Author Archive: Carrie Smith

BOOM! Studios panel: Brian Azzarello, Roxane Gay, Ryan North, Tracy Lynne Oliver, and Gabby Rivera

Breaking the Rules of Graphic Novels

By Carrie Smith | June 26, 2020

At “Breaking the Rules of Graphic Novels,” a discussion at ALA Virtual on June 25 sponsored by BOOM! Studios and moderated by Filip Sablik, its president of publishing and marketing, panelists explored the ways comics are breaking free of their reputation and appealing to ever-larger audiences. The past reputation of comic books isn’t wholly unearned. … Continue reading Breaking the Rules of Graphic Novels →

Treasure Hunters at Libraries? Why Not!!

Treasures to Take Home

By Carrie Smith | June 24, 2020

Hong Yao, president-elect of the Chinese American Librarians Association and director of technical services at Queens (N.Y.) Public Library, moderated a discussion on increasing engagement and investment in archives and community education during “Treasure Hunters at Libraries? Why Not!!,” a June 24 session at ALA Virtual 2020. A map to the best information Accurate, timely … Continue reading Treasures to Take Home →

Libby the Librarian greets students at University of Pretoria Libraries in South Africa. Photo: Mariki Uitenweerde/University of Pretoria in South Africa

What the Future Holds

By Carrie Smith | June 1, 2020

Here we offer insights and predictions from five library thinkers who shared their perspectives at the Symposium on the Future of Libraries during the American Library Association’s (ALA) 2020 Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits. From core values such as privacy and sustainability to more novel innovations such as the use of robots, we explore what the … Continue reading What the Future Holds →

The Hover Camera Passport is an AI-powered drone for personal photography.

A Drone’s-Eye View

By Carrie Smith | June 1, 2020

Hover Camera Passport The Hover Camera Passport is a lightweight, foldable drone for personal photography designed for a simple, automated user experience. Weighing 242 grams (8.5 ounces), it is just below the FAA registration weight limit and folds into the shape of a VHS tape. While most drones rely on controllers—whether standalone or through an … Continue reading A Drone’s-Eye View →

DeskMAX’s two stand-mounted panels absorb sound and prevent reverberations during recording.

Cast and Release

By Carrie Smith | March 2, 2020

Auralex portable acoustic treatments Room acoustics are easy to overlook, but the layout and shape of spaces noticeably affect the quality of audio recordings. Auralex offers a range of portable, lightweight, freestanding acoustic dampeners so you can create a temporary recording space for vocal work in an existing room without committing to permanent modifications. The … Continue reading Cast and Release →

Immersive Classrooms for All

By Carrie Smith | January 28, 2020

Immersive classrooms—spaces that use large displays and interactive elements to simulate environments—have been in use at large academic institutions for years. They generally require expensive screens, projectors, and interactive devices as well as expert-level development to design and adapt content. However, Fort Hays (Kans.) State University (FHSU) received a National Leadership Grant from the Institute … Continue reading Immersive Classrooms for All →

Exploring Speculative Design

By Carrie Smith | January 27, 2020

Jung and Renee Albrecht-Mallinger, senior design researcher at IA Collaborative, hosted a reading group at a collaborative art space in Chicago to address climate change through speculative design, with an end goal of creating an art piece that would engage people and get them to think more deeply about the topic. Jung spoke about the … Continue reading Exploring Speculative Design →

Making Discoveries Discoverable

By Carrie Smith | January 26, 2020

The team of librarians who helped shape this course through collaboration with instructors shared their experience at “Metadata Instruction Mobilizing Human Rights Research in the Undergraduate Classroom” on Saturday, January 25 at the ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits in Philadelphia. The project began when a history professor approached Alex Boucher, research and instructional services librarian … Continue reading Making Discoveries Discoverable →

More Than Making

By Carrie Smith | January 26, 2020

To explore the roles a library can play in hosting a makerspace, Schrupp posed three questions: Why host a makerspace? Knowing how it fits into a school’s mission and objective will guide how you choose resources and what types of activities will take place. What is the focus? “There are a lot of approaches out … Continue reading More Than Making →

Nebraska City (Neb.) Mayor Bryan Bequette (left) and his wife and daughter celebrate after solving a puzzle in the Morton-James Public Library’s escape room.

Nontraditional Approaches to Reaching Local Leaders

By Carrie Smith | November 1, 2019

At Manitowoc (Wis.) Public Library (MPL), which hosts a free carnival every August, local representatives such as the mayor and aldermen hop into a dunk tank or serve as targets for the water-balloon catapult. Julia Lee, youth services manager at MPL, says getting local celebrities in the dunk tank helps break down barriers between residents … Continue reading Nontraditional Approaches to Reaching Local Leaders →

The MERGE Headset adapts smartphones into VR viewers with access to games, 360-degree video, and educational content.

