ALA held its first Annual conference, in 1876, in Philadelphia. While the city has seen a number of Midwinters and Public Library Association meetings, Philadelphia has hosted only five Annuals in ALA’s history, the most recent in 1982. If any year called for reconnecting with American roots and ideals, however, this one is it.
It’s been four years since LJ spoke with Joy Bivins when she first stepped into her role as director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, a research division of New York Public Library. During that time, she has thoughtfully grown the collections and expanded programming, and this year’s Centennial exhibit and celebration have given her the chance to flex still further.
Libraries are once again at the forefront of change, continuously adapting to meet the shifting demands of their communities and institutions. From harnessing the power of emerging technologies to redefining the role of physical spaces, libraries are evolving into vibrant, multifunctional hubs of innovation, collaboration and learning.
In an upset to the temporary restraining order granted in American Library Association v. Sonderling, Judge Richard J. Leon has denied without prejudice the request for a preliminary injunction to block the Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Today’s libraries need programs that align with their values, offer a solid return on investment, and support bibliodiversity. This is why Syracuse University joined JSTOR’s Path to Open, at both the press and library levels. This groundbreaking initiative aims to support the transition of high-quality monographs to open access at unprecedented scale.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report on June 16 finding that the Trump administration broke the law when it withheld funding to the nation’s libraries via the IMLS.
“I think at its heart archiving is future-oriented act. We tend to think of it as being about the past, because it’s the documents of what happened. But if you spend some time with it, it really is for people who were not there at the moment, whether that is physically or across time.”
The fifth annual U.S. Book Show, sponsored by Publishers Weekly, was held on June 3 at the New York Academy of Medicine. The daylong publishing industry conference drew nearly 800 in-person registrants and sponsors and covered a range of bases.
The Aisle-by-Aisle Exhibitor Guide & Coupon Booklet is now available for download. Get an early look at the exhibitors and what’s happening on the show floor: book signings, show specials, prize drawings, and booth giveaways.
Written in a creative nonfiction style, this book fills an enormous gap in the history of fairy tales. It belongs on every shelf of literature relating to this art form.
Well-researched and beautifully paced, this biography does not completely rewrite Brontë’s story. Still, it will layer onto it grief and anger in ways that further humanize the woman, the writer, and her works.
A new, and overdue take on Jane Austen’s wild side. Sure to delight Jane Austen fans whether scholars or general readers and a worthwhile addition to the extensive corpus of popular Austen books.
The compelling images and fascinating details in this book offer a wellspring of information about the building and use of university libraries over time. This gorgeous book will appeal to anyone with an interest in libraries, architecture, or urban history.
Anishanslin offers a compelling blend of historical insight and artistic analysis, making this a valuable read for those interested in revolutionary history and art.
Library Journal is seeking submissions for its annual Year in Architecture issue (November 2025). The issue will feature public and academic library projects completed between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025. Let us know about your remodeling projects and new buildings by filling out this online form. Material must be submitted by Friday, August 1 to be considered for the issue.
Kendra Coulter is a professor of management and organizational studies at Huron University College at Western University. As an anthropologist, she has become a leading voice in animal ethics and sustainability and written many academic works, including Defending Animals: Finding Hope on the Front Lines of Animal Protection. The Tortoise’s Tale marks her fiction debut. She talks with LJ about her philosophy, her inspirations, the role of music in her book, and her forthcoming projects.
A federal judge has ruled that Anthropic’s use of books to train its AI falls under fair use. Shortlists for the Janet Heidinger Kafka Prize, the Highland Book Prize, and the British Fantasy Awards are announced, along with the winners of the Premios Kelvin prize. Publisher and CEO of Kirkus Reviews Meg LaBorde Kuehn will step down on July 11.
The shortlist for the Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction and winners of the UK Booksellers Association’s Indie Book Awards are announced. USA Today analyzes the Trump administration’s potential impact on the way Americans read.
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JOB OF THE WEEK The City of Santa Barbara is seeking a Library Director.
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