19h
Bill Furbee writes: “Libraries across the country are using the expanding prevalence of music streaming to connect with local artists, offering them a platform to share their music digitally and freely to music lovers around the world. And when done right, it can also set the stage for deeper community connections.”
American Libraries Trend, Sept./Oct.
19h
Phil Morehart writes: “Most librarians don’t work with astronauts or watch space shuttle launches, but it’s all in a day’s work for Sheva Moore. A video librarian and researcher at Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., Moore provides materials from the onsite video, photo, and audio collection to production companies, TV networks, advertisers, and private citizens with an interest in space and NASA. She also helps produce NASA’s social media content, segments for NASA TV, and science and mission briefings.”
American Libraries Bookend, Sept./Oct.
20h
Robert F. Lambert, president of York County (Pa.) Libraries, writes: “We are deeply saddened and disappointed by the decision of the Central York School District School Board to blanket ban or ‘freeze’ over 300 resources—children’s picture books, K–5 books, middle and high school books, videos, webinars, and web links suggested by the district’s diversity education committee over a year ago. Many of the authors, illustrators and spoken word artists, as well as their subjects, are people of color. Many of the subject matters are uplifting, affirming, and encouraging.”
York (Pa.) Daily Record, Sept. 20
21h
Jolanie Martinez writes: “Before entering a state library, people must show their vaccine card or a negative test result, which must be taken within 72 hours. However, public libraries are finding it a challenge trying to balance enforcing the new requirements and providing services to their guests. ‘Unfortunately, one of our managers’ cars was scratched with keys,’ said State Librarian Stacey Aldrich. Aldrich says since the vaccine and test mandate went into effect September 13, some people have been verbally abusive toward librarians who are trying to enforce the rule.”
Hawaii News Now, Sept. 18
21h
Alison Flood writes: “Published for the first time this week in the Strand Magazine, Tennessee Williams’ 1952 story ‘The Summer Woman’ was found in his archives at Harvard University’s Houghton Library. It follows an American academic who visits Rome each summer to continue his relationship with a woman he first met when she was working the streets. But as the years pass after the end of the second world war, he finds hostility towards Americans growing.”
The Guardian (UK), Sept. 15
21h
Hannah Campbell writes: “A Craighead County Jonesboro (Ark.) Public Library board meeting September 13 ended with citizens voicing their concerns and a board member stepping down. Amanda Escue resigned from her position, stating she and her family had moved to Randolph County. Escue argues that sensitive content, including sexual or romantic attraction, topics of gender theory, and family planning, should first be approved by the board so that the library is ‘considerate of the parent’s role.’ Library Director David Eckert calls it censorship.”
KAIT-TV (Jonesboro, Ark.), Sept. 13
22h
Sam O’Brien writes: “Morris Press is the United States’s largest community cookbook publisher, and, at their Kearney, Nebraska, headquarters, the diversity of their catalog is on full, delightful display. As a pay-to-publish operation, the company very rarely turns prospective authors away, which means their catalog is vast and colorful. They’ve published cookbooks by soap opera stars, the Chicago Bulls, and even a collective of gay clowns in San Francisco.”
Gastro Obscura, Sept. 10
