Over the past 150 years, librarianship has consistently evolved to continue meeting user needs. Review some of the most important moments that redefined librarianship in our May feature. #ALA150 https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/05/01/55-moments-that-redefined-librarianship/

In "A Seat at the Table," eight trailblazing ALA leaders share their stories and reveal how diversity fuels and transforms the power of libraries everywhere. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/05/01/a-seat-at-the-table/

ALA Senior Endowment Trustee Brett Bonfield explains the Association's approach to ESG investing. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/05/11/principled-investments/

"Posters of Progress" reviews ALA history through library poster art--with a special look at celebrity READ posters from Mickey Mouse to Dolly Parton. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/05/01/posters-of-progress/

The core of ALA's headquarters is a library focused on the needs of ALA staff and members. Discover it in our May Bookend feature: https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/05/01/bookend-a-library-for-librarians/

"Members have been driving ALA’s progress since our founding in Philadelphia in 1876." Read ALA Executive Director Dan Montgomery's May column. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/05/01/rebirth-and-reaffirmation/

Our annual Library Systems Briefing by @mbreeding.bsky.social reviews the biggest developments from the past year in the library technology industry. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/05/05/2026-library-systems-briefing/

8 ALA trailblazers reflect on their struggles, triumphs, breakdowns, and breakthroughs in "A Seat at the Table." https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/05/01/a-seat-at-the-table/

ALA President @samhelmick.bsky.social reflects on the Association's first 150 years, and looks forward to the next. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/05/01/ala-at-150/

In honor of #ALA150, our May feature reviews 55 moments that redefined librarianship. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/05/01/55-moments-that-redefined-librarianship/

Our May issue, commemorating ALA's 150th anniversary, is now live— with a look at moments that changed librarianship, barrier-busting library leaders, and more than a century of library poster art. Read the full issue at bit.ly/AL-May26issue or by article at bit.ly/AL-May26stor....

On April 24, ALA workers began voting to form the ALA Workers United union, which will be certified if a majority of the 101 eligible staff members vote in favor. Votes will be counted May 27. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/04/29/ala-workers-move-to-unionize/

Read guidance from expert Elyse H. Fox on value—and limits—of legal reference. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/03/02/the-rules-of-law/

The Zion National Park herbarium holds 3100 preserved plants. Learn more statistics about libraries and National Parks in our By the Numbers column. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/03/02/by-the-numbers-national-parks/

Learn how public library directors prepared for the prospect of ICE activity in and near their libaries: https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/03/26/encountering-ice/

Happy National Library Week! Read our interview with NLW chair (and Reading Rainbow Host) @mychal3ts.bsky.social. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/03/02/newsmaker-mychal-threets/

In a growing number of airports, stressed-out or delayed travelers can turn to books and dedicated reading spaces provided by the local public library. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/03/02/airport-libraries-take-off/

If you're looking for fundraising help, our Librarian's Library column features books that can help guide libraries through the process. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/03/02/finding-funds/

Small website accessibility improvements can have a big impact. Learn tips in our March/April feature. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/03/02/getting-started-with-web-accessibility/

Libraries are outstanding partners and collaborators that support local businesses and entrepreneurship. Read more from ALA President @samhelmick.bsky.social. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/03/02/good-for-business/

In his new column, ALA Executive Director Dan Montgomery hails the value of advocacy and how it can bring about the change we want to see in our world. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/03/02/advocacy-unites-us/

In "5 Library Wins Worth Celebrating," we highlight recent examples of good news where voters, courts, and candidates affirm the value of libraries. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/03/02/5-library-wins-worth-celebrating/

Employees ask American Library Association to recognize their union

Public library directors discuss how they prepared for the possibility of ICE in their library in a PLA webinar: https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/03/26/encountering-ice/. (The speakers will also be presenting at #PLA2026!)

