24h
David Gewirtz writes: “I have long accepted one fundamental truth: Google knows everything that I do. But not everyone wants Google to access everything in Gmail, Docs, Calendar, and Chat, particularly professionals who use the commercial Google Workspace service. And yet, did you know Google defaults to allowing Gemini access to all Workspace services? In this article, I’ll show you how that process works. Then, I’ll show you how to turn it off for your company.”
ZDNet, Aug. 18
1d
Erica Ezeifedi writes: “Since we are in the midst of back-to-school season and fall is right around the corner, I thought it was the perfect time to plan to read some of the most recent dark academia. Just last month, I mentioned the queer, 1920s mystery Spoiled Milk by Avery Curran in a list of great lit fic to read with your club, and this week, I’ve got 1950s witches (courtesy of Alice Hoffman), deadly tarot, and more. There’s lots of romantasy, a little drug dealing, and the final book in a bestselling trilogy as a bonus.”
Book Riot, Aug. 18
1d
Anjuli Patil writes: “Nova Scotia author Rachel Reid has donated $300,000 to the Annapolis Valley Regional Library after hearing five branches were set to permanently shutter. ‘I had to do it because I don’t know what the point is of being a successful author in Nova Scotia if you’re not going to use it for good,’ Reid told CBC News. The library board had asked municipalities for $351,000 in funding earlier this year to keep five libraries open until the end of the 2026–2027 fiscal year, [but only] about a third of that money was committed.”
CBC News, Aug. 17
2d
Adrienne De Luna writes: “Program registration. I can hear the collective sighs from here. We ask people to register so we can plan for supplies, seating, staffing, snacks, and all the other little details that go into a successful program. A program fills up, you start a waitlist, and you plan for a full house. Then the day arrives. And half the people who registered don’t show up. Meanwhile, there may be people who wanted to attend but were told the program was full. So I asked other librarians: What are you actually doing about this?”
Youth Services Playbook, Aug. 12
2d
Bernadette A. Lear writes: “Promotional publications are often short-lived victims of their own success, cultivating so much business that staff soon run out of energy to generate fresh material. Also, printed giveaways are one of the first expenses to be cut when libraries are facing budget crunches. Even among libraries that have the wherewithal to keep newsletters going, few seem to keep archival copies—because the information in it goes stale so quickly or seems too commonplace or granular. But it’s precisely that type of datedness, everydayness, and detail that is invaluable to historians like me.”
In Search of Pennsylvania Library History, Aug. 16
2d
Rebecca Campbell writes: “Partnerships with Friends groups are often deeply rewarding, providing vital support for programs, collections, and community engagement. Yet these relationships can also be complex. Even with shared goals and good intentions, differences may arise over bylaws, donation management, or organizational roles. Longstanding historical tensions may further complicate the partnership. In some cases, despite sustained efforts to collaborate, a formal separation becomes the only viable solution. [In this situation,] upholding donor intent strengthens trust among donors, stakeholders, and the broader community. Honoring these principles safeguards the credibility of all public libraries.”
Florida Libraries, vol. 68, no. 1, Aug. 17
3d
Alejandro Marquez writes: “In the mid-20th century, it was believed that technology would make our lives simpler and lead to a shorter workweek. Yet, that freedom never came to pass. Our personal and professional lives have begun to blur. We live in a technological age of emails, notifications, instant messaging, calendar invites, Zoom calls, and being constantly connected to our smartphones. Full calendars and endless to-do lists aren’t just markers of a busy week; they’ve become a rite of passage for those striving to succeed. But at what cost?”
Choice: Toward Inclusive Excellence, Aug. 11
