American Library Association

CHICAGO — Join Core for the webinar "Best of Core Forum: How to Have an Inclusive Collection Even When Your Institution Isn’t" on October 6, 2026, at 1 p.m. CDT. How can you ensure your collection is inclusive for all, even if your institution isn’t focused on or supportive of DEIB?

CHICAGO — Join Core for the webinar "International Librarianship Panel" on August 25, 2026, at 10 a.m. CDT. What is it like to build a library career beyond North America? Join three experienced librarians who have worked internationally as they share their professional journeys and offer practical advice for those interested in pursuing similar opportunities. Designed for MLIS students, early-career librarians, and anyone curious about international librarianship.

CHICAGO – Newly published research study from the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) peer-reviewed online journal, School Library Research (SLR), used surveys and interviews to examine digital citizenship in K-12 schools following the COVID-19 pandemic. Articles can be accessed for free at www.ala.org/aasl/slr.

Each quarter, the Selected Lists teams compile the officially nominated titles to date. These titles have been suggested by the team or through the title suggestion form, read by multiple team members, and received approval to be designated an official nomination. At the end of the year, each team will choose the final list of nominations and determine the Selected List's Top Ten from these titles. - Erica Schimmel, 2027 BFYA Coordinator The Last Resort. By Erin Entrada Kelly, 2025. 240 p.

CHICAGO — Join Core for the webinar "Best of Core Forum: Accuracy Matters: Evaluating the Value of AI Tools" on September 16, 2026, at 1 p.m. CDT. Since the introduction of ChatGPT in 2022, the potential impact of Artificial Intelligence on library workflows has been a topic of immense interest—and sometimes anxiety—in the library profession.

CHICAGO — Join Core for the webinar "Best of Core Forum: The Quiet Revolution Is Loud: Are Libraries Ready?" on August 4, 2026, at 1 p.m. CDT. For most libraries, door counts have reached or surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Demand for quiet study spaces has increased significantly, with people seeking cozy nooks that shield them from distractions.

CHICAGO — Join Core for the webinar "Best of Core Forum: Assessing Study Room Use and Patron Needs" on July 22, 2026, at 1 p.m. CDT. Study room spaces have become a critical resource offered in large academic libraries, yet their standard configuration and policies may not be serving the diverse needs of all patrons. To address this, we conducted an assessment project at a large, land-grant university to gather data on study room usage and user preferences.

CHICAGO — Join Core for the webinar "Anti-Trans Bias and the New Federal Paradigm" on August 26, 2026, at 1 p.m. CDT. Anti-transgender rhetoric has been spreading for many years, but the inauguration on January 20, 2025 marked a sea-change in the sociopolitical situation and information ecosystem around trans Americans.

Core presents the 2026 Excellence in Children’s and Young Adult Science Fiction Notable Lists. The lists are composed of notable children’s and young adult science fiction published between November 2024 and March 2026 and organized into three age-appropriate categories. The annotated lists will be posted on the website at www.sfnotables.org. The Golden Duck Notable Picture Books List is selected from books intended for pre-school children and very early readers, up to 6 years old.

IPSWICH, Mass. — June 26, 2026 — The 2026 John Cotton Dana (JCD) Award recipients have been selected, celebrating library marketing and communications through strategic and creative campaigns. Administered by the American Library Association’s (ALA) Core Division in partnership with EBSCO Information Services, the awards provide up to eight $10,000 grants funded by the H.W. Wilson Foundation.