ALA Public Policy & Advocacy
@librarypolicy.bsky.social
2.6K followers 84 following 220 posts
Updates from the @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social Public Policy & Advocacy team in D.C. #LibrariesStrong #BuildLibraries #FundLibraries #eBooksForAll #ForOurLibraries Become a library advocate: ala.org/takeaction
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librarypolicy.bsky.social
It’s Digital Inclusion Week every week in public libraries across the country.

With more than 17,000 technology-enabled and convenient locations with trusted staff trained to connect people with the resources they need to succeed! #DIW2025
NDIA, National Digital Inclusion Alliance. Oct 6-10, Digital Inclusion Week. Community Driven Digital Futures. Digital Inclusion Week (DIW) 2025 emphasizes that community-led solutions are essential building long-term, inclusive digital futures. Join DIW to help lift up community dreiven digital inclusion efforts.
Reposted by ALA Public Policy & Advocacy
bannedbooksweek.bsky.social
“Americans are curious, inquisitive, learning, and enriching themselves…”

Banned Books Week honorary chair @georgetakei.bsky.social knows we need the right to read to understand each other.

Full interview: youtu.be/Gm4-SOEwEYk

#BannedBooksWeek #CensorshipIsSo1984

w/@topshelfcomix.bsky.social
Reposted by ALA Public Policy & Advocacy
amlibraryassoc.bsky.social
“People of faith belong firmly and proudly on the front lines of advocating for local libraries—and contesting efforts to undermine or censor them.”
— ALA President Sam Helmick & Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, Pres. & CEO of Interfaith Alliance
religionnews.com/2025/10/08/f...
#BannedBooksWeek
Faith communities have a critical role in defending our nation’s libraries
(RNS) — The protection of libraries and the stories they hold should be understood as a wider commitment of our communities to religious freedom.
religionnews.com
librarypolicy.bsky.social
During #NationalVoterEducationWeek (and every week!) libraries across the country are helping patrons find nonpartisan information about elections, get registered to vote, and learn about the issues. How is your library getting #ReaderVoterReady?

Head to ala.org/readervoterready to find resources!
Reader Voter Ready, ALA American Library Association, National Voter Education Week, Oct 6-11, 2025. We're here to get everyone #VoteReady: Register to vote, get to know your ballot, make a plan to vote, understand the process, share with friends & family.
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amlibraryassoc.bsky.social
#ALAVirtual26 SAVE THE DATE for Recharging in Challenging Times, an ALA Virtual Event that will bring ideas, inspiration, and connection to the forefront. Make plans to join us on February 10, 2026. Look for details soon!
Recharging in Challenging Times
An ALA Virtual Event
February 10, 2026
Save the Date!
Illustration of a calendar and clock.
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amlibraryassoc.bsky.social
What does it really mean when a book is banned?
ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom breaks down the difference between challenges, restrictions, and bans—and how we’re fighting censorship every day.
Join the fight: UniteAgainstBookBans.org
Donate to ALA: ilovelibraries.org/1984
#BannedBooksWeek
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librarypolicy.bsky.social
Thank you Rep. @raskin.house.gov for your resolution on the House floor recognizing #BannedBooksWeek!

We're grateful for the support of library champions in Congress who are showing up for libraries, library workers, and intellectual freedom.

Full resolution: raskin.house.gov/_cache/files...
Resolution: Expressing concern about the spreading problem of book
banning and the proliferation of threats to freedom of
expression in the United States.
Whereas the overwhelming majority of voters in the United
States oppose book bans;
Whereas an overwhelming majority of voters in the United
States support educators teaching about the civil rights
movement, the history and experiences of Native Americans, enslaved Africans, immigrants facing discrimination, and the ongoing effects of racism;
Whereas an overwhelming majority of Americans are confident that their community’s public schools select appropriate books for students to read;
librarypolicy.bsky.social
Thank you Rep. @raskin.house.gov for your resolution on the House floor recognizing #BannedBooksWeek!

We're grateful for the support of library champions in Congress who are showing up for libraries, library workers, and intellectual freedom.

