"As the debate over funding the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) heats up, nine cultural organizations have sent a letter to Congress urging the expansion of federal funding for the IMLS in its fiscal year 2027 appropriations bills. Markup by a House Appropriations Subcommittee on the...

"Seattle residents will make one of the year’s most important decisions on Aug. 4 voting on a critical issue: whether to replace the seven-year Library Levy that expires this year." "Much rests on the outcome. The Seattle Public Library with its central library and 27 branches is among this city’s m...

"Today, ten cultural organizations, including the American Library Association (ALA), called on Congress to expand federal funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in its fiscal year (FY) 2027 appropriations bills, which are scheduled for markup by a House Appropriations Subco...

"Amid a growing legislative movement at the state level, five major library associations on May 27 released a joint statement calling for the nation’s largest publishers to come to the table to negotiate fair pricing and access terms for public libraries in the digital library market." "Citing an 'e...

"A coalition of North American public library organizations has released a joint statement aimed at the Big Five publishers and digital platform providers, calling on them to work with public libraries to address unsustainable ebook pricing models. On May 27, the Association for Rural & Small Li...

"On May 27, five public library organizations from the U.S. and Canada released a statement, addressing the Big Five publishers and digital platform providers, in response to e-book pricing models. The Association for Rural and Small Libraries, Chief Officers of State Library Agencies, Canadian Urba...

"Mesa Public Library is one of 10 libraries nationwide to receive $15,000 as part of the Civic Makers Lab for Adults initiative from the Urban Libraries Council (ULC). The program equips librarians to serve as civic learning facilitators and empowers young adults ages 18-24 to be active contributors...

"In an era defined by rapid technological change, shifting economic realities, and evolving community needs, public libraries are quietly transforming. Far from being relics of the past, today’s libraries are dynamic civic anchors—centers of innovation, inclusion, and economic vitality. At the foref...

Via Route Fifty: "Public libraries have evolved from traditionally supplying communities with books to expanding their selection of services to serve as health care hubs, lend musical instruments and offer cooking classes. Now, artificial intelligence-focused programs are another tool being offered ...

Via The Charlotte Observer: "President Donald Trump this month rolled out his federal spending pitch for the 2027 fiscal year, which begins on Oct. 1. The plan calls for defunding the federal agency that supports libraries — the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The administration previously...