Topic: American Library Association

Maurice Sendak showed us 'Where The Wild Things Are'

Maurice Sendak wrote and illustrated the acclaimed 'Where The Wild Things Are,' along with other children's books. He passed away early Tuesday in Connecticut.

The public library as community center: books, latte, yoga

The public library branches out with new ways to bring bodies to the stacks.  Nationwide librarians are developing a community center model where visitors can do everything from drink their latte and do yoga, to speed dating and tax preparation – all while getting closer to books.

The firing of Brooke Harris: a teachable moment about free speech

Last month, Michigan teacher Brooke Harris was fired for allegedly helping students organize a 'hoodie' fundraiser for the family of Trayvon Martin. By all means, give Harris her job back. But let’s also support the free-speech rights of all of our teachers, not just the ones we agree with.

10 most challenged books on the American Library Association's 2011 list

The 'ttyl' series by Lauren Myracle and 'The Color of Earth' by Kim Dong Hwa top the 2011 rankings of most challenged books.

'A Wrinkle in Time' 50 years later

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the publishing of Madeleine L'Engle classic "A Wrinkle in Time."

Newbery, Caldecott winners: Jack Gantos, Chris Raschka take the top prizes

Award-winners Jack Gantos and Chris Raschka both wrote stories based on real-life incidents.

Rahm Emanuel and public sector union play hardball over Chicago library hours

Across the US, financially strapped local governments are cutting back on library hours. In Chicago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has reduced the libraries' week to five days amid a stand-off with a public union.

Facebook tracking now under federal investigation

Facebook tracking triggers another round of criticism for the social network. This time, the FTC is offering the company a settlement over a legal complaint, while a Senate committee starts to ask: is Facebook tracking both users and non-users?

Patrons rally behind resilient public libraries

Even as libraries are facing steep cuts, Americans are using them more than ever – in more ways than ever.

Banned Books Week: Join the virtual Read-Out protest on YouTube

The American Library Association urges users to read from banned or challenged books on YouTube.

Banned Books Week 2011: Top 10 most challenged books of 2010

The 10 books most banned or challenged by communities throughout the US in 2010, according to the American Library Association.

Kurt Vonnegut gets the boot in a Missouri school

A high school in Republic, Mo. bans two books, including Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse Five," after a parent complains about material incompatible with the Bible.

Public libraries fight to stay relevant in digital age

Already facing tight budgets, public libraries are also contending with a cultural shift from traditional stacks of books to digital devices. But far from fighting the digital revolution, libraries are joining it.

Nancy Pearl: an interview with the 2011 Librarian of the Year

When Seattle super librarian Nancy Pearl was named 2011 Librarian of the Year by Library Journal her fans asked: "Why did it take so long?"

'Super-librarian' figures out secret to getting kids to read

Librarian Cynthia Dobrez uses e-readers, bibliotherapy, and her own intuition in her middle school library in Michigan.

Banned Books Week: 5 books almost anyone might want to ban

Even ardent opponents of censorship could hesitate when it comes to titles like these.

Banned Books Week: Why these 10 classics got kicked out of class

Is this is a roundup of objectionable literature – or a Great Books roster? The same titles that some call great literature others find to be filthy, bad, or dangerous. Here are a handful of the often surprising – and sometimes downright baffling – reasons that objectors around the world wanted to ban these books.

Banned Books Week 2010: Which books drew the most fire last year?

More than half of reported book challenges in 2009 came from two states: Texas and Pennsylvania.

Does "Twilight" belong in your child's school?

Some parents think not, as Stephenie Meyer's teen vampire series jumps to No. 5 on the ALA's 2009 most-challenged book list.

J.K. Rowling faces another plagiarism suit

Once again, Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling faces charges of borrowing too generously from another writer's work.

Super Bowl, Olympics, Super Mario: How games help teach

It's easy to dismiss the Super Bowl, Monopoly, and Grand Theft Auto as a waste of time. But games go way beyond racking up points or winning Winter Olympic gold.

Caldecott, Newbery Medal winners announced

Exactly as predicted, Rebecca Stead ("When You Reach Me") and Jerry Pinkney ("The Lion & the Mouse") took top honors.

Children's book award winners

Five ways readers can save on books

Wasilla public library back in the news again