Author Archive: Rosie Newmark

Firefighters in Pacific Palisades, California.

During Wildfires, Los Angeles Libraries Offer Community Lifelines

By Rosie Newmark | January 22, 2025

Amid the disaster, library systems, including Altadena (Calif.) Library District (ALD), Los Angeles County Library (LACL), and LAPL, are spearheading efforts to help community members as well as library staffers through fundraising and onsite support. The American Library Association (ALA) has also set up a relief effort through its ALA Disaster Relief Fund. In addition … Continue reading During Wildfires, Los Angeles Libraries Offer Community Lifelines →

Two teens wearing aprons work side-by-side at a metal counter, arranging an array of cheese, meat, fruit, vegetables, and crackers on their boards.

Crafting Charcuterie

By Rosie Newmark | January 2, 2025

Inspired by the library’s popular how-to charcuterie events for adults, staffers Amanda Krumrine and Nancy Farace have hosted two teen snack-board classes to engage young patrons. In these classes, teens learn how to make the boards by laser-cutting wood in the makerspace at CCPL’s Exploration Commons location and later assembling the meats, cheeses, and other … Continue reading Crafting Charcuterie →

An older woman and a child look at a photo of a Ferris wheel.

For the Ages

By Rosie Newmark | November 1, 2024

“There’s so much that we share / That it’s time we’re aware / It’s a small world after all,” several older adults sang along with students, who were visiting from nearby Totoket Valley Elementary School (TVES) as part of an intergenerational book club. The song was part of the club’s discussion of the picture book Mr. … Continue reading For the Ages →

Sister Stella, a resident of Queen of Peace, a retirement community for nuns, plays with Henry. The robotic dog belongs to Ela Area Public Library in Lake Zurich, Illinois.

Librarian’s Pet

By Rosie Newmark | May 1, 2024

Kristan, outreach services coordinator at Ela Area Public Library (EAPL) in Lake Zurich, Illinois, knew that the presence of pets has been associated with health benefits like reductions in stress and blood pressure. In 2022, she introduced robotic pets to the library’s collection, taking them on visits to assisted living and memory care facilities to … Continue reading Librarian’s Pet →

Photo of two people demonstrating sword fighting

Talking Points

By Rosie Newmark | March 1, 2024

“I’m always looking to do programs that are a little bit off the beaten path,” says Waters, youth services manager at Missouri River Regional Library (MRRL) in Jefferson City, Missouri. Enter centuries-old combat and training techniques, which have seen a boom in recent years, thanks in part to the emergence of historical European martial arts … Continue reading Talking Points →

Patrons at Mt. Lebanon Public Library (MLPL) in Pittsburgh play with a tongue drum, rain stick, and singing bowls—instruments used during MLPL’s sound bath sessions.

Tranquil Tones

By Rosie Newmark | November 1, 2023

Donahoe, teen librarian at Mt. Lebanon Public Library (MLPL) in Pittsburgh, says that many elementary, middle, and high school students who visited the library would express that they were dealing with stress and anxiety issues. She wanted a different way of introducing “mindfulness or stress relief for this age group that’s not something you can … Continue reading Tranquil Tones →

A photo of the Community Cabinet that Billings Public Library in Montana installed in its lobby in January. The cabinet contains hygiene products that patrons can take freely and discreetly. Photo by Billings Public Library.

Personal Care

By Rosie Newmark | June 1, 2023

During one of his routes, Arnold stopped at a downtown skate park and noticed that many of the people who approached him weren’t skaters and had atypical requests. “I had multiple interactions with folks who were like, ‘Do you have any period products? Do you have soap?’” Arnold remembers. “That’s what motivated me to start … Continue reading Personal Care →

Latest Library Links

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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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Rosie Newmark writes: “Since multiple wildfires erupted in Los Angeles on January 7, tens of thousands of residents have been displaced or remain on evacuation watch, as fire-fanning winds threaten to continue. Amid the disaster, library systems including Los Angeles County Library, Los Angeles City Public Library, and Altadena Library District, are spearheading efforts to help community members as well as library staff through fundraising and onsite support. ALA has also set up a relief effort through its ALA Disaster Relief Fund.”

AL: The Scoop, Jan. 22
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Gabriel Tynes writes: “An appeal of a lower court January 14 became an inquiry into the broader First Amendment question of whether an inmate’s limited access to reading materials amounted to a de facto ban on books, religious materials and newspapers. A three-judge Eighth Circuit panel heard arguments after officials from Washington County, Arkansas, sought qualified immunity from a lawsuit filed by an inmate who claims his constitutional rights were violated by the jail’s policy limiting access to certain reading materials to electronic tablets and kiosks.”

Courthouse News Service, Jan. 14
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Tara García Mathewson writes: “New data released this week by the DC-based Center for Democracy and Technology shows just how often [blocking of information in schools] happens nationwide. The nonprofit digital rights advocacy organization conducted its fifth annual nationally representative survey of middle and high school teachers and parents as well as high school students about a range of tech issues. About 70% of both teachers and students this year said web filters get in the way of students’ ability to complete their assignments.”

The Markup, Jan. 16; Center for Democracy and Technology, Jan. 15
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ALA filed an amicus brief affirming the importance of the Federal Communications Commission’s Universal Service Fund and the E-rate program that helps power broadband-enabled services and access through US public libraries and schools. More than half of all public libraries each year apply for E-rate funding. The brief is part of the record the Supreme Court will review in two consolidated cases (24-354 and 24-422) that will determine the future of vital funding for universal broadband access.

ALA Public Policy & Advocacy Office, Jan. 17
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ALA’s Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT) seeks nominations for the Herb Biblo Outstanding Leadership Award for Social Justice and Equality, sponsored by Library Juice Academy. Leadership can be demonstrated by accomplishments through SRRT or other ALA bodies, socially responsible groups within state, provincial, regional, or city library organizations, and/or international library organizations. To be eligible for this award, individuals must be members of SRRT or other library organizations or groups with similar goals and objectives. The deadline for nominations is February 15.

Social Responsibilities Round Table
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Cass Balzer writes: “Libraries are often gateways to new experiences, and a growing number are now offering patrons the chance to see the world in full color—literally. In recent years, libraries of all sizes have begun adding color-corrective glasses to their Library of Things collections. Made possible primarily through partnerships with manufacturers, patrons can test these glasses out before committing to purchasing their own pair.”

American Libraries Trend, Jan./Feb.

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