Blog | American Libraries Magazine

When Not to Call the Cops
A plea to protect Black patrons
By Emily Knox and Jarrett Dapier | July 8, 2020
Rethinking Police Presence
Libraries consider divesting from law enforcement
By Cass Balzer | July 8, 2020
Advancing Digital Equity
Public librarians strategize best ways to reach patrons during COVID-19
July 1, 2020
International Innovators
ALA Presidential Citations honor forward-thinking global libraries
By Phil Morehart | July 1, 2020
Bringing Books to the Desert
For Syrian refugees, a network of libraries and literacy
By Karen E. Fisher and The Zaatari Camp Librarians | July 1, 2020
Responding to a Threat
The importance of immediate action
By Daniel T. Wilson and Deborah D. Halsted and Shari Clifton | July 1, 2020
Newsmaker: Yaa Gyasi
Author’s latest work deals with addiction, depression, and faith
By Sallyann Price | July 1, 2020
Bookend: The New Normal
By Terra Dankowski | July 1, 2020
Arts Online
Streaming services highlight art, music, and fashion
By Carrie Smith | July 1, 2020
Let Our Legacy Be Justice
Confronting racism and prioritizing action
By Tracie D. Hall | July 1, 2020
Black Lives Matter
Leading in tumultuous times
By Julius C. Jefferson Jr. | July 1, 2020
Do Online Storytimes Violate Copyright?
Lawyer-librarian fields legal questions
By Tomas A. Lipinski | June 16, 2020

Latest Library Links

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As communities struggle to contain COVID-19, their libraries ask: What do regular services look like in uncertain times? Some of our favorite examples of libraries meeting this challenge in creative ways are compiled in our latest issue’s Bookend, including drive-thru service, drive-in e-sports, and creating a virtual branch in the videogame Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
American Libraries Bookend, July/August
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Following the lead of Colson Whitehead, who canceled his appearance at Free Library of Philadelphia scheduled for this week, several more authors have canceled their events. Comedian Maysoon Zayid and disability activist Alice Wong, Princeton University Chair of the Center for African American Studies Eddie Glaude, and Rep. Pramila Jayapal have all declined to appear at FLP in solidarity with the Concerned Black Workers at the Free Library of Philadelphia, who posted an open letter to library leadership on June 26 alleging racism, discriminatory hiring practices, and lack of safety.
Philadelphia Magazine, July 8
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Nominations are being accepted for ALA honorary membership, the Association’s highest honor, which is bestowed on living citizens of any country whose contributions to librarianship or a closely related field are so outstanding that they are of significant and lasting importance to the whole field of library service. Members who wish to forward nominations must complete the online ALA honorary member nomination form. The completed nomination packet, with all attachments, must be received no later than September 1.
ALA Governance Office, July 6
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ALA and Capital One announced a new grant opportunity for rural public libraries that will support digital access and financial capability for 20 communities nationwide. Through Community Connect: Digital Access at Home, 20 rural public libraries will receive resources to support financial capability and internet access for their patrons for two years. Applications will be accepted July 6–August 26. Library workers can apply online at ala.org/CommunityConnect.
Public Programs Office, July 6
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ALA announced the deferral of applications for the 2021 Lois Ann Gregory-Wood Fellowship Program. Because the program’s grant is designed to support attendance at ALA Annual Conference and Midwinter Meeting, this decision was made in light of the cancellation of the 2020 ALA Annual Conference and continued uncertainty in coming months around public health restrictions on large gatherings. The current 2020 fellow’s term will extend through 2021. ALA anticipates reopening applications in summer 2021 to resume the program in 2022.
ALA News, July 7
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Join ACRL at 1 p.m. Central on August 5 for the e-Learning webcast “Project Outcome for Academic Libraries: An Introductory Workshop.” If you are interested in measuring learning outcomes to drive change, making data-informed decisions, and demonstrating the impact of programs and services at your library, then jump-start your fall semester planning with this interactive virtual workshop. Attendees will learn how to get started with the Project Outcome for Academic Libraries toolkit. Complete details and registration materials are available on the ACRL website.
ACRL, July 8
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At annual review time, many employees complete a self-evaluation, which is often the same evaluation sheet their supervisor will use. Employees’ self-perceptions are not always accurate, and self-evaluations do not offer much insight into why employees see themselves that way. Incorporating self-reflection into the evaluation process can help supervisors understand much more about where employees see their strengths, areas for improvement, struggles, and successes. Register online: LLAMA member $49; nonmember $59.
LLAMA, July 7