The Scoop

‘In this Work Together’

Librarians share what keeps them motivated
By Megan Bennett | July 1, 2024
Making Headlines

Connie Chung reflects on her barrier-breaking broadcast career
By Terra Dankowski | July 1, 2024
Muslim Voices in Children’s Literature

Authors on why they write and facing the current moment
By Carrie Smith | July 1, 2024
10 Things Every Board Member Needs to Know

With clear parameters, trustees, foundations, and Friends groups can better support libraries
By Sanhita SinhaRoy | July 1, 2024
The Unstoppable Maggie Nichols

Champion gymnast discusses her memoir at Annual
By Terra Dankowski | June 30, 2024

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Patron Privacy and Enhanced Research

Interrogating data use in personalized tools and services
By Carrie Smith | June 30, 2024
Going Hard on Trivial Pursuits

How to build a successful team trivia night
By Carrie Smith | June 30, 2024
‘Meaningful, Powerful Work’

Reforma’s Children in Crisis Project serves immigrant youth
By Diana Panuncial | June 30, 2024
Council II: The Future of ALA

Revisiting core governance documents
By Sallyann Price | June 30, 2024
Channeling Courage

Ali Velshi on small ways to fight for democracy that leave a big impact
By Diana Panuncial | June 30, 2024
Putting Anxiety to Sleep

Nighttime worries and how to remedy them
By Megan Bennett | June 30, 2024
Tapping In, Tapping Out

Frontline staff and administrators swap roles for a day
By Sanhita SinhaRoy | June 30, 2024

Latest Library Links

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Florian Kastner writes: “JPG was developed to compress photos with lossy compression, which greatly reduced file sizes–a decisive advantage in the early days of the internet when storage space and bandwidth were still scarce resources. With the enormous progress in computer and software technology, the possibilities for image compression have also developed further. Today, modern image formats offer far better compression without compromising image quality. For many photographers, designers, and website operators, it’s becoming increasingly unattractive to rely on the outdated JPG format.” AVIF, JPEG XL, WebP, and HEIC/HEIF are likely to take its place.

PC World, Sept. 27
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Nick Dedeke writes: “In an earlier article, I discussed a few of the flaws in Europe’s flagship data privacy law, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Building on that critique, I would now like to go further, proposing specifications for developing a robust privacy protection regime in the US. If a country like the US developed a different privacy approach, it would bring choice and a new perspective into this important segment of protection of the privacy of data subjects.”

Ars Technica, Sept. 28
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Brian Stephens writes: “Lack of high-speed internet is a significant problem in almost 75% of communities served by the nation’s K–12 schools, according to Funds For Learning’s annual E-Rate Applicant Survey. A key change to the E-rate program’s rules aims to narrow the ‘homework gap’ by making Wi-Fi hotspots that schools and libraries loan to students and patrons eligible for E-Rate discounts. For funding year 2025, Wi-Fi hotspots are eligible for Category One discounts. However, schools and libraries must follow a slew of requirements in order to take advantage. Here’s a closer look.”

THE Journal, Sept. 24
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Danielle Costello writes: “Unsurprising to anyone who has ever known me, when I think about my favorite games, I have a very hard time deciding on a rank order. Favorites to me exist on a wide, joyful, and ever-increasing plane. Since I’m hoping to keep this list to a reasonable length, I’m sharing some of my favorite categories of games and some standout examples. Please enjoy!” The list includes examples of board games, role-playing games for groups and individuals, and video games in several genres.

ALA Games & Gaming Round Table, Sept. 30
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Catherine Hollerbach writes: “Library workers are finding the joy in library work they have missed over the past few years. What is more joyous than finding that book you read as a child and sharing it with your kids? Or finding just the right story that pulls on your heartstrings or takes you on an adventure? Sometimes, it’s a song in storytime that brings on a smile or a chance to learn about a fantastic wine or how to fix a car.”

Public Libraries Online, Sept. 25
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Matthew Gault writes: “In a time of devastation and loss, some people in Asheville, North Carolina, are turning to the public library for comfort and communication [after Hurricane Helene]. Cell services have created a communications blackout in much of the state, but Asheville’s downtown library is offering something incredible: free Wi-Fi.” ALA’s is accepting donations to its Disaster Relief Fund; the Chapter Relations Office is collaborating with state chapters in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina to identify affected libraries and facilitate the distribution of money from that fund.”

Gizmodo, Oct. 1; ALA Chapter Relations Office
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Lucy Podmore writes: “While preparing for our yearly celebration of Banned Books Week, how many of us have been asked why we are celebrating banned books? Based on my experiences the past four years, I have come to the decision that it is time to reframe that celebration for my Texas high school campus. Central to this reimagined celebration has been the introduction of the Freedom Walk, an event designed to emphasize the fundamental rights of students to access a diverse range of information and literature in their school library.”

Knowledge Quest, Sept. 30