The Scoop

Call for Transparency: Day Three at IFLA WLIC
By Terra Dankowski | August 23, 2017
Questions of transparency and access were explored on the third day of the International Federation of Library of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) World Library and Information Congress in Wroclaw, Poland. In a nod to the topics, many of the August 22 sessions included a Q&A or structured discussion, bringing together many voices and political … Continue reading Call for Transparency: Day Three at IFLA WLIC →
Emphasis on Inclusion: Day Two of IFLA WLIC
By Terra Dankowski | August 22, 2017
The theme of inclusion was pervasive on the second day of the conference, with presenters sharing research and case studies framing ways that library professionals can improve access to information, services, and safe spaces—especially for marginalized users, including indigenous populations, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ community. Cataloging key to access For many, inclusion starts … Continue reading Emphasis on Inclusion: Day Two of IFLA WLIC →
Welcome to Wrocław: Day One of IFLA WLIC
By Terra Dankowski | August 21, 2017
“It is time for you, at this conference, to engage and explore,” said Donna Scheeder, president of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), to the crowd gathered for the Opening Session of the 2017 World Library and Information Congress on August 20. She added, “I’m sure among this group is a future … Continue reading Welcome to Wrocław: Day One of IFLA WLIC →
Charlottesville Violence Poses New Challenges for Libraries
By Timothy Inklebarger | August 18, 2017
Libraries at both the public and university level historically have developed response plans for natural disasters, but the Charlottesville demonstrations and similar white nationalist rallies planned for other cities have library administrators working not only to protect patrons and library infrastructure but to assist in relief efforts. Both the University of Florida and Texas A&M … Continue reading Charlottesville Violence Poses New Challenges for Libraries →
Total Eclipse of the Library
By Hanako Maki | August 15, 2017
“Eclipse fever has clutched Salem,” says Ann Scheppke, adult services librarian at Salem (Oreg.) Public Library (SPL). Residents of Salem, a city that sits in the path of totality—the geographical strip experiencing darkness caused by the moon casting its shadow on the Earth—and the 100,000 out-of-towners expected to visit will be among the first in … Continue reading Total Eclipse of the Library →

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ALA Condemns Racism and Violence in Charlottesville
August 15, 2017
“The ALA expresses our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those lost and injured during this weekend’s protests in Charlottesville, Virginia. We will not forget their efforts to enlighten and safeguard their communities from bigotry while opposing racist, anti-immigrant, anti-GLBTQ, and anti-Semitic violence. We stand in solidarity with the people of Virginia as … Continue reading ALA Condemns Racism and Violence in Charlottesville →
“Everybody Is Somebody in the Library”
By Amanda Davis | August 15, 2017
From looking at this scene, one would never guess that the previous day, white nationalists had held a rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, an attack that left one dead and many more injured. This latest occurrence of racial intolerance would not dampen the mood at NCAAL, though. In fact, it would do just the opposite and … Continue reading “Everybody Is Somebody in the Library” →
Sparking Interest in Archives and History
By Amanda Davis | August 14, 2017
Katrina Spencer, literatures and cultures librarian at Middlebury College in Vermont, spoke on the topic of silences and erasures in black history in her presentation, “How to Get Youth to Sign Up for Blackness: Black History Month and Beyond.” She began by saying, “It’s going to be biased; it’s going to be personal,” then related … Continue reading Sparking Interest in Archives and History →
Spider-Man, Inspiration, and Literacy
By Amanda Davis | August 14, 2017
Reynolds released his seventh novel, Miles Morales: Spider-Man (Marvel), on August 1, just days before visiting Atlanta to speak to a packed house of librarians about black boys, literacy, and vulnerability at the National Conference of African American Librarians on August 10. While preparing his remarks, he tuned in to an episode of the Steve … Continue reading Spider-Man, Inspiration, and Literacy →
NCAAL Opens in Atlanta
By Amanda Davis | August 11, 2017
After listening to opening remarks from BCALA President Denyvetta Davis and an invocation from Reverend Lorraine Jacques White, attendees rose to participate in an a capella performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the “Negro National Anthem.” The lyrics urged listeners to “march on till victory is won,” and this line in … Continue reading NCAAL Opens in Atlanta →
Next Steps on Net Neutrality
By Ellen Satterwhite | August 4, 2017
As part of a coordinated Internet Day of Action on July 12, librarians, library supporters, and others called on the FCC to keep the current net neutrality rules and shared their worries that an internet with “slow lanes” would hurt libraries and the communities they serve. More than 1,640 alerts were sent through ALA’s action … Continue reading Next Steps on Net Neutrality →
Degrowth Is Coming
By Edgardo Civallero | August 4, 2017
Generally speaking, human beings have been aware of these boundaries throughout history, if only to protect existing resources. Our lives depended on it—and still do. But societies have come to view themselves as independent of that abstract entity known as “nature” and believe that human beings can handle their environment at their convenience, using and … Continue reading Degrowth Is Coming →

