Core Forum is the annual conference for ALA’s newest division, Core: Leadership, Infrastructures, Futures. It features pre-conference workshops, tours, thought-provoking presentations, keynote speakers, poster presentations, and social events.
The American Library Association has released preliminary data documenting attempts to censor books and materials in public, school, and academic libraries during the first eight months of 2024.
Get yourself and your community ready to participate in the 2024 elections with our #ReaderVoterReady toolkits, registration tools, shareables, and more!
Starting on September 1, 2024, ALA will implement a new simplified structure for personal memberships. Learn more about the changes.
Membership and Marketing Specialist, ALSC/YALSA
Editorial Assistant, Booklist Publications
Executive Director, Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL)
The ALA Mission
The mission of the American Library Association is to provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.
Get Involved
ALA is the largest membership association in the library industry. It's a community of people working together to ensure that libraries remain vital centers of literacy, access, and opportunity.
By giving to ALA, you are helping us improve library and information services and the profession of librarianship to ensure access to information for all.
Fight Censorship: Take Action Against Book Bans
Book Résumés help librarians, parents, and community members defend books from censorship. They detail each title’s significance and educational value and are easy to share with administrators, review committees, and elected officials.
Every year, ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) compiles a list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books in order to inform the public about censorship in libraries and schools.
Your front line reports help ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom to stay on top of trends and supply library workers with resources to combat censorship. You can also help get the word out and encourage reporting of book censorship.
Resource Quick Links
Books we recommend
The Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction
Booklist Editors' Choice: Adult Books
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Programming Resources
The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office empowers libraries to create vibrant hubs of learning and connection in communities of all types.
Learn more about the ALA Public Programs Office
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ALA's Programming Librarian website is a place for library professionals to share, learn, and be inspired to present excellent programming for their communities.
More Resources for Librarians
News and Press Center
For more than 140 years, the American Library Association has been the trusted voice for all libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all.
Contact the ALA Communications, Marketing, and Media Relations team to learn more about ALA positions and actions and get comprehensive insights into key issues facing libraries nationwide.
News and Press Resources
ALA Connect
Discussion boards and shared libraries provide collaboration tools connecting more than 50,000 library professionals with a wide variety of interests and specialization is the place to share ideas and make new connections with library workers across the globe.
Complete your profile and grow your online professional network at ALA Connect!
News Around ALA
See all ALA News at the ALA News and Press Center
Freedom to Read Community Day of Action Rallies Support for America’s Libraries…
ALSC, ALA unveil 'Inspiring Future Voters' booklist for young readers
Saeed Jones announced as ACRL 2025 closing keynote speaker
Awards, Grants, and Scholarships
ALA Awards
From captivating storytelling to groundbreaking research, the ALA Awards program showcases the best in literature and media.
Visit the Book and Media Awards home page
ALA Professional Recognition Awards honor individuals and institutions that have made significant contributions to the advancement of library science and services.
ALA Grants
ALA Grants invest in the future of libraries and librarianship through the funding of programming, research, and professional development. Grants may be offered to support the planning and implementation of programs, to promote research in library and information sciences, to assist with conference and travel fees, and more.
Quick Links
ALA Scholarships
The American Library Association and its units provide more than $300,000 annually for study in a master's degree in library and information studies from an ALA-accredited program, or for a master's degree with a specialty in school librarianship that meets the ALA curriculum guidelines for a CAEP-accredited unit.
The scholarship process is open annually from September 1st - March 1st.
ALA Scholarships Links
Shop ALA
Invite readers to embark on a literary adventure with everyone's favorite Beagle Scout, Snoopy, in this playful poster. Camp Snoopy is a perfect theme for summer reading—and beyond.
Packed with inspiration for showstopping library programs for all audiences, this sourcebook will help librarians engage patrons while saving their budget lines.
Elevate your advocacy with our eye-catching PLA 2024 Special Edition Tote Bags! Share your support for intellectual freedom with this striking design.
Bibliotherapy can be defined as the use of guided reading for therapeutic ends. And though you might not be a licensed mental health professional, you can support mental health and personal growth by connecting patrons to books that heal.