Latest Library Links, January 16, 2015

News from ALA and the profession

January 26, 2015

Latest Library Links

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Aurora (Ill.) Public Library officials apologized April 22 after a poetry exhibit drew harsh criticism for including an Islamophobic display encouraging violence against Muslim women. The display featured the poem “Hijab means Jihad” by Lewis University philosophy professor George Miller superimposed over a Confederate flag. The poem was described as satire by both Miller and library officials. Library Board President John Savage had the exhibit removed on April 22.

Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald, Apr. 22
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ALA Publishing eLearning Solutions will host a new 90-minute workshop, “Avoid Programming Burnout: Tap into Your Interests to Stay Engaged” with Katie LaMantia and Emily Vinci, on June 20. LaMantia and Vinci offer practical strategies for avoiding burnout in the best possible way—by incorporating your authentic self into programs. Registration is through the ALA Store.

eLearning Solutions, Apr. 20
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The RUSA Emerging Technology Section is transforming to better serve itrs members. Known for discussion groups about hot topics and engaging programs about leadership, systems, and user experience, ETS is bringing a revitalized structure and slate of committees together to focus on equipping public-service librarians to implement tech-savvy solutions that work for all kinds of libraries and users.

RUSA, Apr. 19
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A swastika and the word “heil” were scrawled on a bulletin board at the Glencoe (Ill.) Public Library. The vandalism was found April 10 in a second-floor room in the library and reported to police the next day, library executive director Andrew Kim said in a statement. Kim said he did not believe the graffiti indicates a larger bias problem in the village. After the discovery, library staff turned the “heil” into the word “hello” and made the swastika into another design.

Chicago Tribune, Apr. 20
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The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois, announced April 19 that it is publishing “the most complete documentary collection ever produced” of the sixteenth president’s first 33 years. The digital collection covers much of Lincoln’s early years in Springfield, including the establishment of his law office and his four terms in the Illinois General Assembly. The oldest item archived is a “ciphering book” Lincoln used as a student that shows him learning how to do math.

Springfield (Ill.) State Journal-Register, Apr. 19
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Earth Day is April 22. It began in 1970 and is now celebrated in more than 150 countries. The day is intended to raise awareness about the environmental issues facing the world. Writing on the environment has a long legacy. The genre took a dramatic turn in the 20th century with the publication of a series that highlighted the dangers faced by various environments and species. The 19th-century themes of appreciation and understanding were joined by concern for the environment’s future and demands for conservation.

AbeBooks' Reading Copy, Apr. 16
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Jacob Nadal writes: “Every spring, libraries all across the US celebrate Preservation Week. The Library of Congress has a special role in this. Our vast scope of collecting requires us to support an extensive program of preservation services and research. From time to time, though, Congress gives the library special direction to attend to preservation issues of concern for the American people. It is a particular honor to share an example of this in the form of the Veteran’s History Project.”

Library of Congress Blog, Apr. 20