The Scoop

Dewey Decibel Podcast: Insider’s Guide to Seattle

Episode 34 offers things to do during the 2019 ALA Midwinter Meeting
January 18, 2019
Census Resources for Libraries

Help achieve a complete count in 2020
By Gavin Baker and Larra Clark | January 15, 2019
Dewey Decibel Podcast: Writers on Writing

In Episode 33, authors talk books and libraries
December 21, 2018
Museum and Library Services Act Passes

ALA praises advocates and congressional champions
By Kathi Kromer | December 20, 2018
Museum and Library Services Act Stalls in House

ALA mobilizes library advocates to fight for passage
By Kevin Maher | December 14, 2018
E-Content Challenges Ahead

ALA meets with publishers in NYC
By Alan S. Inouye | December 14, 2018
Lame-Duck Library Advocacy

As 115th Congress winds down, here's what to watch for
By Kathi Kromer | December 6, 2018
2018 I Love My Librarian Winners Announced

ALA honors 10 librarians for outstanding service
December 4, 2018
Sharing Space

Librarian experiences the Mars landing at a NASA Social
By Sally Stieglitz | November 30, 2018
Dewey Decibel Podcast: Get a Job!

Episode 32 offers advice to ease library job hunt woes
November 27, 2018
California Libraries in Wildfires’ Wake

Paradise, other communities cope with disaster
By Timothy Inklebarger | November 16, 2018
Focusing on Teen Needs

Takeaways from the YALSA 2018 Young Adult Services Symposium
By Jamie Santoro | November 7, 2018

Latest Library Links

1d

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
2d

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
2d

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
2d

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
3d

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
3d

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
4d

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

View more Latest Library Links

The Scoop

Dewey Decibel Podcast: Insider’s Guide to Seattle

Episode 34 offers things to do during the 2019 ALA Midwinter Meeting

Census Resources for Libraries

Help achieve a complete count in 2020

Dewey Decibel Podcast: Writers on Writing

In Episode 33, authors talk books and libraries

Museum and Library Services Act Passes

ALA praises advocates and congressional champions

Museum and Library Services Act Stalls in House

ALA mobilizes library advocates to fight for passage

E-Content Challenges Ahead

ALA meets with publishers in NYC

Lame-Duck Library Advocacy

As 115th Congress winds down, here's what to watch for

2018 I Love My Librarian Winners Announced

ALA honors 10 librarians for outstanding service

Sharing Space

Librarian experiences the Mars landing at a NASA Social

Dewey Decibel Podcast: Get a Job!

Episode 32 offers advice to ease library job hunt woes

California Libraries in Wildfires’ Wake

Paradise, other communities cope with disaster

Focusing on Teen Needs

Takeaways from the YALSA 2018 Young Adult Services Symposium