Skip to main content

The Scoop

LJ Index: Too Much Too Late
March 3, 2009
Freedom to Read Foundation Midwinter Author Event Featuring Lauren Myracle

Author Lauren Myracle was the featured speaker at the Freedom to Read Foundation's Midwinter Author Event, held January 25 at the Tattered Cover Book Store in Denver
February 18, 2009
2009 Midwinter Meeting Overview

From Denver comes coverage of ALA's 2009 Midwinter Meeting. Included are the announcement of this year's Newbery Medal-winning book, sights from the exhibit hall, the annual "View from the Top" discussion panel, conversations with former ALA President Carol Brey-Casiano and former Colorado State Senator Ken Gordon, and ALA Immediate Past President Loriene Roy discussing the forthcoming PBS series We Shall Remain. More ALA videos available at alfocus.ala.org.
February 17, 2009
ALA Youth Media Award Winner Notifications

Before the Newbery, Caldecott, King, and ALA's other prestigious youth media awards were announced at the Midwinter Meeting in Denver, the selection committees crowded into tiny private rooms to call the honorees. This year, AL Focus was invited to capture some of those happy calls and reactions. More ALA videos available at alfocus.ala.org.
February 11, 2009
President Obama Says It Again
February 10, 2009

[sam id=3]

Midwinter 2009: Steve Vander Ark Interview

AL Focus caught up with Steve Vander Ark, author of The Lexicon: An Unauthorized Guide to Harry Potter Fiction and Related Materials, and co-author Lisa Bunker, in the exhibit hall at the 2009 Midwinter Meeting. More ALA videos available at alfocus.ala.org.
February 9, 2009
An Angel with $50 for 50 Libraries
February 6, 2009
Midwinter 2009: Vance on Advocacy

Stephanie Vance of AdvocacyGuru.com discusses the three points ALA members need to keep in mind when advocating for libraries with the new presidential administration. Vance talked with AL Focus after speaking at the Washington Office Update at ALA's 2009 Midwinter Meeting in Denver. More ALA videos available at alfocus.ala.org.
February 6, 2009
ALA Council: Who, What, Why, and How

Members of ALA Council discuss what Council actually does and why you should consider getting involved. More ALA videos at alfocus.ala.org.
February 6, 2009
Ingrid Law interview

Just one day before winning a Newbery Honor for her book "Savvy," author Ingrid Law sat down with Booklist and spoke about the origin of the term, how she wanted to write a book about magic without the word "magic," talking to children about their own secret powers, and the how librarians inspire her. Bonus: Law also gives us a sneak peak of her next book, a sequel to "Savvy."
February 4, 2009
Buildings and Landscapes
February 3, 2009
Midwinter Wednesday: Council Commends Obama, Urges Peace
January 28, 2009

Latest Library Links

17h

Megan Bennett writes: “Two decades ago, while Daily Show Senior Correspondent Dulcé Sloan was doing summer shows at a community theater in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, the library was her main hangout spot. In the small town of 9,000 people, it was a place to gather with other young actors—and the only place with internet access. American Libraries spoke with Sloan before her closing session at the Public Library Association 2024 Conference in Columbus, Ohio, about her new book, her journey in stand-up comedy, and her memories of libraries.”

American Libraries Trend, Apr. 17
19h

Ashley Cosby Fowlkes writes: “In February 2023, Warren County (Ky.) Public Library (WCPL) began working with LifeWorks at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, a residential community for neurodiverse young adults that focuses on independent living and job readiness. By May, WCPL opened a satellite location at LifeWorks—making it the state’s first public library branch dedicated to serving neurodiverse patrons. The satellite is designed to be a sensory-sensitive environment, enabling individuals with autism, ADHD, or other learning differences—who can become overstimulated in crowded public areas—to concentrate on their studies, read a book, or browse digital library resources.”

American Libraries Trend, Mar./Apr.
23h

Araceli Méndez Hintermeister writes: “In the dynamic landscape of modern entrepreneurship, libraries emerge as powerful allies. The books in this collection delve into why and how libraries can be pivotal in supporting local businesses. Explore how libraries can serve as economic incubators and build relationships in the process.”

American Libraries column, Mar./Apr.
4d

Joe Árvai writes: “As artificial intelligence (AI) creeps further into people’s daily lives, so do worries about it. At the most alarmist are concerns about AI going rogue and terminating its human masters. But my own research as a psychologist who studies how people make decisions leads me to believe that all these risks are overshadowed by an even more corrupting, though largely invisible, threat. That is, AI is mere keystrokes away from making people even less disciplined and skilled when it comes to thoughtful decisions.”

The Conversation, Apr. 12
4d

Tess Prendergast writes: “As someone who teaches contemporary children’s literature, I have been following the surge of picture books about climate and environment topics for several years. While there has been some great scholarly research about such books, I have devised a simple framework for grouping these kinds of books. This four-tiered categorization may help you decided what to read, suggest, or display in various scenarios and for different audiences.”

ALSC Blog, Apr. 11
5d

Max Eddy writes: “It’s a nightmare scenario: You’ve protected all of your online accounts with two-factor authentication (2FA), but then your phone is broken, lost, or stolen, and you’re locked out of everything. Past You’s effort to protect Future You has made Present You’s life a living hell. 2FA is supposed to keep attackers and scammers out of your online accounts, but what if something happens to your second factor? With a little planning, you can reduce that risk and still keep your accounts safe.”

New York Times Wirecutter, Apr. 12
5d

Nik Altenberg writes: “About 100 librarians and their supporters rallied outside San Francisco Public Library’s Main Library on April 9 to demand the city hire security guards for every branch. Workers decried a lack of security at most of the city’s branches and said they are often forced to de-escalate volatile situations and step into the role of providing security themselves. The rally is the latest in a series of union actions [from 10 unions representing more than 25,000 city workers across city departments] seeking to draw attention to what they say is a pervasive understaffing crisis.”

KQED-TV (San Francisco), Apr. 9

View more Latest Library Links