Author Archive: Laurie D. Borman

Colleen Lyon, head of scholarly communications at University of Texas at Austin.

Wading the Muddy Waters: Educating on Copyright and Digital Archives

By Laurie D. Borman | October 22, 2019

In this five-part series, American Libraries presents case studies and interviews with thought leaders looking at research trends in academic libraries. We’ll be covering trends on the topics of social justice, information literacy, digital archives, faculty outreach, and new technology. This is our third story in the series. Even with all that traffic, Lyon still gets … Continue reading Wading the Muddy Waters: Educating on Copyright and Digital Archives →

Librarians Bridge the Gap: Accessing Public Health Information

By Laurie D. Borman | September 17, 2019

In this five-part series, American Libraries presents case studies and interviews with thought leaders looking at research trends in academic libraries. We’ll be covering trends on the topics of social justice, information literacy, digital archives, faculty outreach, and new technology. This is our second story in the series. “Whether it’s helping to work with a question, … Continue reading Librarians Bridge the Gap: Accessing Public Health Information →

Digging through Boxes, Delving into Databases

By Laurie D. Borman | August 6, 2019

In this five-part series, American Libraries presents case studies and interviews with thought leaders looking at research trends in academic libraries. We’ll be covering trends on the topics of social justice, information literacy, digital archives, faculty outreach, and new technology. We’ll also explore how librarians build and grow relationships within the academic community. Our first … Continue reading Digging through Boxes, Delving into Databases →

The 11 cascading levels of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

Visiting Egypt’s Libraries

By Laurie D. Borman | September 19, 2017

The new Biblioteca Alexandrina The Bibliotheca Alexandrina complex comprises not just a library building but also a planetarium and conference center. A large fence with guard stations about every 25 meters runs along the corniche. This was once where you could enter the grounds, but due to security precautions prompted by political turmoil, the entrance … Continue reading Visiting Egypt’s Libraries →

An Interview with Retiring ALA Executive Director Fiels

By Laurie D. Borman | July 28, 2017

What plans do you have for retirement? My game plan is to get a studio and do some painting. I have put this aside for many years—maybe since grad school. Lately I’ve been doing a little bit of work in en plein air oils. I like to have an easel in the back of my car and … Continue reading An Interview with Retiring ALA Executive Director Fiels →

A screenshot from a presentation by Daniel Ayala, director of global information security at ProQuest, at the 2017 Midwinter Meeting in Atlanta.

Cybersecurity and Privacy in 2017

By Laurie D. Borman | January 22, 2017

The use of ransomware by hackers on public computers has increased dramatically in the past two to three years, and libraries need to be diligent about security practices, said Daniel Ayala, director of global information security at ProQuest. Ayala provided tips and information during his talk on cybersecurity at Midwinter on Saturday. “We need to think of … Continue reading Cybersecurity and Privacy in 2017 →

ALA Council poses for a historic group shot. Photo by Cognotes

Council III Addresses Equity for School Libraries

By Laurie D. Borman | June 28, 2016

Chair of Committee on Legislation (COL) Ann Dutton Ewbank gave her report and requested that the Deaf Culture Digital Library resolution (CD #46_62516) be deferred to Midwinter 2017 so that appropriate research can be conducted. The motion passed. The COL also presented four additional resolutions, which all passed. They included: A resolution (CD #20.4) to … Continue reading Council III Addresses Equity for School Libraries →

Negotiation graphic from LLAMA President's Program

Lessons from Getting to Yes with Yourself

By Laurie D. Borman | June 25, 2016

When William Ury, cofounder of Harvard’s Program on Negotiation and the author of eight books about negotiating including the classic Getting to Yes, asks his audience which is tougher—negotiating with external audiences or internal ones like colleagues or family members—the answer is resounding: internal conflicts. Speaking at the 2016 ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition in Orlando for the Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA) President’s Program, Ury has the advantage. He knows we know the enemy and the enemy is us.

Disseminating the World’s Largest Genocide Testimony Archive

By Laurie D. Borman | June 25, 2016

In seeking the partnership, the Shoah Foundation wanted to expand access of the testimonies from survivors, rescuers, political prisoners, and other witnesses from the Holocaust, the 1915 Armenian Genocide, the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, and the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. It was also looking to increase citations. With 112,000 hours of video that average two hours and … Continue reading Disseminating the World’s Largest Genocide Testimony Archive →

11 Questions with Christopher Murphy

By Laurie D. Borman | June 22, 2016

Murphy has nearly 30 years’ experience in editorial, production, and marketing positions at nonprofit organizations, most recently with the Association of International Educators (NAFSA), where he was senior director of publications and communications. He has a B.A. from Loyola University in Baltimore and a master’s from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Before packing his bags for Orlando, Murphy … Continue reading 11 Questions with Christopher Murphy →

Talia Sherer, director of library marketing at Macmillan (left), and Wendy Bartlett of Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Public Library present at BEA.

Librarians Meet at BookExpo America

By Laurie D. Borman | May 13, 2016

Rawlinson spoke as part of a book publisher marketing panel, one of a series of programs sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) called Libraries Transform: ALA@BEA that highlighted the role of libraries in the publishing business. The panel, “Publisher Marketing Teams Helping You Help Readers,” described the many ways that librarians can access publishers … Continue reading Librarians Meet at BookExpo America →

Libraries Transform: ALA@BEA in Chicago

By Laurie D. Borman | May 10, 2016

At McCormick Place Convention Center, Libraries Transform: ALA@BEA will focus on library transformation and what libraries do for and with people. The discussions on May 12 will showcase the strong role of libraries in the publishing business: “Embrace the Innovative Future of Readers’ Advisory” at 9 a.m. tracks the latest trends in readers’ advisory and will … Continue reading Libraries Transform: ALA@BEA in Chicago →

Latest Library Links

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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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Rodney Freeman writes: “I am proud to be a librarian—and rare. Less than 7% of librarians in the US are Black. Libraries symbolize the literacy that was denied to so many of our ancestors. For our enslaved forebears, something as fundamental as learning to read was illegal and dangerous, but they did it anyway. Separate but ‘equal’ schools and ‘colored’ libraries filled with cast-offs from white libraries were key features of the Jim Crow era. Today we are seeing the same impulse to distort access to information into a tool to suppress and control, and to make some people ‘other.’”

Newsweek, Apr. 16
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Lori Birrell writes: “Staff want to feel valued, and they want their work to have an impact. A reorganization process can help leaders to surface such areas of impact and give staff a feeling of empowerment and value. Practitioners considering any sized reorganization are strongly encouraged to consider what models and resources will best support them as they plan and lead this work. Regardless of the model or resources, any reorganization process should be more than just moving boxes and reporting lines around on an organizational chart.”

Library Leadership and Management, Apr. 15
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Megan Bennett writes: “Two decades ago, while Daily Show Senior Correspondent Dulcé Sloan was doing summer shows at a community theater in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, the library was her main hangout spot. In the small town of 9,000 people, it was a place to gather with other young actors—and the only place with internet access. American Libraries spoke with Sloan before her closing session at the Public Library Association 2024 Conference in Columbus, Ohio, about her new book, her journey in stand-up comedy, and her memories of libraries.”

American Libraries Trend, Apr. 17

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