Whitehead, Tom | American Libraries Magazine

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January 4 Tom Whitehead, senior curator of rare books and literary manuscripts at the Special Collections Research Center of Temple University Libraries in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, retired after 45 years.

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Phil Morehart writes: “This year’s Banned Books Week coincides with ALA’s official 150th anniversary on October 6. To mark the occasion, ALA has released a list of the 150 most challenged books documented from 1990 through 2025. The list spans contemporary titles such as Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe and literary classics such as To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck.” Also in recognition of ALA’s anniversary, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson officially proclaimed October 6, 2026, American Library Association Day in Chicago.

I Love Libraries, Oct. 5; ALA150.org, Oct. 6
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The Association for Library Service to Children’s 2026 National Institute took place October 1–3 in Buffalo, New York. Highlights included an update on ALSC’s reunification with the Young Adult Library Services Association and a Teen Services Development Day; visits to Buffalo and Erie County Library, Rochester (N.Y.) Public Library, and the Strong National Museum of Play, and an opening general session featuring The Hate U Give author Angie Thomas. Read more coverage at ALSC Blog.

ALSC Blog, Oct. 1–4
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The troubling trend of book challenges and bans in libraries across the US continues. Behind each title is an author being professionally—and sometimes personally—targeted for the stories they have chosen to share. These works usually amplify marginalized voices such as abuse victims or those within the LGBTQ+ community. American Libraries spoke with five authors—Patricia McCormick, Stephen Chbosky, Malinda Lo, Ellen Hopkins, and Jennifer L. Armentrout—on the Top 11 Most Challenged Books of 2025 list to hear how their experiences affected them.

American Libraries Online, Oct. 5–6
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Gavin Baker writes: “Advocacy for libraries has been at the heart of ALA’s mission for 150 years. A new publication by ALA’s Public Policy and Advocacy Office explores milestones and other key achievements impacting school libraries, access to government information, copyright, civic engagement, library workers, the freedom to read, and more. These policies and initiatives enable the work of libraries thousands of times a day across the country.”

ALA150, Sept. 30
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Elisabeth Egan and John Maher write: “We spoke with dozens of librarians at the ALA Annual Conference this summer in Chicago. They want you to know about book bans and budget cuts, but also about career counseling and crafting groups and pop-up medical clinics. They want you to worry, the way they worry, about artificial intelligence, looming legislation, and harassment of their staff. But most of all, they want you to know what the library really is: a safe place for people to gather around books, ideas, and one another. Here’s what librarians had to say, in their own words.”

New York Times, Oct. 1
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ALA and the American Association of School Librarians endorsed the bicameral Quality Educator Partnership Act (QEPA). QEPA would address nationwide educator shortages by building federal infrastructure, removing barriers to the profession, expanding preparation pathways, and strengthening data and accountability. Notably, the bill also promotes efforts to make working in education a more attractive, affordable, and sustainable career options for today’s workforce. The bill’s provisions either directly specify the inclusion of school library media specialists or use the term “educator,” which, as defined, includes school library media specialists.

ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office, Sept. 30
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Emily Long writes: “Canva is one of the most popular design tools for creating everything from fliers and business cards to interactive presentations. It’s pretty user-friendly even for those who don’t have any design experience, but if you want to level up your Canva experience, consider these tips and tricks.”

Lifehacker, Sept. 29

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