American Libraries Magazine is the voice of the profession and the flagship magazine of the American Library Association. ISSN 0002-9769. Printed in the USA.
2018 Peter Lisagor Award, Best Design (Specialty/Trade) American Libraries, the voice of the profession and the flagship magazine of the American Library Association, is published 6 times yearly, plus a digital-only July/August issue and occasional digital supplements, by the American Library Association. Subscription price is included in ALA dues. Ame
rican Libraries is also available to libraries and other institutions by paid subscription. The magazine is sent to some 50,000 individuals and organizations worldwide. ALA members receive American Libraries as a perquisite of membership. Participation on this site is regulated by ALA’s Online Code of Conduct, available at https://www.ala.org/online-code-of-conduct
07/26/2024
It's already been one month since conference! If you missed out on the action (or want to re-live it) check out our 2024 Annual Wrap-Up! https://bit.ly/3YeIr46
A recap of all the programs, speakers, and other events at the American Library Association's 2024 Annual Conference and Exhibition in San Diego.
07/24/2024
Our July/August issue is live, featuring our recap of in San Diego, including an interview with legendary news anchor Connie Chung and the inaugural column from new ALA President Cindy Hohl: bit.ly/AL-JulyAug24
Cover photo: Kwame Alexander taken by EPNAC
07/16/2024
ICYMI: In the closing session of the American Library Association's 2024 Annual Conference, Anika Noni Rose (the voice of Princess Tiana in Disney's The Princess and the Frog) discussed writing her first book, Tiana’s Perfect Plan, which teaches kids the importance of self-forgiveness.
Tony Award–winning actor, singer, and storytime series host Anika Noni Rose—perhaps best known for voicing Princess Tiana in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog—has written Tiana’s Perfect Plan.
07/03/2024
Actor and children's author Max Greenfield spoke at about his forthcoming book Good Night Thoughts, which focuses on anxiety and how kids can calm their minds at bedtime.
Actor and author Max Greenfield spoke about his new book, Good Night Thoughts, during ALA's Annual Conference in San Diego.
07/02/2024
Gymnast Maggie Nichols chatted with us about her memoir, Unstoppable!, ahead of her talk at
07/02/2024
Making Headlines: Ahead of her memoir release, Connie Chung made a stop at to reflect on her barrier-breaking broadcast career
Award-winning news anchor Connie Chung appeared at ALA's Annual Conference and Exhibition on June 29 to discuss her forthcoming memoir, Connie, and broadcast career.
07/02/2024
Check out our coverage of Taraji P. Henson's talk at
Actress Taraji P. Henson spoke on June 29 at the American Library Association’s 2024 Annual Conference and Exhibition in San Diego.
07/01/2024
Newbery winner Kwame Alexander kicking back with some light reading.
06/30/2024
We caught up with legendary news anchor Connie Chung at to talk about her forthcoming memoir, book bans, and the state of journalism today.
06/26/2024
Want to check out San Diego's best eats while in town for American Library Association's Annual Conference ( )? American Libraries has you covered!
Our dining guide covers both upscale and casual spots near the convention center and beyond.
Let us know where you go! Comment below with recs and pics!
Whether set by the sea or inland, these San Diego restaurants serve up great meals, with a SoCal twist and inspired global flourishes.
06/21/2024
Instruction Junction: Our latest issue's Librarian's Library column features reading recommendations to elevate library pedagogy
(The MIT Press, Association of College & Research Libraries, Bloomsbury Academic)
These reads will get you thinking about what it means to be an educator today and the crucial role librarians play in promoting literacy.
06/20/2024
Inclusive Early Literacy: Kate Brunner from Colorado State Library
shares tips for reaching informal caregivers, like grandparents, nannies, or older siblings, with library resources.
Columnist Kate Brunner discusses Growing Readers Together, a program in Colorado that seeks to reach informal caregivers of children with early literacy resources.
06/17/2024
"When ordinary people like you and me stand with each other on behalf of things that matter—public investments in libraries, the right to read for people of all ages, fair and equitable distribution of resources to everyone in our communities—we can win the world."
Check out Emily Drabinski's final column of her term as American Library Association president.
