The Scoop

Renaming and Reconciling
By Terra Dankowski | September 29, 2018
“Building and place names do matter. They can be those institutional symbols of racism,” said Natalia Fernández, associate professor at Oregon State University (OSU) and curator and archivist of the Oregon Multicultural Archives and OSU Queer Archives in Corvallis. “It can be very impactful, hurtful, and it’s important that we have these conversations.” In “Campus … Continue reading Renaming and Reconciling →
Federal Budget Includes Big Gains for Libraries
By Loida Garcia-Febo | September 28, 2018
When the new fiscal year begins on October 1, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) will have an additional $2 million to improve administration of library state-formula grant programs and research. Grants funded through the Library Services and Technology Act will continue to receive level funding, enabling libraries to continue offering a range … Continue reading Federal Budget Includes Big Gains for Libraries →
The Challenges of Tribal Libraries
By Terra Dankowski | September 28, 2018
Sandy Littletree, PhD candidate at University of Washington and 2011–2012 president of the American Indian Library Association (AILA), posed these questions at the outset of “The History and Currency of Tribal Libraries: Sovereignty, Information, and Empowerment,” a September 27 session at the third National Joint Conference of Librarians of Color in Albuquerque, New Mexico. “There … Continue reading The Challenges of Tribal Libraries →
Dewey Decibel Podcast: The Secret Lives of Librarians
September 28, 2018
First, American Libraries Associate Editor Terra Dankowski speaks with Adela Justice, senior librarian at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, who’s a former Texas reserve deputy and the bassist in rock and blues bands. Next, American Libraries Associate Editor and Dewey Decibel host Phil Morehart talks with Sarah Ramsey, media specialist at … Continue reading Dewey Decibel Podcast: The Secret Lives of Librarians →
Praise for the Gatekeepers
By Terra Dankowski | September 28, 2018
“You are the gatekeepers of American culture. You are what this country needs even though it doesn’t know it needs you. And you do it anonymously,” he said. Sáenz, a New Mexico native, welcomed a standing-room-only crowd to the Third National Joint Conference of Librarians of Color (JCLC) in Albuquerque on September 27. The Opening … Continue reading Praise for the Gatekeepers →

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Miracle in Marrakesh Makes It to US
By Kathi Kromer | September 27, 2018
Update: The Marrakesh Treaty Implementation Act was signed into law on October 9, 2018. The legislation, passed by the US Senate in June, provides a copyright exception for “authorized entities”—including libraries—to make materials available across borders to people with print disabilities whose countries have already ratified the treaty. In fact, 350,000 accessible titles are already … Continue reading Miracle in Marrakesh Makes It to US →
Drag Storytimes Bring Fierceness—and Fierce Opposition
By Greg Landgraf | September 20, 2018
But while queens have proven their ability to turn the party with fantastic fashions and tales of individuality and acceptance, pockets of resistance remain. Some programs held in libraries still draw protests, as organized opposition groups insist that these storytimes aren’t appropriate for children. Lafayette (La.) Public Library (LPL) is currently facing protests of a … Continue reading Drag Storytimes Bring Fierceness—and Fierce Opposition →
Subcommittee Calls for Library Funding Increases
By Kevin Maher | September 14, 2018
Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS): $2 million increase Title IV-Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act: $70 million increase National Library of Medicine: $13 million increase Career and technical education state grants: $70 million increase Adult education state grants: $25 million increase Head Start: $200 million increase Level funding was provided for … Continue reading Subcommittee Calls for Library Funding Increases →
ALA, Library Community Work to Support Hurricane Florence Recovery Efforts
September 14, 2018
“Our hearts and prayers go to the more than 10 million citizens working to recover from this historic and devastating storm,” said ALA President Loida Garcia-Febo. “ALA and the library community have a long history of helping those in need and will work to support our chapters during this crisis. As we continue to assess damage … Continue reading ALA, Library Community Work to Support Hurricane Florence Recovery Efforts →
Getting Ready for the 2020 Census
By Gavin Baker and Larra Clark | September 11, 2018
CCCs provide information to community members about the Census. State, local, or tribal governments or community-based organizations form the committees and invite public officials and community leaders to participate. Most CCCs include representatives from a broad range of industries and organizations because so many segments of a community have a stake in ensuring a fair, … Continue reading Getting Ready for the 2020 Census →
Evolution in the Library Ebook Market
By Alan S. Inouye | September 6, 2018
PRH has shifted from a perpetual licensing model (by which each copy can be loaned indefinitely) to a time-limited model. Starting in October, licenses for any PRH ebook titles that public, school, and special libraries acquire will expire after two years. The terms for academic libraries are unchanged. No embargos will be imposed—all library access … Continue reading Evolution in the Library Ebook Market →
American Library Association to List Chicago Properties
September 5, 2018
“The ALA Executive Board and staff are committed to the mission of ALA and its long-term ability to support its members as they serve their libraries and communities,” said ALA President Loida Garcia-Febo. “The ALA headquarters are an important part of our history and have served members and staff well. But just as our communities, … Continue reading American Library Association to List Chicago Properties →

