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librarypolicy.bsky.social
ALA Public Policy & Advocacy
@librarypolicy.bsky.social
2.7K followers 86 following 270 posts
Updates from the @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social Public Policy & Advocacy team in D.C. #LibrariesStrong #BuildLibraries #FundLibraries #eBooksForAll #ForOurLibraries

Become a library advocate: ala.org/takeaction
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#ALAVirtual26 Registration is Open! Join Recharging in Challenging Times: An ALA Virtual Event for a day of reflection, practical insights, and meaningful connection. Access on-demand content—and ALA Student Members attend for FREE! Secure your spot now!
www.ala.org/virtual-event
9 sessions across 3 content tracks Preserving Intellectual Freedom (icon: book and torch), Strengthening Leadership (icon: 3 leaders and a gear), and Sustaining Wellbeing (icon: a lotus flower) Plus opening and closing keynotes and interactive, facilitator-led conversations. Registration is Open—Save Your Spot Now! Recharging in Challenging Times AN ALA Virtual Event February 10, 2026 FOR OUR LIBRARIES. American Library Association ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition
November 24, 2025 at 6:01 PM
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amlibraryassoc.bsky.social
ALA celebrates today's ruling in federal court in RI permanently blocking the Administration's actions to dismantle IMLS.

ALA Pres. Sam Helmick: "This victory belongs to all of us, and we build the future of our libraries together." Read our full statement & take action: www.ala.org/news/2025/11...
"Today's court decision is a powerful affirmation of what libraries mean to America. It restores everything that executive order tried to take away: shared access to books in rural and remote areas, essential virtual learning tools, children's reading programs and the countless library services available to anyone who walks into a public, school or academic library." - ALA President Sam Helmick. Show up for our libraries, American Library Association
November 21, 2025 at 10:29 PM
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NEWS: Libraries WIN in federal court!

A judge in RI issued a permanent injunction stopping the Administration from dismantling the Institute of Museum & Library Services and nullifying all actions taken to do so.

Read the ruling: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us... (More to come from ALA)
LIBRARIES WIN IN COURT. Federal court issues permanent injunction in Rhode Island V. Trump, stops the dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The court ruled that all actions taken by the Administration to dismantle IMLS are nullified. This injunction takes immediate nationwide effect: all grants, in every state and territory. The Administration is stopped from taking these actions again in the future. Show up for our libraries, American Library Association.
November 21, 2025 at 8:08 PM
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amlibraryassoc.bsky.social
Get a jump on your holiday shopping with our weekend sale at LibraryGiftShop.org. Save 20% on everything through Sunday, November 23, and stock up on gifts that support and celebrate libraries.
Proceeds help fund our advocacy work.
SALE. Save 20% through November 23. Pictured: Black short-sleeved t-shirt with text: "Read like our rights depend on it" and illustration of raised fist in blue with colorful books in the background. Black tote bag with Banned Books Week theme "Censorship is so 1984,Read for your rights." Light blue hooded sweatshirt with illustration of bookshelf and text "If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear." Sticker with text "Let our stories shine."
November 21, 2025 at 3:50 PM
librarypolicy.bsky.social
Thank you so much @ncte.org for hosting our team's Lisa Varga at #NCTE25 in Denver!

Along with educators and intellectual freedom defenders from across the country, Lisa presented on the challenges and opportunities facing libraries and schools in this intellectual freedom environment.
Presenters at the National Council of Teachers of English conference in Denver, CO, posting together with an NCTE 2025 sign. From left to right: Lisa Varga, Associate Executive Director for Public Policy & Advocacy, American Library Association; Ann David, Professor, University of the Incarnate World; Danielle Sullivan, Associate Professor of English, Bemidji State University; Cody Miller, Associate Professor of English Education, SUNY Brockport; Jennifer Silver, Humanities Faculty, Vistamar High School; and Lisa Ortmann, Associate Professor in Education, Gustavus Adolphus College.
November 21, 2025 at 3:39 PM
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NEW: ALA is sounding the alarm after the Administration announced new steps to dismantle the Department of Education. School & academic libraries across the country rely on Dept. of Ed. funding and knowledge to best serve their students and faculty.
More: www.ala.org/news/2025/11... #ForOurLibraries
ALA stands with school and academic libraries, their dedicated library workers and the talented staff of the Education Department. Together with our partners in education, ALA will work to protect students' and educators' rights to learn and teach as well as the modest federal support provided to school and academic libraries." ALA President Sam Helmick. Show up for our libraries, American Library Association.
November 20, 2025 at 8:11 PM
librarypolicy.bsky.social
The new Faith for Libraries partnership between @interfaithalliance.org, @uabookbans.bsky.social, and faith leaders from across the country is leading the way to build connections between faith communities and libraries! Learn more about the campaign: app.publicnewsservice.org/story/faith-...
'Faith for Libraries' campaign defends the freedom to read
A coalition of faith leaders said the growing number of book bans nationwide is a threat to religious freedom.More than 2,400 books were challenged at public libraries nationwide last year,
app.publicnewsservice.org
November 20, 2025 at 6:36 PM
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The FCC's recent removal of #ERate discounts for library & school hotspot lending is a step backwards. ALA President Sam Helmick: "Having digital connection is going to allow us to not only thrive civically but economically, educationally, & socially." More: federalnewsnetwork.com/management/2...
When the hotspots go dark, who connects the unconnected?
"We're really thinking about the broad spectrum of American life and how the lack of connectivity infrastructurally has been devastating," Sam Helmick said.
federalnewsnetwork.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:50 PM
librarypolicy.bsky.social
Congratulations to Ed Garcia, former ALA Committee on Legislation chair, on receiving the Page Turner Award from the RI Center for the Book! Your work and advocacy for intellectual freedom, libraries, and library workers has always set a tremendous example.

