American Libraries magazine
@amlibraries.bsky.social
Magazine of the American Library Association.
American Libraries is seeking submissions for our 2026 Library Design Showcase. Share your fabulous new or newly renovated library facility! https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/submissions-open-for-library-design-showcase-2/
Submissions Open for Library Design Showcase | American Libraries Magazine
American Libraries is accepting submissions for the 2026 Library Design Showcase in the September/October issue.
americanlibrariesmagazine.org
January 21, 2026 at 12:05 AM
American Libraries is seeking submissions for our 2026 Library Design Showcase. Share your fabulous new or newly renovated library facility! https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/submissions-open-for-library-design-showcase-2/
ALA Treasurer Larry Neal's column provides an update on efforts to address ALA's financial situation. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/bold-changes/
Bold Changes | American Libraries Magazine
Work is under way to address ALA’s challenges, using the ALA Forward initiative to help guide us toward financial stability.
americanlibrariesmagazine.org
January 16, 2026 at 10:13 PM
ALA Treasurer Larry Neal's column provides an update on efforts to address ALA's financial situation. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/bold-changes/
💻 Join ALA for the Recharging in Challenging Times Virtual Event! 💬 One day, 9 education sessions across 3 tracks, 2 keynote speakers, and facilitator-led conversations—all built around the priorities you helped us identify. Register today! https://www.ala.org/virtual-event #ALAVirtual26
January 16, 2026 at 8:56 PM
💻 Join ALA for the Recharging in Challenging Times Virtual Event! 💬 One day, 9 education sessions across 3 tracks, 2 keynote speakers, and facilitator-led conversations—all built around the priorities you helped us identify. Register today! https://www.ala.org/virtual-event #ALAVirtual26
Join us for the next AL Live webinar, “Pathways and Specialties: Choosing the right LIS program" February 3 at 2 p.m. Eastern. Register FREE at bit.ly/4pFB13R. Sponsored by Old Dominion University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and University of Washington.
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: AL Live--Pathways and Specialties: Choosing the Right LIS Program. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
Some students entering library school have a clear vision of their ideal job. Others are more eager to explore the diverse career paths their degrees can open up. Whether you're embarking on a new educational journey or mentoring people who are consider...
bit.ly
January 15, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Join us for the next AL Live webinar, “Pathways and Specialties: Choosing the right LIS program" February 3 at 2 p.m. Eastern. Register FREE at bit.ly/4pFB13R. Sponsored by Old Dominion University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and University of Washington.
As #artificialintelligence has made its way into library work, these four recent publications offer important criticisms, background information, and critical strategies for librarians to address this growing technology. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/considering-ai/
January 15, 2026 at 7:06 PM
As #artificialintelligence has made its way into library work, these four recent publications offer important criticisms, background information, and critical strategies for librarians to address this growing technology. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/considering-ai/
Caldecott-Medal-winning author/illustrator Brian Selznick spoke with @howilibrary.bsky.social about finding revelatory love, building on cultural history, and why books scare those in power. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/newsmaker-brian-selznick/
Newsmaker: Brian Selznick | American Libraries Magazine
Caldecott Medal–winning author-illustrator Brian Selznick talks about his latest YA novel, Run Away with Me.
americanlibrariesmagazine.org
January 14, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Caldecott-Medal-winning author/illustrator Brian Selznick spoke with @howilibrary.bsky.social about finding revelatory love, building on cultural history, and why books scare those in power. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/newsmaker-brian-selznick/
"The Freedom Walk explores the ideas behind our freedom to read and the critical role students and the public can play in protecting that freedom. Instead of celebrating what we can’t read, we celebrate our right to read." https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/walk-with-a-purpose-2/
Walk with a Purpose | American Libraries Magazine
Instead of simply highlighting censorship statistics or bemoaning what we can’t read, the Freedom Walk celebrates our right to read.
americanlibrariesmagazine.org
January 13, 2026 at 3:24 PM
"The Freedom Walk explores the ideas behind our freedom to read and the critical role students and the public can play in protecting that freedom. Instead of celebrating what we can’t read, we celebrate our right to read." https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/walk-with-a-purpose-2/
In "Moving Beyond the Acronym," a panel of experts explore how executive orders are threatening diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at colleges and universities, and how those issues are affecting librarians. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/moving-beyond-the-acronym/
January 12, 2026 at 5:52 PM
In "Moving Beyond the Acronym," a panel of experts explore how executive orders are threatening diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at colleges and universities, and how those issues are affecting librarians. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/moving-beyond-the-acronym/
Learn how libraries are piecing together a fun new program: speed puzzling competitions. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/racing-the-clock/
Racing the Clock | American Libraries Magazine
Speed puzzling, or the practice of assembling a jigsaw puzzle as fast as possible, has become an unlikely hit at public libraries.