Latest Library Links

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A former Gulf War tank commander is recruiting experts to form a specialist unit that will protect cultural heritage in war zones, similar to the role carried out by the famed Monuments Men who saved artistic treasures from the Nazis during World War II. Lt. Col. Tim Purbrick, who took part in Operation Desert Storm in 1991, has just taken up command of the newly-created Cultural Property Protection Unit. Once up and running, the 15-strong unit will be sent into war zones where art and archeological sites are at risk from fighting.

The Telegraph (UK), Oct. 11
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ACRL has published The Library Outreach Casebook, edited by Ryan L. Sittler and Terra J. Rogerson. This casebook is designed as a tool for librarians working in all types of libraries to start or further their current outreach efforts, and provides readers with many different approaches, formats, and solutions . The cases included provide creative and reproducible formats, ideas, and inspirations, from engaging social media to hosting performances to creating exhibits.

ACRL Insider, Oct. 17
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Ian Black writes: “Understanding Saudi Arabia has never been easy: leaks, rumors, and official denials surrounding the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi are a grim reminder of a notoriously opaque system. Here are five books that take a look inside the secretive kingdom.”

The Guardian (UK), Oct. 17
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The largest collection of the papers of President Theodore Roosevelt, documenting his extraordinary career in the White House and as vice president, governor of New York, and as a naturalist, writer, and reformer, has been digitized and is now available online from the Library of Congress. The digitization of the massive collection comes just before the 160th anniversary of Roosevelt’s birthday. The Roosevelt papers are one of the largest presidential collections held by the library.

Library of Congress, Oct. 17
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All the libraries in Douglas County, Oregon, closed in 2016 when a tax measure failed to keep them going. But a few tried. The library branch in Drain scheduled a grand reopening party this fall, but the library had no books. Reedsport’s librarians couldn’t get access to the old list of library card holders, so may have to build a new system from scratch. And in Roseburg, a new library is preparing to open with no plans to share materials with other libraries in the county, breaking a tradition that goes back generations.

New York Times, Oct. 17
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Sara Dreyfuss and Marianne Ryan write: “Academic librarians are expected to contribute to the profession through scholarship, service, and creativity. Many are specifically encouraged to publish, but they frequently are unsure where to begin. In this column, two editors with decades of experience at the editor’s desk offer guidance to help librarians and other information professionals get their work published. Here are 20 tips on what editors want.”

RUSQ 58, no. 1 (2018)
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Vincent J. Garin writes: “Job searching is nerve-wracking, and one of the most daunting parts is putting together a résumé or CV. It’s easy to get stuck on the treadmill of questions like ‘do I have experiences relevant to this job description?’ or ‘does this experience have anything to do with this job description?’ Questions like these can be a huge hang-up, and one that I’ve been dealing with lately. Today, I wanted to share some of the advice that career advisers and librarians who survived the job hunt shared with me.”

Hack Library School, Oct. 16

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