The Scoop

Follett School Solutions Sold to Private Equity Firm

What does acquisition of dominant library management solutions provider mean for K–12 libraries?
By Marshall Breeding | September 8, 2021
11 Questions: Robert “Jay” Malone

Meet the new executive director of the Association of College and Research Libraries
September 8, 2021
New PLA Survey Highlights Role of Libraries in Digital Equity
September 1, 2021
IFLA: Working Together for a Better Future

The 86th World Library and Information Congress commences virtually
By Raymond Pun | August 25, 2021
IFLA: Closing Virtually with a Call to Action

Looking ahead to Dublin
By Raymond Pun | August 25, 2021

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Advocacy through Storytelling

United for Libraries’ virtual event embraces collaboration, inclusion
By Tess Wilson | August 23, 2021
Call Number Podcast: Serving Our Veterans

Conversations about programming and services for military members
August 20, 2021
ALA Executive Board Opposes Censorship of Programs Addressing Racial Injustice, Black American History, and Diversity Education
August 18, 2021
Call Number Podcast: Libraries and Hip-Hop

Conversations about using the art form to educate and entertain
July 19, 2021
11 Questions: Kevin Strowder

Meet the new director of the Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services
July 9, 2021
What We Keep

2021 AJL Digital Conference showcases librarians and archivists as preservers of truth
By Sally Stieglitz | July 8, 2021
Hope and Harmony

President Obama closes Annual with a call for reconciliation
By Sallyann Price | June 29, 2021

Latest Library Links

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Susanna Clarke, who published her debut novel Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell 17 years ago and then was struck with chronic illness, has won the Women’s Prize for Fiction for her second novel, Piranesi. Narrated by its eponymous hero as he explores the endless halls of a house that imprisons an ocean, Piranesi is “a truly original, unexpected flight of fancy which melds genres and challenges preconceptions about what books should be,” according to the chair of judges, Booker-winning novelist Bernardine Evaristo.

The Guardian (UK), Sept. 8
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The National Book Foundation, presenter of the National Book Awards, announced Nancy Pearl, the former librarian, as the recipient of its 2021 Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community. For nearly four decades, Pearl worked in the public library systems in Detroit, Tulsa, and lastly, Seattle, where she was the Executive Director of the Washington Center for the Book. Pearl will be honored at the 72nd National Book Awards Ceremony on November 17.

National Book Foundation, Sept. 8
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NPR’s On the Media examines the Dewey Decimal Classification System, a method that dates back to 1876 and is used by most libraries around the world. The second most popular system, the Library of Congress Classification System, was published in the early 1900s and based on the organization of Thomas Jefferson’s personal library. These systems help patrons find books on the shelves and facilitate resource-sharing between libraries. But they also encode bias into the structure of libraries.

On the Media, Sept. 3
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Annie Rauwerda writes: “Sci-Hub provides free access to millions of papers and books. Its disregard for copyright makes it the target of legal threats, but its mission of providing open access to publicly-funded studies has made it overwhelmingly popular among scientists and lay readers alike. And it’s growing again.”

Boing Boing, Sept. 9
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Thorin Klosowski writes: “Most of the data economy underpinning common products and services is invisible to shoppers. As your data gets passed around between countless third parties, there aren’t just more companies profiting from your data, but also more possibilities for your data to be leaked or breached in a way that causes real harm. Consumer data privacy laws can give individuals rights to control their data, but if poorly implemented such laws could also maintain the status quo.”

The Wirecutter, Sept. 6
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Marshall Breeding writes: “On September 1, Francisco Partners, a private equity investment firm, announced it had acquired Follett School Solutions. Follett School Solutions’ products include the Destiny Library Manager used by many US K–12 school libraries, the Aspen Student Information System, and the Titlewave ecommerce platform, which it uses to distribute print and digital content for educational institutions. Francisco Partners states that it does not plan to fold Follett School Solutions into any of its other educational technology business and will operate it as an independent company. It may bring new business or technology assets to strengthen its acquisition, a common strategy among investment firms.”

AL: The Scoop, Sept. 8
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NYPL School Outreach Librarian Tiffany James writes: “For many New Yorkers, this time of commemoration is a moment to teach, discuss, and reflect on our recent history with readers who had not yet been born. As the book discussion, recommendations, and resources below attest, there are lots of ways to explore 9/11 and the legacy of that terrible day with kids and teens, both in the classroom and at home.”

NYPL Blogs, Sept. 7