0116newsmaker

December 11, 2015 970 × 647 Newsmaker: Kathryn Matthew

Kathryn Matthew is the new director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

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Earlier this year, Sarah Lamdan was promoted to executive director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) after joining the Association in 2024 as OIF deputy director. Prior to joining ALA, Lamdan was a librarian and law professor at City University of New York School of Law, where her research focused on information access, privacy, and other legal issues related to librarianship. She is author of two books, most recently Data Cartels, which looks at privacy and access as they relate to data analytics companies and platforms. Lamdan answered our 11 Questions to introduce herself to ALA members.

AL: The Scoop, June 16
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Alejandro Marquez writes: “When I graduated from library school, I wanted to become an administrator. I envisioned myself leading teams, shaping the direction of the organization I joined, and advocating for the people and projects I believed in. However, I encountered persistent constraints around budgets and time, faced overwhelming workloads, and, most significantly, was confronted with the ongoing need to support and mentor struggling colleagues. A significant number of talented and dedicated library workers are saying ‘No’ to traditional managerial roles. This essay will explore the factors driving this trend.”

Choice 360 LibTech Insights, June 9
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Elizabeth Szkirpan writes: “Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming ubiquitous. Its integration is not just limited to our personal technology but now also includes library resources. Meanwhile, vendors are constantly introducing new tools or integrations into existing products, and we must measure emerging AI platforms against our library’s tried-and-true resources to gauge which ones truly bring a new perspective or added value to our collections. To cut through the noise, I’ve narrowed down my queries for vendors to five questions to better understand how a new AI tool might enhance my library’s user experience.”

American Libraries feature, Summer
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Donna Seaman writes: “Megha Majumdar lit up the book world in 2020 with her first novel, A Burning, a galvanizing tale of social media and tyranny. It became a bestseller, was named best book of the year by many publications, and was a finalist for ALA’s Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction. Her gripping second novel, A Guardian and a Thief, is set in a near-future Kolkata besieged by the ever-worsening climate crisis. It received this year’s Carnegie Medal, which will be presented to Majumdar on June 27 at ALA’s Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago.”

American Libraries Trend, Summer
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Jen Lennon writes: “The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America held its 61st annual Nebula Awards June 6, celebrating the best sci-fi and fantasy writing from 2025. The awards cover a broad swath of mediums, including literature, film, television, and games writing. Stephen Graham Jones took home the top prize for his novel The Buffalo Hunter Hunter.” The same day, Jones’s book also took the Superior Achievement in a Novel prize at the Bram Stoker Awards, presented by the Horror Writers Association to recognize outstanding horror writing.

Gizmodo, June 9; Nebula Awards, June 6; Bram Stoker Awards, June 7
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Najifa Farhat writes: “The US Department of Commerce reported in April that the current inflation rate is at a three-year high of 3.8%, up from March’s rate of 3.5%, and prompting many Americans to look for ways to reduce spending. As inflation continues to put pressure on household budgets, more Missourians are turning to public libraries for help with stretching their dollars. Librarians across Missouri say they are seeing increased demand for resources that help people save money, learn new skills, and access services they might otherwise pay for.”

KBIA-FM (Columbia, Mo.), June 9
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Kristen Johnson writes: “On June 5, Durham County (N.C.) Board of Commissioners ordered the immediate reversal of a decision that forced library staff to dismantle Pride Month displays. The initial order, sent by email from Durham County Public Library Director Dana Conners, required branches to take down all LGBTQ+ materials effective immediately June 4, citing federal action and executive orders that reject ‘illegal’ diversity, equity and inclusion actions in the workplace.” Supporters of the LGBTQ community gathered outside Durham’s main library June 5, including drag performer Stormie Daie, who read to children.

Raleigh (N.C.) News and Observer, June 6; WRAL-TV (Raleigh), June 5

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