By Kara Yorio

The Department of Education lost nearly 2,000 workers in the latest—and largest—move toward the administration's goal of eliminating the federal agency that collects data on student performance, ensures funding for low-income schools, and protects students' civil rights.

Many of the more than 80 executive orders issued by President Trump since Inauguration Day affect K-12 education, schools, and students as the Department of Education faces cuts from Elon Musk's DOGE group and a declaration for the department's "final mission" from new secretary of education Linda McMahon.

As the American education system continues to work toward recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, experts say it’s vital to properly frame what happened and understand the multifaceted reasons behind the continued struggles.

While winning the Newbery, Caldecott, and Printz awards often leads to a bump in sales and a spot on school library shelves, censorship legislation, librarians afraid of challenges, and the growing anti-diversity movement could change that this year.

Thanks to a remarkable effort by a public library, 20 New York teens had an unforgettable trip visiting monuments and museums and learning and connecting with history. 

Connecting the library to pop culture with shareable social media images brings the library to a broader audience and puts it in the forefront of people's minds, says Richmond Public Library's Jennifer Deuell. 

The News Literacy Project offers resources and advice to educators teaching news literacy at a time when the rhetoric around news and contentious issues has been ratcheted up to a new level.

There were tears and standing ovations as librarians, including Martha Hickson and Amanda Jones, watched their stories of fighting against censorship chronicled in the new film.

There are varied paths to the profession. Find out how these librarians found their way to the library.