Though she says she is the “worst guest for librarians” because she flunked out of 7th grade and dropped out of school, she cleverly began her hilarious stand-up routine for the closing session of the Public Library Association 2016 conference with a story about Fluff, her kitten. Fluff and her night-night ribbon. The cat-loving librarians loved … Continue reading Tig Notaro: She’s Just a Person
In many ways, Giridharadas says, some of the darkest themes in his book have become even more prevalent since it was published in 2014. “Their story was the story of America fracturing,” he said to the crowd gathered for his Big Ideas talk at the Public Library Association 2016 conference in Denver today. Giridharadas is a New York … Continue reading What is a True American?
Huffington, the Adult Author Lunch speaker at today’s Public Library Association 2016 conference in Denver, took the fall as a literal wake-up call. She had been “running on empty” with just 4–5 hours of sleep a night. She learned new ways to calm herself before bed, and slowly worked her way back up to eight hours … Continue reading Arianna Huffington Touts the Wonders of Sleep
In speaking at the early morning Big Ideas session today at the Public Library Association 2016 conference in Denver, sponsored by Penguin Random House, Turkle drove home her point with numerous studies and anecdotes about people of all ages who find their phones have interfered with developing personal relationships. In the last 20 years, she … Continue reading Time to Put Your Phone Away and Talk
Colorado businesses and libraries partnered in COLab, where attendees could try out 3D printing with a printer made in Colorado, as well as other makerspace projects that are part of the partnership. At the Take Charge Lounge, spin bikes were set up with a phone charger attached to the flywheel, making it freewheeling charging. Programs … Continue reading How-To Lessons, Makerspaces, and Coding
She told the story of her first visit to China, and found herself the object of stares. Everyone was looking at her, and it didn’t feel good. “Why are these people staring at me?” she thought. She asked a Chinese associate to explain what was happening, and he said it was common for Chinese people … Continue reading Big Ideas with Vernā Myers
In an open and nonpolitical conversation, Anderson Cooper, CNN anchor, talked about his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, and their relationship, the focus of their new book, The Rainbow Comes and Goes (Harper Collins). Cooper, who experienced tremendous loss in his life with the death of his father at a very young age, and then the suicide of his … Continue reading PLA2016 Opens with Anderson Cooper and a Drum Line
Conference-goers received a “Little Guide for Your Big Ideas” created by Chapin, filled with tips and templates for pinpointing ideas and making plans, including a 30-day challenge to keep the conference flow going. The author of Grow Your Handmade Business: How to Envision, Develop, and Sustain a Successful Creative Business (Storey Publishing, 2012), Handmade Marketplace: How to … Continue reading PLA2016: Making It Extraordinary
The video featured John Fuduric, owner of The Cleveland Brewery, who used the local library’s 3D printer to create custom keg tap handles, and helped demonstrate how libraries assist local entrepreneurs in unusual ways. “Policy makers, community decision makers, and funders do not always recognize the expanded roles and capabilities of libraries nor recognize the extent … Continue reading Library Advocacy Video Premieres at PLA
“We’ve been open extended hours, and it’s just gotten busier every day,” said Natasha Lyandres, head of special collections. “The response from the community is just tremendous. Many local people are on campus for the first time.” The 1623 book of Shakespeare’s 36 plays, which was published in London seven years after the playwright’s death, … Continue reading Will is the Word: Shakespeare’s First Folio Tour
President-Elect Julie B. Todaro, chair of the 2015–2016 Committee on Committees, presented the nominations for the 2016–2017 election by Council of three Executive Board members (CD#11). The nominees are Vicki Morris Emery, Andrew K. Pace, John C. De Santis, Karen E. Downing, Kimberly Ann Patton, and Ann Crewdson. There were no nominations from the floor. … Continue reading Council I Passes Resolution on Islamophobia
Before the opening general session began, hundreds of school librarians met at IdeaLab, a digitally enhanced poster session with 20 video displays on topics that included STEM and STEAM, national standards, and Common Core, among others. Later, keynote speaker Heidi Hayes Jacobs challenged librarians to throw away old roles, quit making decisions based on habit, … Continue reading Makerspaces, Digital Literacy, Advocacy at AASL15