americanlibrariesmagazine.org
January 9, 2026 at 8:48 PM
Learn how libraries are piecing together a fun new program: speed puzzling competitions. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/racing-the-clock/
2026 is ALA's 150th anniversary, a milestone that invites us to advocate fiercely and invest in the infrastructure that makes libraries a foundation of thriving communities. Celebrate all year at ALA150.org. #ForOurLibraries https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5L_7MB8G3c
The American Library Association turns 150
YouTube video by American Library Association
www.youtube.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:50 PM
2026 is ALA's 150th anniversary, a milestone that invites us to advocate fiercely and invest in the infrastructure that makes libraries a foundation of thriving communities. Celebrate all year at ALA150.org. #ForOurLibraries https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5L_7MB8G3c
"My primary goal is achieving the vision outlined in the ALA Forward initiative: ensuring ALA’s financial stability, fostering membership trust and growth, and bolstering advocacy." Read the new Executive Director's column. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/reinvigorating-ala/
Reinvigorating ALA | American Libraries Magazine
My primary goal at the Association is to ensure financial stability, foster member trust and growth, and bolster advocacy.
americanlibrariesmagazine.org
January 8, 2026 at 7:06 PM
"My primary goal is achieving the vision outlined in the ALA Forward initiative: ensuring ALA’s financial stability, fostering membership trust and growth, and bolstering advocacy." Read the new Executive Director's column. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/reinvigorating-ala/
The @ala-united.bsky.social virtual conference focused on fiscal, logistical, institutional, and existential challenges to libraries and the role library supporters can play to address them. Read our report at https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/unlocking-possibilities/
Unlocking Possibilities | American Libraries Magazine
July’s United for Libraries Virtual event featured programs on governance, fundraising, relationship building, and storytelling.
americanlibrariesmagazine.org
January 7, 2026 at 4:54 PM
The @ala-united.bsky.social virtual conference focused on fiscal, logistical, institutional, and existential challenges to libraries and the role library supporters can play to address them. Read our report at https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/unlocking-possibilities/
Your story matters. ALA President @samhelmick.bsky.social demonstrates how sharing your work and your achievements is a critical act of library advocacy. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/your-library-story/
Your Library Story | American Libraries Magazine
When we tell our stories, we remind the world that libraries are living testaments to human curiosity and care.
americanlibrariesmagazine.org
January 6, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Your story matters. ALA President @samhelmick.bsky.social demonstrates how sharing your work and your achievements is a critical act of library advocacy. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/your-library-story/
Read our recap of the news that shaped a tumultuous year for libraries and library workers. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/2025-year-in-review/
2025 Year in Review | American Libraries Magazine
A look back at news that affected libraries and library workers in 2025, including federal funding updates and changes at ALA.
americanlibrariesmagazine.org
January 5, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Read our recap of the news that shaped a tumultuous year for libraries and library workers. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/2025-year-in-review/
Our January/February issue is live on our website—featuring the top library stories of 2025, Newsmaker Brian Selznick, speed puzzling programs, and storytelling for advocacy. Read the full issue at https://bit.ly/AL-JF26issue or by article at https://bit.ly/AL-JF26stories.
American Libraries
American Libraries - January/February 2026
bit.ly
January 2, 2026 at 2:52 PM
Our January/February issue is live on our website—featuring the top library stories of 2025, Newsmaker Brian Selznick, speed puzzling programs, and storytelling for advocacy. Read the full issue at https://bit.ly/AL-JF26issue or by article at https://bit.ly/AL-JF26stories.