My mission has been to listen closely and share what I learn with a broad public that needs libraries even more than it might think it does.
06/13/2024
Amid a resurgent interest in TV period dramas, like Netflix's , public libraries are getting in on the trend, hosting Regency- and Victorian-era-themed programs featuring book discussions, trivia, crafts, and, of course, tea.
Read more about programs at Collier County Public Library, Mt. Sterling Public Library, and City of Grand Island - Public Library
Amid a resurgent interest in TV period dramas, libraries are hosting themed programs featuring book discussions, trivia, and, of course, tea.
06/11/2024
Summer reading program prizes often consist of nonrecyclable plastic items that—once the fun has worn off—end up as trash. In our June Spotlight, staffers at Montgomery County Public Libraries share how they implemented a greener, more community-focused way to get kids excited about books during their summer break.
Montgomery County (Md.) Public Libraries has greened its summer reading challenge by eliminating plastic prizes and encouraging young people to give back to their community.
06/10/2024
Did you know that San Diego Zoo has a library and archive?
Ahead of American Library Association's 2024 Annual Conference in San Diego later this month, we spoke with librarian Kelley Woolley about how the collection supports the zoo's caretaking & conservation efforts.
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the nonprofit that runs the zoo and Safari Park, has one of a handful of zoo libraries in the US with a full-time librarian.
06/07/2024
Sheila Craft-Morgan from The Ohio State University Libraries
writes in Academic Insights about citational justice and how librarians can improve equity in measuring research impact.
"How do we discuss impact without acknowledging that systemic issues affect the way research is cited?"
Here are ways librarians can share information about DEIJ in relation to research impact and the mitigation of bias in research.
06/06/2024
In our latest Newsmaker interview, Dave Eggers speaks about recent Newbery win (an honor he'll celebrate at American Library Association's Annual Conference this month) and the power of libraries
In this Q&A, Dave Eggers discusses the Newbery Medal, the magic of art, the glory of nature, and defending the freedom to read.
06/05/2024
In "Working for Well-Being," library workers at Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS (Broward County Public Schools), The Seattle Public Library, Oak Park Public Library, and Air University Library share their innovative approaches to maximizing mental health.
Institutions continue to innovate while meeting community needs, piloting targeted tools, dedicating roles and spaces to well-being, and investing in specialty programming and services for both patrons and staff. American Libraries spoke with workers from four libraries that are pioneering mental he...
06/04/2024
In response to book banning attempts across the nation, libraries across the US and Canada are joining a larger social campaign from Chicago Public Library to declare themselves Book Sanctuaries, or spaces that collect endangered books and protect the freedom to read.
As of early May, 12 library systems—in both red states and blue states—have joined the movement. In our latest feature, Harris County Public Library & The Ferguson Library share their experiences.
In response to book banning attempts, libraries in the US and Canada are joining a larger social campaign to declare themselves book sanctuaries.
06/03/2024
Our June issue is live, featuring ALA's Annual Conference Preview and a dining guide to help you explore San Diego's best eats☀️
Also check out interviews with Newbery winner Dave Eggers and the San Diego Zoo librarian, as well as stories about Book Sanctuaries & eco-friendly summer reading programs: bit.ly/AL-June24
05/23/2024
Looking for sustainability strategies? This month's episode of Call Number highlights ecofriendly library practices and programs. We visit a Chicago Public Library repair café, hear tips from
members of SustainRT: Libraries Fostering Resilient Communities, and speak with Dan Wilson from
Claude Moore Health Sciences Library - University of Virginia
about creating one-page disaster plans.
In Episode 95, Call Number with American Libraries podcast highlights ways libraries are practicing and promoting sustainability.
05/22/2024
Still trying to find that happy medium between personal and professional? In her Librarian's Library column, Allison Escoto offers reading recs for those striving toward work-life balance.
These books cover the importance of wellness, preventing burnout, practicing mindfulness, and essential self-care practices.
05/21/2024
ICYMI: Marshall Breeding's 2024 Library Systems report covers the latest trends in the library technology industry.
"In the absence of major business moves and acquisitions, companies set their sights on executing strategies to strengthen their market position."
