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Prison Libraries: Helping Justice-Impacted People and Their Families

July 31, 2026

Whether we acknowledge it or not, the realities of American prisons affect millions of people and families across the country. At the end of 2023, nearly 1.85 million people were incarcerated in state or federal prisons or local jails, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). And over a lifetime, an estimated 5.1 percent of Americans will serve time in a state or federal prison, based on BJS lifetime-risk analysis. These percentages may seem small at first, but applied to the entirety of the US population, they represent millions of people who pass through our carceral systems.

Charles O'Malley and Scott W. Stern: Libraries Help Us Remember Who We Are

July 29, 2026

For years, Charles O’Malley and Scott W. Stern wrote together at home in the evenings, one on the couch and one at the table. “It was a highly collaborative process — much like theatre, actually,” they say in an interview with EveryLibrary. The two men have different academic backgrounds and approach their work in unique ways, yet they wanted to write Shakespeare’s Margaret with a single unified voice, a unity that carries through their interview responses.

A Trucker’s Best Friend: Why Libraries Still Carry Audiobooks on CD

July 27, 2026

Driving a commercial truck across the country is a long and sometimes lonely job. Many truckers keep themselves awake and entertained by listening to stories on the road. But that simple goal often hits a wall when a smartphone loses cell service in the middle of nowhere or a monthly data plan runs out.

How to Become an Academic Librarian

July 24, 2026

This tool kit offers a list of items to consider when pursuing an academic library position. There is no singular path that every academic librarian follows to achieve their career goals. In reality, the path you choose will be dictated in part by the institutional needs of your future employer.

What Library Documentaries Reveal About the Fight for Democracy

July 22, 2026

Something unusual has happened in documentary filmmaking over the past three years. A subject that once generated the occasional niche film has quietly become one of the most documented political stories in America.

Chicago’s 81 Club: How Automatic Library Access Is Transforming Student Learning

July 20, 2026

In April 2026, the Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Public Library systems announced the expansion of a previously piloted program known as the 81 Club. Under this expansion, CPS student IDs now function as automatic library cards—no applications, paperwork, or guardian signatures required. The 81 Club removes long-standing barriers to reading, tutoring, and digital learning.

When a President Says “I Don't Believe in Building Libraries”

July 17, 2026

Earlier this year, President Trump made headlines when he was asked what shape he wanted his presidential library to take—a presidential library traditionally serves as a repository for documents and information generated during a president’s time in office. Instead of describing a space dedicated to historic preservation and public learning, Trump said, “I don’t believe in building libraries,” and indicated that he would prefer this symbol of his federal legacy to resemble one of his hotels.

The Federal Book Ban Bill is on the Calendar!

July 16, 2026

The federal book ban bill, H.R. 7661, has been placed on the legislative calendar. That means it has cleared committee and is now eligible to be brought before the full House for debate and a vote. If passed, the Federal Government will gain control of your local school libraries.

So You Want to Be a Librarian: The Pathway to a Uniquely Rewarding Career

July 15, 2026

Not every staff member you meet at your public library is a librarian. While public libraries are stocked with knowledgeable staff in every field you can imagine, the librarian role is a very specific one, requiring skills and expertise far beyond the keeping and shelving of books. These professionally trained information specialists hold advanced degrees, and their responsibilities sit at a very distinct intersection of education, social services, and civic life.

10 Best On-Screen Librarians

July 13, 2026

Librarians may be the last people expected to show up in pop culture, but in fact, they have for decades. After all, the stereotype of the “shushing” librarian is something most patrons understand is a myth, so portraying library workers as the heroes they often are makes more sense. (Or, in the case of Parks and Recreation or Bob’s Burgers, the stereotype may be turned on its head and inside out.)
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