Best General Library & Information Sciences Books of 2026

The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates is a New York Times Bestseller and a moving true story about two kids from the same city who share the same name but end up with vastly different destinies. One becomes a decorated combat veteran, Rhodes Scholar, White House Fellow, and business leader, while the other is serving a life sentence in prison. The book highlights the impact of family, community, and the choices we make in life. It's a captivating read that offers a poignant reminder of the power of our choices and the importance of empathy.

The Anatomy of Genres by John Truby is a must-read book for anyone who wants to write successful stories. Truby, a renowned writing teacher, provides a step-by-step guide to understanding the structure of genres and the essential plot events that define each of them. He explains how mastering the structure of genres is crucial for writers who want to succeed professionally. The book also reveals how writers can combine elements of different genres to craft unforgettable stories that stand out from the crowd. Overall, The Anatomy of Genres is an insightful and practical guide that will enhance the quality of any writer's work.

The Library Book by Susan Orlean is a New York Times Notable Book and a bestseller that investigates the mystery of the 1986 fire at the Los Angeles Public Library. Orlean weaves her love for books and reading into the story of the fire and the larger role that libraries play in our lives. She delves into the history and evolution of libraries, brings each department of the library to life, and reexamines the case of Harry Peak, the actor long suspected of setting fire to the LAPL. The Library Book is a delightful, exquisitely written book that serves as a portal into a place of history, drama, culture, and stories, and a must-read for every book lover.

This book is a must-read for scholars, researchers, and anyone who wants to present their work visually. Better Data Visualizations: A Guide for Scholars, Researchers, and Wonks by Jonathan Schwabish provides essential strategies to create effective data visualizations. The book covers over 80 visualization types, from histograms to choropleth maps and explains how to make subjective style decisions around a chart's design. The author walks readers through the steps of creating better graphs and how to move beyond simple line, bar, and pie charts. Overall, this book is an excellent practical guide to more effective communication through data visualization.

The Library: A World History is a fascinating book that explores the architecture of libraries around the world, from ancient Mesopotamia to modern China. The author, James Campbell, and photographer, Will Pryce, visited and documented over 80 libraries, showcasing each building's unique structure and atmosphere. Campbell's text provides the history of these libraries, while Pryce's photographs display the beauty of each library. This book is a must-read for book lovers and architecture enthusiasts alike, offering a comprehensive view of the evolution of libraries throughout history.

Matchmaking in the Archive: 19 Conversations with the Dead and 3 Encounters with Ghosts by E.G. Crichton is a groundbreaking project that pairs 19 LGBTQ artists, writers, and musicians with deceased individuals whose personal artifacts are part of the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Historical Society archive. The book includes 25 pages of vivid images and essays by Jonathan Katz, Michelle Tea, and Chris Vargas, who describe their own unique encounters with the ghosts of LGBTQ history. The author has created a touching study of identity, art, and lineage that ties into the physical artifacts of our lives. This book is a true pleasure to read and brings new worlds to light.

The Safe Library by Steve Albrecht is an essential guide for all levels of library employees on how to handle challenging patrons while maintaining a safe environment. The book provides practical tools such as de-escalation skills, communication tools, and personal protection methods. It also offers best practices for dealing with homeless patrons and unruly groups of students, and tips on working with security guards and law enforcement officers. This book is an invaluable resource for library directors, managers, and supervisors who manage different types of staff and patrons in various facilities. Overall, The Safe Library is an informative and crucial reference book for any library employee.

This reading log is a must-have for all book lovers. With 100 spacious record pages, it allows readers to log essential details like book format, source, and genre/subject. The log also has an inspiration tree where readers can jot down their thoughts and inspirations. At the back, there is a loan record sheet, a tick list of the top 100 voted fiction books, and a notes page. The exterior is a tough matte paperback with secure professional trade paperback binding. This book is unique because it has a blank personalized contents table that enables readers to allocate their reviews to specific categories. Overall, this is an excellent journal for book lovers who want to catalog their reading experiences.

The National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries is a comprehensive guide designed to help school librarians to transform teaching and learning. The book features a new streamlined AASL Standards Integrated Framework for learners, school librarians, and school libraries, which emphasizes the importance of all three standards sets while ensuring that standards-related activities are mutually reinforcing. The book includes a glossary of terms, useful verbs, a list of evidence, and other relevant appendices. This book enables personalization for every learner and school librarian, allowing you to continuously tailor your school library to local needs, your own strengths, and learners' benefits.

The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu: And Their Race to Save the World's Most Precious Manuscripts is an exciting and informative narrative of Abdel Kader Haidara's heroic effort to save tens of thousands of ancient Islamic and secular manuscripts from Al Qaeda's destruction in Timbuktu. Joshua Hammer's writing style is engaging, and he provides a fascinating insight into West African history. The book is a reminder that ordinary people can do extraordinary things to protect their culture's beauty. The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu is a must-read for history buffs and anyone interested in preserving the world's cultural heritage.