National Library Week: College Reference Desk

"Can athlete's foot catch on fire?" "Do you guys need any tutors for football?" "Do you have anything to eat?" These and other urgent academic library reference questions are answered in this final National Library Week (April 13-19) homage to the 72.8 million reference questions answered by academic librarians each year - that's almost twice the attendance at college football games. Shot at Morton College Library in Cicero, Illinois, and starring Shad Kunkle - who grew up in Iowa, which gives him every right to wear that sweatshirt. More ALA videos at alfocus.ala.org.

April 8, 2008

“Can athlete’s foot catch on fire?” “Do you guys need any tutors for football?” “Do you have anything to eat?” These and other urgent academic library reference questions are answered in this final National Library Week (April 13-19) homage to the 72.8 million reference questions answered by academic librarians each year – that’s almost twice the attendance at college football games. Shot at Morton College Library in Cicero, Illinois, and starring Shad Kunkle – who grew up in Iowa, which gives him every right to wear that sweatshirt. More ALA videos at alfocus.ala.org.

Comedian and Keynote Speaker Paula Poundstone kicks off this overview of the 2008 Public Library Association Conference (March 25 - 29) in Minneapolis, explaining why her new book took nine years to write. Other highlights include Nancy Pearl discussing her Book Buzz program, Room to Read CEO John Wood on his plans to establish 20,000 libraries across the developing world, and some amazing Japanese drumming from Mu Daiko. More ALA videos at alfocus.ala.org.

Illinois State Librarian Visits School for National Library Week

Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White visits Chicago's Walt Disney Magnet School April 14 and answers questions from students to kick off National Library Week 2008. More ALA videos available at alfocus.ala.org.

Latest Library Links

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“Two years after Brooklyn Public Libraries’ (BPL) launch of Books Unbanned, an initiative to protect the freedom to read for young people, In Their Own Words: Youth Voices on Books Unbanned gives new insight into the impact of censorship on teen and young adults across the US and how restrictions and other barriers to access build upon and reinforce each other. The new report, published April 11 by BPL and Seattle Public Library, analyzes 855 stories shared by young people who signed up for a free Books Unbanned ecard from April 2022 through December 2023.”

Seattle Public Library, Apr. 11
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Samantha Guss, Sojourna Cunningham, and Jennifer Stout write: “Recruitment and retention are both critical to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in academic libraries, and failing to improve retention has and will continue to derail these initiatives. Research that addresses retention tends to focus on proposed strategies, such as stay interviews (structured interviews aimed at strengthening employee and employer relationships) and mentorship programs. But there is no agreed-upon definition of retention that would allow us to assess these strategies. We should recognize that involuntary staying can be just as negative an outcome for the individual and the organization as leaving, setting the stage for legacy toxicity.”

In The Library With The Lead Pipe, Apr. 10
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Jackie Edwards writes: “As spring rolls around, seasonal allergies can flare up among library workers, resulting in symptoms like sneezing; runny or stuffy nose; itchy eyes, ears, and nose; coughing; and asthma. Not only are these symptoms detrimental to well-being and productivity, but they can also mean you’re less able to provide excellent customer service to library users. Fortunately, by purifying the air, preventing mold, and keeping your work area clean, you can improve indoor air quality and combat allergies in your library.”

Library Worklife, Apr.
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In Episode 94, Call Number celebrates Preservation Week, to be held this year April 28–May 4. The week’s events aim to raise awareness of the role libraries and cultural institutions play in protecting historic and culturally significant collections. Segments include Traci Sorell, honorary chair of this year’s Preservation Week, discussing the role of preservation through storytelling; Kathleen Monahan, special collections public services supervisor at Boston Public Library, addressing the importance of security in preservation; and Rosie Grayburn and Melissa Tedone, cofounders of the Poison Book Project, talking about their research on potentially toxic bookbinding materials from the 19th century.

AL: The Scoop, Apr. 15
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Leigh Kunkel writes: “The legalization of marijuana in many states and municipalities in recent years has created a newly legal industry and budding entrepreneurs who can benefit from the expertise of business librarians. As soon as Washington state introduced an initiative to legalize recreational cannabis use in 2012, Seattle Public Library librarian Jay Lyman started fielding questions from potential entrepreneurs. Since then, 24 states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational cannabis use, and 14 more have legalized medical use of cannabis. This cultural shift brings a new opportunity for libraries to step in with support services.”

American Libraries Trend, Mar./Apr.
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ALA launched its “Reader. Voter. Ready.” campaign April 10, calling on advocates to sign a pledge to be registered, informed, and ready to vote in all local, state, and federal elections in 2024. Available resources include a 2024 voter engagement guide for libraries, a tip sheet to share with community leaders and partners, highlighting the ways libraries support voter participation and education, and a one-pager, “Voters Count on Libraries: The Numbers,” illustrating the role libraries play as centers of civic lift and patron engagement with library services. ALA is collaborating with partners to provide nonpartisan resources and learning opportunities for librarians.

ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office, Apr. 10
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Joyce McIntosh writes: “Each year the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) distributes Judith F. Krug Memorial Fund Programming Grants to organizations to support activities that raise awareness of intellectual freedom and censorship issues during Banned Books Week. Grants are awarded for $1,000 and applications are accepted through April 30. FTRF also offers the annual Gordon M. Conable Conference Scholarship for library school students and new professionals to attend ALA’s Annual Conference and Exhibition. The scholarship provides conference registration, transportation, six nights of housing, and a $300 stipend for meals and other expenses. The application deadline is April 26.”

Freedom to Read Foundation, Mar. 28, 29