Youth Matters, by Allison Frick and Sara DeSabato

Inclusive and Affirming



June 2, 2025

That’s why, as a school librarian and a teacher, we felt strongly about helping our school, Friends Select School in Philadelphia, create a Lower School Gender and Sexuality Education committee in 2017. Prior to this, our school didn’t have standardized lessons for gender and sexuality; teachers addressed these topics according to knowledge and comfort, and … Continue reading Inclusive and Affirming


Headshots of David Quick (left) and Benjamin Stokes

Press 1 for Engagement



June 2, 2025

Over the past five years, DC Public Library has partnered with Playful City Lab, a game design initiative from American University (AU) in Washington, D.C. Together, we developed a project called Engaging Beyond Our Walls, which has yielded a budget-friendly platform and toolkit that facilitates storytelling through text messages and audio. Staffers at more than … Continue reading Press 1 for Engagement


Headshot of Library's Library columnist Reanna Esmail

Community Archives, Collective Power



June 2, 2025

Archivists decide which histories are told and which are not, as well as who has access to these resources. The books on this list address problematic archival histories, practices, and structures, while also reimagining the archive as a potential site for community-building. Disputed Archival Heritage Edited by James Lowry Building on his 2017 edited volume … Continue reading Community Archives, Collective Power


Cindy Hohl, president of the American Library Association

Information Warriors, Unite



May 1, 2025

As we saw with the White House’s executive order calling for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to be eliminated, libraries—and everything we value as information professionals—are under attack. Make no mistake: The American people need to brace for more waves of uncertainty and oppression. And in our role as stalwart information warriors, … Continue reading Information Warriors, Unite


ALA Interim Executive Director Leslie Burger's headshot

Upholding Our Values



May 1, 2025

Across the board, the work of federal agencies, many of which directly or indirectly support libraries, has either been discontinued or altered. Although it is too soon to determine the overall impact of proposed changes to library funding—including IMLS grants and E-Rate discounts—we anticipate there will be more proposals to significantly reduce or outright eliminate … Continue reading Upholding Our Values



Headshot for author Cinzi Lavin

Into the Fray



May 1, 2025

The removal was done in transgression of the library board’s book reconsideration policy. The book’s catalog record also vanished. Local media outlets reported that the book was removed by our then-director who, a few weeks into the role, was called into our town first selectman’s office along with the head of the library board and … Continue reading Into the Fray


Headshot of Librarian's Library columnist Rachel Rosenberg

Championing Children and Teens



May 1, 2025

Using Literature to Support Children’s Mental Health Edited by Kim Becnel and Robin A. Moeller There has been a huge increase in young people reporting symptoms of depression and anxiety in the past two decades, and this collection of essays supports librarians who want to do something to help. It prescribes selection criteria, book recommendations, and … Continue reading Championing Children and Teens



ALA Interim Executive Director Leslie Burger's headshot

Rising to the Occasion



March 3, 2025

ALA, as an organization, has survived and thrived for nearly 150 years—through wars, economic downturns, changing political environments, and pandemics. With each of these challenges, we rose to the occasion with strong leadership, consistent messaging, and a membership base that devoted its efforts to sharing stories about the important work of all libraries and how … Continue reading Rising to the Occasion