Learn how professional development can fit into a well-being program—while reducing costs and increasing productivity. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/professional-development-is-a-wellness-program/
December 23, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Learn how professional development can fit into a well-being program—while reducing costs and increasing productivity. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/professional-development-is-a-wellness-program/
Our Librarian's Library column reviews books that offer ideas for innovative, meaningful library programming. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/ready-for-a-refresh/
Ready for a Refresh | American Libraries Magazine
Libraries add value to people’s lives with innovative programming for all ages. These books offer new and meaningful ways to serve patrons.
americanlibrariesmagazine.org
December 19, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Our Librarian's Library column reviews books that offer ideas for innovative, meaningful library programming. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/ready-for-a-refresh/
Interested in improving the accessibility of videogame events? Learn Deerfield Public Library's approach in "Adaptive Arcade." https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/adaptive-arcade/
Adaptive Arcade | American Libraries Magazine
Adaptive controllers can help to make video game programs accessible to library patrons with disabilities.
americanlibrariesmagazine.org
December 18, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Interested in improving the accessibility of videogame events? Learn Deerfield Public Library's approach in "Adaptive Arcade." https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/adaptive-arcade/
"Of course, any kind of book category is going to be good for me." Purdue University archivist and Jeopardy! super champion Adriana Harmeyer speaks with American Libraries about her time on the show. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/qa-with-adriana-harmeyer/
December 15, 2025 at 1:11 PM
"Of course, any kind of book category is going to be good for me." Purdue University archivist and Jeopardy! super champion Adriana Harmeyer speaks with American Libraries about her time on the show. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/qa-with-adriana-harmeyer/
Our Holiday Gift Guide has creative ideas for any book lover, from candles to computer games to clocks. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/16/2025-holiday-gift-guide-for-librarians-and-book-lovers/
December 12, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Our Holiday Gift Guide has creative ideas for any book lover, from candles to computer games to clocks. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/16/2025-holiday-gift-guide-for-librarians-and-book-lovers/
In a new online column, ALA's Senior Endowment Trustee Brett Bonfield introduces himself and gives an overview of ALA's endowment, which provides ongoing support to the Association. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/10/17/an-introduction-to-the-endowment/
December 11, 2025 at 9:33 PM
In a new online column, ALA's Senior Endowment Trustee Brett Bonfield introduces himself and gives an overview of ALA's endowment, which provides ongoing support to the Association. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/10/17/an-introduction-to-the-endowment/
Chef Sean Sherman's new cookbook: Turtle Island: Foods and Traditions of the Indigenous Peoples of North America, takes a region-by-region approach to Native ingredients, history, and cooking. Read our interview with him: https://bit.ly/3LgoIN7
Newsmaker: Sean Sherman | American Libraries Magazine
Award-winning chef Sean Sherman's second cookbook, Turtle Island, highlights the diversity of Indigenous food.
americanlibrariesmagazine.org
December 10, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Chef Sean Sherman's new cookbook: Turtle Island: Foods and Traditions of the Indigenous Peoples of North America, takes a region-by-region approach to Native ingredients, history, and cooking. Read our interview with him: https://bit.ly/3LgoIN7
"In libraries, we listen closely for the signals that tell us about our health and direction. In our profession, those signals often come from our chapters." ALA President @samhelmick.bsky.social highlights the role of chapters. https://bit.ly/4nDE8Z0
The Pulse of Our Profession | American Libraries Magazine
ALA chapters are our first indicators of new trends, tightening pressure on legislative challenges, and the steady rhythm of community needs.
americanlibrariesmagazine.org
December 9, 2025 at 4:55 PM
"In libraries, we listen closely for the signals that tell us about our health and direction. In our profession, those signals often come from our chapters." ALA President @samhelmick.bsky.social highlights the role of chapters. https://bit.ly/4nDE8Z0
Ticket to Ride, Madden NFL, Uno, and other inductees of the 2025 Platinum Play Classics Hall of Fame are proven winners for library programming. Read about more options that have stood the test of time: https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/2025-platy-hall-of-fame-inductees/
2025 Platy Hall of Fame Inductees | American Libraries Magazine
ALA’s Games and Gaming Round Table announced its second cohort of classic titles, based on historical and ongoing excellence for library use.
americanlibrariesmagazine.org
December 8, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Ticket to Ride, Madden NFL, Uno, and other inductees of the 2025 Platinum Play Classics Hall of Fame are proven winners for library programming. Read about more options that have stood the test of time: https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/2025-platy-hall-of-fame-inductees/
Sports fans! We've got stats about libraries and football, baseball, auto racing, and more in our By the Numbers column. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/by-the-numbers-sports/
December 5, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Sports fans! We've got stats about libraries and football, baseball, auto racing, and more in our By the Numbers column. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/by-the-numbers-sports/