Kathryn Matthew, director of the Institute for Museum and Library Services, speaks at the American Library Association’s 2017 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago on June 24, 2017.Photo: Rebecca Lomax/American Libraries

Becoming Catalysts in a Changing World

June 24, 2017

In “Be a Catalyst: Harnessing Your Portfolio of Resources to Create Catalytic Change in Communities,” sponsored by the ALA Washington Office, Matthew provided advice on how libraries can learn about their communities in order to strengthen their connections to them, while Rip Rapson and Barbara Bartle provided context from national and regional funder points of view. … Continue reading Becoming Catalysts in a Changing World


Kathi Kromer

11 Questions with Kathi Kromer

June 9, 2017

Prior to joining ALA, Kromer was vice president of strategy and outreach for the ALS Association for 11 years, where she created and executed public policy and outreach strategy, expanded the association’s national grassroots program to nearly 20,000 advocates, and created a state advocacy program that helped raised awareness and generate more than $15 million for chapters. And yes, she took … Continue reading 11 Questions with Kathi Kromer


Help Save Internet Fairness

June 9, 2017

Net neutrality is the principle that internet service providers (ISPs) must enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source and without favoring or blocking specific services or websites. The American Library Association (ALA) has been on the front lines of the net neutrality battle with the FCC, Congress, and the federal courts for … Continue reading Help Save Internet Fairness


Kathi Kromer

Kathi Kromer New Head of ALA Washington Office

June 1, 2017

Prior to joining ALA, Kromer was vice president of strategy and outreach for the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Association for 11 years. While with the ALS Association, she created and executed public policy and outreach strategy, with the goals of raising awareness, improving the lives of people with ALS, advancing ALS research, increasing organizational and government funding, and … Continue reading Kathi Kromer New Head of ALA Washington Office


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Businesses Unite to Fight for Library Funding

May 17, 2017

In a May 17 statement, ALA President Julie B. Todaro praised CCLI, saying, “It’s thrilling to see such significant companies and associations across so many industries come together to fight alongside ALA and librarians for federal library funding.” She added that “libraries mean business,” and that working with CCLI can help ensure “that law- and policymakers fully … Continue reading Businesses Unite to Fight for Library Funding


State delegations at ALA's 43rd annual National Library Legislative Day in Washington, D.C., May 1, 2017.

Advocacy in Critical Times

May 3, 2017

The number of attendees was the highest in 10 years, spurred by the Trump administration’s proposed 2018 budget that would eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the agency that distributes federal funding to state library agencies and other grant programs. As ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels said in his opening statement … Continue reading Advocacy in Critical Times


Emily Sheketoff in her Washington, D.C., office.

A Tribute to Emily Sheketoff

April 12, 2017

We invite you to share your memories of working with her in the comments section. These comments will be compiled into a special booklet for Sheketoff, to be presented at National Library Legislative Day. To have your remarks considered for inclusion, please post them by noon on April 23. Here are some of her accomplishments: Lobbying … Continue reading A Tribute to Emily Sheketoff


Winners of the 2016 Congressional App Challenge meet in Washington, D.C., on April 4, 2017, with Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) speaking in the background.

Libraries in the #HouseofCode

April 11, 2017

Some of this year’s winners included: Organized College Planner (Zach Burke, Illinois’ 9th congressional district) keeps track of passwords, deadlines, and course application requirements. Election Connection (Santiago Torres, Christopher Leung, Christopher Jhaveri, and Jason Kwan, California’s 39th congressional district) provides information to help voters make more educated decisions about candidates and ballot propositions. STEMLink (Nikhil Sharma, … Continue reading Libraries in the #HouseofCode


US Capitol Building

Fight for Libraries This Week

March 28, 2017

LSTA provides funding to each state library organization, which then determines the best use in its state for these funds. Some state libraries have used LSTA funds to develop statewide lending libraries, shared databases, and similar tools. Others have provided funding for specific programs. For example, California used LSTA funds to assist veterans in their … Continue reading Fight for Libraries This Week


ALA President Responds to Federal Budget Cuts

March 16, 2017

In response to President Trump’s proposal to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services in his FY2018 budget, American Library Association (ALA) President Julie B. Todaro today issued the following statement: “The President’s proposal to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services in his FY2018 budget just released, and with it effectively all federal … Continue reading ALA President Responds to Federal Budget Cuts


ALA logo

ALA Affirms Support for NEH, NEA

February 2, 2017

Today American Library Association (ALA) President Julie B. Todaro released the following statement in support of the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts. “Since 1992 ALA’s Public Programs Office (PPO) has administered dozens of NEH grants, enabling libraries to initiate conversation and healthy debate and enabling them to fulfill … Continue reading ALA Affirms Support for NEH, NEA