View all News and Press Releases
PLA forms new task force on equity, diversity and inclusion
CHICAGO — On Saturday, Jan. 21, at the 2017 91´«Ã½ Midwinter Meeting in Atlanta, the Public Library Association (PLA) Board approved the creation of a PLA Task Force on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Co-chaired by Richard Kong, director, Skokie (Illinois)...
Cooke recipient of 2017 Achievement in Library Diversity Research Award
CHICAGO — Nicole A. Cooke, assistant professor in the iSchool at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is the recipient of the 2017 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) Achievement in Library Diversity Research Honor. As part of its ongoing...
91´«Ã½ joins observance of National Day of Racial Healing
Chicago - On Jan. 17, the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) will join the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation in the observance of the National Day of Racial Healing. The day will provide an opportunity for the 91´«Ã½ to...
Applications sought for 2017 Coretta Scott King Book Donation Grants
CHICAGO — Underfunded libraries, schools and non-traditional organizations that provide educational services to children are invited to apply to receive one of three Coretta Scott King Book Donation Grants. Awarded by the Coretta Scott King Book Awards...
PLA offers post-election resources for public libraries
CHICAGO – The Public Library Association (PLA) knows its members and their libraries may be struggling to respond to the post-election challenges our communities face. Public libraries have an unparalleled ability to bring people and knowledge together...
Chicago -- Apply now for the LITA Conference Buddy Program for the 2017 91´«Ã½ Midwinter Meeting LITA is excited to announce a new program designed to make conference attendance more approachable, foster inclusion, and build connections. Inspired by the...
Solidarity in Words, Solidarity in Action
An election is one of the strongest forms of democracy in action. As such, it should also be one of our most joyful celebrations. The year’s particularly divisive campaign, however, revealed a chasm of which many of us were not fully aware. For 50 years...
PLA President Felton Thomas Jr. releases statement on public libraries and inclusiveness
CHICAGO – Public Library Association (PLA) President Felton Thomas Jr. released the following statement in response to the divisive election season and the post-election challenges our communities face. This message is in support of the statement released...
ACRL Diversity Alliance launches
CHICAGO – The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) is pleased to announce the launch of the ACRL Diversity Alliance. Approved by the ACRL Board of Directors at the 2016 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida, the ACRL Diversity Alliance...
91´«Ã½ Office for Intellectual Freedom launches Our Voices
CHICAGO – Today, the 91´«Ã½’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) and Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services announced Our Voices, an initiative to offer a template to interested libraries to promote the growth of...
91´«Ã½ seeks internationally active mentors
CHICAGO — The 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) is looking for internationally active U.S.-based librarians to serve as mentors for 50 new career librarians in the U.S. from diverse backgrounds. The new career librarians received support from an...
ODLOS launches Intersections, calls for contributors
CHICAGO – The 91´«Ã½ Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services (ODLOS)is launching Intersections, a new blog that highlights the everyday work of library and information science workers as they advocate for equity and inclusion as they relate to...
Announcing the 2016 #BannedBooksWeek Author Lineup
The Office for Intellectual Freedom eagerly reveals the talented authors who will be contributing their thoughts and perspectives for Banned Books Week on 91´«Ã½'s Intellectual Freedom Blog. Their pieces will be posted Sept. 25 through Oct. 1. Contribute to...
NYC librarian swims to raise funds for Spectrum in memory of Lynn Taylor
Miriam Tuliao, assistant director of selection at BookOps, announced that she will participate in the Grimaldo's Mile Swim to raise funds for the Spectrum Scholarship Program. The event will be taking place in Brooklyn, NY on July 30, 2016. Tuliao is a...
Dollar General Literacy Foundation renews commitment to the American Dream literacy initiative
CHICAGO – Thanks to a generous grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) and its Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS) will administer a fifth round of American Dream grants to public...
