Best of the ALA Blogs - Monday | American Libraries Magazine

As seen in ALA blogs on Monday, June 27:

Notice Anything at ALA11 Conference? – The PLA Blog
Loretta Gharst wrapped up her conference experience with this post, noting that “…Overall I had the feeling that good changes were happening and everywhere I saw signs that the pieces of the puzzle of 21st-century library service were being assembled and would soon be coming together. For example, I noticed:

Mobile Apps are a good thing. (I wasn’t sure before.) The ALA Conference Mobile App was an outstanding success, eliminating the need for me to carry around the hard-copy paper Conference schedule and the Exhibit directory. Trust me, it was very easy to install and a pleasure to use.
Respect at last. At the Gulf Coast Libraries Recovery project session . . . ”

PR Forum “Going Mobile @ your library” Recap – Membership Blog
“I just joined the bandwagon last week and the mass of folks who type, read, talk, and surf the ’net on a smartphone,” acknowledged Ashley Fowlkes in this post. “After months of wondering whether I should or not, I finally took the plunge and purchased an iPhone, using my birthday as my ‘excuse’ for doing so. Having such little experience with my new device, I wondered if this year’s PR Forum, ‘Going Mobile @ your library,’ would help me personally or professionally. In fact, it did—in both ways.”…

Swag bags for the soul – ALSC Blog
Having raided the last ARC, emitnick took a moment to reflect in this post: “We love our ARCs, pens, posters, buttons, and endless vendor bags, but it’s the intangible goodies that mean the most at #ALA11. Grand inspiration, practical ideas, and poignant moments—these are what I hope to take away from ALA, whether they come from a session, the exhibit floor, or a conversation with a colleague. To name just a very few of the nuggets I’ve tucked into my brain…”

Science Programming 101: Presenting Excellent Science Programs in Your Library – Programming Librarian blog
Jennifer Dominiak asks, “Does your library have access to paper plates and colorful crepe paper? If so, you have the necessary tools for children to create a wind vane to observe how our outdoor environment is constantly changing. At Sunday afternoon’s Science Programming 101 session in New Orleans, attendees participated in hands-on activities to investigate aspects of wind, clouds, and rain, and began to see how local weather relates to broader Earth systems. The interactive session was a sneak peek into the full activity module the Lunar and Planetary Institute is developing to support the exploration of Earth science in public libraries.”…

We Will NOT Be Shushed: A New Method for Library Advocacy – Membership Blog
Mel Gooch shared, “In a time when library budgets are being cut across the country and the threat of staff layoffs is becoming a reality rather than a negotiating tactic, the Urban Libraries Unite ‘Save NYC Libraries’ campaign is something that libraries and library staff everywhere can learn from. During their presentation, Lauren Comito, Aliqae Geraci, and Christian Zabriskie shared their experiences with library advocacy and offered helpful advice about creating awareness about budget issues and rallying public support for libraries.”…

Librarians Helping the Autism Community – The PLA Blog
Stephanie Hill attended an ALSC program about autism, reporting that, “…Librarians can help parents of children with autism by being open to what the child’s needs are. This can include special items, such as koosh balls or extra copies of the books being read for story time. Often children with autism need something to hold in their hands. It is from anxiety they feel and also from sensory input. Children with autism are often calmed by having extra sensory input through touch and feel. Individuals with autism do not see the same way we see things and it helps to give them handheld toys they can grasp onto.”…

You can do puppet shows, too! – ALSC Blog
Lisa Taylor very excitedly shares, “Shoestring puppet shows! You can’t go wrong with the right book! On Monday morning, Michelle Brzozowski and Chien-Ju Lin of Ocean County (N.J.) Library, presented ‘You can do Puppet Shows, Too!’ at #ala11, and kept the crowd in stitches. With the help of Jon Scieszka and Leah Wilcox, these youth services librarians teach children about art and folktales through hilarious puppet shows—without spending a lot of money!”…

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Kiara Alfonseca writes: “Samira Ahmed, an author of young adult and middle-grade literature, never expected to hire security for events, travel under an alias or face cancellations at schools and libraries. Ahmed told ABC News she faces threats and book bans over her novels—including Internment and Hollow Fires—which have caused a firestorm of criticism for tackling complex issues about race, oppression and politics. Titles highlighting Asian American cultures have been targets among the long and growing inventory of books singled out by critics, prompting concerns about representation in literature.”

ABC News, May 2
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Susan D. Ballard and Sara Kelly Johns write: “As school librarians, we are always rethinking how to convey who we are and what we do. To compete and remain viable, we need to work on our brand identity. The feelings and impressions that members of our school community have when they think of our library, and their memories of interactions they’ve had with us—positive or negative—are our school library’s brand. The goal is not so much to transform the school library’s image as it is to build credibility through ongoing improvement and exemplary brand behavior.”

American Libraries feature, May
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Cara S. Bertram writes: “As we look forward to book award ceremonies at the ALA Annual Conference in San Diego this summer, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the history of one of the most prestigious children’s book awards, the Caldecott Medal. The idea was first presented in 1935 in a letter by Frederic G. Melcher,” who had established the Newbery Medal in 1921. Melcher’s suggestion was prompted when Professor May Hill Arbuthnot of Western Reserve University in Cleveland communicated the concern that the Newbery was not recognizing literature for the youngest children.

American Library Association Archives, Apr. 29
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Kristi Kellogg writes: “Images are an essential component of online content—and it’s obvious why. Images aren’t just pretty—they’re powerful marketing tools that help you stand out. Whether you’re creating a social media post, a webpage, an ebook, a blog post, or something else, adding visuals goes a long way in improving the overall user experience. However, you can’t just pull images off the internet and use them—and it’s your responsibility to determine if and how you can use the image without breaking the law.”

Search Engine Journal, Apr. 6
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Rachée Fagg writes: “Reading, a gateway to knowledge and empowerment, serves as the cornerstone of education worldwide. However, for English as a Second Language (ESL) students, the journey of mastering this essential skill can present unique challenges. Traditional reading materials, laden with text, often intimidate and discourage ESL learners, hindering their progress. Wordless books, as the name suggests, eschew conventional text in favor of vivid illustrations that narrate compelling stories. By relying solely on visuals, these books transcend language barriers, inviting readers of all ability levels to embark on imaginative journeys.”

ALSC Blog, Apr. 26
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Keahi Adolpho and Stephen G. Krueger write: “This comprehensive review illuminates the current state of scholarly literature on trans and gender diverse inclusion in libraries, with the intention to provide a foundation and identify gaps for further research. We found that, with the exception of works on archives and cataloging, little scholarly literature goes beyond introductory talking points on basic information about trans and gender diverse people. We conclude with a call for much more in-depth research on this essential topic.”

In the Library with the Lead Pipe, Apr. 24
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Allison Escoto writes: “There’s no doubt about it. Librarianship can be a demanding career path, and the quest to find just the right work-life balance while managing stress is perennial. This eclectic collection of books speak to that delicate balance by covering the importance of wellness, preventing burnout, practicing mindfulness, and essential self-care practices.”

American Libraries column, May