It's National Library Week!
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"Connect with Your Library" is the theme for National Library Week 2022 (April 3-9), and actress, comedian, and legendary Saturday Night Live cast member, Molly Shannon, is this year’s honorary chair. How is your library celebrating?
In addition to National Library Week products available at the ALA Store, free tools are available to celebrate, including a proclamation, sample press release, audio PSAs, a customizable Canva template, and mini-posters and digital graphics featuring Honorary Chair Molly Shannon. Most tools are available in English and Spanish. Visit the National Library Week web page for details.
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Today, ALA launched Unite Against Book Bans, a national initiative to empower readers everywhere to stand together in the fight against censorship.
Recent polling confirms that large majorities of voters and parents oppose book bans in public and school libraries, and they have overwhelmingly favorable opinions of public and school libraries. We must join with others and raise our voices together to convey these messages.
As National Library Week kicks off with the release of the State of America’s Libraries Report, including the Top 10 Banned Books, the sense of urgency is clear. This campaign will engage with other state, local, and national efforts to build a strong and vibrant network of individuals and organizations working together to fight censorship.
Please join us by visiting Unite Against Book Bans and:
• signing up for the campaign.
• spreading the word to your networks.
• following the campaign on social media: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Together, we are a strong force for the value of libraries and the freedom to read.
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The State of America's Libraries
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In 2021, libraries of all types stepped up to meet the needs of their communities as they responded to the impacts of a second year of the global pandemic. Library staff in every state faced an unprecedented number of attempts to ban books. ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 729 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in 2021, resulting in more than 1,597 individual book challenges or removals. Most targeted books were by or about Black or LGBTQIA+ persons.
Read more about the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2021 and libraries' response to the pandemic in the State of America's Libraries Special Report: Pandemic Year Two.
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Majority of Voters Support the Freedom to Read
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Amid the recent upswing in efforts to ban books across the United States, a new national poll commissioned by the American Library Association shows that seven in 10 voters oppose efforts to remove books from public libraries, including majorities of voters across party lines. According to the poll, large majorities of voters (71%) oppose efforts to have books removed from their local public libraries, including majorities of Democrats (75%), independents (58%), and Republicans (70%).
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Toward an Equitable Digital Future
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Library workers have been working to address the complex issue of the digital divide and advance digital equity for more than two decades. Now, armed with new tools, funding, partnerships, data, and social awareness, many groups, including libraries, see that a more equitable digital future is within reach.
A special report on digital equity from American Libraries includes articles on free resources for libraries, including the Toward Gigabit Libraries Toolkit; statistics and context on broadband affordability and access; federal funding that’s available now—and what’s on the policy horizon—for libraries; tips to advance digital equity immediately; and more.
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What It Feels Like to Be a Librarian During an Attempt to Ban Books
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"We often hear about book bans from the perspective of the banners, but these events affect whole communities, particularly library professionals on the receiving end of accusations and threats. I know because it happened to me." Kristin Pekoll, assistant director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, shares her experiences dealing with book challenges in 2009 when she was a librarian at West Bend (Wis.) Community Memorial Library.
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Together Again—the 2022 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition in Washington, D.C.
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Libraries Transform has a new home. Visit the new I Love Libraries website to find all of the free tools and resources you'll need to help spread the word about the impact libraries and librarians make every day.
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Stories you may have missed:
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Thank You for Being a Part of Libraries Transform!
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Because of you, more than 18,500 libraries and library advocates have joined Libraries Transform! Encourage your colleagues to sign up at LibrariesTransform.org.
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