2024 Year in Review

New values for challenging times

On January 21, ALA Council approved five new Core Values

• access
• equity
• intellectual freedom and privacy
• the public good
• sustainability

Council cochairs Erin Berman and Sara Dallas explained the reasons for the changes: “This is a crucial moment for our profession, as our library community faces severe challenges and threats. Our proposed Core Values are designed to navigate these tumultuous times into a brighter future.”

States move to curb book bans

In 2024, states including Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, Vermont, and Washington passed laws that disincentivize public and school libraries from banning books based on viewpoint. These states join California and Illinois in adopting legislation that aims to deter censorship. Under these laws, books can still be challenged, but reconsideration processes must be documented and followed. ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom reported that nationwide, during the first eight months of 2024, book challenges were down from 2023 numbers from the same period—414 challenges compared with 695 challenges—but were still much higher than prior to 2020.

Internet Archive loses copyright lawsuit appeal

In September, the nonprofit digital library Internet Archive (IA) lost its fair-use-based appeal in Hachette v. Internet Archive. Four publishers sued IA, alleging its digitized book collection, available online for free, constituted copyright infringement. If IA loses a pending copyright case against several record labels, experts warn the site may shut down.

Hurricanes decimate Southeast

In September and October—a mere two weeks apart—hurricanes Helene and Milton made landfall in the Southeastern US. The storms caused unprecedented damage across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina (pictured), South Carolina, and Tennessee, collectively claiming hundreds of lives and destroying entire communities. Libraries served as a lifeline, providing electricity and internet access, running help centers, and distributing library cards to people who were displaced. Meanwhile, the ALA Disaster Relief Fund raised more than $20,000 for libraries in affected communities.

Libraries continue to experiment with, adopt AI

In 2024, usage of artificial intelligence (AI) continued to grow in nearly every professional sector, including libraries. With the expansion of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, libraries have integrated AI into daily operations while also creating policies and toolkits for working with the emerging—and controversial—technology (see AL‘s March/April 2024 issue). At the same time, library vendors are exploring ways to integrate AI into new products, including customer service technology.

Cyberattacks, ransomware hit major library systems

Following a high-profile cyberattack on the British Library in 2023, many US libraries also fell victim to ransomware plots in 2024. Hackers targeted systems including Delaware Libraries, Douglas County (Colo.) Libraries, Seattle Public Library (pictured), and Solano County (Calif.) Library, demanding ransom in cryptocurrency and crippling systems in ways that affected catalogs, public computers, library websites, room reservations, building hours, and Wi-Fi. Most libraries opted to rebuild infrastructure rather than pay ransoms, and attacks have prompted many to hire security specialists to shore up vulnerabilities.

E-Rate funding can now be applied to Wi-Fi hotspots

In July, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to allow libraries and schools to use federal E-Rate funding to purchase lendable Wi-Fi hotspots. Since 1996, the FCC’s E-Rate program has provided libraries with discounted internet access and Wi-Fi equipment to better connect their communities. Hotspot lending in libraries grew considerably at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, including with the help of emergency FCC funding. This change to E-Rate rules is intended to continue the success of those efforts.

FCC brings back net neutrality

In April, the FCC voted 3–2 to reclassify broadband as a public utility, effectively restoring rules for net neutrality—or the open and fair flow of information over the internet—introduced during the Obama administration. This reinstatement means internet service providers (ISPs) cannot block, favor, or throttle content based on type. The FCC also plans to make ISPs more accountable for outages, network security, and protecting consumer data.

Intellectual Freedom Summit convenes

More than 120 anticensorship advocates convened September 17 at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., for a daylong Intellectual Freedom Summit. The third of its kind in ALA’s nearly 150-year history, the summit aimed to strengthen partnerships and sharpen strategy in the battle against book challenges. The previous Intellectual Freedom Summit—held in 1953—produced the Freedom to Read Statement, a response to US Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s attempts to remove reading materials deemed controversial or inappropriate from libraries and other institutions.

ALA cancels LibLearnX 2026

On March 11, ALA announced that its Executive Board has decided LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience will not be held in 2026, citing financial reasons and other factors. The announcement noted that efforts are underway to determine alternatives for presenting popular events like the Youth Media Awards, Martin Luther King Jr. Sunrise Celebration, and I Love My Librarian Awards. LibLearnX 2025 will be held January 24–27 in Phoenix.

IRRT marks 75th anniversary

ALA’s International Relations Round Table (IRRT) celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2024. Founded to promote interest in library issues and librarianship worldwide, IRRT developed initiatives designed to enrich relationships between librarians in the US and abroad, including the International Sister Libraries program and IRRT publication, International Leads.

ALA accredits first MLIS program outside of North America

The master’s in library and information studies program at University College London (UCL) became the first outside North America to receive ALA accreditation. UCL has been teaching librarians for more than 100 years. The accreditation strengthens ALA’s global bonds and will provide more opportunities for graduates, said ALA President Cindy Hohl.