding the 2018 Top 11 List of Most Challenged Books are available at OIF’s Banned and Challenged Books page.

Other library trends are addressed in the full version of The State of America’s Libraries 2019, available in a Flipbook version or a PDF.

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is observed each April by ALA and libraries across the country. National Library Week celebrations include National Library Workers Day, April 9; National Bookmobile Day, April 10; and Take Action for Libraries Day, April 11.

For more information on National Library Week, visit I Love Libraries or follow #NationalLibraryWeek.

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“Two years after Brooklyn Public Libraries’ (BPL) launch of Books Unbanned, an initiative to protect the freedom to read for young people, In Their Own Words: Youth Voices on Books Unbanned gives new insight into the impact of censorship on teen and young adults across the US and how restrictions and other barriers to access build upon and reinforce each other. The new report, published April 11 by BPL and Seattle Public Library, analyzes 855 stories shared by young people who signed up for a free Books Unbanned ecard from April 2022 through December 2023.”

Seattle Public Library, Apr. 11
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Samantha Guss, Sojourna Cunningham, and Jennifer Stout write: “Recruitment and retention are both critical to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in academic libraries, and failing to improve retention has and will continue to derail these initiatives. Research that addresses retention tends to focus on proposed strategies, such as stay interviews (structured interviews aimed at strengthening employee and employer relationships) and mentorship programs. But there is no agreed-upon definition of retention that would allow us to assess these strategies. We should recognize that involuntary staying can be just as negative an outcome for the individual and the organization as leaving, setting the stage for legacy toxicity.”

In The Library With The Lead Pipe, Apr. 10
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Jackie Edwards writes: “As spring rolls around, seasonal allergies can flare up among library workers, resulting in symptoms like sneezing; runny or stuffy nose; itchy eyes, ears, and nose; coughing; and asthma. Not only are these symptoms detrimental to well-being and productivity, but they can also mean you’re less able to provide excellent customer service to library users. Fortunately, by purifying the air, preventing mold, and keeping your work area clean, you can improve indoor air quality and combat allergies in your library.”

Library Worklife, Apr.
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In Episode 94, Call Number celebrates Preservation Week, to be held this year April 28–May 4. The week’s events aim to raise awareness of the role libraries and cultural institutions play in protecting historic and culturally significant collections. Segments include Traci Sorell, honorary chair of this year’s Preservation Week, discussing the role of preservation through storytelling; Kathleen Monahan, special collections public services supervisor at Boston Public Library, addressing the importance of security in preservation; and Rosie Grayburn and Melissa Tedone, cofounders of the Poison Book Project, talking about their research on potentially toxic bookbinding materials from the 19th century.

AL: The Scoop, Apr. 15
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Leigh Kunkel writes: “The legalization of marijuana in many states and municipalities in recent years has created a newly legal industry and budding entrepreneurs who can benefit from the expertise of business librarians. As soon as Washington state introduced an initiative to legalize recreational cannabis use in 2012, Seattle Public Library librarian Jay Lyman started fielding questions from potential entrepreneurs. Since then, 24 states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational cannabis use, and 14 more have legalized medical use of cannabis. This cultural shift brings a new opportunity for libraries to step in with support services.”

American Libraries Trend, Mar./Apr.
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ALA launched its “Reader. Voter. Ready.” campaign April 10, calling on advocates to sign a pledge to be registered, informed, and ready to vote in all local, state, and federal elections in 2024. Available resources include a 2024 voter engagement guide for libraries, a tip sheet to share with community leaders and partners, highlighting the ways libraries support voter participation and education, and a one-pager, “Voters Count on Libraries: The Numbers,” illustrating the role libraries play as centers of civic lift and patron engagement with library services. ALA is collaborating with partners to provide nonpartisan resources and learning opportunities for librarians.

ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office, Apr. 10
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Joyce McIntosh writes: “Each year the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) distributes Judith F. Krug Memorial Fund Programming Grants to organizations to support activities that raise awareness of intellectual freedom and censorship issues during Banned Books Week. Grants are awarded for $1,000 and applications are accepted through April 30. FTRF also offers the annual Gordon M. Conable Conference Scholarship for library school students and new professionals to attend ALA’s Annual Conference and Exhibition. The scholarship provides conference registration, transportation, six nights of housing, and a $300 stipend for meals and other expenses. The application deadline is April 26.”

Freedom to Read Foundation, Mar. 28, 29