Full resolution: raskin.house.gov/_cache/files...
Resolution: Expressing concern about the spreading problem of book
banning and the proliferation of threats to freedom of
expression in the United States.
Whereas the overwhelming majority of voters in the United
States oppose book bans;
Whereas an overwhelming majority of voters in the United
States support educators teaching about the civil rights
movement, the history and experiences of Native Americans, enslaved Africans, immigrants facing discrimination, and the ongoing effects of racism;
Whereas an overwhelming majority of Americans are confident that their community’s public schools select appropriate books for students to read;
librarypolicy.bsky.social
Happy Digital Inclusion Week! #DIW25

Did you know that ALA has a Digital Inclusion Working Group for library workers interested in connecting w/ peers on all things digital opportunity? Visit our Digital Equity Resources for Libraries page to learn more about joining: www.ala.org/advocacy/fed...
Digital Equity Resources for Libraries
Digital Equity Resources for Libraries
www.ala.org
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amlibraryassoc.bsky.social
“That's not transparency, that’s not due process, that’s not the First Amendment.”
ALA President Sam Helmick tells The Hill that they're hearing stories of superintendents handing librarians a Post-it with book titles then demanding both the Post-it and those books back.
thehill.com/homenews/edu...
thehill.com
librarypolicy.bsky.social
During this #DIW2025, we’re celebrating the critical role libraries play in addressing their community’s unique needs.

From accessing telehealth services, help applying for jobs, connecting veterans with benefits and tech lending programs - libraries power community-driven digital futures for all.
NDIA, National Digital Inclusion Alliance, Digital Inclusion Week, Oct 6-10, 2025. Community-Driven Digital Futures: Digital Inclusion Week (DIW) is an annual nationwide event dedicated to raising awareness about digital equity and the vital importance or inclusion in our increasingly digital world. If you believe that everyone deserves digital access, DIW is for you!
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amlibraryassoc.bsky.social
Today at 3:00 pm CT.
Find inspiration and ideas for your own advocacy from the students on the front lines of the fight against censorship.
bit.ly/YouthFightingBookBans
#BannedBooksWeek
bannedbooksweek.bsky.social
TOMORROW: Join #BannedBooksWeek youth honorary chair Iris Mogul & student advocates from around the country for a conversation about how young people can fight book bans! 10/8, 3pmCT

bit.ly/YouthFightingBookBans

#BannedBooksWeek #CensorshipIsSo1984

w/ @ncacensorship.bsky.social
A fight for our rights: Youth fighting book bans. A conversation with student leaders moderated by Banned Books Week youth honorary chair Iris Mogul. October 8, 2025, 3:00 p.m. CT. Register: bit.ly/YouthFightingBookBans
librarypolicy.bsky.social
This #NationalVoterEducationWeek, we're proud to celebrate the work libraries do every day to connect their communities with information and resources for local, state, and federal elections!

Libraries are getting their communities #VoteReady, & yours can too! Find more at ala.org/readervoterready
Reader Voter Ready, National Voter Education Week, Oct 6-11, 2025. We're here to get everyone #VoteReady. Register to vote, get to know your ballot, make a plan to vote, understand the process, and share with friends and family. NationalVoterEducationWeek.org
Reposted by ALA Public Policy & Advocacy
amlibraryassoc.bsky.social
"Three years ago, after a difficult state legislative session in TX that aimed to restrict access to books and disparage the work of librarians, I recognized the urgency of helping my community understand how our libraries operate." - San Antonio school librarian Lucy Podmore

https://bit.ly/4nEV0iQ
Walk with a Purpose | American Libraries Magazine
Instead of simply highlighting censorship statistics or bemoaning what we can’t read, the Freedom Walk celebrates our right to read.
bit.ly
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amlibraryassoc.bsky.social
The right to read belongs to all of us, but rights only survive when we defend them. ALA is standing with library workers, parents, and readers to push back against censorship. You can donate to support our work at ilovelibraries.org/1984.

Censorship is so 1984, but supporting libraries is so 2025.
Censorship is so 1984. Supporting Libraries is so 2025. Read for your rights. Give for our libraries. American Library Association logo
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librarypolicy.bsky.social
Three celebrations, one week:

✅#BannedBooksWeek
✅Digital Inclusion Week #DIW25
✅#NationalVoterEducationWeek

Here at ALA, we're proud to celebrate all 3, along w/ libraries nationwide!

Libraries protect the right to read, help get patrons online, AND connect communities to election information.
Picture of Kevin Maher, Lisa Varga, and Megan Janicki (ALA staff), posing together in the ALA office in Washington. Kevin holds bookmarks that read "Reader Voter Ready", Lisa holds a sign encouraging advocates to take action against book bans, and Megan holds a sign that says "Show up for E-Rate"
librarypolicy.bsky.social
Three celebrations, one week:

✅#BannedBooksWeek
✅Digital Inclusion Week #DIW25
✅#NationalVoterEducationWeek

Here at ALA, we're proud to celebrate all 3, along w/ libraries nationwide!

