Author Archive: Kevin Maher

Fund Libraries: Tell Congress to Invest in Libraries graphic

Library Advocates Deliver

By Kevin Maher | April 12, 2019

The annual campaign to gather support for the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) program began with the congressional appropriations process in March, prime time for advocates to tell members of Congress about the important library programs supported by federal funding. With the Institute of Museum and Library … Continue reading Library Advocates Deliver →

Museum and Library Services Act Stalls in House

By Kevin Maher | December 14, 2018

In closed-door meetings in November, the House and Senate negotiated a bipartisan, bicameral agreement to move MLSA (S. 3530) forward. The Senate, with the assent of the library community, accepted changes requested by the House Republican majority prior to the bill passing the Senate on December 4 by unanimous consent. In return, the House committed … Continue reading Museum and Library Services Act Stalls in House →

Subcommittee Calls for Library Funding Increases

By Kevin Maher | September 14, 2018

Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS): $2 million increase Title IV-Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act: $70 million increase National Library of Medicine: $13 million increase Career and technical education state grants: $70 million increase Adult education state grants: $25 million increase Head Start: $200 million increase Level funding was provided for … Continue reading Subcommittee Calls for Library Funding Increases →

Next Steps to Fund Libraries

By Kevin Maher | March 7, 2018

The following excerpt originally appeared March 6 on District Dispatch, the blog of the American Library Association’s Washington Office. Read the full post at District Dispatch. The White House budget proposal for FY2019 recommends the elimination of most federal library funding. Though the budget proposal is concerning, Congress has the final say over the budget. Starting today, two … Continue reading Next Steps to Fund Libraries →

Help preserve funding for the LSTA and IAL

Fight Cuts to Library Services

By Kevin Maher | March 10, 2016

While the American Library Association (ALA) is working in Washington to protect critical library funding, members of Congress respond best when they hear from their constituents. Take a few minutes to call, email, or even tweet your representative and both of your senators to request that they add their names to two letters supporting LSTA … Continue reading Fight Cuts to Library Services →

Latest Library Links

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At first sight, the Ocean Beach branch of the San Diego (Calif.) Public Library is much like any other: People browse the shelves, sit at tables reading newspapers, and use free computers. But perched on top of the reference desk are packets of seeds ready, just like books, to be checked out. Stored in a salvaged card catalog, dozens of seed varieties are alphabetically indexed according to their common name, along with details about their source. Since spring 2019, library visitors have been encouraged to take packets of seeds home with them to plant. The project is one of more than 500 seed libraries that have opened in the US, Europe, and elsewhere since 2011.

Deutsche Welle, Aug. 21
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Colleen Gibson writes: “Patience and Fortitude, the world-renowned pair of marble lions that stand proudly in front of the New York Public Library’s 42nd Street location, have captured the imagination and affection of New Yorkers since 1911. But which lion do you identify more with: quiet and diligent Patience, or determined and courageous Fortitude? Take our quiz to find out, and make sure you visit the lions the next time you’re at the Library. Patience is on the side of the library closest to 40th Street, while Fortitude is the closest to 42nd Street.”

New York Public Library Blogs, Aug. 10
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New York City’s Morgan Library and Museum has announced its first-ever culinary collaboration with chef and food advocate Tom Colicchio. Starting this fall, dining at the Morgan will feature new dishes and cocktails curated exclusively for its dining spaces, the Morgan Café and the Morgan Dining Room. Colicchio was brought on board by Restaurant Associates, the nation’s premier on-site dining management company, which has managed food and beverage operations at the Morgan for more than a decade. Colicchio’s cuisine will highlight modern American dishes, with menus updated seasonally to showcase fresh ingredients at their peak.

Morgan Library and Museum, Aug. 20
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Four students were injured in a shooting at a block party August 20 outside the Atlanta University Center’s Robert W. Woodruff Library. The female students, who police said range in age from 17 to 19, were taken to a hospital with graze wounds and gunshot wounds. They were hit when someone opened fire into a crowd of about 200 people. “Initial investigation seems to indicate an argument broke out between two parties prior to the shooting,” Atlanta Police Public Affairs Director Carlos Campos said. Two of the injured students are from Spelman College and two are from Clark Atlanta University.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Aug. 21
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Counting every person once and only once and in the right place every 10 years is an enormous undertaking that has vast implications for political representation and more than $800 billion in federal funding for states and localities. Achieving this complete count in the 2020 Census will require hiring more than 500,000 temporary workers. Public libraries can play a central role in helping community members learn about and apply for these jobs, and a new tip sheet from the ALA can help. How Can My Library Increase Awareness of 2020 Census Hiring highlights key information for libraries about the US Census Bureau’s hiring effort.

Public Libraries Online, Aug. 20
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United for Libraries is hosting a live webinar, “2020 Census: What Trustees, Friends and Foundations Need to Know,” on September 11. Assistant Director of Government Relations for the ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office Gavin Baker will lead the webinar. The 2020 Census will begin in March, and the results will shape economic and political opportunity for the next decade. The live session and its recording are free for United for Libraries members. The webinar will launch the first of United for Libraries’ Monthly Member Forums on the second Wednesday of each month.

United for Libraries, Aug. 20
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ACRL’s Choice magazine has published the fourth in a series of white papers designed to provide actionable intelligence around topics of importance to the academic library community. This second marketing-focused publication, Implementing Marketing Plans in the Academic Library: Rules, Roles, and Definition, offers a practical definition of library marketing and examines why it is integral to successful operations and strong fiscal support. Written by Emily L. Hauser, the paper describes specific, actionable steps different types of libraries can take to build effective, sustainable marketing programs.

Choice, Aug. 20

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