In his annual Library Systems Report, library technology expert Marshall Breeding discusses how companies are executing strategies to strengthen their market position.
05/20/2024
Our May issue features an excerpt from "Elevating the School Library: Building Positive Perceptions through Brand Behavior" (ALA Editions & ALA Neal-Schuman) by Susan D. Ballard and Sara Kelly Johns.
"The feelings and impressions that members of our school community have when they think of our library, and their memories of interactions they’ve had with us—positive or negative—are our school library’s brand. We need to provide quality products and services, not just say we do. The goal is not so much to transform the school library’s image as it is to build credibility through ongoing improvement and exemplary brand behavior."
Our school library needs to provide quality products and services, not just say we do. The goal is to build credibility through ongoing brand improvement.
05/17/2024
In our On My Mind section, librarian and leadership coach Brandy Sanchez shares tips for applying trauma-informed supervision in libraries.
"This is when leaders nurture a healthy workplace culture and connect staffers with needed support and resources after a distressing incident with patrons or coworkers. This type of supervision is a significant protective factor in preventing an upsetting interaction from turning into a traumatic event."
Trauma-informed supervision can nurture healthy workplace culture and connect library staff with needed support after a distressing incident.
05/16/2024
Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the US. For our latest Bookend, we spoke with Drew Evans, a retired law librarian turned pickleball influencer. He posts reviews of training camps, equipment, books, and more as the Pickleball Librarian.
When Drew Evans observed a lack of reliable information about pickleball, he saw an opportunity to become the Pickleball Librarian.
05/15/2024
"With the recent targeting of education, it’s critically important for librarians and libraries to amplify the voices of those most likely to be censored."
In Academic Insights, Harrison W. Inefuku from Iowa State University Library writes about using academic library expertise and resources to support marginalized authors.
What's after the diversity audit? Harrison W. Inefuku offers three more ways academic librarians can support authors who hold marginalized identities.
05/14/2024
Author Maia Kobabe and Sarah Peitzmeier, a social epidemiologist working in LGBTQ+ health, discuss collaborating on a new illustrated guide that presents chest-binding research, and the importance of making evidence-based information about trans healthcare widely available.
Maia Kobabe and Sarah Peitzmeier talk with American Libraries about their new book, Breathe: Journeys to Healthy Binding.
05/13/2024
"Libraries are for everyone, even people who are nothing like us. It is our professional responsibility to ensure that our readers can see themselves in our collections."
In ALA President Emily Drabinski's latest column, she discusses how our collective belief in the power of libraries ties us together.
Libraries are for everyone. It is our professional responsibility to ensure that our readers can see themselves in our collections.
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Ever wonder how American Libraries gets printed and delivered to your door? Our staffers wanted to better understand the process, so we visited LSC Communications, the oldest short-run magazine printing facility in the US. We saw our September/October issue come off the line and resisted all urges to shout "stop the presses!"
Wroclaw's National Lower Silesian Dance & Song Group performs a traditional Polish dance at IFLA's Cultural Evening during the World Library and Information Congress #wlic2017
Excitement builds for Hillary Clinton at #alaac17.
Belgian artist Jeremie Royer, who illustrated the new graphic novel "Audubon, On the Wings of the World," signs and illustrates books at #alaac17.
Participants in the Atlanta March for Social Justice and Women, Saturday, January 21. (Filmed by American Libraries Magazine Associate Editor Phil Morehart.) #alamw17
Rep. John Lewis speaks at the Atlanta March for Social Justice and Women, Saturday, January 21. (Filmed by American Libraries Magazine Associate Editor Phil Morehart.) #alamw17
International Read an eBook Day
Today is International Read an eBook Day. ALA President Sari Feldman is reading "Adeline" by Norah Vincent. What are you reading?
American Libraries, the voice of the profession and the flagship magazine of the American Library Association, is published 6 times yearly, with occasional digital supplements, by the American Library Association. ISSN 0002-9769. Printed in the USA. Subscription price is included in ALA dues. The magazine is sent to some 65,000 individuals and organizations worldwide. ALA members receive American Libraries as a perquisite of membership.
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