Blog | Page 3 of 222 | American Libraries Magazine

Information Warriors, Unite

Librarians must continue to uphold, protect, and defend democracy
By Cindy Hohl | May 1, 2025
Upholding Our Values

The future of libraries is at stake
By Leslie Burger | May 1, 2025
Crip Time in the Library

Respecting the many ways people with disabilities may experience time
By Brea McQueen | May 1, 2025
Into the Fray

A paraprofessional’s guide to a book censorship controversy
By Cinzi Lavin | May 1, 2025
Championing Children and Teens

Resources to support youth library workers
By Rachel Rosenberg | May 1, 2025
100 Days into the Trump Administration

Libraries weather attacks and fight back
By Hannah Weinberg | April 30, 2025
Newsmakers: Dawn Logsdon and Lucie Faulknor

Filmmakers discuss new public library documentary, current threats to libraries
By Alison Marcotte | April 23, 2025
Feds Curb Canadian Access to Library on the Border

New Homeland Security rules require separate entry point
By Aviva Bechky | April 14, 2025
Newsmaker: Chris Kluwe

Advocate, author, and former NFL athlete on protesting a MAGA plaque at his local library
By Diana Panuncial | April 4, 2025
Newsmaker: Bob the Drag Queen

Comedian, TV personality discusses first book
By Megan Bennett | March 31, 2025
Tracking the Trump Administration’s Attacks on Libraries

A roundup of the latest executive challenges and efforts to fight back
By Hannah Weinberg | March 19, 2025
The Sustainability Issue

Taking steps toward resilience
March 3, 2025

Latest Library Links

13h

Emma Roth writes: “A federal judge has sided with Anthropic in an artificial intelligence (AI) copyright case, ruling that training its AI models on legally purchased books without authors’ permission is fair use. It’s a first-of-its-kind ruling in favor of the AI industry, but it’s importantly limited to physical books Anthropic purchased and digitized. Judge William Alsup of the Northern District of California also said in his decision that the company must face a separate trial for pirating books from the internet, and did not address whether AI model outputs infringe copyrights, which is at issue in related cases.”

The Verge, June 24
17h

Kimberli Buckley writes: “The modern library is a unique ecosystem. It’s rich with stories, resources, and people of all ages. Today’s library staff might include members of at least five different generations—all working under one roof. With such a broad mix of perspectives, experiences, and communication styles, it’s no surprise that misunderstandings might happen, but with mindful communication it doesn’t have to. Mindful communication offers us a way to pause, listen, and connect more intentionally so that no matter your generation or role, you feel seen, heard, valued, and understood.”

Compassionate Librarian, June 22
2d

Ann Baillie writes: “Your library going through a building renovation can lead to many different, and often conflicting emotions. Building renovations are complicated, and depending on the size and scope of the work, you may need to close to the public for a while. You want to make sure you maintain a positive relationship with patrons while your physical building is closed. But how can you?”

ALSC Blog, June 18
2d

Nathan Sonnenschein writes: “During my first year as an undergraduate, my community college’s library handed out folders bearing a catchphrase: ‘Faster than Google. Better than Wikipedia. Your college library.’ This gave me the impression that academic libraries saw Wikipedia as a usurper on their terrain. In the decade since, I have been delighted to see many library professionals develop more nuanced approaches to Wikipedia. Still, the belief that Wikipedia has no place in research or scholarship persists. There are real issues, but they do not mean Wikipedia has no valid place in the information ecosystem.”

ACRLog, June 23
2d

Investing in Prison Libraries: A Cost-Effective Path to Safer Communities and Second Chances, an ALA Policy Perspectives report released July 23, explores the essential role of prison libraries in lowering recidivism by better preparing incarcerated people for their release. According to the report, full funding of prison libraries leads to safer and healthier communities and reduced prison costs. Co-authors Erin Boyington, Amelia Bryne, and Emily Durkin will discuss their findings at ALA’s Annual Conference in Philadelphia in “The Work of Prison Libraries and Why Further Investment is Needed” on Saturday, June 28, at 9 a.m.

ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office, June 23
3d

Keith Curry Lance and Caitlin Gerrity write: “This study found that students were more likely to meet or exceed English Language Arts and Literacy (ELA) standards when their schools had credentialed teacher librarians (TLs), TLs serving a single school, and school library staff who engaged in certain specific activities, including managing their library collections and supporting literacy teaching. With rare exceptions, relationships between library staffing levels and staff activities and ELA performance levels persisted regardless of the gender, race/ethnicity, or socioeconomic status of students.”

Learning Hub, June 13
3d

Terra Dankowski writes: “It’s Thursday morning, and the fourth floor of Parkway Central Library is alive with bubbling jollof rice, crisping empanadas, and stir-frying japchae. Welcome to Edible Alphabet, the flagship series of Free Library of Philadelphia’s Culinary Literacy Center. Since 2015, the program has convened those learning English as a second language—many from the Caribbean, Central America, the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia—to practice conversation and cook a recipe under the direction of an ESL teacher and chef instructor.”

American Libraries feature, June