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  • 6y

    Academic Insights by Twanna Hodge and Jamia WilliamsTwanna Hodge and Jamia Williams write: “Librarianship is an overwhelmingly white profession, with most of its racial and ethnic diversity existing in paraprofessional, precarious, and part-time positions. As two early-career Black women with experience in multiple academic and health sciences libraries, we have experienced many barriers to existing and thriving in librarianship: tokenism, racial battle fatigue, cultural taxation, and emotional labor. We regularly navigate the manifestations and effects of vocational awe as well as structural and institutional racism in academic libraries, all of which COVID-19 has highlighted and severely worsened.”

    American Libraries column, Jan./Feb.

  • Latest Library Links

    • 6h

      National Library Legislative Day logoALA and the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies have opened registration for National Library Legislative Day (NLLD) 2027. Hundreds of library advocates from across the country will gather in Washington, D.C., February 24–25, 2027, to make the case for federal support of libraries of all types. The event will open with an afternoon briefing on February 24 that includes education, advocacy training, and networking activities, followed by a day of meetings with federal legislators on February 25. The deadline to register is November 25, and capacity is limited.

      ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office, Oct. 7

    • 10h

      The State of US Academic LibrareisGena Parsons-Diamond writes: “The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) has published The State of US Academic Libraries: Findings from the ACRL 2025 Annual Survey. The annual Academic Library Trends and Statistics Survey gathers critical information about academic library staff, expenditures, collections, circulation, and information services. The data helps staffers and administrators evaluate library performance over time and make peer comparisons. It can also help articulate the value of academic libraries and their impact on higher education, demonstrating the core services libraries provide and the resources needed to support institutional missions.

      ACRL Insider, Oct. 13

    • 15h

      Show up for E-Rate logoEliminating E-Rate would have serious negative effects on the US economy, according to a new economic study released October 8 by the Schools, Health, and  Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition, ALA, and coalition partners. The analysis, conducted for SHLB by independent economic consulting firm The Brattle Group, estimates that removing roughly $2.6 billion in annual E-Rate support would reduce annual real GDP by about $4.2 billion, or about $1.60 in lost economic activity for every $1 of support removed.

      ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office, Oct. 9

    • 1d

      Coiled USB cableSteve Tetrault writes: “Despite what too many adults continue to believe, students are not very good with technology. For the most part, their use and understanding of technology is surface-level. Their technological inabilities are compounded by the fact that many of the productivity tools adults use on a regular basis are not regularly used by students. Email? Why would they, when they have texting? Printing, and/or understanding file types? They carry a display screen on their person—no need to deal with files or printing. So the kids aren’t alright when it comes to ‘basic’ tech use.”

      Knowledge Quest, Oct. 7

    • 1d

      Librarians collaborating on a puzzle at a staff development dayJaime Eastman writes: “Whether in the library or in our lives, stress often doesn’t come from one big thing. Instead, it comes from lots of little things happening at once, or the cumulative effect of those little things over time. To reduce stress, we need to identify and address those causes. Programming should be exciting, not exhausting. Time spent at the desk should encourage connection, not avoidance. Well-rested staff members bring more creativity and enthusiasm. Sustainable systems keep staff members and patrons engaged and appreciative. When we can reduce stress, we improve consistency, and everyone wins.”

      ALSC Blog, Oct. 8

    • 2d

      Cover of The Optimized Library white paperSam Suber writes: “Choice’s latest white paper, “The Optimized Library: Prescriptive Foundations for Resource Stewardship in an Era of Fiscal Austerity,” shows academic libraries how to navigate fiscal threats by bridging library science and operations research. Through case studies and by translating operational research concepts into practical collection strategies, the paper grapples with a tension many libraries are facing: They have the data to identify future fiscal threats but lack the mathematical framework to steer around them.”

      Choice, Sept. 29

    • 5d

      Covers of The Credits Roll Into the Sea, Death Metal Duck, and The Demon of Beausoleil.Ricardo Serrano Denis writes: “New York Public Library (NYPL) has put together a list of the best new comics of 2026 based on librarian input and feedback. It’s a special list as it offers a glimpse into the reading habits, intellectual leanings, and potential fandoms shared among New York’s book ambassadors. As such, it is an infectious selection of comics. Manga and young adult comics have always had a strong presence in NYPL’s best new comics lists, especially in recent years. This year, the selection is more varied, running the gamut of genres.”

      The Beat, Oct. 1

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