Latest Library Links

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Consider attending “New Directions for Libraries, Scholars, and Partnerships: An International Symposium” on October 13 at the German National Library during the Frankfurt Book Fair. The symposium will feature talks and posters by speakers from Europe and North America as well as related activities throughout the week, including tours of Harrassowitz, the Frankfurt Public Library, and the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper. The symposium is organized by two working projects of the Center for Research Libraries in Chicago.

Center for Research Libraries
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Kevin Maher writes: “Support for libraries figured in several bills that were recently introduced in Congress immediately prior to the August recess. The outlook for these bills is uncertain. None of the bill authors sit on the committees of jurisdiction considering the legislation, which often dims the chances of passage. In addition, two of the bills would create new funding streams, an uphill battle in the current congressional atmosphere. Nevertheless, we are pleased to see libraries thoughtfully included.”

District Dispatch, Aug. 23
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Eugenia Williamson writes: “CNN has reported that the White House has issued the paperwork to pardon Joe Arpaio, the extremely controversial former Arizona sheriff who in July was found in contempt for disregarding a court order to stop detaining suspected undocumented immigrants. Writers of crime fiction have long been enamored of troublesome sheriffs. Here are six recent novels that feature a head cop on the wrong side of the law.”

The Booklist Reader, Aug. 23
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YALSA has selected Stephen Ashley, teen engagement coordinator at the Chapel Hill (N.C.) Public Library as its new member manager for its blog, The Hub. As member manager, Ashley will lead an advisory board that provides oversight for the blog and solicits content from the YALSA community. He will also finish the process of transitioning the selected book lists to The Hub. Ashley succeeds Molly Wetta, who served as the member manager of The Hub for the past two years.

YALSA, Aug. 23
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LLAMA will present a webinar on “21st Century Library Ethics” on September 13. The webinar will explore what the current political climate means for library ethics and how librarians can shape the future and be a force for positive change in their communities. Presenter Sarah Houghton will discuss the ALA Library Bill of Rights and Professional Code of Ethics, as well as library ethics initiatives around the world. Register online.

LLAMA, Aug. 23
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Katie Kilkenny writes: “A response to a FOIA request threw further light on the prison library collection at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. On August 21, FOIA logging site Government Attic posted all 634 pages of Guantanamo’s inmate library catalog, which the US Southern Command’s Joint Task Force–Guantanamo compiled to respond to a 2015 request. Harry Potter is a clear favorite, with many translated editions; and inmates have no shortage of titles by conspiracy auteur Dan Brown or mystery maven Agatha Christie.”

Pacific Standard, Aug. 22
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Sascha Segan writes: “The Galaxy Note 8 is just what we expected. That’s great news. Samsung’s pen-enabled, high-end flagship phone fills the shoes of the dearly departed Note 7 elegantly. It’s basically a Galaxy S8+ with an S Pen and dual cameras on the back. And considering the S8 is our favorite phone of the year so far, the Note 8 looks very promising. We got a chance to spend some time with the phone ahead of Samsung’s launch event and have some first impressions.”

PC Magazine, Aug. 23

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