Public Libraries

Kiese Laymon, award-winning author and MacArthur Fellow, is out with a new picture book. City Summer, Country Summer celebrates the deep bonds of friendship forged among three Black boys on a summer journey to visit their grandmothers in Mississippi.  

From the loss of Hoopla, databases, and Wi-Fi hotspots to the closing of rural branches, librarians document the devastating effect of the end of IMLS funding.

Several states received notice that their IMLS grants were terminated; the Department of Education demands states sign a certified letter declaring their public schools do not have any programs that could be considered to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion or it will withhold funding. 

The elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services would be a devastating blow to public and school library services across the country. ALA and EveryLibrary call on Congress and the American people to fight for the funding.

With the expected attempts to enact the plans defined in Project 2025, librarians must act strategically within their schools, communities, and local and state legislation to ensure the future of libraries. Experts share tactics and advice for the upcoming fight.

As assessment and recovery efforts continue, Tennessee Association of School Librarians president Dustin Hensley is stepping up to assist in the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Here are some ways to help.

The average book prices are produced annually by SLJ in partnership with Follett and Baker & Taylor.

Parents in Pickens County, SC, along with the NAACP, are suing the district and charging that the removal of Stamped is a violation of their children's First Amendment rights; a Nebraska high school librarian resigns in protest over a new book policy; book banners threaten publishers and public library funding; and more.

The Missouri House approves state budget that strips public libraries of funding, students protest in Oregon, a 100-year-old woman speaks out against censorship in Florida, a Utah parent challenges the Bible, and more in this week's censorship news.