Blog | American Libraries Magazine

2023 Library Design Showcase

The year’s most impressive new and renovated libraries
By Sallyann Price | September 1, 2023
2023 ALA/AIA Library Building Awards
September 1, 2023
How We Fight Back

Library workers and advocates are turning to new policies, lawsuits, and legislation to stem the tide of book bans
By Christina Sterbenz | September 1, 2023
2023 ALA Award Winners

Honoring excellence and leadership in the profession
September 1, 2023
Keep the Peace

Special library collections highlight worldwide peace efforts
By Megan Bennett | September 1, 2023
Another’s Treasure

Hosting antiques appraisal events at the library
By Taylor Hartz | September 1, 2023
It’s in the Bag

For one library system, a food and care product collection drive brings big results
By Todd Stephens | September 1, 2023
Newsmaker: Rick Riordan

Bestselling author talks latest projects
By Megan Bennett | September 1, 2023
By the Numbers: Indigenous History and Culture

Indigenous People’s Day is Oct. 9
By Megan Bennett | September 1, 2023
Recipe in Peace
By Megan Bennett | September 1, 2023
The Good Fight

Lessons from health care in the battle against the censorship pandemic
By Tracie D. Hall | September 1, 2023
A Welcoming Space

Celebrating the strength and transformative power of libraries
By Emily Drabinski | September 1, 2023

Latest Library Links

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Christina Sterbenz writes: “As calls for censorship in libraries and school districts continue to escalate—and personal attacks on those who oppose these attempts persist—library workers are finding new ways to protect themselves, the books they care so much about, and intellectual freedom in their communities. Some are adjusting their policies on book challenges or trying to improve the dialogue with patrons. Others are fighting back through the judicial system. Even state lawmakers are supporting the right to read with bills to curtail book bans.”

American Libraries feature, Sept./Oct.
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Nomi Hague writes: “Although often exciting and enjoyable, for some children the new school year can also be stressful and anxiety provoking if their names are challenging for their teachers and classmates to pronounce. Some questions that children in these situations might be grappling with are: Will my new teacher be able to say and spell my name? Will the other kids be able to remember my name? Can or should I change my name to make it easier for everyone else?” The books in this list remind children to celebrate their own and other people’s names.

ALSC Blog, Sept. 22
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Matus Formanek writes: “DSpace open-source software supports numerous digital libraries and repositories around the world. With the release of DSpace version 7, a natural question that arises is whether the new version offers enough new functionalities to motivate system administrators to upgrade. Older versions of DSpace have reached the end of their developer support period or are reaching it in mid-2023. Based on our own upgrade experience, we propose suggestions and recommendations on migrating from the previous DSpace 6.3-based environment to the new one.”

Information Technology and Libraries, Sept. 18
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Matt Bloom writes: “A former librarian will receive $250,000 from the High Plains Library District [in Weld County, Colorado] as part of a settlement in a lengthy civil rights dispute over her firing. Brooky Parks lost her job at Erie Community branch in 2021 after promoting anti-racism and LGBTQ history workshops for teens. The programming drew backlash from the district’s board of trustees, which oversees more than a dozen public libraries across Northern Colorado. As part of the settlement, the district adopted new rules to encourage programming that is more ‘inclusive and diverse.’”

Colorado Public Radio, Sept. 22
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Juliana Kaplan and Eliza Relman write: “If libraries can convince people they’re for more than just quiet reading, they might just be able to reshape the new social landscape. Three years into the hybrid and work-from-home world, social time has plummeted. Americans aren’t socializing on weekdays, and are spending even less time with friends. Loneliness is on the rise. And it’s becoming clearer just how important ‘third places’—spaces for socializing outside of work and home—are.”

Business Insider, Sept. 24
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Tate Ryan-Mosley writes: “The AI Insight Forums were announced a few months ago by US Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) as part of his ‘SAFE Innovation’ initiative, which is really a set of principles for AI legislation in the US. The invite list was heavily skewed toward Big Tech execs. But to dig below the surface, I caught up with one of the other attendees, Mozilla Fellow Inioluwa Deborah Raji, who gave me an inside look at how the first meeting went, the pernicious myths she needed to debunk, and where disagreements could be felt in the room.”

MIT Technology Review, Sept. 25
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Betsy Gomez writes: “Libraries, schools, bookstores, and groups around the world will be calling attention to censorship and ways to fight it October 1–7. ALA and Unite Against Book Bans will mark this year’s Banned Books Week with a slate of programs, a call to action on Let Freedom Read Day, videos from the Banned Books From the Big Chair read out, and more.” Virtual programs will include actor and reading advocate LeVar Burton, author John Green, writer and illustrator Mike Curato, Texas FReadom Fighters co-founder Becky Calzada, and Banned Books Week Youth Honorary Chair Da’Taeveyon Daniels.

Intellectual Freedom Blog, Sept. 27