Sunrise over the Phoenix skyline

2025 LibLearnX Preview

January 2, 2025

LibLearnX 2025, dedicated to the learning experience of library workers, will bring together authors, thought leaders, and subject matter experts at the Phoenix Convention Center for educational programs, awards, celebrations, and networking opportunities. This year’s programmatic theme is “Reimagine, Refocus, Reset: Charting a Path for the Future.” LibLearnX will not be held in 2026, while … Continue reading 2025 LibLearnX Preview


Illustrated number 2024

2024 Year in Review

January 2, 2025

New values for challenging times On January 21, ALA Council approved five new Core Values • access • equity • intellectual freedom and privacy • the public good • sustainability Council cochairs Erin Berman and Sara Dallas explained the reasons for the changes: “This is a crucial moment for our profession, as our library community … Continue reading 2024 Year in Review


Jabba the Hutt figurine from the Nicholas A. Salerno Star Wars Collection at Arizona State University

By the Numbers: Literary Phoenix

January 2, 2025

American Library Association’s LibLearnX Conference in Phoenix will take place Jan. 24–27. 28,000 Number of Indigenous artists represented in the Billie Jane Baguley Library and Archives (BJBLA), located within the Heard Museum in Phoenix. Like the museum, BJBLA’s holdings include traditional and contemporary American Indian artists’ art, written works, and biographical information. $500 Amount that … Continue reading By the Numbers: Literary Phoenix


Award honorees' headshots

Meet the 2025 I Love My Librarian Award Honorees

December 17, 2024

This year, ALA received nearly 1,300 nominations from library users across the country. Nominations highlighted librarians’ outstanding service in expanding access to literacy and library services, outreach to their communities, and supporting the needs of the most vulnerable. “Librarians nationwide make positive impacts on their communities every day, and the inspiring stories from this year’s … Continue reading Meet the 2025 I Love My Librarian Award Honorees


American Library Association logo

ALA Cancels LibLearnX 2026

March 11, 2024

“After careful evaluation and analysis of financial and other critical factors, the American Library Association Executive Board has decided that LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience will not be held in 2026. As ALA looks ahead, efforts are under way to determine how best to present some of the most beloved celebratory events traditionally held at … Continue reading ALA Cancels LibLearnX 2026


Jesús Trejo

Newsmaker: Jesús Trejo

February 19, 2024

Its companion book, Mamá’s Magnificent Dancing Plantitas (Minerva), will be released this September. American Libraries spoke with Trejo after his appearance at the American Library Association’s 2024 LibLearnX conference in Baltimore about his family, what fans can expect from his future work, and book bans. What role have libraries and librarians played in your life? … Continue reading Newsmaker: Jesús Trejo


Emily Drabinski and Michele Norris

2024 LibLearnX Wrap-Up

February 5, 2024

Authors told inspiring stories and emphasized the importance of having open conversations. Presenters addressed the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), covering different ways librarians have started using the technology, as well as measuring its impact. Speakers tackled critical topics in the profession, including intellectual freedom, community engagement, and leadership and management. A different dialogue Opening … Continue reading 2024 LibLearnX Wrap-Up


Jesús Trejo

‘Family Is Everything’

January 20, 2024

“I’m very grateful that I was able to speak and tell the story of our family,” Trejo said. “This book, with every page, with every word, with every picture, just illustrates how family’s everything. If you have that—everything else could not be lined up correctly in life—but if you have that, you’re winning.” Trejo discussed … Continue reading ‘Family Is Everything’


Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction 2024 winners: The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters and We Were Once a Family by Roxanna Asgarian.

2024 Andrew Carnegie Medal Winners Announced

January 20, 2024

The selections were announced during ALA’s 2024 LibLearnX conference in Baltimore January 20 at the Reference and User Services Association’s (RUSA) Book and Media Awards event, sponsored by NoveList. In The Berry Pickers, an Indigenous Mi’kmaq family is picking summer blueberries in 1962 Maine when their youngest child, 4-year-old Ruthie, disappears. Her 6-year-old brother, Joe, … Continue reading 2024 Andrew Carnegie Medal Winners Announced


2024 LibLearnX Preview

2024 LibLearnX Preview

January 2, 2024

The American Library Association’s (ALA) LibLearnX conference will be held January 19–22, bringing collaborative learning activities, networking opportunities, celebrations, and author talks to the city of Baltimore. Designed for active learning, the conference will offer more than 100 educational programs in returning formats—Accelerators, Ideas Xchanges, Learning Labs, and ShopTalks—created by and for library workers. New this … Continue reading 2024 LibLearnX Preview



A collection of headshots of the 2024 I Love My Librarian Award Honorees

Meet the 2024 I Love My Librarian Award Honorees

December 18, 2023

“While much of the national conversation surrounding libraries has fixated on book censorship, and as library workers across the US continue to face historic levels of intimidation and harassment, librarians’ efforts to empower their patrons and provide vital services for their communities shines a spotlight on the enduring value of libraries in our society,” said … Continue reading Meet the 2024 I Love My Librarian Award Honorees