Author Archive: Laurie D. Borman

ESSA Act passes the U.S. House of Representatives

By Laurie D. Borman | December 2, 2015

American Association of School Librarians (AASL) President Leslie Preddy and American Library Association (ALA) President Sari Feldman released the following joint statement in response to today’s vote. “The AASL and ALA commend the House for passing the Conference Report, which has multiple provisions included as part of Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) that would support effective school library … Continue reading ESSA Act passes the U.S. House of Representatives →

Caldecott-winning author Brian Selznick talked about his story process and how important librarians have been to him since elementary school.

Brian Selznick, Digital Research, and the Digitally Naive

By Laurie D. Borman | November 9, 2015

There was no snoozing through Selznick’s early morning talk about his story process and how important librarians have been to him since elementary school in East Brunswick, New Jersey. Selznick, a 2008 Caldecott Medal winner for his self-illustrated book The Invention of Hugo Cabret, had everyone laughing and sighing over his beautiful illustrations and stories … Continue reading Brian Selznick, Digital Research, and the Digitally Naive →

Making Connections, Makerspaces at AASL15

By Laurie D. Borman | November 7, 2015

At the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) National Conference on Friday, Rohl introduced a group of administrators with Project Connect, who are helping to empower their school library programs. Project Connect is a panel of superintendents, district-level librarians, and AASL leaders who are focused on advocating for effective school libraries and helping develop future-ready librarians. Follett sponsored … Continue reading Making Connections, Makerspaces at AASL15 →

High Strung entertains attendees outside the exhibit hall at the 17th American Association of School Librarians (AASL) National Conference and Exhibition in Columbus, Ohio.

AASL Conference Opens with IdeaLab

By Laurie D. Borman | November 6, 2015

Before the opening general session even began, hundreds of school librarians met at IdeaLab, a sort of digitally enhanced poster session, with tabletop video displays on topics from STEM and STEAM, national standards, Common Core, and more. Karen Nourse Reed and Jennifer “Megan” Carlton, of the James E. Walker Library at Middle Tennessee State University … Continue reading AASL Conference Opens with IdeaLab →

Task Forces on LIS Accreditation Announced

By Laurie D. Borman | October 30, 2015

The two task force charges and memberships are: Task Force on Accreditation Process and Communication CHARGE: To make recommendations to the ALA Executive Board on the following areas: External Communications, including the importance of LIS education to the profession, the academy, and the public; the celebration of the strength of LIS programs; and advocacy and … Continue reading Task Forces on LIS Accreditation Announced →

2015 ALA Leadership Institute

By Laurie D. Borman | August 13, 2015

Each year, a committee (which includes Library Leadership and Management Association leaders but not Sullivan or Deiss) reviews applications to choose a diverse mix of participants based on type of library (public, academic, school, special, etc.), organizational responsibility, geography, gender, and race/ethnicity. About twice as many librarians apply as are selected, according to Sullivan. This selective … Continue reading 2015 ALA Leadership Institute →

Sari Feldman at the ALA Inaugural Brunch

New Public Awareness Campaign Announced

By Laurie D. Borman | June 30, 2015

President Feldman thanked Past President Young, and presented her with a Tiffany bracelet on behalf of the Association as the audience gave Young a standing ovation. Libraries Transform, a new public awareness campaign to elevate the ways libraries support individual opportunity and community progress, was the focus of new ALA President Sari Feldman’s speech at … Continue reading New Public Awareness Campaign Announced →

Council III Memorials and Actions

By Laurie D. Borman | June 30, 2015

ALA President Courtney Young opened the Council III meeting at 7:45 on June 30, and former ALA President Barbara Stripling announced it closed just before 10 a.m., with numerous actions and reports. Council members stood as memorials were read for Gail A. Schlachter, David Cohen, Charles Benton, Cynthia D. Clark, Ruth C. Carter, William Vernon … Continue reading Council III Memorials and Actions →

What It’s Like to Win

By Laurie D. Borman | June 29, 2015

Anthony Doerr and Bryan Stevenson talk with American Libraries about winning the Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction. Anthony Doerr: Bryan Stevenson:

Anthony Doerr (left) with his book. Bryan Stevenson

Doerr, Stevenson win 2015 Andrew Carnegie Medals

By Laurie D. Borman | June 28, 2015

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA’s all-time lead scorer, Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, and a New York Times–bestselling author, offered the keynote address. His first novel, Mycroft Holmes, about Sherlock Holmes’s older brother, will be published this fall by Titan Books. Abdul-Jabbar said his father was an avid reader who gave him books to find answers … Continue reading Doerr, Stevenson win 2015 Andrew Carnegie Medals →

