The Latest Breaking News from American Library Association

How libraries in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and other Pennsylvania communities evolved from subscription clubs to vital public institutions

As a librarian who researches and writes about library history in Pennsylvania, I was delighted to see the American Library Association’s efforts to celebrate its 150th anniversary this year, while making several mentions of Pennsylvania.

The Conversation · Sep 15

Banned! The 20 books they didn’t want you to read

From Instagram poetry to Greek classics, the works of fiction that have caused uproar through history – and into the present

The Guardian - UK · Aug 23, 2025

American Library Association report says book challenges soared in 2023

Overall, the number of individual titles challenged in both school and public libraries spiked by 65% — the highest level ever recorded by the ALA.

WEKU · Mar 14, 2024

Record high reported in Book ban efforts, says ALA

According to data released by the American Library Association on March 23, 2023, requests for books to be removed from US shelves and the wave of attempted book banning touched a record-high in 2022, with the majority of titles "targeted for censorship" related to LGBTQ issues and minorities.

The Times of India · Mar 24, 2023

A Pa. library posted a children's drag queen book on Facebook. Then the calls and threats came

PITTSBURGH — The Moon Township librarians rushed around the normally quiet library one December day locking the doors hours before closing. The phones relentlessly rang off the hook as callers on the other end threatened violence and called the librarians groomers and pedophiles. Eventually, the phones were disconnected.

Tribune News Service · Mar 9, 2023

Facing pressure to ban books, suburban libraries ‘becoming a battlefield for the First Amendment’

“Most people still think of libraries as a place with books, you can hang out, it’s quiet,” Lincolnwood’s library director says. “That’s not what libraries are anymore.”

Chicago Sun-Times · Jan 28, 2023

Why US libraries are on the frontlines of the homelessness crisis

Homeless people are relying on public libraries as a safe haven to stay warm and avoid harassment from law enforcement, advocates say

The Guardian - US · Jan 24, 2023

Author Susan Kuklin: These teens wanted to let other kids know 'they are not alone'

When Beyond Magenta hit shelves in 2014, little had been written or said publicly about transgender and nonbinary teens. The book received positive reviews. By 2015, it was being challenged.

WEKU · Dec 21, 2022

Missouri gets 10,000 public comments on new library rule labeled ‘political censorship’

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Amid mounting opposition, Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s office has received more than 10,000 public comments on its proposed rule that would threaten public libraries’ state funding for making “age-inappropriate materials” available to minors.

Tribune News Service · Dec 16, 2022

Silent censorship of books is an attack on knowledge and open discourse

A book is on a library shelf one day, then it’s gone. Any librarian or educator who stands up against those efforts runs the risk of being threatened.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 25, 2022