cranstononline.com/stories/cham...
Champion of the right to read - Cranston Herald
The saying: ‘Never judge a book by its cover,” truly applies to Cranston Public Library Director Ed Garcia. If you walk into his office at the central branch of the city’s …
cranstononline.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:27 PM
librarypolicy.bsky.social
A new library Southwest Virginia is giving more access to more people. The library's new book van is funded in part with federal support. If funding is cut, that access could be lost: www.wvtf.org/news/2025-11...

Tell Congress to #FundLibrareis: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...
In a rural community in Southwest Virginia, volunteers build new public library
At a time when federal cuts are threatening some services at rural libraries, one library system in Southwest Virginia is adding a new branch. People in the Fort Chiswell community came together to he...
www.wvtf.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:06 PM
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amlibraryassoc.bsky.social
We are honored to share this year's #ALA_Carnegie shortlist titles! Join us in celebrating these six books which exemplify excellence in fiction and nonfiction.
Two winners will be announced January 27. Congratulations!
💙📚
https://www.ala.org/carnegie-medals/2026-winners
Congratulations to the finalists for the 2026 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction. Winners announced January 27! Book covers: “A Guardian and a Thief,” by Megha Majumdar. “The Unworthy,” by Agustina Bazterrica. Translated by Sarah Moses. “We Do Not Part,” By Han Kang. Translated by e. yaewon and Paige Aniyah Morris. “Baldwin, Styron, and Me,” by Mélikah Abdelmoumen. Translated by Catherine Khordoc. “There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America,” by Brian Goldstone. “Things in Nature Merely Grow,” by Yiyun Li.
November 18, 2025 at 8:09 PM
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ALA is seeking nine librarian advisors to support the "Aging Together: An Evaluation of Library Programs for Older Adults" project. This new project will evaluate and summarize the current state of older adult programming in libraries across the U.S.

Apply by Dec 1, 2025: https://bit.ly/49ZmAn1
Aging Together: An Evaluation of Library Programming for Older Adults
Call for Advisors
www.ala.org
November 18, 2025 at 5:07 PM
librarypolicy.bsky.social
The community in East Lansing relies on services like MeLCat through their library, funded with federal support. Cuts to that funding could mean an end to those services: news.jrn.msu.edu/2025/11/fede...

Tell Congress to #FundLibraries: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...
Federal cuts to MeL, MeLCat leaves future of student ELPL resources uncertain - Spartan Newsroom
Funding to the Institute of Museum and Library Services officially ended in September of this year. Soon, East Lansing families will begin to see the impact in their classrooms and neighborhoods. Whil...
news.jrn.msu.edu
November 18, 2025 at 2:22 PM
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🎉SURPRISE!! We are thrilled to announce our 2025 #EditorsChoice lists!!

2025 has been a tough year. As we begin to close it out, we are happy to reflect on the books that left us empowered, moved, hopeful, and heard.

First up: Our 2025 Editors' Choice: Adult Books list: bit.ly/4i2kDIp
Collage of book titles included on this year's Adult Books Editors' Choice list
November 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM
librarypolicy.bsky.social
Students, faculty, and staff at Texas State have access to essential databases and research tools thanks to federal funding. Cuts to that funding could put the access at risk: universitystar.com/33682/news/f...

