You are browsing archives for
For 30 years, E-Rate has been one of America’s most visionary programs, opening the doors of digital opportunity to every community in our nation. As part of the Universal Service Fund, E-Rate has ensured broadband access through our libraries and schools. Today, approximately 73% of public libraries and 96% of public schools rely on E-Rate […]
Earlier this month, I got a new pair of glasses to replace the Meta Ray-Bans I’ve been wearing every day since the fall of 2024. There’s nothing wrong with the Ray-Bans (some might disagree), but over the past few months, I have noticed people asking about my “spy camera” more frequently than I’m comfortable with. […]
The America 250 Semiquincentennial Web Archive documents how Americans are commemorating and reflecting on the nation’s 250th anniversary. In this interview, Malea Walker discusses how the collection evolved from a project focused on government websites into a broader effort to document the many ways communities across the country are marking this historic milestone. Please introduce yourself. What is your job at the Library […]
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the federal E-Rate program, which provides broadband funding for public libraries and schools. On June 25, however, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will decide whether to limit or sunset E-Rate, which could adversely affect libraries, schools, and other community groups that rely on it most. On June 11, […]
A pair of related posts hit my screen this week. Ithaka S+R released a new LibGuide titled “Understanding the Environmental Impacts of Artificial Intelligence.” There is a LOT of good information linked within, but the blog post does a really good job introducing the reason for the guide, IMHO, so do start there. The Verge […]
The Geographic and Cartographic Professional Societies and Organizations Web Archive preserves the websites of groups shaping our understanding of the world. In this interview, Carissa Pastuch discusses how the collection was built, what it includes and why preserving born-digital content is increasingly important for documenting the field of geography and cartography. Please introduce yourself. What is your job at the Library of […]
Today’s post is an interview with Rachel Trent, a Senior Digital Collections Data Librarian here at the Library of Congress. Carlyn: Hi Rachel! Could you tell us a bit about your role here at the Library of Congress? What do you like most about your job? Rachel: I’ve been working in libraries and archives for about fifteen years, and I like […]
Photo: Ionel/Adobe Stock The American Library Association (ALA) was founded in Philadelphia in 1876 amid the patriotic spectacle of our nation’s centennial celebrations. But it’s Chicago, the Association’s home for more than a century, that will welcome the library community for a milestone 150th anniversary celebration at the 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition, to be […]
Brunch items at Bronzeville Winery Photo: Bronzeville Winery Welcome back to Chicago! It’s the perfect place to host the American Library Association’s (ALA) 150th anniversary, and we’ve compiled a master list of restaurants and cafés where you can celebrate while attending the 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition. From healthy breakfasts to decadent splurges and feasts, […]
A fairy house on display at Port Townsend (Wash.) Public Library. The library uses items from nearby beaches and trails for its workshops. Photo: Port Townsend (Wash.) Public Library It wasn’t her usual workplace attire, but Katherine Bunker was really looking forward to donning a pair of glittery green fairy wings. Bunker, children’s librarian at […]
Photo: Marco Giugliarelli Megha Majumdar lit up the book world in 2020 with her first novel, A Burning, a galvanizing tale of social media and tyranny. It became a bestseller, was named best book of the year by many publications, and was a finalist for ALA’s Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction. Born and raised […]
This morning, NVivo 15.5 threw up this warning that the software won’t be compatible with future versions of macOS. I found the following FAQ entry on the Lumivero Community pages, so fingers crossed they get there in time! When Rosetta 2 Support is EndingApple Support for intel-based apps will continue through MacOS 27 (expected in […]
Interested in learning more about what’s new in the Library of Congress’s digital collections? The Signal shares regular updates and we love showing off our colleagues’ hard work from across the Library. Read on for a sample of recent additions and a few favorite highlights. Click here for all previous updates. Did you know that some of […]
Today’s guest post is from Lauren Algee, a Senior Digital Collections Specialist & By the People community manager at the Library of Congress. Commemorate the 250th birthday of the United States through service! Join us for a webinar on Thursday, June 4, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM EDT to learn about The American Revolution in Context, a […]
As the American Library Association (ALA) celebrates 150 years, we’re drawing inspiration from key events since its 1876 founding: from the first conventions and library schools, through wartime and the fight for civil rights, to seismic technological advancements and the existential threats of the current moment. Though not a comprehensive timeline of library history, the […]
From wartime appeals to celebrity-studded reading campaigns, library posters have long captured the evolving role of libraries in American life. This feature traces the American Library Association’s (ALA) history through some of its most iconic visuals—the patriotic mobilization of ALA’s Library War Service, the pop-culture energy of its READ posters, the spirited encouragement of the […]
For 150 years, the American Library Association (ALA) has shaped the landscape of libraries and the profession itself—but its leadership has often reflected the racial and gender biases of society at large. For this special anniversary issue, American Libraries spoke with eight barrier-busting Association leaders about their struggles, triumphs, breakdowns, and breakthroughs. The stories and […]
Colleen Barbus, librarian and archivist for the ALA Library in Chicago. Photo: Lauren Ehle Like many American Library Association (ALA) staffers, librarian and archivist Colleen Barbus remembers the Association’s previous headquarters—especially the tendency of new employees to eventually “stumble across the ALA Library and say, ‘Oh, I didn’t even know this was here,’” she says. […]
In 1876, the year of our nation’s centennial, 103 dreamers gathered in Philadelphia. These librarians and library advocates did not come merely to talk. They came to weave a vision of libraries as lanterns in the night, as havens of thought, as places where minds and hearts could be set free. From that gathering, the […]
While the commemoration of the American Library Association’s (ALA) 150th anniversary kicked off in January, ALA staff and member leaders have been building momentum toward its largest in-person celebration, the 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition in our hometown of Chicago. I feel honored and privileged to be here in this moment as we celebrate this […]
