The Scoop

The Refugee Experience

Viet Thanh Nguyen discusses separation and decolonization
By George M. Eberhart | April 12, 2019
Library Advocates Deliver

FY2020 Dear Appropriator letters campaign ends National Library Week on a high note
By Kevin Maher | April 12, 2019
ACRL Opens with Michele Norris

NPR anchor examines narratives on race and identity
By Stephanie Hlywak | April 11, 2019
Farrell Elected ALA Treasurer
April 10, 2019
Jefferson Wins 2020–2021 ALA Presidency
April 10, 2019
The State of America’s Libraries 2019

New report affirms Libraries = Strong Communities
April 7, 2019
April Foolswatch 2019

A roundup of the best library jokes and pranks of the year
By Greg Landgraf | April 4, 2019
PLA Debuts African Leadership Academy

Librarians travel to Chicago for training event
By Mary Hirsh | April 3, 2019
ALA Joins Groups Opposing Census Citizenship Question

Supreme Court arguments will be heard April 23
By Larra Clark | April 2, 2019
Dewey Decibel Podcast: Spring Cleaning

Episode 36 offers tips on weeding your collections
March 29, 2019
Defeating Bullies and Trolls

Skokie (Ill.) Public Library event offers strategies to protect librarians from harassment
By Phil Morehart | March 15, 2019
ALA #FundLibraries Campaign Kicks Off for FY2020

White House budget proposal again seeks to eliminate federal funding
By Kathi Kromer | March 11, 2019

Latest Library Links

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James Folta writes: “Last week a Silicon Valley startup announced a new kind of e-reader that you can wear on your face. Maybe it’s because I don’t often want to read while lying fully flat on my back with my arms at my side, but I don’t see a ton of utility for these book goggles. How do these new glasses stack up against all the other technology we already have to access text? Here is my definitive [and comedic] ranking of ways to get text into your brain,” from books and smartphones to refrigerator magnets and wax tablets.

Literary Hub, July 15
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Tony Phillips writes: “Copying data from an image into a Google Sheets file manually can be time-consuming and increases the chance of typos. Luckily, you can extract the information into your spreadsheet in just a few simple steps using the Optical Character Recognition tool in Google Drive. Here’s how.”

How-to Geek, July 9
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On July 18, ALA unveiled a new multi-year strategic plan aimed at strengthening libraries, growing the library workforce, driving innovation, and expanding community impact. The new plan is the result of a data-driven process conducted over several months in partnership with a strategic planning consultant. It was shaped by the insights of a Strategic Planning Task Force—a diverse group of member volunteers representing different sectors, roles, and perspectives from across the association. Key priorities include developing the library workforce pipeline, driving innovation and technology adoption, expanding advocacy efforts, and growing community programs.

ALA Communications, Marketing, and Member Relations Office, July 18
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Brandon Jarvis writes: “The Joint Legislative and Audit Review Commission presented a report to members of the General Assembly July 14 about books that are being removed from school libraries across Virginia. The report found that some school divisions are misinterpreting a 2022 law to justify removing titles. The law requires schools to notify parents if their children’s instructional materials include sexually explicit content. It does not require districts to remove books when a parent withholds consent; instead, schools are expected to provide alternative, non-explicit materials for those students.”

Virginia Scope, July 14; Virginia Joint Legislative and Audit Review Commission, July 14
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ALA is sending a delegation to the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York. ALA’s participation is a significant step in elevating libraries as key partners in global development and reflects ALA’s commitment to aligning library advocacy with the United Nations 2030 Agenda. ALA and New York Public Library’s Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library will present “Imperatives for Growth: Libraries as Catalysts for Inclusive Employment, Skills, and Prosperity,” on July 21 at 6 p.m. Eastern. Anyone can register to attend virtually.

ALA Communications, Marketing, and Media Relations Office, July 14
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Caelin Ross writes: “Librarians are trained to believe that if information exists, is published, and we can access it, then it’s ours to use. The idea that Indigenous communities might have sovereignty over how their knowledge is shared, taught, or represented often comes as a genuine surprise. And how uncomfortable it is for white folks who are allies to analyze their relationship to information critically. We cannot assume that there is always a ‘better’ way to be more inclusive; sometimes, it’s better to stay in our lane.”

ACRLog, July 9
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Susan Maguire writes: “At this year’s ALA Annual Conference, Booklist and LibraryReads teamed up for the popular Read ’n’ Rave, where superstar librarians scour the exhibit hall floor to find the books you’ll want to know about for late summer and fall. If you missed the event, or if you had trouble keeping up with the rapid-fire raving (can’t blame you!), here’s a list of the books everyone talked about.”

Booklist Online, June 30