Public Libraries

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. 

Courts are dominating library censorship news with a federal judge temporarily blocking the Iowa book ban law, a Colorado district defying court orders to return books to shelves, and two lawsuits filed against a Minnesota school district.

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.

Rochester (MN) Pride cited unspecified safety concerns for canceling the visit by The Rainbow Parade author Emily Neilson; federal judge says lawsuit over removal of school library books in Florida can continue; districts in South Carolina and Texas keep The Hunger Games and Bathe the Cat on the shelves, respectively, while a Pennsylvania high school removes three LGBTQIA+ graphic novels.

With expertise, empathy, and innovation, librarians have supported students and patrons through COVID-19.

Libraries use data about summer programs to make them better every year, and their methods have been improving.

SLJ asked librarians, authors, and illustrators to reflect on their pandemic experience: the impact on them, their students, and readers; the innovations that stuck; the memories that linger; and the lessons we learned.

Bank Street College of Education has revealed the 2025 Margaret Wise Brown Board Book Award honorees, along with the Best Board Books of the Year.

Tabletop role-playing games can be popular programming for all ages in school and public libraries.