Alternate Realities, Simplified

By Carrie Smith | November 1, 2019

MERGE While specialized VR equipment can be expensive and difficult to loan, MERGE offers a suite of apps and accessories to make augmented and virtual reality more accessible and portable through common technology including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. The MERGE Cube is a small foam cube that, when used with its accompanying apps, allows users … Continue reading Alternate Realities, Simplified →

OverDrive supports library-driven digital book clubs through publisher negotiation and marketing materials.

Bringing Book Clubs Online

By Carrie Smith | September 3, 2019

OverDrive Digital Book Clubs Libraries that have digital collections from OverDrive are automatically part of the company’s global ebook club, the Big Library Read, which makes select titles available for unlimited checkouts for a limited period three times a year. In addition to this large-scale reading program, the company also provides support for community-wide and … Continue reading Bringing Book Clubs Online →

Latest Library Links

2d

Isabella Cheng writes: “Grambling (La.) State University (GSU) held a ribbon cutting August 22 to celebrate its new Digital Library and Learning Commons. According to GSU, the library is a state-of-the-art, 50,000-square-foot facility where people can connect, create, and collaborate and features 150 computer stations, 17,000 square feet of study space, and multipurpose space for events, meetings, and seminars.” GSU states the $16.6 million facility is the first of its kind at a Historically Black College and University in the US, and the first in Louisiana.

KTAL-TV (Shreveport), Aug. 23; Grambling State University, Aug. 22
2d

Trisha Parsons writes: “Battle of the Books is a nationwide reading program that gives kids the chance to participate in a competition that doesn’t involve sports equipment; all the kids need is dedicated time to read and study books. Students on Battle of the Books teams prepare to be asked questions about the content of the books in a competition style. Every year, our library district hosts the Battle of the Books program for grades 3–5. We partner with local schools to bring this fun, educational program to the students.”

ALSC Blog, Aug. 24
2d

Ken Fountain writes: “After months of rancorous discussions, a split Fort Bend (Tex.) Independent School District board of trustees on August 26 approved revisions to the district’s policy on removal of books from school libraries that put the ultimate decision-making authority in the hands of the district’s superintendent. It removes a permanent reconsideration committee made up of district staff from the process of evaluating challenges to books. The 5–2 vote came after at least 16 members of the public, including teachers and librarians, parents, and former and current students, spoke against the changes. No members of the public spoke in favor.”
3d

Book challenges and restrictions in US public schools have increased dramatically since 2021. A new research report by the Knight Foundation surveyed more than 4,500 people to explore public attitudes about restricting students’ access to books. The study found that two-thirds of Americans oppose book restriction efforts in public schools, and more than three-fourths are confident that their local public schools select appropriate books. While nearly a quarter of respondents were aware of efforts to restrict book access for students in their community, only 3% have participated in efforts to either maintain or restrict access.

Knight Foundation, Aug. 21
4d

A wide range of funding opportunities are available for public libraries under the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to build digital literacy skills, support workforce development and economic advancement programs, offer telehealth support, and enable access to devices and broadband. A free September 4 webinar will provide essential information, examples of eligible projects, and practical tips to apply for funding opportunities. Register for the webinar and review additional resources for grant applicants. The grant application deadline is September 23. (ALA will host additional webinars about other funding opportunities, including a webinar on applying for E-Rate funding on September 25.)

Public Library Association; AL: The Scoop, Dec. 28, 2021; Public Policy and Advocacy Office
4d

Anjuli Patil writes: “Halifax, Nova Scotia, Public Libraries staff are on strike after conciliation talks between the employer and their union ended over the weekend without an agreement. Negotiations had been ongoing since last October between Halifax Public Libraries and the union, which represents 340 employees. The strike began at 12:01 a.m. on August 26. [In addition to wage increases, union Vice-President Chad] Murphy said the union is also looking to address issues such as parental top-ups for adoptive parents, sick leave provisions and a safe working environment.”

CBC News, Aug. 26
4d

Kathleen Hughes writes: “On Saturday, October 19, libraries and advocates nationwide are planning a Freedom to Read Community Day of Action with rallies at libraries, bookstores, places of worship, and other community hubs in towns big and small all across the nation. The goal is to demonstrate the broad support that exists in our communities for libraries and the freedom to read. Get more information about holding a Freedom to Read rally at your library and opt in to participate.” The event is organized by Unite Against Book Bans, the Association for Rural and Small Libraries, Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library, and Queens Public Library.

Public Libraries Online, Aug. 26

View more Latest Library Links