September/October 2015

Features & Trends

Challenges by Initiator, 2014: Who challenges books?

Don’t Take the Freedom to Read for Granted

Banned Books Week, September 27–October 3, celebrates the idea that the freedom to read and access ideas can transform lives, but when books are banned, readers are blocked from seeing all viewpoints and perspectives. Because so many books that include racial issues and diverse characters are challenged, it is particularly important that we create public … Continue reading Don’t Take the Freedom to Read for Granted →

ALA Midwinter 2016: Get Ready Now!

Attendees at Midwinter engage in the face-to-face committee work that moves projects forward and builds on virtual collaboration, as well as quality conversations with exhibitors on a less crowded exhibit floor. They will return to their libraries and other institutions with the renewed sense of energy generated by in-person events, as well as new tools … Continue reading ALA Midwinter 2016: Get Ready Now! →

A patron renews her driver’s license inside Ames (Iowa) Public Library in June. Iowa DOT unveiled 11 kiosks in libraries in May.

Driver’s License Kiosks Expand to Iowa Libraries

By Alison Marcotte

After a successful two-year pilot project to make driver’s license renewals easier for state residents via public kiosks, the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) began implementing similar kiosks in 11 libraries in late May. One of those kiosks is inside Ames (Iowa) Public Library. Mary Logsdon, the library’s adult services manager, says providing the … Continue reading Driver’s License Kiosks Expand to Iowa Libraries →

Columnists

Libraries Go to the Movies
By Phil Morehart
Understanding Diversity
By Karen Muller
Improving Retention
By Irene Ke, Kristine Greive, and Porcia Vaughn
It’s Not Us Versus Them
By Meredith Farkas
Altmetrics, Bibliometrics
By Rachel Borchardt and Robin Chin Roemer
What I Learned
By Joseph Janes
A Place for Play
By Abby Johnson
Support School Libraries!
By Keith Michael Fiels
Library Card Spokesdog
By Sari Feldman

Latest Library Links

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Jose Ruiz-Vazquez writes: “Public libraries are dealing with budget cuts, book bans, and the usual existential questions about whether anyone needs physical collections when they can Google everything. And now artificial intelligence (AI) shows up, and everyone assumes libraries are about to get steamrolled by it too. But watch what’s happening at reference desks: Patrons ask how to determine whether an IRS email is real or a phishing attempt. Small business owners are trying to figure out which AI tool won’t steal their marketing copy. These aren’t edge cases. This is what reference work looks like now.”

Public Libraries Online, July 12
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Maria McCauley writes: “For 30 years, E-Rate has been one of America’s most visionary programs, opening the doors of digital opportunity to every community in our nation. But now E-Rate is under threat. Opponents argue that because E-Rate has succeeded, we no longer need it. But just as our streets and roads require ongoing investment, so too does our digital infrastructure. A digitally connected America—across rural, urban, and tribal lands alike—is a stronger America.” Learn more about proposed changes to E-Rate and how to contribute to advocacy to protect the program at a webinar July 16.

American Libraries column, July 14
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Sallyann Price writes: “Chicago was an apt host for the ALA’s 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition, marking both ALA’s 150th anniversary and the nation’s 250th birthday. At the Opening General Session, journalist, author, and podcaster Rachel Maddow set the tone for a convening that was both celebratory and deeply reflective on what’s happening in the world. Shifting demographics, rapid advances in technology, and the rise of authoritarianism are all affecting how libraries serve their communities. Maddow wasn’t the only speaker to draw inspiration from the challenges of these times.”

American Libraries feature, July 14
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Whitney Christopher writes: “As concerns about data privacy continue to grow and become increasingly difficult to navigate, libraries play an important role in helping patrons make informed decisions. A key challenge is ensuring patrons understand what happens to their data when they access third-party vendor websites, particularly in cases where tracking and data collection are not immediately visible. An ongoing project within Cornell University Library examines vendor privacy policies alongside the data collected by vendor platforms. The goal is to better align what vendors say in their policies with what their websites actually do, while also improving transparency for patrons.”

Choice 360 LibTech Insights, July 13
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In a column adapted from a presentation at the Recharging in Challenging Times ALA virtual event, Darcy Lipp-Acord writes: “What I find concerning are the abusive communication and behavior patterns I see being used by many who attempt to challenge books, ban books, and ‘protect children.’ Patterns I have pointed out to my staff include character assassination, disinformation, gaslighting, minimizing, and volatility. How do we prepare ourselves for these interactions?”

American Libraries column, Summer
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Kendra Winchester writes: “Disability Pride Month is all about taking strength in who we are as disabled people, celebrating our lives, and coming together as a community. That includes the kiddos in our lives. That’s where picture books come into play. These stories aren’t just sweet stories; they are reflections of the many different kinds of disabled lives lived around the world. They illustrate the incredible diversity in disabled communities. Here are a few to help get you started.”

Book Riot, July 2
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Paul Goble writes: “The Lenin State Library in Moscow is setting up a special restricted access collection to hold what officials call ‘destructive literature’ that scholars and officials may need to see to do their work but that ordinary Russians will not be able to access, according to Zhanna Alekseyeva. The Russian deputy culture minister says other libraries will follow suit and will place books not on the approved list in such restricted collections.”

Eurasia Review, June 26

View more Latest Library Links

September/October 2015

Features & Trends

Don’t Take the Freedom to Read for Granted

ALA Midwinter 2016: Get Ready Now!

Driver’s License Kiosks Expand to Iowa Libraries

Making It in the Academic World

Thwarting Book Thieves

Better Communication, Safer Facilities

Bridging the Tech Gap

It’s All in the Numbers

Newsmaker: Sonia Manzano

Open Access Publishing

2015 ALA Award Winners

AIA/ALA Library Building Awards

2015 Library Design Showcase

Bookend: Urban Renewal

Columnists

Libraries Go to the Movies

Understanding Diversity

Improving Retention

It’s Not Us Versus Them

Altmetrics, Bibliometrics

What I Learned

A Place for Play

Support School Libraries!

Library Card Spokesdog