Call Number Podcast: Check Out Your Library

OverDrive initiative reintroduces communities to their local libraries

September 26, 2024

Libraries are so much more than their physical collections. They offer digital resources, innovative programs, essential services, new technologies, and opportunities to socialize. But not everyone knows this. That’s why OverDrive has started Check Out Your Library, an initiative that aims to reintroduce communities to their local libraries.

In this bonus episode, sponsored by OverDrive, we learn more about Check Out Your Library and the campaign’s Fiction and Film Tour. American Libraries Managing Editor Terra Dankowski talks with Jen Leitman, chief marketing officer of OverDrive, about how the program is building public awareness and helping libraries fulfill their missions.

For more information on Check Out Your Library—and how you can get involved—visit checkoutyourlibrary.com. And for marketing tools, trainings, and more, visit OverDrive’s Resource Center at resources.overdrive.com.

Is there a story or topic you’d like us to cover? Let us know at callnumber@ala.org. You can also follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter), SoundCloud, or Spotify and leave a review on iTunes. We welcome your feedback.

Tagged Under

Call Number Podcast: Bringing Films and Series to the Library

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In Episode 90, writers share why they love libraries

Latest Library Links

4h

Nihar Chhaya writes: “Whether you want to advance in leadership or stay relevant where you are, continuous learning is critical to success. After all, if you’re not evolving in this ever-changing world, you may not only get left behind the competition—you could find that your current skills aren’t even needed anymore. At the same time, you might be trying to stay above water with no energy to devote to more training. Consider these five strategies to ensure you’re continuously learning even when you’re feeling depleted or overwhelmed.”

Harvard Business Review, Sept. 24
9h

Joe Supan writes: “About 2.8 million American households added an internet subscription in 2023, according to newly released Census data. That’s less than the 3.2 million households that got online in 2022, and the second smallest jump since the Census Bureau began collecting the data in 2015. Still, that means 92.2% of American households now have an internet subscription—up from 76.7% in 2015.” However, the expiration of the Emergency Broadband Benefit and its replacement by the Affordable Connectivity Program (which also provides subsidies for home internet but at a lower rate for many) may affect that progress.

CNET, Sept. 22
1d

Jenna Prestininzi writes: “Royal Oak (Mich.) Public Library was set to reopen Sept. 23 after a temporary closure over the weekend because of an insect invasion. The library had closed on September 21 after staff discovered bugs in a DVD case that were placed in a book drop and entered the building. An inspection by the library’s pest control company checked the library, book drops and returned items and cleared the library to reopen.” When the bugs were discovered, library staff bagged potentially affected materials and stored them in an isolated garage, and Director Sandy Irwin closed the library as a precaution.

Detroit Free Press, Sept. 22–23
1d

“Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to positively impact library and archives collections and services—enhancing reference, instruction, metadata creation, recommendations, and more. However, AI also has ethical implications. This paper presents an extensive literature and review analysis that examines AI projects implemented in library and archives settings. Just over half of the papers included in the literature review mentioned ethics or values related issues in their discussions of AI implementation in libraries and archives, and only one-third of all resources discussed ethical issues beyond technical issues of accuracy and human-in-the-loop.”

Information Technology and Libraries, Sept. 23
2d

ALA invites applications for the third round of funding of the Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant. This round of funding will offer $3.5 million in $10,000 and $20,000 grants to libraries serving populations under 25,000 to increase the accessibility of facilities, services and programs to better serve people with disabilities. Library workers may apply for funding through December 11. Previous awardees are eligible to apply, although applicants not previously awarded will be prioritized. Those interested in applying can register for a pre-application webinar to be held October 10 at 12 p.m. Central.

ALA Public Programs Office, Sept. 17
2d

Cindy Hohl writes: “As president of the ALA, I am inspired by the countless ways that libraries foster civic engagement in our communities and proud to be part of a profession that is dedicated to public service and democratic engagement. I am calling on everyone in the library community to register to vote, use Reader Voter Ready resources at your library, and share your stories.” Also, a Knowledge Quest blog post offers guidance for encouraging civic engagement among high school students, and the Association for Library Services to Children has released its Inspiring Future Voters booklist.

ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office, Sept. 17; Knowledge Quest, Sept. 19; ALSC Blog, Sept. 19
2d

“Between January 1 and August 31, 2024, ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 414 attempts to censor library materials and services. In those cases, 1,128 unique titles were challenged. In the same reporting period last year, ALA tracked 695 attempts with 1,915 unique titles challenged.” PEN America’s preliminary report on book bans in public schools found nearly three times as many incidents during the 2023–2024 school year as in the year prior, although more than 80% of the book bans tracked were due to state laws in Iowa and Florida. Data also don’t account for incidents of self-censorship by educators who fear retribution if they include certain materials in their instruction.

AL: The Scoop, Sept. 23; PEN America, Sept. 23; Slate, Sept. 23