Loriene Roy honored by American Indian Library Association

By Laurie D. Borman | June 27, 2015

Roy, former president of both AILA and ALA, is of the Anishinaabe/White Earth Nation. She was honored by the AILA with its highest award at the event in San Francisco, coinciding with the 2015 ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition. Roy is a professor in the School of Information at the University of Texas at Austin, … Continue reading Loriene Roy honored by American Indian Library Association →

National Library Workers Day

By Laurie D. Borman | April 14, 2015

To honor them, the American Library Association–Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA) gathered testimonials about library workers from all 50 US states, the District of Columbia, and some international libraries, and posted them as a “Galaxy of Stars” on the National Library Workers Day page. Here are just a few of the people mentioned there: “Lori Dekydtspotter, from … Continue reading National Library Workers Day →

Latest Library Links

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Laura Schulte-Cooper writes: “It’s January! We all know what that means—time for ALA’s Youth Media Awards (YMAs) press conference. This year’s event takes place on Monday, January 27, at 8 a.m. Mountain during the LibLearnX conference in Phoenix. Whether celebrating with us or watching the stream online, the YMAs are sure to be the highlight of your month. Just for fun, here are some interesting statistics related to the 2024 Youth Media Awards and press conference.”

ALSC Blog, Jan. 7
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Nick Tanzi writes: “From artificial intelligence (AI) disruption to increasing financial strain on our digital collections, the year 2025 promises to be filled with both challenges and opportunities for libraries. That said, what are the tech trends for libraries in 2025?” Tanzi identifies trends such as library-specific AI tools, a redefinition of computer literacy, a treacherous information environment, and a new approach to internet safety, as developments that will shape the coming year.

The Digital Librarian, Jan. 21
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Angela Hursh writes: “Winter Park (Fla.) Library’s (WPL) communications team manages a range of projects. To promote all that WPL has to offer, they need photos! In the past, they’d used a mixture of photos of past events and stock photos. When the library moved into a new building in 2021, the communications team was allocated extra marketing funds to produce a professional video. During that shoot, they worked with the production team to gather stock photos and videos for future promotions. That’s when an idea formed for their Stock Photo Day.”

Super Library Marketing, Jan. 21
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Martha Harris writes: “There are already certain things Utah schools prohibit students from bringing to campus—like certain electronics, vaping devices or rollerblades. Now, according to updated guidance from the Utah State Board of Education, banned books have been added to that list. This change was not due to action by board members. Instead, it is staff members’ interpretation of the law. There are currently 14 books banned statewide under a 2024 law. According to the state board’s updated FAQ, any books banned statewide are prohibited on any school property.”

KUER-FM (Salt Lake City), Jan. 21
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Misha Stone writes: “Post-election, #BookTok entered the political fray, and many media outlets took notice when popular accounts claimed that they were apolitical and that icky politics shouldn’t enter into reading spaces. More critically engaged #BookTok accounts and book influencers on a variety of other platforms pushed back on the notion that reading can or should be apolitical. While there are many reasons that people read, and readers’ advisors are charged to help readers meet those with stories that will entertain and engage them most, none of this is done in a neutral zone where politics do not exist.”

RA For All, Jan. 20; Mashable, Nov. 12; Fast Company, Nov. 13
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Gabriel Dorner writes: “The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the schools, libraries, and consortia of schools and libraries participating in the agency’s $200 million Cybersecurity Pilot Program January 16. The experimental program will provide government officials with ‘data about the most effective and coordinated way to address the growing cyber needs of schools and libraries,’ then-FCC chair Jessica Rosenworcel said. With limited funding, schools and libraries are especially vulnerable to cyberattacks.”

Broadband Breakfast, Jan. 17; Federal Communications Commission, Jan. 16
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Morgan Matzen writes: “Four librarians and members of the South Dakota Library Association testified before the Senate Education Committee on Thursday about how cuts to the state library would devastate readers, especially in rural communities, and increase costs for local libraries. Gov. Kristi Noem has proposed reducing the state library’s general budget by more than $1 million, full-time employment by 12.5 positions and federal funding by more than $1.3 million.” Doland Community Library (DCL) Director Natasha Noethlich testified that DCL’s usage has grown from 250 people in 2018 to 6,000 last year thanks to state library resources and funding.

Sioux Falls (S.D.) Argus Leader, Jan. 16; Keloland.com, Jan. 17

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