Kathleen Hughes Author Archive

Email: khughes@ala.org Website: http://ala.org/

“January 2026 Early Literacy Calendar from the Public Library Association. The page shows a month-long grid of daily early-literacy activities for families, organized by categories such as Singing, Counting, Reading, Writing, Playing, and Talking. Each date includes a simple activity—for example, singing a nursery rhyme, counting household objects, retelling a favorite book, going on a scavenger hunt, or drawing together. The design features winter-themed illustrations such as mountains, snow, and friendly animal characters throughout. The calendar is colorful and structured with pastel sections for each week.

The 2026 Early Literacy Calendar Is Here!

Designed specifically for public libraries and the families they serve, this colorful, engaging resource offers a full year of simple, ready-to-use activities that build early literacy skills.

Cover of Public Libraries magazine, November/December 2025 issue. The background is a gradient light blue. Centered on the page is a cluster of flat, modern line-art illustrations related to data and strategic planning—charts, graphs, gears, arrows, a globe, a map pin, a pie chart, a bar graph, and a document with a bar code. At the top, the masthead reads “Public Libraries” in blue and gold, with the subtitle “A Publication of the Public Library Association,” and a banner above that states “The Strategic Planning Issue.”

The November/December Issue of Public Libraries Is Now Available: A Deep Dive into Strategic Planning

Court Permanently Blocks Trump’s Executive Order to Dismantle Federal Agency for America’s Libraries

New Podcast Episode! Navigating Difficult Situations in Public Libraries with Dr. Margaret Ann Paauw

Illustration of a laser cutting machine in action. A teal-colored laser nozzle is positioned above a rectangular work surface, directing a beam that cuts a line into the light green material below. The image represents fabrication or makerspace technology such as a laser cutter.

Laser Cutter Safety in Library Makerspaces

image of light waves purple and blue on a black background

Spectrum and Wi-Fi: The Airwaves that Power Your Library

image of lights turning into computer bytes

Want to Learn AI? Ask it!

illustration of human figures holding hands against a patchwork sky with rain and a cloud ovwer one person and another holding an umbrella over them

Ask Dr. Paauw: De-Escalation in Public Libraries — Send Us Your Questions

blue white and yellow circles with question marks on the circles against a sky blue background

What the 2025 Government Shutdown Means for Libraries

Public Libraries Magazine — 2026 Call for Submissions

Nonprofits Do Entrepreneurship Too!

FYI Podcast: Résumé Writing with Alison King

wifi signal with an exclamation mark all in black on white background

What Does the Termination of the Digital Equity Act Grant Programs Mean for Libraries?

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Help Shape the Future of Adult Education in Public Libraries

FYI Podcast Episode – Navigating Legal Reference at the Public Library

cover of pl may june and illustration of four hands holding puzzle pieces and placing them toward a line of completed puzzle section on a black background page over a pink background overall

Read the May/June Issue of Public Libraries Magazine

ALA President Hohl Statement Regarding the Firing of Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress

PLA Member Spotlights: ALA Annual Conference 2025

Try These Tools for Helping Older Adults with Health Questions

Court Halts Dismantling of IMLS in ALA Lawsuit

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Public Libraries Highlight Business Support at ‘Main Street Now’ Conference

FYI Podcast Episode – Exploring Acoustic Rooster with PBS Kids

Celebrate Earth Day with Environmental Health Resources from NLM and NNLM

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Recognizing Trans Day of Visibility: Resources from PL Online

Get To Know the 2025 PLA Candidates: Directors-At-Large