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Library Marketplace at the American Library Association’s 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago on June 26.Photo: EPNAC Chicago, headquarters of the American Library Association (ALA), was an apt host for the Association’s 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition, marking both ALA’s 150th anniversary and the nation’s 250th birthday. A total of 14,800 people gathered at […]
This year libraries and cultural institutions around the nation are celebrating America’s 250th birthday. The 225-year-old Library of Congress is almost as old as the country itself and this year we’ve joined forces with the Smithsonian Institution to find new stories about America’s founding in our treasure trove of records and artifacts. The collaboration, called Revolution […]
The Library of Congress recently signed on as a founding member of an international organization devoted to exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in cultural heritage and research contexts “for the benefit of humankind.” The Library has been working with the AI4LAM (AI for Libraries, Archives and Museums) organization since soon after its formation in 2018. AI4LAM now has over 40 institutional members from more than […]
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming ubiquitous. Its integration is not just limited to our personal technology but now also includes library resources (see examples in “2026 Library Systems Briefing”). Meanwhile, vendors are constantly introducing new tools or integrations into existing products, and we must measure emerging AI platforms against our library’s tried-and-true resources […]
Illustration: IKON Images/Adobe Stock The library technology industry is at a critical juncture, driven by uncertainties in funding and disruptions in technology, particularly around artificial intelligence (AI). Business transitions have included changes in executive leadership, acquisitions, and new ownership. Despite these shakeups, most vendors advanced along their development road maps, with some launching new or […]
Freedom to read faces federal scrutiny Following the Trump administration’s executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the US Naval Academy removed nearly 400 books deemed DEI-related from its Nimitz Library (later returning most of them to circulation). Meanwhile, in April, the Supreme Court heard arguments in Mahmoud v. Taylor, a case brought by […]
Artificial intelligence (AI) has quickly made its way into library resources, services, and work. These four recent publications offer important criticisms, background information, and critical strategies for librarians to help distinguish between the hype and realities of this growing technology. New Horizons in Artificial Intelligence in LibrariesEdited by Edmund Balnaves, Leda Bultrini, Andrew Cox, and […]
In this interview, 2025 Library of Congress Junior Fellow Kurt Lemai-Nguyen reflects on his experience working to support understanding AI at the Library in the Library’s Digital Strategy Directorate. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Leah: Hi Kurt! It’s great to have you on our team this summer. Could you tell us what your […]
New Zealand Two locations of Thames-Coromandel District Libraries closed temporarily on November 19 because of concerns that play sand used in crafts at the library may have been contaminated with asbestos, Radio New Zealand reported. Multiple brands of play sand have been recalled, and investigations are ongoing, according to New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation, […]
In this interview, 2025 Library of Congress Junior Fellow Noelia Alvarez reflects on her experience working on the Expanding AI Community Engagement Project in the Library’s Digital Strategy Directorate. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Leah: Hi Noelia! It’s great to have you on our team this summer. Could you tell us what […]
In this interview, Stanford Research Fellow Dr. Duncan Eddy reflects on his professional background, shifting his focus on artificial intelligence safety standards, and what he is currently working on. He offers insightful observations from his work in AI safety and advice for future professionals. Dr. Eddy shared his experiences with the Library’s Artificial Intelligence Community […]
Illustration: Tom Deja Librarian Sondra Eklund spends her time stocking books for the public library system she works for in Virginia. One of her patrons recently asked the library to acquire a children’s book about pets other than cats or dogs, so she went looking. When she came across a book titled Rabbits: Children’s Animal […]
Clockwise from top left: Former Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden; Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer; actor George Takei Photos: EPNAC Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech,” wrote Benjamin Franklin in 1722. As Philadelphia’s most famous son, Franklin—and his belief in personal expression as the cornerstone of […]
Author Alex Segura signs copies of Dick Tracy at the Hoopla booth. Rebecca Lomax/American Libraries Although libraries are currently facing a climate of political and financial upheaval, that didn’t stop information professionals from showing up in force to the American Library Association’s (ALA) 2025 Annual Conference and Exhibition (June 26–30). The conference brought 14,292 registrants […]
Today’s post is from Abbey Potter and Isabel Brador of the Digital Strategy Directorate and Kate Murray of the Digital Collections Management & Services Division here at the Library of Congress. Since January 2025, a new Library of Congress working group has been exploring ways to bring responsible AI together with digital preservation through an […]
Since our last report, libraries have continued to experience significant upheaval from President Trump’s actions. In May, the Trump administration fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden and Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter. We also saw legal cases challenging the administration’s defunding of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) continue to make their way […]
Illustration: ©Timurock/Adobe Stock The library technology industry showed its maturity in 2024. Businesses have become increasingly stable and robust products delivered rich functionality. But decades of consolidation have created a narrower slate of competitors, resulting in a smaller number of products available for each type and size of library. The marketplace is seeing more specialized […]
Photo: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection With the acceleration of human-driven climate change, libraries are playing an increased role in helping their communities navigate environmental calamities. The downtown public library in Asheville, North Carolina, for instance, was a beacon of connectivity after flooding from Hurricane Helene disrupted the area’s Wi-Fi service in September […]
New mobile apps from the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) company DeepSeek have remained among the top three “free” downloads for Apple and Google devices since their debut on Jan. 25, 2025. But experts caution that many of DeepSeek’s design choices — such as using hard-coded encryption keys, and sending unencrypted user and device data to […]
Illustration: © Rana Zeeshan/Adobe Stock 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 […]
