ALA Releases Statement on Helping Communities Affected by Hurricane Helene

‘We Have to Work Together’: Action Beyond Banned Books Week

Chair Ava DuVernay talks about fighting censorship

Official graphic for 2024's weeklong focus on fighting book challenges

ALA Releases Preliminary Data on 2024 Book Challenges

New data shows a slowdown in challenge reports

Call Number Podcast: Check Out Your Library

OverDrive initiative reintroduces communities to their local libraries

Nikole Hannah-Jones, holding the microphone as keynote speaker

‘We Are the Majority’

Intellectual Freedom Summit in D.C. reenergizes library advocates to fight censorship

Offsite library shelving in vanishing perspective

Elevate Your Library Storage

Maximize space with shelving that extends up to 35 feet high

Makerspace and Sense of Place
Academic library hosts summer program for asylum-seeking and refugee youth

Spirit in the Stacks
Libraries help patrons hunt down apparitions

Optimizing Reality
Bringing AR to academia

2024 ALA Award Winners
Honoring excellence and leadership in the profession

Censorship Throughout the Centuries
A timeline of US book bans and the fight for intellectual freedom

Dynamic Service Desks
5 design tips for creating a friendly and flexible front-of-house
Sponsored by Yakety Yak Furniture

Gearing Up for a Great Build
How predesign can set libraries up for success

Busy Intersections
Mentorship can—and should—be more than a two-way street

Latest Library Links

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On October 3, the ALA Executive Board released a statement on what library professionals can do to support communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The full statement highlights opportunities to donate to local relief efforts and the ALA Disaster Relief Fund, which will distribute funds in cooperation with ALA chapters, volunteer time to local libraries and relief organizations, and advocate for policies and funding to ensure libraries can continue critical work during and after disasters.

AL: The Scoop, Oct. 4
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Florian Kastner writes: “JPG was developed to compress photos with lossy compression, which greatly reduced file sizes–a decisive advantage in the early days of the internet when storage space and bandwidth were still scarce resources. With the enormous progress in computer and software technology, the possibilities for image compression have also developed further. Today, modern image formats offer far better compression without compromising image quality. For many photographers, designers, and website operators, it’s becoming increasingly unattractive to rely on the outdated JPG format.” AVIF, JPEG XL, WebP, and HEIC/HEIF are likely to take its place.

PC World, Sept. 27
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Nick Dedeke writes: “In an earlier article, I discussed a few of the flaws in Europe’s flagship data privacy law, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Building on that critique, I would now like to go further, proposing specifications for developing a robust privacy protection regime in the US. If a country like the US developed a different privacy approach, it would bring choice and a new perspective into this important segment of protection of the privacy of data subjects.”

Ars Technica, Sept. 28
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Brian Stephens writes: “Lack of high-speed internet is a significant problem in almost 75% of communities served by the nation’s K–12 schools, according to Funds For Learning’s annual E-Rate Applicant Survey. A key change to the E-rate program’s rules aims to narrow the ‘homework gap’ by making Wi-Fi hotspots that schools and libraries loan to students and patrons eligible for E-Rate discounts. For funding year 2025, Wi-Fi hotspots are eligible for Category One discounts. However, schools and libraries must follow a slew of requirements in order to take advantage. Here’s a closer look.”

THE Journal, Sept. 24
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Danielle Costello writes: “Unsurprising to anyone who has ever known me, when I think about my favorite games, I have a very hard time deciding on a rank order. Favorites to me exist on a wide, joyful, and ever-increasing plane. Since I’m hoping to keep this list to a reasonable length, I’m sharing some of my favorite categories of games and some standout examples. Please enjoy!” The list includes examples of board games, role-playing games for groups and individuals, and video games in several genres.

ALA Games & Gaming Round Table, Sept. 30
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Catherine Hollerbach writes: “Library workers are finding the joy in library work they have missed over the past few years. What is more joyous than finding that book you read as a child and sharing it with your kids? Or finding just the right story that pulls on your heartstrings or takes you on an adventure? Sometimes, it’s a song in storytime that brings on a smile or a chance to learn about a fantastic wine or how to fix a car.”

Public Libraries Online, Sept. 25
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Matthew Gault writes: “In a time of devastation and loss, some people in Asheville, North Carolina, are turning to the public library for comfort and communication [after Hurricane Helene]. Cell services have created a communications blackout in much of the state, but Asheville’s downtown library is offering something incredible: free Wi-Fi.” ALA’s is accepting donations to its Disaster Relief Fund; the Chapter Relations Office is collaborating with state chapters in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina to identify affected libraries and facilitate the distribution of money from that fund.”

Gizmodo, Oct. 1; ALA Chapter Relations Office

View more Latest Library Links

ALA Releases Statement on Helping Communities Affected by Hurricane Helene

‘We Have to Work Together’: Action Beyond Banned Books Week

Chair Ava DuVernay talks about fighting censorship

ALA Releases Preliminary Data on 2024 Book Challenges

New data shows a slowdown in challenge reports

Call Number Podcast: Check Out Your Library

OverDrive initiative reintroduces communities to their local libraries

‘We Are the Majority’

Intellectual Freedom Summit in D.C. reenergizes library advocates to fight censorship

Elevate Your Library Storage

Maximize space with shelving that extends up to 35 feet high

Makerspace and Sense of Place
Academic library hosts summer program for asylum-seeking and refugee youth

Spirit in the Stacks
Libraries help patrons hunt down apparitions

Optimizing Reality
Bringing AR to academia

2024 ALA Award Winners
Honoring excellence and leadership in the profession

Censorship Throughout the Centuries
A timeline of US book bans and the fight for intellectual freedom

Dynamic Service Desks
5 design tips for creating a friendly and flexible front-of-house
Sponsored by Yakety Yak Furniture

Gearing Up for a Great Build
How predesign can set libraries up for success

Busy Intersections
Mentorship can—and should—be more than a two-way street

Filtering: The Man in the Middle

A Plan for More Meaningful Work and Professional Fulfillment

Diversity in Libraries

Chair Ava DuVernay talks about fighting censorship

New data shows a slowdown in challenge reports

OverDrive initiative reintroduces communities to their local libraries

Intellectual Freedom Summit in D.C. reenergizes library advocates to fight censorship

Maximize space with shelving that extends up to 35 feet high

Makerspace and Sense of PlaceAcademic library hosts summer program for asylum-seeking and refugee youth

Spirit in the Stacks Libraries help patrons hunt down apparitions

Optimizing RealityBringing AR to academia

2024 ALA Award WinnersHonoring excellence and leadership in the profession

Censorship Throughout the CenturiesA timeline of US book bans and the fight for intellectual freedom

Dynamic Service Desks5 design tips for creating a friendly and flexible front-of-houseSponsored by Yakety Yak Furniture

Gearing Up for a Great BuildHow predesign can set libraries up for success

Busy IntersectionsMentorship can—and should—be more than a two-way street

Makerspace and Sense of Place
Academic library hosts summer program for asylum-seeking and refugee youth

Spirit in the Stacks
Libraries help patrons hunt down apparitions

Optimizing Reality
Bringing AR to academia

2024 ALA Award Winners
Honoring excellence and leadership in the profession

Censorship Throughout the Centuries
A timeline of US book bans and the fight for intellectual freedom

Dynamic Service Desks
5 design tips for creating a friendly and flexible front-of-house
Sponsored by Yakety Yak Furniture

Gearing Up for a Great Build
How predesign can set libraries up for success

Busy Intersections
Mentorship can—and should—be more than a two-way street