Public Libraries

Unlock a year of early literacy adventures in 2025 with PLA's Early Literacy Calendars! Share these fun, reproducible calendars with families at your library, and watch early literacy skills bloom. Shop the calendars available in English & Spanish today: alastore.ala.org/2025-pla-early…

✍️ Call for Submissions! Public Libraries Magazine is excited to announce the themes for our 2025 issues, and we invite you to share your expertise and stories to make a difference in the library community. Review the themes and learn how to submit: publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/09/call-f…

Ann B. Parson's THE BIRDS OF DOG immerses the reader in the complex world of the 19th century Boston scientific community. She spoke with us about the book's real-life inspirations and how writing the novel was like being on a treasure hunt. publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/08/parson/

Matt Ferrence's I HATE IT HERE is a political memoir unlike any other. He spoke with us about lessons learned from his ill-fated campaign and how stories offer a better way to achieve a more effective governance. publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/08/ferren…

Submit your #libraryjoy story TODAY to publiclibrariesonline@gmail.com to be featured in a special episode of the FYI podcast! We want to hear about the heartwarming, surprising, and joyful moments in your library!

The @ala_apala President’s Program made way for a historic moment of representation at #ALAAC24 earlier this summer, featuring a panel of Filipino American writers and creatives. Read more: publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/08/nakiki…

The July/August 2024 digital issue of Public Libraries magazine is here! Subscribers & @ALA_PLA members, check your inbox to read this issue and find insights about family engagement, readers' advisory, and more. Happy Reading!

Fred Waitzkin's ANYTHING IS GOOD movingly depicts the multi-decade friendship of two men amid surprising life changes. Waitzkin spoke with us about the book's real life origins and how his approach to writing has changed during the course of his career. publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/07/waitzk…

"Food justice work aligns with programs and services many libraries already provide," shared Anastasia Diamond-Ortiz, "and the community forming around this work is growing all the time." Read the full PLA member spotlight here: publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/06/pla-me…

#ALAAC24 is right around the corner, where PLA members Lauren Boeke, Assistant Youth Services Coordinator @ToledoLibrary & Anastasia Diamond-Ortiz, Executive Director @LorainPLSystem, w/ @UrbanLibCouncil are discussing food justice in libraries.➡️ bit.ly/4betT7e

Everyone loves @asherperlman's cartoons, whether in @NewYorker or online. He chatted with us about getting personal with his new compilation, WELL, THIS IS ME, on the blog. publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/06/perlma…

Happy #PrideMonth!🌈From Drag Queen Story Hours to LGBTQIA+ booklists, public libraries across the country are celebrating Pride. Read more: publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/06/public…

George Saunders hailed @MyriamLacroix's HOW IT WORKS OUT as "an audacious, breathtaking, and inspiring debut." She talked with us about her unexpected influences and how writing gave her permission to make fun of herself. publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/06/lacroi…

Emiko Jean's THE RETURN OF ELLIE BLACK is one of the season's most anticipated novels. We talked to her about women who don't make headlines, navigating the book's many twists, and the role hope plays in her very scary thriller.

What are PLA members getting up to at #ALAAC24? Read @publibonline about Pilar Martinez, CEO of @EPLdotCA & panelist on the ALA Annual Conference program “Safety and Security in Public Libraries: Strategies and Resources to Help”: publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/05/pla-me…

Missed your chance to snag an exclusive purple #FreePeopleReadFreely tote at #PLA2024? No worries, we’ve brought a few home just for you! Head to the ALA store and secure yours for $25. Proceeds will support the Freedom to Read Foundation. alastore.ala.org/free-people-re…

New FYI Podcast Episode! Tune into insights from @SPLBuzz's Digital Media and Learning Expert, Juan Rubio, as he discusses his article "The Role of Libraries in Navigating an AI-Empowered Future." publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/05/new-po…

Public Libraries magazine (@publibonline) is going digital! In the May/June issue, dive into how AI is reshaping library operations, with a focus on both its potential benefits and ethical considerations. Members & subscribers, check your inbox to access your digital issue! 💌🤖

The latest #FYIPodcast episode features Amy Mikel to discuss @BKLYNlibrary's library card access study, and the study's main catalyst—BPL's #BooksUnbanned initiative. Tune in: publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/04/fyi-po…

This #EarthDay2024, check out notable Asian climate change fiction on @publibonline. Works by Yun Ko-Eun, Akira Toriyama, Cixin Liu, and Soyoung Park "will heat up the conversation about Earth’s changing climate, each in a different and provoking way." publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/04/notabl…