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In honor of National Poetry Month in April, American Libraries offers statistics about poetry, including the approximate acceptance rate to Poetry magazine (1%), the number of rare and first-edition volumes of modern and contemporary poetry in the Raymond Danowski Poetry Library at Emory University in Atlanta (75,000), the number of books released by the first National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman last year (3), and the number of years since the establishment of the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry (100).
American Libraries Trend, Mar./Apr.
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ALA’s International Relations Committee is seeking nominations to section committees of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) for 2023–2027. To be nominated by an ALA unit aligned to an IFLA section, contact that ALA unit for information on its nomination process. Nominees should be an expert in the field covered by the section standing committee. Nominations are due October 30.
ALA International Relations Office
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ALA members can register for this year’s IFLA Virtual World Library and Information Congress (July 26–29) in Dublin, Ireland, at the IFLA Member Rate of 560 Euros, which is more than 25% off the nonmember rate. Register as a member of IFLA using the ALA IFLA member code US-0002 by April 5 to receive the early discounted rate.
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
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Jason Fitzpatrick writes: “The humble GIF file has been with us for a long time. Sadly, the creator of the GIF, computer scientist Steve Wilhite, passed away in March 2022. In honor of him and his contribution, we hope you enjoy these facts and think about him the next time you fire off an animated GIF in a group chat.” The first GIF, created in 1987, was likely an image of an airplane, and undoubtedly a still image. (The format didn’t support animation until a 1989 update.) And despite standing for Graphics Interchange Format, it’s pronounced “Jif”—at least according to Wilhite.
How-To Geek, Mar. 24
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Bill Oliver writes: “Texas A&M’s faculty senate passed a resolution at their March meeting, with 96 percent support, in opposition to the president’s decision telling 82 librarians who are faculty members to either become a staff employee or take a teaching assignment in another department. Before the resolution was discussed, faculty senate speaker Dale Rice said he visited with president Katherine Banks last week, “and I told her that I thought what was happening to the libraries was generating more widespread concern on campus than any other single other proposal out of [a consultant’s review.]”
WTAW (College Station, Texas), Mar. 22
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Will Hansen writes: “Kittie Smith smiles on the cover of ‘My Life Story’ above her neat signature. Inside the pamphlet are photographs of drawings and a quilt she made using her feet following the amputation of her arms. On the cover of his pamphlet, ‘The Blind Hobo,’ A. G. Haughton demonstrates his method of leaping onto a moving freight train. These are a few of the people whose stories are documented in the Newberry’s newly acquired Mendicant Ephemera Collection. The collection includes nearly 200 pamphlets, postcards, handbills, photographs, and other printed items sold by the disabled or impoverished to support themselves.”
The Newberry Source Material, Mar. 22
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A new national poll commissioned by the American Library Association (ALA) released on March 24 shows that seven in 10 voters oppose removing books from public libraries, including majorities of voters across party lines. In addition, 74% of parents of public school children expressed confidence in school libraries and librarians to choose which books are available to children and said books that have been contested should be available on an age-appropriate basis.
AL: The Scoop, Mar. 24
