3h
“Presenters at the July 9 town hall of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions Advisory Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression made it clear that access to information is under threat in many parts of the world at the moment, ranging from censorship of library activities and materials to the lack of open access publications and sanctions hindering research collaboration.” A follow-up session will be held August 11 at the World Library and Information Congress in Busan, Korea.
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions Advisory Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression, July 30
6h
Elliott Bowen and Alexis Chanthachack write: “Autism acceptance efforts have come a long way in recent years, and libraries are one of the key reasons why. But challenges remain. One of the biggest is the idea that autism is something people ‘age out of.’ Autism doesn’t magically disappear as children get older, but people often behave like that’s the case. To create more age-inclusive, autism spectrum disorder-friendly spaces, resources, and programs, the best place to start is with a community conversation.”
Public Libraries Online, Aug. 3
23h
Amy Brownlee writes: “I was fortunate to spend four days at River Bend Farm in Saco, Maine, at a teacher institute on watershed science and conservation. The program is run through The Ecology School, an organization that provides outdoor, place-based learning experiences for both students and teachers. The schedule includes 2 ½ hours to spend researching your local watershed, identifying and contacting local community partners, and designing lessons and curriculum integration. I left with ready-to-implement teaching strategies, lesson ideas, and bountiful resources.”
Knowledge Quest, Aug. 3
1d
The 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled July 30 that Arkansas’ 2023 law restricting access to library materials can go into effect, three years after a judge blocked two sections of the law on First Amendment grounds. The two sections create criminal liability for librarians who distribute content that some consider ‘obscene’ or ‘harmful to minors,’ and give city and county governing bodies the final say over library content. The plaintiffs’ lead attorney said in a statement that the legal team is ‘evaluating all available legal options, including further review by the courts,’ after the ruling.
Arkansas Advocate, July 30; Dec. 23, 2024
1d
Jamia Williams writes: “One of my favorite things about working in academic libraries is creating displays. At first glance, they may seem like a simple way to highlight books, but library displays can be so much more. They are opportunities to tell stories, spark curiosity, encourage dialogue, and help members of our communities see themselves reflected in the library. When we intentionally incorporate diverse perspectives into our displays, we send a powerful message: everyone belongs here, and every story has value.”
Choice: Toward Inclusive Excellence, July 28
4d
While Jimothy, the Seattle raccoon with an unusually short and rounded shape, may have achieved viral fame, it’s remained a fan of libraries. Jimothy completed the Summer Quest program at Seattle Public Library’s Ballard Branch, visited Cobb County (Ga.) Public Library’s genealogy and local history collections, and inspired booklists at Kitsap Regional Library in Bremerton, Washington, and Pima County (Ariz.) Public Library.
Seattle Public Library, July 17; Cobb County (Ga.) Public Library, July 23; Kitsap Regional Library, July 23; Pima County (Ariz.) Public Library, July 20
4d
Maria Peña writes: “Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster adaptation of The Odyssey introduces the epic poem attributed to Homer to a new generation of moviegoers, turning a nearly 3,000-year-old story into a fresh cultural touchstone. The Library of Congress’s collections, covering centuries of time, document how artists, cartographers, and translators around the world have translated and reimagined Odysseus’s journey anew. The LC’s holdings on work attributed to Homer go back about 2,000 years, with a papyrus fragment from The Iliad, the precursor to The Odyssey.”
Library of Congress: Timeless, July 28