Tell Congress to #FundLibraries: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...
Federal funding cuts impact library databases, research
Federal funding cuts to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) resulted in the removal of databases, impacting student and professor access. The TSLAC TexShare program allows Texas li...
universitystar.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:16 PM
librarypolicy.bsky.social
As reported by the New York Times, federal funding cuts are hurting rural libraries - and the communities that depend on them: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...

We can't let our libraries and communities fall behind. Tell Congress to #FundLibraries in FY26: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...
Federal Cuts, Immigration Raids and a Slowing Economy Hit Rural Libraries
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:55 PM
librarypolicy.bsky.social
Congratulations Rep. Adelita Grijalva on your official swearing in to Congress!

Rep. Grijalva comes from a multigenerational family of librarians and educators and she has always championed libraries, in the legacy of her father Rep. Raúl Grijalva.

We're excited to work together #ForOurLibraries!
Adelita Grijalva, pictured in 2022 at the Pima County Public Library in Arizona for a graduation event.
November 12, 2025 at 9:11 PM
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Were you a Berenstain Bears reader? At the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play at the Strong National Museum of Play, you can find original sketches from their creators—and much more! Read more in our Bookend department. https://bit.ly/47FviUF
David Sleasman, librarian of the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play, in front of pinball machines and next to several items from the library's collections.
November 12, 2025 at 5:07 PM
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“We’re excited to be with somebody so deeply experienced with lifelong learning, literacy, and organizing, who understands the value of building community, bringing people together, and making sure our organizational structure is sound.” - ALA Pres. Helmick

Welcome, Dan Montgomery! bit.ly/4oB26FP
ALA Welcomes New Executive Director
Daniel J. Montgomery takes the helm at the American Library Association today, with priorities that include federal and state funding, civic partnerships, AI competencies, and anti-censorship advocacy...
www.publishersweekly.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:17 AM
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@cardsagainsthumanity.com, longtime supporter of libraries, organized a creative way to support ALA with presales of a special edition product—Cards Against Humanity Explains the Joke—during Banned Books Week. CAH will donate 100% of proceeds to ALA.

ALA Explains the Donation: ala.org/CAH

#IGM25
Text in graphic: "Cards Against Humanity generously donated 100% of profits from their limited-edition informational product, 'Cards Against Humanity Explains the Joke,' to the American Library Association. ALA Explains the Donation at ala.org/CAH." Illustration of a Cards Against Humanity box on top of a short stack of books.
November 12, 2025 at 7:20 PM
librarypolicy.bsky.social
The Hour of AI activity catalog is now live with 60+ creative ways to learn about AI in multiple environments. Start exploring at HourofAI.org to find learning activities and more! #HourOfAI
60+ Hour of AI activities launch today! Uniting classrooms, companies, and communities in the world's largest AI learning movement.
November 12, 2025 at 7:44 PM
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What do you need for a game jam? “Two tables. Done.”

Game jams—accelerated game creation events—started as a way to develop video games, but they’re also useful for creating tabletop role-playing games, which have grown in popularity in recent years.

Read more: https://bit.ly/43qkkRQ
Jam Forever | American Libraries Magazine
Panelists shared ways for libraries to host game jams to help students and patrons of all ages create games.
bit.ly
November 11, 2025 at 5:12 PM
librarypolicy.bsky.social
NEW from ALA: Storytelling Advocacy Jumpstart

Looking for inspiration to incorporate storytelling into your advocacy?

This free member-exclusive recorded webinar gives you the tips & tools to turn your library story into a library advocacy win.

Learn more & view: elearning.ala.org/local/catalo...
Storytelling Advocacy Jumpstart: Essential Tools for Building your Library Story
November 11, 2025 at 6:04 PM
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amlibraryassoc.bsky.social
Today in the New York Times: How federal funding cuts are hurting rural library budgets. "The financial margins were tight even before Mr. Trump tried to eliminate the Institute of Museum & Library Services." More: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/us/politics/rural-libraries.html #ForOurLibraries
Federal Cuts, Immigration Raids and a Slowing Economy Hit Rural Libraries
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:28 PM
librarypolicy.bsky.social
When we work together to advocate, we go further. Learn about ALA’s Ecosystem Initiative to boost funding, influence & partnerships on our next webinar, featuring PPA's Lisa Varga. #ALAOneVoice

Join us on Thursday, Nov 13 @ 4pm Central / 5pm Eastern

Register now: ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Show Up, Speak Up: One Voice for Library Ecosystem Funding. Thur, Nov 13, 2025, 4pm Central. Jonna Ward, Founder & CEO Library Support Network; Deborah Doyle, President United for Libraries (2024-2025); Lisa Varga, Associate Exec. Director, ALA Public Policy & Advocacy Office. #ALAOneVoice.
November 10, 2025 at 8:47 PM