Libraries protect the right to read, help get patrons online, AND connect communities to election information.
Picture of Kevin Maher, Lisa Varga, and Megan Janicki (ALA staff), posing together in the ALA office in Washington. Kevin holds bookmarks that read "Reader Voter Ready", Lisa holds a sign encouraging advocates to take action against book bans, and Megan holds a sign that says "Show up for E-Rate"
librarypolicy.bsky.social
It's Digital Inclusion Week, which means we should be celebrating. But changes to the #ERate program by the FCC mean that libraries & their communities will lose out on federal support for internet access via Wi-Fi hotspots.

Read more, ft Sam Helmick: broadbandbreakfast.com/libraries-an... #DIW2025
Libraries and Schools Brace for FCC Cuts to Wi-Fi Programs
‘We don’t yet know the full extent of what this vote means for libraries and schools.’
broadbandbreakfast.com
Reposted by ALA Public Policy & Advocacy
amlibraryassoc.bsky.social
Today at noon CT.
Register at ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
#BannedBooksWeek
bannedbooksweek.bsky.social
TOMORROW: Join @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social @oif.bsky.social staff to learn about Law for Librarians & Intellectual Freedom Helplines, how these programs provide censorshp support, and other resources for our communities.

ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

#BannedBooksWeek #CensorshipIsSo1984
Librarians Supporting Each Other to Confront Book Bans. Tuesday, Cotober 7, 2025. 12pm CT. Law for Librarians. Intellectual Freedom Helplines. Censorship is so 1984. Read for Your Rights. Banned Books Week, October 5-11, 2025
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librarianjones.com
Take at least ONE action to help defend books from censorship and speak up for those who make them available. Find resources/tools + actions you can take in just 5 mins: uniteagainstbookbans.org/let-freedom-read-day #BannedBooksWeek #UniteAgainstBookBans @la-cac.org @aaslala.bsky.social
librarypolicy.bsky.social
There's a lot happening this week - including Digital Inclusion Week!

We proudly celebrate the work libraries do to build community-driven digital futures. Libraries ensure all community members have access to broadband, and the digital skills needed to thrive online. #DIW2025
Oct 6-10: Digital Inclusion Week 2025. This year's theme, "Community-Driven Digital Futures", recognizes that the most impactful solutions for bridging the digital divide emerge directly from within our communities. Join in digital inclusion week to advance digital equity and strengthening communities. NDIA, National Digital Inclusion Alliance.
librarypolicy.bsky.social
Don't miss the first free webinar of this year's #BannedBooksWeek, today at 3pm Central! Learn more and register ⤵️
amlibraryassoc.bsky.social
Free #BannedBooksWeek webinar.
Join experts on Mon, Oct 6 at 3 p.m. CT to explore how policies can be a powerful tool for fighting censorship in libraries, bookstores, and communities and how advocates can use policies in their work.
See details + more free events: https://www.ala.org/bbooks/events
Policy as an Advocacy Tool: Tips for Booksellers, Librarians, and Community Advocates. Monday, October 6, 2025. 3:00 p.m. CT. Register today! Pictured are Sarah Lamdan, Philomena Polefrone, and Christine Emeran, along with the Unite Against Book Bans, National Coalition Against Censorship, and American Booksellers for Free Expression logos.
Reposted by ALA Public Policy & Advocacy
bannedbooksweek.bsky.social
"Those who ban books want to lock away ideas they fear. But in truth, they are trying to steal our freedom."

#BannedBooksWeek honorary chair @georgetakei.bsky.social encourages all of us to stand up for the freedom to read! #CensorshipIsSo1984

youtu.be/qwtzX15AKvQ?...
George Takei, Banned Books Week 2025 Honorary Chair
YouTube video by Banned Books Week
youtu.be
Reposted by ALA Public Policy & Advocacy
amlibraryassoc.bsky.social
Censorship is so 1984. Read for your rights.

Today kicks off #BannedBooksWeek, and this year's theme reminds us that the right to read belongs to all of us, that censorship has no place in contemporary society, and that we must defend our rights.

https://www.ala.org/bbooks.
BANNED BOOKS WEEK Oct. 5-11, 2025. Censorship is so 1984 - Read for Your Rights. ala.org/bbooks. American Library Association