Author Archive: Jessica Cilella

Graphic: Libraries use tech tools to fight fake news (Illustration: Drew Bardana)

Check Your Facts

By Jessica Cilella | November 1, 2019

The Albuquerque Journal’s coverage of the event was headlined “Drag Queens Dazzle at Library Storytime,” while enthusiastic parents voiced support on the library’s Facebook page. Other Facebook commenters voiced opposition, sharing links to conservative websites and articles with headlines like “Parents Beware—Registered Sex Offenders Are Performing for Small Children at Drag Queen Story Hours in Public Libraries” … Continue reading Check Your Facts →

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Jeffrey L. Wilson writes: “If you’re looking for a good PC game to play, you’ve come to the right place. There are a lot of video games in this roundup that will entertain you, and they’re neatly organized by genre. This is not a historical examination of the most groundbreaking PC games; rather, it is an ever-expanding collection of entertaining titles you should buy if you own a gaming desktop or gaming laptop. Any game that is still available and still considered excellent when ranked against the best of today is eligible.”
PC Magazine, Jan. 16
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On January 23, thousands of librarians and library workers will begin to descend on Philadelphia for the 2020 ALA Midwinter Meeting. And they will be searching for the best places to eat and things to do while visiting the City of Brotherly Love. In Episode 46, Dewey Decibel explores what to see and where to eat during Midwinter, featuring interviews with Linda August, reference librarian and curator of art and artifacts at the Library Company of Philadelphia, and Sarah Levitsky, marketing director at Reading Terminal Market.
AL: The Scoop, Jan. 17
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The Ohio University Libraries’ Don Swaim Collection, featuring more than 700 audio interviews of well-known authors from Book Beat, the nationally produced CBS Radio News program, is now available online—including digital transcripts of the syndicated news program. From 1982 through 1993 the program, hosted by OU alumnus Don Swaim, ran daily snippets of the candid taped interviews of famous authors such as Margaret Atwood, Toni Morrison, John Irving, Ray Bradbury, and many others. The full-length interviews, from which Book Beat broadcasts were created, are longer and more free flowing.
Ohio University Libraries, Jan. 3
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Timothy Inklebarger writes: “When Mandel Public Library in West Palm Beach, Florida, started offering binge boxes—which it calls ‘binge bundles’—this year as part of its summer reading program, its DVD circulation more than quadrupled in a single month, jumping from 125 in June to 528 in July, according to MPL Library Supervisor Janet Norton. Mirroring offerings from Netflix and Hulu, libraries are seeing renewed interest in materials through the creation of binge box collections—sets of movies and television shows on DVD with related themes and titles to help sate patrons’ binge-watching needs.”
American Libraries Trend, Jan./Feb.
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Giovanna Centeno writes: “Marriage can be lovely and fulfilling, but it will always be a challenge. When those challenges come, or even before they do, the best marriage books are here to help. Everything from self-help, memoir, history books, and fiction can be found in this list of the best marriage books. The infinite wisdom of people who have already been through all of it will shine a light on whatever issues you might be facing. These are 15 of the best marriage books to help guide and you (and me) and, if need be, comfort you through the tough times.”
Book Riot, Jan. 17
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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday was celebrated at the main branch of the New Orleans Public Library with speakers, music, and cake. Shukrani Gray, of the library’s African American Resource Collection, and speaker Ausettua AmorAmenkum spoke to visitors and students during the January 15 birthday celebration, and Luther Gray, of Bamboula 2000, led students in playing drums. A special birthday cake was prepared for the occasion.
New Orleans Times-Picayune, Jan. 16
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A movement to withdraw books with LGBTQ characters from elementary schools in Loudoun County, Virginia, suffered a setback as officials voted to leave in place two books that some parents wanted removed. A few months ago, conservative parents launched a religion-driven campaign to banish LGBTQ literature from elementary school libraries in Loudoun County—with early success. School officials had removed at least five books with LGBTQ themes after parents’ complaints. Now a three-member subcommittee of the county school board voted 2–1 on January 15 to prevent the removal of Prince & Knight and Heather Has Two Mommies.
Washington Post, Jan. 15

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