Articles

Catch up on the latest in library programming news.

Q&A: 3 Expert Librarians Share Their Summer Reading Décor Secrets

We asked three librarians with decades of combined experience planning large-scale summer reading décor to share their advice and go-to materials.

Reader Voter Ready: Support Voter Engagement Through These Program Ideas

Libraries are nonpartisan, but they are not indifferent. Libraries play an important role in ensuring voters are prepared to participate in local, state and national elections. Check out these program ideas to support voter engagement at your library.

Aging Together: What Libraries Are Learning About Serving Older Adults

Whether working in large urban systems or small-town libraries, four library workers emphasize that older adults are not a niche audience. They are a vital part of the library community.

Apply Now: 2026-27 Cohort of the Yiddish Book Center's Public Libraries Program

Apply to join a cohort of public library workers to explore how Yiddish literature can provide a springboard for powerful cultural conversations.

Aug 14, 2020

Virtual Events from Your State Humanities Council

You may be surprised at the range of virtual programs from your state humanities council.

Aug 13, 2020

Welcome to School, I'm Your Zoom-brarian

As school librarians start a new year, one thing is certain: it will be a start unlike any other.

Aug 12, 2020

Wear the Dang Mask: Lessons from a Library that Re-opened Too Soon

Maybe your library can't require patrons to wear masks, but you can set an example through programming.

Aug 4, 2020

Small Gestures Matter: Tennessee Library Helps Community Recover from Loss

Residents of a small Tennessee town dug up a 50-year-old time capsule to find it destroyed. The library stepped in to help.

Jul 30, 2020

Women's Suffrage Month Resource Round-up

We compiled a list of resources to help librarians commemorate the first official Women's Suffrage Month.

Jul 28, 2020

ALA President Launches Virtual Tour of U.S. Libraries

The 12-stop virtual tour will spotlight how libraries are addressing the needs of their diverse communities.

Jul 20, 2020

We Are the Alexandria Library Sit-In

In 1939, five Black men applied for library cards at a whites-only library. Then they sat in protest.

Jul 16, 2020

National History Day and Teacher/Librarian Collaboration

National History Day is a nonprofit education organization whose programs engage students in conducting original research.

Jul 9, 2020

Presenting Virtual Library Programming in Uncertain Times

Hannah Schmidl reflects on her experience of quickly pivoting from in-person to virtual programming and how this new skillset will stick around.

Jul 6, 2020

Apply Now: Community Connect

ALA and Capital One invite rural libraries to apply for Community Connect: Digital Access at Home grants.

Jul 1, 2020

Apply Now: Resilient Communities

Be part of a new pilot program to help public and academic libraries address the climate change crisis.

Jun 24, 2020

Grab-and-Go Bags from Magical Lands

Meservey Public Library staff created take-home activity bags based on famous literary lands.