Libraries rise to the challenge of maintaining services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photos: Nicole Johnson/Grand Rapids (Minn.) Area Library (drive-through); Robyn Huff (reopening); Pottsboro (Tex.) Area Library (e-sports); Tina Chenoweth (Animal Crossing)

Bookend: The New Normal

Rethinking Police Presence

Libraries consider divesting from law enforcement

On My Mind, by Jarrett Dapier and Emily Knox

When Not to Call the Cops

A plea to protect Black patrons

Congress Introduces Library Stabilization Fund Act

ALA asks advocates to urge cosponsors for new legislation

Screenshot from the session “Listening and Learning about Diversity in Jewish Literature for Children and Teens” (clockwise from top left: moderator Heidi Rabinowitz, librarian Anjelica Ruiz, librarian and author Esmé Raji Codell, publisher Joni Sussman, and author Aviva L. Brown).

Amplifying Diverse Voices in Jewish Librarianship

2020 AJL Digital Conference focuses on representation

Author Yaa Gyasi (Photo: Peter Hurley/Vilcek Foundation)

Newsmaker: Yaa Gyasi

Author’s latest work deals with addiction, depression, and faith

Bringing Books to the Desert
For Syrian refugees, a network of libraries and literacy

International Innovators
ALA Presidential Citations honor forward-thinking global libraries

Let Our Legacy Be Justice
Confronting racism and prioritizing action

Advancing Digital Equity
Public librarians strategize best ways to reach patrons during COVID-19

Black Lives Matter
Leading in tumultuous times

How to Sanitize Collections in a Pandemic
Conservators weigh in on the mysteries of materials handling during COVID-19

Latest Library Links

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As communities struggle to contain COVID-19, their libraries ask: What do regular services look like in uncertain times? Some of our favorite examples of libraries meeting this challenge in creative ways are compiled in our latest issue’s Bookend, including drive-thru service, drive-in e-sports, and creating a virtual branch in the videogame Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
American Libraries Bookend, July/August
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Following the lead of Colson Whitehead, who canceled his appearance at Free Library of Philadelphia scheduled for this week, several more authors have canceled their events. Comedian Maysoon Zayid and disability activist Alice Wong, Princeton University Chair of the Center for African American Studies Eddie Glaude, and Rep. Pramila Jayapal have all declined to appear at FLP in solidarity with the Concerned Black Workers at the Free Library of Philadelphia, who posted an open letter to library leadership on June 26 alleging racism, discriminatory hiring practices, and lack of safety.
Philadelphia Magazine, July 8
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Nominations are being accepted for ALA honorary membership, the Association’s highest honor, which is bestowed on living citizens of any country whose contributions to librarianship or a closely related field are so outstanding that they are of significant and lasting importance to the whole field of library service. Members who wish to forward nominations must complete the online ALA honorary member nomination form. The completed nomination packet, with all attachments, must be received no later than September 1.
ALA Governance Office, July 6
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ALA and Capital One announced a new grant opportunity for rural public libraries that will support digital access and financial capability for 20 communities nationwide. Through Community Connect: Digital Access at Home, 20 rural public libraries will receive resources to support financial capability and internet access for their patrons for two years. Applications will be accepted July 6–August 26. Library workers can apply online at ala.org/CommunityConnect.
Public Programs Office, July 6
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ALA announced the deferral of applications for the 2021 Lois Ann Gregory-Wood Fellowship Program. Because the program’s grant is designed to support attendance at ALA Annual Conference and Midwinter Meeting, this decision was made in light of the cancellation of the 2020 ALA Annual Conference and continued uncertainty in coming months around public health restrictions on large gatherings. The current 2020 fellow’s term will extend through 2021. ALA anticipates reopening applications in summer 2021 to resume the program in 2022.
ALA News, July 7
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Join ACRL at 1 p.m. Central on August 5 for the e-Learning webcast “Project Outcome for Academic Libraries: An Introductory Workshop.” If you are interested in measuring learning outcomes to drive change, making data-informed decisions, and demonstrating the impact of programs and services at your library, then jump-start your fall semester planning with this interactive virtual workshop. Attendees will learn how to get started with the Project Outcome for Academic Libraries toolkit. Complete details and registration materials are available on the ACRL website.
ACRL, July 8
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At annual review time, many employees complete a self-evaluation, which is often the same evaluation sheet their supervisor will use. Employees’ self-perceptions are not always accurate, and self-evaluations do not offer much insight into why employees see themselves that way. Incorporating self-reflection into the evaluation process can help supervisors understand much more about where employees see their strengths, areas for improvement, struggles, and successes. Register online: LLAMA member $49; nonmember $59.
LLAMA, July 7

View more Latest Library Links

Bookend: The New Normal

Rethinking Police Presence

Libraries consider divesting from law enforcement

When Not to Call the Cops

A plea to protect Black patrons

Congress Introduces Library Stabilization Fund Act

ALA asks advocates to urge cosponsors for new legislation

Amplifying Diverse Voices in Jewish Librarianship

2020 AJL Digital Conference focuses on representation

Newsmaker: Yaa Gyasi

Author’s latest work deals with addiction, depression, and faith

Bringing Books to the Desert
For Syrian refugees, a network of libraries and literacy

International Innovators
ALA Presidential Citations honor forward-thinking global libraries

Let Our Legacy Be Justice
Confronting racism and prioritizing action

Advancing Digital Equity
Public librarians strategize best ways to reach patrons during COVID-19

Black Lives Matter
Leading in tumultuous times

How to Sanitize Collections in a Pandemic
Conservators weigh in on the mysteries of materials handling during COVID-19

Filtering: The Man in the Middle

A Plan for More Meaningful Work and Professional Fulfillment

Diversity in Libraries

Libraries consider divesting from law enforcement

A plea to protect Black patrons

ALA asks advocates to urge cosponsors for new legislation

2020 AJL Digital Conference focuses on representation

Author’s latest work deals with addiction, depression, and faith

Bringing Books to the DesertFor Syrian refugees, a network of libraries and literacy

International InnovatorsALA Presidential Citations honor forward-thinking global libraries

Let Our Legacy Be JusticeConfronting racism and prioritizing action

Advancing Digital EquityPublic librarians strategize best ways to reach patrons during COVID-19

Black Lives MatterLeading in tumultuous times

How to Sanitize Collections in a PandemicConservators weigh in on the mysteries of materials handling during COVID-19

Bringing Books to the Desert
For Syrian refugees, a network of libraries and literacy

International Innovators
ALA Presidential Citations honor forward-thinking global libraries

Let Our Legacy Be Justice
Confronting racism and prioritizing action

Advancing Digital Equity
Public librarians strategize best ways to reach patrons during COVID-19

Black Lives Matter
Leading in tumultuous times

How to Sanitize Collections in a Pandemic
Conservators weigh in on the mysteries of materials handling during COVID-19