News

  • Meeting Global Challenges with Collaborative Leadership

    Each year, the Global Council has selected an area of focus to help concentrate efforts around a challenge facing libraries around the world. This important work spans not only geographic regions, but all types of libraries, and provides opportunitie...

  • Resources for Social Work and Library Collaboration

    Library staff are known for their resourcefulness and commitment to adapting to help community members in need. But as the scope of library services has expanded to address complex social needs that aren’t being met elsewhere, it can feel overwhelmin...

  • Resources for Helping Unhoused Patrons

    Libraries are central to our communities, as places where anyone is welcome to gather, connect, and learn, but for some members of our community, they represent much more than that. For many people experiencing homelessness, the library might be the ...

  • Redefining Public Libraries in a Post-Pandemic World: Key Resources from Urban Libraries Council

    While public libraries and their communities across North America continue to grapple with the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the collective strength of libraries continues to endure and grow. Public libraries have proven during these ch...

  • Resources on Book Challenges and Intellectual Freedom

    Across the United States, there are increased reports of book challenges from community members, which have led to very public and heated discussions. As public library leaders and staff consider how to prepare for similar local challenges, being pro...

  • Resources for Planning Your New Model Library

    This article provides an overview of the New Model Library research, supporting learner guide, examples from public libraries, and information about an upcoming webinar on the topic. We hope that these materials can help facilitate local conversa...

  • Build on Strengths When Responding to a Crisis

    As the REALM project (REopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums) continues to gather and adapt science-based information to inform local decision making by libraries, archives, and museums, it’s been essential to listen to the real-world experiences...

  • Reflections and Resources: Advancing Racial Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Symposium

    The Denver Public Library has prioritized research and learning related to racial equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and in 2020 they hosted the Advancing Racial Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Symposium. This was a dynamic and engaging 3-d...

  • Performance Management for Supervisors

    The main purpose of performance management is to guide, support, and develop each employee, providing a consistent and comprehensive experience for their staff. It is an ongoing, collaborative process between supervisor and employee that aims to esta...

  • Training for Library Supervisors

    The Supervisor Success Committee of ALA’s Learning Round Table exists to coordinate professional development activities around the topic of supervisory training. Their vision is for every library to have well-trained supervisors.