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The Scoop

Raphael, Neal Elected ALA President, Treasurer
April 30, 2010
Drupal: The Change We Need
April 28, 2010
Librarian-Turned-AIDS-Activist to Bicycle 2,028-Mile Underground Railroad
April 27, 2010
ProQuest Shares the Love During National Library Week
April 21, 2010
Reforma Urges Balance in Texas Curriculum Standards
April 20, 2010
An Evening with Neil Gaiman, Part 2

Author Neil Gaiman speaks to the Jessamine County (Ky.) Public Library via online vidoeconference as a National Library Week event. In part 2, Gaiman discusses awards, what scares him, his writing process, Batman, the piece of writing that he's most embarrassed by, and more.
April 16, 2010
An Evening with Neil Gaiman, Part 2

Author Neil Gaiman speaks to the Jessamine County (Ky.) Public Library via online vidoeconference as a National Library Week event. In part 2, Gaiman discusses awards, what scares him, his writing process, Batman, the piece of writing that he's most embarrassed by, and more.
April 16, 2010
An Evening with Neil Gaiman, Part 1

Author Neil Gaiman speaks to the Jessamine County (Ky.) Public Library via online vidoeconference as a National Library Week event. In part 1, Gaiman discusses the role of libraries in his life, intellectual freedom, the importance of graphic novels in library collections, Alan Moore, and more.
April 16, 2010
Maybe the Play’s the Thing
April 14, 2010
Great Reads: The Pura Belpre Award Winners

Members of the Pura Belpre Award Committee talk about the winning books: Return to Sender, Book Fiesta!, Diego: Bigger Than Life, Gracias: Thanks, Federico Garcia Lorca, and My Abuelita. Check them out at your local library
April 12, 2010
Sarah Vowell at the PLA National Conference

Author Sarah Vowell discusses how she uses primary source materials found in libraries and archives in her research, as well as the sublime joy she discovered as a child when her family moved to a town with both a library and sidewalks.
April 7, 2010
Merritt Humanitarian Fund 40th Anniversary

Former ALA President Carol Brey-Casiano discusses how the Merritt Humanitarian Fund helped her fight unjust accusations in the wake of the September 11 attacks, as well as the Merritt Fund's upcoming 40th anniversary celebration, to be held June 28 at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C.
April 7, 2010

Latest Library Links

10h

Len Bryan writes: “People generally fall into one of two camps when it comes to weeding library collections. Either a person approaches weeding with great enthusiasm and a desire to clean up the collection and make it more accessible for students, make the space more inviting, create places for displays, and secure additional library funding. Or they approach weeding with great dread and trepidation, afraid they are going to throw away something that someone might need someday, that they may never get the funding needed to replace weeded books, and of possible pushback from teachers or parents about the process.”

Knowledge Quest, July 14
14h

Chelsea Heinbach writes: “The Librarian Parlor team knows how important it is to foster connection and community with fellow researchers, so we developed Research Community Bingo as an open resource that can be adapted for various contexts. I tested Research Community Bingo at my institution, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. After a brief introduction explaining the rules, participants received their bingo cards and began mingling. The energy in the room quickly shifted from initial hesitation to enthusiastic conversations.”

The Librarian Parlor, July 11
18h

Michael Blackwell, Jennie Rose Halperin, Catherine Mason, and Carmi Parker write: “The data forces us to conclude, reluctantly, that not only does print still offer libraries a far better bang-per-book than digital, but that for most popular titles, digital collections are becoming increasingly difficult to sustain. Some smaller and independent publishers are, however, now more likely to be present in the market and offer some hope for long-term and cost-effective holdings.” ReadersFirst has additional data and analysis that was cut for space from the published article.

Computers in Libraries, July/Aug.; ReadersFirst, July 7
4d

“Disability Pride Month is a time to honor the history, achievements, and diverse experiences of people with disabilities. This curated collection features fiction and nonfiction titles for all ages that explore disability through the lens of pride, empowerment, and identity. Highlighting both visible and invisible disabilities, these stories reflect the richness and resilience of the disability community and the ongoing movement for inclusion and equal rights. Explore the display and celebrate the voices that challenge stigma, expand understanding, and inspire change.”

Baltimore County Public Library, July 1
4d

Heidi Blackburn, Chris Magee, and Trevor Watkins write: “George Mason University Libraries launched a yearlong Artificial Intelligence (AI) Community of Practice for library employees in fall 2024, focused on the use of specific AI tools for work and research best practices. We didn’t just explore what AI could do—we also asked what it should do, and how to use it responsibly in service to our patrons and profession. After participant feedback, the community was modified to focus on task-based themes. Prior experience with communities of practice made the creation of yet another community easier, but not without challenges.”

Choice 360: LibTech Insights, July 7
4d

Kelly Jensen writes: “After the Supreme Court ruled on Mahmoud v. Taylor on June 27, there were so many bad and misinformed takes. Is this a case that is going to be used to justify a lot more censorship, quiet and loud, and create a chilling effect in public schools? Absolutely. But we don’t need to bow to this case. ‘I’m scared’ and ‘What does this mean?’ Those responses are ones that are far more productive in the fight. There’s room to have legitimate feelings and room to talk about the next steps.”

Well Sourced, July 5
5d

Katie Burkholder writes: “After 15 years of working at the Pierce County Public Library in Blackshear, Georgia, where she advanced from part-time clerk to branch manager, Lavonnia Moore was unexpectedly and abruptly fired due to a display featuring a trans-inclusive children’s book. The patron-led display aligned with Georgia’s summer reading theme, ‘Color Our World.’ When a child at the library asked her to include the book When Aidan Became a Brother, she didn’t hesitate. Unbeknownst to Moore until her termination, this decision inspired an online hate campaign from the Alliance for Faith and Family.”

Rough Draft Atlanta, July 5

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