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The Week in Libraries: March 15, 2024
Among the week's headlines: ALA reports that book bans are still surging; the end has come for ALA's LibLearnX; a shocking escalation in a battle over the freedom to read at an Alabama library; and a handy roundup of state legislation designed to protect libraries.
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ALA Reports Record Spike in Book Titles Challenged in 2023
In a release, ALA officials said that 4,240 unique book titles were reported challenged in schools and libraries in 2023, a stunning 65% increase over 2022, when 2,571 unique titles were targeted for censorship.
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ALA to Cease LibLearnX in 2026
After three challenging years, ALA officials said the 2025 event in Phoenix will be the last winter show produced by the association.
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The Week in Libraries: March 8, 2024
Among the week's headlines: librarians head to Washington D.C. to push for library funding; a Llano County librarian is suing for wrongful termination after being fired for refusing to ban books; and EveryLibrary issues a paper exploring the political threats facing academic libraries.
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The Week in Libraries: March 1, 2024
Among the week's headlines: Georgia moves a step closer to banning the ALA; a library e-book bill is back in Connecticut; and librarian TikTok star Mychal Threets, who went viral for sharing 'library joy,' has left his job.
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Freedom to Read Advocates Blast Alabama Library's Ban on LGBTQ Book Purchases
The criticism comes after the Autauga-Prattville Public Library’s newly appointed board enacted a new policy suspending the purchase of children’s or young adult books that include "sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender discordance," a move the National Coalition Against Censorship called "discriminatory and unconstitutional."
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The American Library Association Releases 'Book Résumés' for Banned Books
The ALA’s Unite Against Book Bans initiative has unveiled a new free resource this week: a collection of "book résumés," documents created in collaboration with dozens of publishers that summarize a banned book’s significance and educational value for use in local advocacy work.
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The Week in Libraries: February 16, 2024
Maryland lawmakers seek to protect libraries, Florida governor Ron DeSantis appears to acknowledge that book banning efforts have gone too far, and more.
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The Week in Libraries: February 9, 2024
Among the week's headlines: The American Library Association announces five new "Core Values" for librarianship; a candidate for Missouri secretary of state campaigns by burning library books with a flamethrower; and OCLC is suing a shadow archive site.
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The Week in Libraries: February 2, 2024
Among the week's headlines: PLA 2024 is next on the library conference calendar; Alabama takes aim at ALA; and Georgia proposes a book rating law.
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After Nearly Four Years, Manhattan's Poets House Reopens
Following the pandemic, a community schism, and a burst water supply line, the nonprofit poetry library has undergone serious renovation and reorganization, staffing up and once again opening its doors to the public.
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The Week in Libraries: January 26, 2024
Among the week's headlines: LibLearnX 2024 is in the books; Oklahoma appoints a conservative media provocateur to a key post; and new bills emerge to defend libraries and the freedom to read.
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Librarians Gather for ALA's Second In-Person LibLearnX
Despite modest attendance, LibLearnX 2024 once again offered an engaging program, including compelling talks from Kate DiCamillo, Michele Norris, and Jesus Trejo, among others, and a professional program exploring a range of such hot topics as the freedom to read, sustainability, and AI.
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The Week in Libraries: January 19, 2024
Among the week’s headlines: ALA’s LibLearnX 2024 gets underway; students and librarians at an Idaho high school push back against book bans; and an Alabama legislator wants to make it easy for politicians to fire library board members.
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The Week in Libraries: January 12, 2024
Among this week's headlines: EveryLibrary updates its “legislation to watch” tracker for 2024; Indiana lawmakers take aim at how libraries are funded in the state; and the Los Angeles Public Library gets into publishing.
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OverDrive: Record Number of Libraries Hit One Million Digital Lends in 2023
Another year, another record: OverDrive reps reported this week that 152 libraries around the world reached million-checkout milestone last year, including 23 first-timers.
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The Week in Libraries: January 5, 2024
Among the week's headlines: the ALA's I Love My Librarian Award winners will be honored at LibLearnX in Baltimore; Nichelle Hayes steps down in Indianapolis; and how one Colorado librarian (and her lawyer) have upped the stakes for would-be book banners.
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OverDrive Reports Another Record Year for Digital Library Circulation
Library users worldwide borrowed some 662 million e-books, digital audiobooks, and digital magazines, OverDrive reps announced in a release this week, with 152 library systems reporting more than a million digital checkouts in 2023.
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Hoover, Yarros Top OverDrive’s List of Most Borrowed E-books for 2023
OverDrive reps said 2023 was another banner year for library e-books, with North American public libraries seeing a 55% increase in digital checkouts in 2023.
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Turning Kids into Readers Requires More than Access to Books
In her farewell as a PW columnist, Sari Feldman reflects on the importance of reading instruction, inspired by her new full-time gig: grandmother.
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