Donate to support flooded libraries in Vermont

Flooding outside Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier. Photo by Executive Director Dan Groberg The ALA Disaster Relief Fund provides funds to libraries in the US and around the world that have been damaged or destroyed because of natural or man-made disasters. More than 20 Vermont libraries have reported damage from historic flooding July 10–11, including Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier, which had eight feet of water in its basement and suffered significant damage to books and building systems. ALA is collecting donations to support recovery efforts. To contribute, type “Vermont” in the tribute line at checkout.

ALA Disaster Relief Fund; Vermont Department of Libraries; WCAX-TV (South Burlington, Vt.)

Latest Library Links

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Only 9% of public libraries have implemented artificial intelligence (AI) policies, according to a new survey by Library Futures. Most respondents from libraries that did have AI policies did not find them useful for most applications, and many reported gaps in the AI policy. However, respondents at libraries that did not have a policy believed their library needed one. Based on these findings, the Library Futures AI policy working group plans to develop resources such as general AI policy guidelines, model policies, recommendations for vendor negotiations and collection development policies, and a bibliography.

Library Futures, Oct. 15
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Zachary Maiorana writes: “For our digital team at Harvard University’s Schlesinger Library, email collections frequently pose complex and isolated challenges. In many cases, email accessions require significant attention to identify personally identifiable information, achieve normalization of formats, reach ideal levels of archival processing, and migrate email data to a preservation repository. Mailboxes and loose email files we receive from donors tend to resist our efforts to reach a good standard of description, preservation, and access. This series takes a look at recent technical issues involving email and how we worked them out.”

Society of American Archivists BloggERS, Oct. 16
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The Pew Research Center has published new fact sheets on Americans’ use of the internet, social media, and mobile devices in 2026. Surveys found that 91% of American adults own a smartphone, and 16% own a smartphone but do not use broadband at home. YouTube is the most popular social media platform, used by 84% of American adults, followed by Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. While home broadband has been widely adopted, people with lower income and education levels are less likely to report subscribing to a broadband service at home.

Pew Research Center, Oct. 19
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Londun Christensen writes: “The removal of a longtime logo from the Farmville (N.C.) Public Library is raising concerns about transparency after three residents reportedly complained that its design resembled a rainbow and was associated with LGBTQ+ beliefs. The logo had represented the library for 14 years before it was removed following complaints made to a town commissioner. Farmville Mayor Alex Joyner said his biggest concern is how the decision was made and the lack of public discussion surrounding the change. Residents will have an opportunity to share their opinions and concerns during a meeting November 2.”

WCTI-TV (New Bern, N.C.), Oct. 19
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H. Jiahong Pan writes: “For Michael Sayen, visiting the local library after hours is a great way to get work done, or seek respite from the weather, regardless of what day it is. The Wyoming (Minn.) branch of East Central Regional Library (ECRL) is home to a new initiative called ‘extended access,’ which allows users to access a library branch when it is unstaffed. ECRL is one of a handful of rural library systems across the United States to offer such a service, increasing library access at a time when libraries are struggling for funding.”

The Daily Yonder, Oct. 13
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ALA focused on the success of the federal E-Rate program in public comments delivered to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) October 13. The FCC has proposed terminating or limiting E-Rate, which has provided affordable broadband to libraries and schools for nearly 30 years. Roughly 75% of US public libraries rely on E-Rate support for internet access and broadband-enabled services. ALA encourages libraries to file comments by November 12 to tell the FCC what losing E-Rate would cost their communities, using the sample comments at ala.org/erate.

ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office, Oct. 14
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Maria Leon-Roman writes: “Día de los Muertos is a holiday observed on November 1–2 that is traditionally celebrated in Mexico and in parts of Latin America with the purpose of honoring our loved ones who have passed away with ofrendas (altars), food, music, prayer, and cemetery visits. It is more of a festive than a somber occasion. I knew when I became a children’s librarian that this would be a program that I would want to host at my branch. Here’s what I’ve done over the years.”

ALSC Blog, Oct. 20

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