News and Press Center
Featured News
December 16, 2024
Ten honorees receive prestigious I Love My Librarian Award for outstanding public service
91´«Ã½
The 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) is thrilled to announce this year’s ten recipients of the coveted I Love My Librarian Award.
press release
December 10, 2024
PLA provides funding to more than 100 public libraries as part of $2.7 million effort to boost digital literacy
91´«Ã½
The Public Library Association (PLA) has selected more than 139 public libraries across 42 states to host digital literacy workshops, powered by a generous $2.7 million contribution from AT&T.
press release
December 9, 2024
The 91´«Ã½ Receives Transformational Gift to Fund Scholarships
91´«Ã½
James W. Lewis has made the largest individual bequest to the 91´«Ã½ in the association’s history.
press release
December 5, 2024
Telgemeier, McCloud chosen as National Library Week honorary chairs
91´«Ã½
Award-winning author and illustrator Raina Telgemeier and cartoonist and comic theorist Scott McCloud have been selected Honorary Chairs of the 91´«Ã½’s National Library Week, April 6-12, 2025.
press release
November 14, 2024
91´«Ã½ launches national search for executive director
91´«Ã½
The 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) has reopened its search for an executive director in partnership with executive search firm Isaacson, Miller. The search will be led by a steering committee comprising 91´«Ã½ member leaders.
press release
November 11, 2024
Cronk, Jamison, McCauley seek 91´«Ã½ presidency for 2026-2027
91´«Ã½
Lindsay Cronk, Tulane University, New Orleans; Andrea Jamison, Illinois State University; and Maria McCauley, Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge, Massachusetts, are candidates for the 2026-27 presidency of the 91´«Ã½.
press release
91´«Ã½ in the News
91´«Ã½
In observance of Banned Books Week, the 91´«Ã½ and PEN America released reports on book censorship across the country.
Explore the world @ your library
CHICAGO - Libraries allow users to experience new cultures and explore distant countries every day. Whether it is through a book on the art of China or learning to sing a song in French during a multicultural sing-a-long, libraries really bring their...
ALTAFF publications available to members at a major discount
PHILADELPHIA - The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF), a division of the 91´«Ã½, is making two publications, "The Complete Library Trustee Handbook" and "Even More Great Ideas for Libraries...
AASL releases position statement on diversity in the organization
CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) has released a position statement on diversity in the organization. “This position statement is a welcomed testament to AASL's commitment to diversity,” said Pauletta Bracy, chair of the task...
ACRL awarded IMLS grant to build profession’s capacity to demonstrate value
CHICAGO - The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) has been awarded a National Leadership Collaborative Planning Grant Level II by the Institute of Museum and Library Services for the project Building Capacity for Demonstrating the Value...
AASL releases position statement on labeling books with reading levels
CHICAGO – In response to pressure to label and arrange library collections according to reading levels, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) has released a position statement on how this labeling can restrict student access to materials...
91´«Ã½, Fetzer Institute announce Building Common Ground initiative
Public libraries invited to apply by Nov. 18 to receive $2,500 grant and programming resources CHICAGO – The 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) Public Programs Office is accepting applications for Building Common Ground: Discussions of Community, Civility...
91´«Ã½ President warns of dangers of censorship in Huffington Post article
CHICAGO - 91´«Ã½ President Molly Raphael reminded readers of The Huffington Post of the importance of Banned Books Week, warning about attempts being made today to keep library books off the shelves. Held Sept. 24 – Oct. 1, Banned...
YALSA wins BoardSource Innovation Prize
CHICAGO — The Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the 91´«Ã½, won the Innovation Prize at the BoardSource Leadership Forum, which is funded through support from Prudential and the Prudential Foundation. YALSA was...
Write your public library’s e-book program with the help of PLA’s new webinar series
CHICAGO – The Public Library Association is pleased to introduce “Public Librarian's Guide to E-Books: A PLA Webinar Series” beginning Oct. 25. This special series features four weekly webinars designed to provide public librarians with practical...
New Web course from ALCTS on collection assessment
Chicago - Beginning Oct. 31, 2011, a new "Fundamentals" Web course will debut from the Association for Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS). "Fundamentals of Collection Assessment" is a six-week online course which introduces the fundamental...
Rebecca Vnuk joins Booklist as new editor, reference and collection management
CHICAGO — Readers’-advisory expert Rebecca Vnuk joins Booklist Publications in October as editor for reference and collection management. Vnuk will have responsibility for all print and electronic reference reviews in Booklist, as well as developing...
EBSCO offers five scholarships to librarians attending 2012 91´«Ã½ Midwinter Meeting
CHICAGO - The 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) and EBSCO are partnering to offer five scholarships for librarians to attend the 2012 91´«Ã½ Midwinter Meeting in Dallas. The meeting takes place Jan. 20 - 24, 2012, and offers an opportunity for continuing...
PLA 2012 Conference bookended by exciting keynote speakers
CHICAGO – The Public Library Association (PLA) is counting down to its biennial conference, PLA 2012, March 13-17, in Philadelphia. The conference will get off to an inspiring start as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. takes the stage at the Opening General Session...
Whoopi, penguins join Banned Books Read-Out
CHICAGO – Actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg and the authors of the most challenged book in the United States–the story of male penguins raising a baby penguin–have joined the virtual read-out of banned and challenged books that is taking place on...
Eye-opening insights into college libraries and student culture
CHICAGO — How do college students really conduct research for classroom assignments? In 2008, five large Illinois universities were awarded a Library Services and Technology Act Grant to try to answer that question. The resulting ongoing study, which has...