Members have until April 1 to vote in ALA elections. Read statements from presidential candidates Tamika Barnes and Becky Calzada in our March/April issue. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/magazine/issues/march-april-2026/

Librarians who provide legal reference must be wary of crossing the line to unauthorized practice of law. Law librarian Elyse Fox shares guidance for the services and referrals librarians can provide to help bridge the justice gap. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/03/02/the-rules-of-law/

Airport libraries provide welcome services to harried travelers while marketing the libraries that operate them. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/03/02/airport-libraries-take-off/

Are you ready for new website accessibility requirements for public entities that start to take effect in April? Learn small steps that can make big accessibility improvements. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/03/02/getting-started-with-web-accessibility/

Fundraising is a perennial concern for libraries. In the March/April Librarian's Library column, Allison Escoto reviews books that can help guide libraries through the process. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/03/02/finding-funds/

Did you know: The Open Parts Network has digitized more than 1.5 million pages from parks and other historical sites. Learn more statistics about libraries and national parks in our By the Numbers feature. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/03/02/by-the-numbers-national-parks/

Voting in the ALA election starts today! Read the statements from presidential candidates Tamika Barnes and Becky Calzada in our new issue. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/magazine/issues/march-april-2026/

"Our work is inseparable from our advocacy, and it is our professional responsibility to make advocacy a regular and powerful part of our daily lives." Read ALA Executive Director Dan Montgomery's new column. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/03/02/advocacy-unites-us/

Bad-news fatigue is real for library workers and advocates, but there are also examples of voters, courts, and candidates across the country affirming the profession. Read "5 Library Wins Worth Celebrating." https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/03/02/5-library-wins-worth-celebrating/

ALA President @samhelmick.bsky.social's new column explores how libraries help to build local businesses. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/03/02/good-for-business/

Need some library joy? Read our interview with Reading Rainbow host and National Library Week honorary chair @mychal3ts.bsky.social. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/03/02/newsmaker-mychal-threets/

In an open letter released today, ALA employees announced the formation of a union with @afscme31.bsky.social. If certified, the union will represent more than 100 ALA workers. https://afscme31.org/news/american-library-association-employees-forming-union-afscme

Our March/April issue is live on our website—featuring Newsmaker Mychal Threets, recent library wins, airport libraries, and tips for congressional advocacy. Read the full issue at bit.ly/AL-MA26issue or by article at bit.ly/AL-MA26stories.

Our annual Library Design Showcase celebrates new and newly renovated libraries of all types and sizes. We're accepting submissions for the 2026 showcase through May 1. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/submissions-open-for-library-design-showcase-2/

In "Racing the Clock," libraries share the fun and excitement of hosting speed puzzling competition programs. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/racing-the-clock/

The 2026 Carnegie Medals honored @meghamaj.bsky.social and Yiyun Li for excellence in fiction and nonfiction. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/here-are-the-winners-of-the-2026-andrew-carnegie-medals/

ICYMI: ALA Executive Director Dan Montgomery's column outlines the ALA Forward initiative to ensure ALA's financial stability, foster membership growth, and bolster advocacy. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/reinvigorating-ala/

Every year, @ala-united.bsky.social brings together trustees, foundation and Friends members, and those who work with them for a virtual conference to discuss the library advocacy landscape. Read our report at https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/unlocking-possibilities/

ICYMI: The Youth Media Awards recognize the best in children's and young adult literature. See all of this year's winners. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/2026-youth-media-award-winners/

"When we tell our stories, we remind the world that libraries are not just buildings or budgets. They are living testaments to human curiosity and care." Read more from ALA President @samhelmick.bsky.social. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/your-library-story/

Did you know: In 1997, the Library of Congress discovered 10 plays, mostly unpublished, by Zora Neale Hurston. Find more statistics about Black History collections and literature in this month's By the Numbers column. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/by-the-numbers-black-history/

"If you’re trying to control people through fear and ignorance, then yes, books are the enemy. That’s why authoritarian regimes burn them." Read more from Brian Selznick in our Newsmaker interview. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/newsmaker-brian-selznick/

Read our recap of a Choice panel on how executive orders have threatened diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and how those changes are affecting academic librarians and information scholars. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/moving-beyond-the-acronym/

"ALA has engaged in programmatic and internal operational studies, known collectively as ALA Forward," to address ALA's financial situation, reports ALA Treasurer Larry Neal in his new column. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/bold-changes/

In this issue's Librarian's Library column, Reanna Esmail reviews four books examining #artificialintelligence in the library world. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/considering-ai/

Broadband funding, Baker & Taylor, intellectual freedom, and federal issues were some of the most important library stories of 2025. Read our recap of the biggest library news. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/2025-year-in-review/