Did you know: In 1997, the Library of Congress discovered 10 plays, mostly unpublished, by Zora Neale Hurston.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/

Coming today, Feb. 3, at 2 p.m. Eastern: Join the FREE AL Live webinar, “Pathways and Specialties: Choosing the right LIS program." Register: bit.ly/4pFB13R. Sponsored by Old Dominion University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and University of Washington.

Did you know: Morehouse College's Martin Luther King Jr. Collection contains more than 13,000 items, including early drafts of the "I Have a Dream" speech. Learn more in this issue's "By the Numbers" column: https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/by-the-numbers-black-history/

"Much like libraries safeguard written knowledge, we safeguard the living traditions of oral storytelling." Discover the Storytelling Research Place at https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/12/12/bookend-once-upon-a-time/

Join us for the next AL Live webinar, “Pathways and Specialties: Choosing the right LIS program" February 3 at 2 p.m. Eastern. Register FREE at bit.ly/4pFB13R. Sponsored by Old Dominion University, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and University of Washington.

Small steps can help make significant improvements to website accessibility. Learn more: https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/12/17/preparing-for-new-web-accessibility-requirements/

Learn how a librarian at Northport-East Northport Public Library collected and displayed more than 1,200 library cards from around the world. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/24/bookend-up-her-sleeve/

American Libraries is seeking submissions for our 2026 Library Design Showcase. Share your fabulous new or newly renovated library facility! https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/submissions-open-for-library-design-showcase-2/

ALA Treasurer Larry Neal's column provides an update on efforts to address ALA's financial situation. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/bold-changes/

💻 Join ALA for the Recharging in Challenging Times Virtual Event! 💬 One day, 9 education sessions across 3 tracks, 2 keynote speakers, and facilitator-led conversations—all built around the priorities you helped us identify. Register today! https://www.ala.org/virtual-event #ALAVirtual26

Join us for the next AL Live webinar, “Pathways and Specialties: Choosing the right LIS program" February 3 at 2 p.m. Eastern. Register FREE at bit.ly/4pFB13R. Sponsored by Old Dominion University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and University of Washington.

As #artificialintelligence has made its way into library work, these four recent publications offer important criticisms, background information, and critical strategies for librarians to address this growing technology. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/considering-ai/

Caldecott-Medal-winning author/illustrator Brian Selznick spoke with @howilibrary.bsky.social about finding revelatory love, building on cultural history, and why books scare those in power. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/newsmaker-brian-selznick/

"The Freedom Walk explores the ideas behind our freedom to read and the critical role students and the public can play in protecting that freedom. Instead of celebrating what we can’t read, we celebrate our right to read." https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/walk-with-a-purpose-2/

In "Moving Beyond the Acronym," a panel of experts explore how executive orders are threatening diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at colleges and universities, and how those issues are affecting librarians. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/moving-beyond-the-acronym/

Learn how libraries are piecing together a fun new program: speed puzzling competitions. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/racing-the-clock/

2026 is ALA's 150th anniversary, a milestone that invites us to advocate fiercely and invest in the infrastructure that makes libraries a foundation of thriving communities. Celebrate all year at ALA150.org. #ForOurLibraries https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5L_7MB8G3c

"My primary goal is achieving the vision outlined in the ALA Forward initiative: ensuring ALA’s financial stability, fostering membership trust and growth, and bolstering advocacy." Read the new Executive Director's column. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/reinvigorating-ala/

The @ala-united.bsky.social virtual conference focused on fiscal, logistical, institutional, and existential challenges to libraries and the role library supporters can play to address them. Read our report at https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/unlocking-possibilities/

Your story matters. ALA President @samhelmick.bsky.social demonstrates how sharing your work and your achievements is a critical act of library advocacy. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/your-library-story/

Read our recap of the news that shaped a tumultuous year for libraries and library workers. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2026/01/02/2025-year-in-review/

Our January/February issue is live on our website—featuring the top library stories of 2025, Newsmaker Brian Selznick, speed puzzling programs, and storytelling for advocacy. Read the full issue at https://bit.ly/AL-JF26issue or by article at https://bit.ly/AL-JF26stories.

