Midwinter 2021 Top Tweets—Day 0

By Heather Cho | January 22, 2021

Even before Midwinter Virtual 2021 officially starts, people are getting excited about what’s in store.

https://twitter.com/corindawn/status/1352145640399253504

Oh my stars! #alamw21 has both @FLOTUS and @TheAmandaGorman! What a conference this will be! https://t.co/ZqhDEckbim

— Librarian Arika (@arikadickens) January 21, 2021

Looking forward to hearing multitalented, #EthanHawke, speak on his new book, A Bright Ray of Darkness
Ethan Hawke: Featured Speaker https://t.co/p2aRQC0oAb #alamw21

— alene sen (she/her) (@Alene_Sen) January 21, 2021

Don’t forget there are virtual ribbons, so be sure to get yours!

https://twitter.com/InfoProJesus/status/1352010612033818625

We’ll leave you with a pro tip: here’s how you can attend Midwinter Virtual and support your football team.

I have a lot of meetings this weekend. But I will still be supporting my green and gold @packers with my new zoom background. #GoPackGo #ALAMW21 pic.twitter.com/vhhPv6ZhyZ

— Kristin Pekoll (@KPekoll) January 21, 2021

Be sure to use #alamw21 in your tweets for a chance to be included in our roundup.

HEATHER CHO is campaign specialist for ALA’s Communications and Marketing Office.

Tagged Under

2021 Midwinter Preview

Inspiring speakers and informative sessions adapt to a virtual format

Jill Biden to Close ALA Midwinter Virtual

Latest Library Links

14h

Michelle Gagnon writes: “Let’s face it—sometimes you want your crime fiction shaken, not stirred, with a twist of absurdity and a garnish of gallows humor. If you prefer your murder mysteries served with sass, sarcasm, and a healthy dose of chaos, the campy and comedic thriller is where it’s at. And personally, when I fall in love with characters, I want them to stick around for many, many books. These are stories where the danger is real—but so are the laughs.”

Crime Reads, May 15
20h

Kyle McClenagan writes: “Following the May 3 election results, Katy (Tex.) Independent School District (ISD) students and community members are asking school board members to repeal the Houston-area district’s controversial book and gender policies. The board appointed trustee Lance Redmon as its new president Monday after Katy ISD voters ousted former president Victor Perez, who had championed the policies and campaigned on conservative principles. In August 2024, the board approved a library policy that bans books ‘adopting, supporting, or promoting gender fluidity’ from elementary and junior high libraries in Katy ISD.”

Houston Public Media, May 14
2d

Seung Min Kim writes: “President Donald Trump’s abrupt firing of top officials at the Library of Congress has morphed into an enormous fight over the separation of powers. Republican leaders have delivered rare pushback against the president, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and other Republicans have been talking with the White House about a potential path to détente.” The Associated Press reported that it is unclear whether Trump’s nominee for acting librarian of Congress, Todd Blanche, is currently in that role or if Principal Deputy Librarian Robert Newlen is in charge. The Authors Guild has created a petition demanding the reinstatement of fired Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter, and library colleagues from around the world have expressed their support for American librarians in facing federal and other challenges.

Associated Press, May 16, May 15; Authors Guild, May 13; ALA International Relations Office, May 20
2d

Cali Lichter writes: “For five years, Lowell (Mich.) Area Schools (LAS) Library Media Director Christine Beachler says she has been the target of untruthful, personal social media attacks. After a video of Beachler during a library tour in February, posted by self-described parental rights advocate Stefanie Boone, went viral, she says it pushed it over the edge. On May 13, Beachler filed a civil lawsuit in 17th Circuit Court, asking for damages and for Boone to take down all her posts referencing Beachler.” A GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $25,000 to support Beachler’s legal fees.

WZZM-TV (Grand Rapids, Mich.), May 13, 14
3d

Ginny Monk writes: “Ebook contracts for libraries often come with terms that mean the library has to repurchase the book after it’s been borrowed 26 times or every couple of years, whichever comes first. Connecticut Senate Bill 1234 wouldn’t allow simultaneous restrictions on the loan period and the number of times people can borrow the book.” The Connecticut legislature gave final approval to the bill May 15, sending it to Gov. Ned Lamont for his signature. If he does sign it, the bill will only take effect if one or more other states with a total population of 7 million pass similar legislation. Connecticut library associations celebrated the bill’s passage.

Connecticut Mirror, May 15; Connecticut Library Consortium, May 15
3d

While ALA welcomed the preliminary injunction ordering the administration not to implement President Trump’s executive order to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services, it raised alarm over the administration’s cancellation of the $2.75 billion Digital Equity Act grant program as of May 9. The congressionally authorized program was designed to close the digital divide by establishing grants to support broadband access and digital skills training for underserved communities. ALA is collecting information regarding Digital Equity Act grant cancellations to identify the impact of this loss of funding for libraries, and urges library workers who have received grant termination notifications to report their program cancellation and share the impact this loss of funding will have on their library.

ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office, May 15
3d

Rachel Rosenberg writes: “All public library staffers must work with children and teens at some point. But for those who are newer to the profession, it can feel daunting, because youth services aren’t required courses in library school. These six books touch on the vital aspects of working with young people, including building community engagement, creating learning environments, and planning storytimes and easy crafts. They also offer examples of how to support children in challenging situations.”

American Libraries column, May