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People with American Libraries

Gallery July 9, 2015 Amy Carlton Leave a comment

Author and Parks & Recreation star Nick Offerman at #alaac15 — Author and *Parks & Recreation* star Nick Offerman at #alaac15 in San Francisco.

Sonia Manzano, who played Maria on Sesame Street for 44 years and won 15 Emmy Awards for writing, at the 2015 ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition. — Sonia Manzano, who played Maria on *Sesame Street* for 44 years and won 15 Emmy Awards for writing, at #alaac15 in San Francisco.

Phil Klay, 2014 National Book Award Winner, at the 2015 ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition. — Phil Klay, 2014 National Book Award Winner for *Redeployment*, at #alaac15 in San Francisco.

Louis Sachar, author of Holes, at the 2015 ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition — Louis Sachar, author of *Holes*, at #alaac15 in San Francisco.

Attorney Roberta Kaplan, Opening General Session speaker and author of Then Comes Marriage: United States v. Windsor and the Defeat of DOMA at #alaac15 — Attorney Roberta Kaplan, Opening General Session speaker and author of *Then Comes Marriage: United States v. Windsor and the Defeat of DOMA* at #alaac15 in San Francisco.

Caldecott-winning author-illustrator Jon Klassen at #alaac15 in San Francisco.

National Book Award finalist Edwidge Danticat at #alaac15 in San Francisco.

Author Erin Dealey at #alaac15 in San Francisco.

Essayist, historian, radio contributor, and cartoon voice artist Sarah Vowell at #alaac15 in San Francisco.

Joshua Davis, Wired contributing editor, Epic Magazine founder, and author of the book Spare Parts, at the 2015 ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition. — Joshua Davis, *Wired* contributing editor, *Epic Magazine* founder, and author of the book *Spare Parts*, at #alaac15 in San Francisco.

Actor, director, and host of Reading Rainbow LeVar Burton at #alamw15 — Actor, director, and host of *Reading Rainbow* LeVar Burton at #alamw15 in Chicago.

High-wire artist (Man on Wire) Philippe Petit at #alaac14 — High-wire artist (*Man on Wire*) Philippe Petit at #alaac14 in Las Vegas.

Actor and author of Nightmares! Jason Segel at #alamw15. — Actor and author of *Nightmares!* Jason Segel at #alamw15 in Chicago.

Mandalorian bounty hunter Boba Fett at C2E2 in Chicago.

Actor and author Bruce Boxleitner at C2E2 in Chicago.

Chef, author, and TV host (Mexico: One Plate at a Time) Rick Bayless at #alaac13. — Chef, author, and TV host (*Mexico: One Plate at a Time*) Rick Bayless at #alaac13.

Chef, writer, and Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis at #alaac13 in Chicago.

Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner, at #alaac13 in Chicago. — Khaled Hosseini, author of *The Kite Runner*, at #alaac13 in Chicago.

Octavia Spencer, actor and author of Randi Rhodes, Ninja Detective: The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit, at #alaac13 in Chicago. — Octavia Spencer, actor and author of *Randi Rhodes, Ninja Detective: The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit*, at #alaac13 in Chicago.

For the past five years, Schaumburg Township (Ill.) District Library has provided citizenship education for many area residents.

Becoming New Americans

Students—and teachers—find library citizenship program has much to offer

Counterclockwise from top right: Keith Lu, bookmobile driver and library tech, waves a rainbow flag from the SFPL bookmobile; collections management assistant Alan Wong (center) and collections librarian Erin Dubois (right) strike a pose while waiting for the parade to begin; adult services librarian and bookmobile librarian Connie Porciuncula wears a pink wig in front of the TechMobile; Annemarie Dompe, student at the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, holds a sign for Radclyffe Hall’s 1928 book The Well of Loneliness in front of the bookmobile; SFPL city librarian Luis Herrera rides a balloon-covered bike, and SFPL deputy city librarian Michael Lambert rides a skateboard ahead of SFPL’s marchers. (Photos: San Francisco Public Library)

Bookend: Librarians Show Their Pride

ALA at the San Francisco Pride Parade

Latest Library Links

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Chris Hoffman writes: “When I was younger, I was told ‘never use your real name on the internet.’ But the world has changed, and I don’t follow that advice anymore. Likewise, there’s a lot of well-meaning online security advice that has outlasted its usefulness. There’s a core of truth to each one of the security practices I criticize below, but you shouldn’t blindly follow these old tips. At best, you’ll be wasting your time. At worst, you’ll be putting yourself more at risk. Read on to learn more about the five outdated security practices you shouldn’t use anymore.”

PC World, Apr. 17
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Bobbi L. Newman writes: “This week, an article from the BBC caught my attention: ‘Without support, many menopausal workers are quitting their jobs.’ Supporting employees going through menopause is important for those experiencing it and for everyone’s wellbeing. It reflects a commitment to employee wellbeing and a strategic approach to workforce management. Libraries can adopt strategies to support employees experiencing menopause, enhancing their wellbeing and workplace productivity. Remember, with all wellbeing, the goal is to support and empower staff to make the choices that best improve their health. Here are some practical approaches.”

Librarian by Day, Apr. 19; BBC, Apr. 9
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Libraries have a long history of helping to deliver on a wide variety of development goals, from literacy and school readiness to research productivity and urban cohesion. Their unique potential has been recognized not just by the governments or others that traditionally fund them, but also by a range of other funders, private and public alike. The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions has created a dataset to help librarians easily discover examples of private philanthropic grants, as well as other funding sources, that other libraries have been able to leverage.”

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, Apr. 22
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Jackie Jennings writes: “It feels like the debate over whether #BookTok is bad has been raging since the moment the term was first coined. I’m starting off with a strong stance: BookTok is indeed bad. However, the problem with BookTok is not crappy books or bogus influencers. The problem with BookTok is TikTok itself. BookTok isn’t actually a community driven by fans, writers, influencers, or even publishers: it’s part of a social media corporation, controlled by the most mysterious, fickle god of all, the algorithm.” Not surprisingly, librarian recommendations can overcome some of BookTok’s limitations.

Jezebel, Apr. 18; Book Riot, Apr. 22
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ALA announced the launch of its state Intellectual Freedom Helpline grant program April 22. Over the next two years, 10 pilot program sites will operate a confidential reporting system that will help connect those experiencing censorship attempts with professional support, in-state peers, or referral to ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, as appropriate. State or school library associations or agencies wishing to either establish an Intellectual Freedom Helpline in their state or expand existing efforts may apply for $10,000 grants through July 14.

ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom, Apr. 22
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In celebration of the release of his latest nonfiction title, The Secret Lives of Booksellers & Librarians, bestselling author James Patterson is honoring select American Bookseller Association and American Library Association members with bonuses. He announced plans April 11 to give $200 each to 250 library workers across the country. The deadline for ALA members may nominate members to receive bonuses through April 30. Winners will be announced at ALA’s 2024 Annual Conference in San Diego.
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Catherine Hollerbach writes: “In early 2020, when the world shut down for COVID, many people got interested in houseplants. Anne Arundel County (Md.) Public Library’s Crofton Library embraced this trend and then some!” While preparing to reopen after the COVID shutdown, the library installed plants at the information desk to discourage patrons from sticking their heads through gaps in newly installed acrylic shields. They were well received and cared for, and the library gradually added more plants and built educational tools, programming, and partnerships around the plants.

Public Libraries Online, Apr. 18

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