Learn how professional development can fit into a well-being program—while reducing costs and increasing productivity. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/professional-development-is-a-wellness-program/

Our Librarian's Library column reviews books that offer ideas for innovative, meaningful library programming. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/ready-for-a-refresh/

Interested in improving the accessibility of videogame events? Learn Deerfield Public Library's approach in "Adaptive Arcade." https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/adaptive-arcade/

"Of course, any kind of book category is going to be good for me." Purdue University archivist and Jeopardy! super champion Adriana Harmeyer speaks with American Libraries about her time on the show. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/qa-with-adriana-harmeyer/

Our Holiday Gift Guide has creative ideas for any book lover, from candles to computer games to clocks. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/16/2025-holiday-gift-guide-for-librarians-and-book-lovers/

In a new online column, ALA's Senior Endowment Trustee Brett Bonfield introduces himself and gives an overview of ALA's endowment, which provides ongoing support to the Association. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/10/17/an-introduction-to-the-endowment/

Chef Sean Sherman's new cookbook: Turtle Island: Foods and Traditions of the Indigenous Peoples of North America, takes a region-by-region approach to Native ingredients, history, and cooking. Read our interview with him: https://bit.ly/3LgoIN7

"In libraries, we listen closely for the signals that tell us about our health and direction. In our profession, those signals often come from our chapters." ALA President @samhelmick.bsky.social highlights the role of chapters. https://bit.ly/4nDE8Z0

Ticket to Ride, Madden NFL, Uno, and other inductees of the 2025 Platinum Play Classics Hall of Fame are proven winners for library programming. Read about more options that have stood the test of time: https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/2025-platy-hall-of-fame-inductees/

Sports fans! We've got stats about libraries and football, baseball, auto racing, and more in our By the Numbers column. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/by-the-numbers-sports/

Cyberattacks can be particularly devastating for public institutions like libraries. Learn from libraries that have faced attacks about how to effectively recover. https://bit.ly/49eFshw

It's a toy and game extravaganza! Read about the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play at the Strong National Museum of Play, and its more than 46,000 toy-manufacturer catalogs, in "Playing Along." https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/bookend-playing-along/

New ALA Executive Director introduces himself in his inaugural American Libraries column. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/ready-to-go/

Can your patrons develop their own role-playing games? Yes! And game jams can be tied into many library functions, such as publishing, archiving, and cataloging. Learn more in "Jam Forever," https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/jam-forever/

You can win free registration to ALA's 2026 Annual Conference in the #ForOurLibraries Fundraising Challenge Learn more at https://bit.ly/4lezrDW

Searching for gifts for the book lovers in your life? Our annual Holiday Gift Guide has everything from apparel to tech to kitchen accessories at all price points. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/16/2025-holiday-gift-guide-for-librarians-and-book-lovers/

The National Coalition Against Censorship's first-ever Teen Advocacy Institute this summer trained young people to advocate for their freedom to read. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/10/09/the-next-generation-of-activists/

Looking for out-of-the box ideas to find new, meaningful ways to serve patrons? Rachel Rosenberg reviews several books that provide innovative programming ideas. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/ready-for-a-refresh/

ALA celebrates today's ruling in federal court in RI permanently blocking the Administration's actions to dismantle IMLS. ALA Pres. Sam Helmick: "This victory belongs to all of us, and we build the future of our libraries together." Read our full statement & take action: www.ala.org/news/2025/11...

Learn how libraries have recovered from cyberattacks in "Road to Recovery." https://bit.ly/49eFshw

Did you know: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway archive holds about 5 million images dating back to 1909. Read more stats celebrating collections dedicated to sports in our By the Numbers column. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/by-the-numbers-sports/

Read about a Star Wars pop-up library, how Chilean librarians discovered texts hidden during a military coup, and more library news from around the world in our Global Reach column. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/10/16/global-reach-these-are-the-books-youre-looking-for/

"There’s a reason we see so many librarians and archivists on the show. I think we all just have a love of knowledge and learning, ." Jeopardy super champion Adriana Harmeyer shares her experience on the show. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2025/11/03/qa-with-adriana-harmeyer/