Latest Library Links
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Diana Panuncial writes: “September marks Library Card Sign-Up Month, and this year’s festivities are set to a whole new beat with Laufey, a two-time Grammy winner, serving as honorary chair. In 2025, the musician collaborated with four major US public library systems and Reykjavík (Iceland) City Library to release Laufey Book Club library cards. Today, special-edition library cards are more than just credentials. Whether they are featuring famous figures or commemorating culture and history, they’re something to flaunt. Here’s a look at other cards that are striking a major chord. -
David Gewirtz writes: “I have long accepted one fundamental truth: Google knows everything that I do. But not everyone wants Google to access everything in Gmail, Docs, Calendar, and Chat, particularly professionals who use the commercial Google Workspace service. And yet, did you know Google defaults to allowing Gemini access to all Workspace services? In this article, I’ll show you how that process works. Then, I’ll show you how to turn it off for your company.” -
Erica Ezeifedi writes: “Since we are in the midst of back-to-school season and fall is right around the corner, I thought it was the perfect time to plan to read some of the most recent dark academia. Just last month, I mentioned the queer, 1920s mystery Spoiled Milk by Avery Curran in a list of great lit fic to read with your club, and this week, I’ve got 1950s witches (courtesy of Alice Hoffman), deadly tarot, and more. There’s lots of romantasy, a little drug dealing, and the final book in a bestselling trilogy as a bonus.”
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Anjuli Patil writes: “Nova Scotia author Rachel Reid has donated $300,000 to the Annapolis Valley Regional Library after hearing five branches were set to permanently shutter. ‘I had to do it because I don’t know what the point is of being a successful author in Nova Scotia if you’re not going to use it for good,’ Reid told CBC News. The library board had asked municipalities for $351,000 in funding earlier this year to keep five libraries open until the end of the 2026–2027 fiscal year, [but only] about a third of that money was committed.” -
Adrienne De Luna writes: “Program registration. I can hear the collective sighs from here. We ask people to register so we can plan for supplies, seating, staffing, snacks, and all the other little details that go into a successful program. A program fills up, you start a waitlist, and you plan for a full house. Then the day arrives. And half the people who registered don’t show up. Meanwhile, there may be people who wanted to attend but were told the program was full. So I asked other librarians: What are you actually doing about this?” -
Bernadette A. Lear writes: “Promotional publications are often short-lived victims of their own success, cultivating so much business that staff soon run out of energy to generate fresh material. Also, printed giveaways are one of the first expenses to be cut when libraries are facing budget crunches. Even among libraries that have the wherewithal to keep newsletters going, few seem to keep archival copies—because the information in it goes stale so quickly or seems too commonplace or granular. But it’s precisely that type of datedness, everydayness, and detail that is invaluable to historians like me.” -
Rebecca Campbell writes: “Partnerships with Friends groups are often deeply rewarding, providing vital support for programs, collections, and community engagement. Yet these relationships can also be complex. Even with shared goals and good intentions, differences may arise over bylaws, donation management, or organizational roles. Longstanding historical tensions may further complicate the partnership. In some cases, despite sustained efforts to collaborate, a formal separation becomes the only viable solution. [In this situation,] upholding donor intent strengthens trust among donors, stakeholders, and the broader community. Honoring these principles safeguards the credibility of all public libraries.” -
Alejandro Marquez writes: “In the mid-20th century, it was believed that technology would make our lives simpler and lead to a shorter workweek. Yet, that freedom never came to pass. Our personal and professional lives have begun to blur. We live in a technological age of emails, notifications, instant messaging, calendar invites, Zoom calls, and being constantly connected to our smartphones. Full calendars and endless to-do lists aren’t just markers of a busy week; they’ve become a rite of passage for those striving to succeed. But at what cost?” -
The Education and Libraries Networks Coalition, cochaired by AASA, the School Superintendents Association; ALA; and Bernstein Strategy Group—reaffirmed its strong support for the E-Rate program. ALA urges its members to submit comments on an FCC proposal that raises questions about limiting or terminating the E-Rate program, which provides discounts to help schools and libraries provide broadband internet access. The deadline for submitting comments is October 13, and ALA offers instructions and a template to aid in drafting comments.AASA, the School Superintendents Association, Aug. 14; American Libraries Online, June 16
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Renee Kitson writes: “In early childhood library programming, we expect adults and children to participate together. Caregivers sing during storytime, bounce babies on their knees, help toddlers with activities, and sit beside preschoolers as they explore. But when children reach school age, programs increasingly become for the child. Adults become the people who drive children to the library and watch from the sidelines. As children become more independent, we naturally begin to give them more space. But I’ve started to wonder: What if school-age children don’t have to age out of shared experiences with the adults in their lives?” -
Radu Tyrsina writes: “In recent years, Google has made significant changes that have particularly impacted publishers and other content creators. At the same time, we’ve witnessed the rise of alternative search engines. Although Google continues to dominate the market, there are many reasons you might consider exploring other options. We’ve compiled and tested a list of alternatives in our environment.” -
Savannah Long writes: “Regardless of your individual experience with animals coming into your library, all libraries—law libraries included—should have an animal policy. For some libraries, that may simply be a policy explicitly stating that only service animals are permitted, in accordance with federal law; however, I believe that a more in-depth policy is beneficial, and this post will discuss various elements to consider when drafting your own policy. To further assist in this process, I have written a sample animal policy for law libraries to use as a template.”
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