The Scoop

Total Eclipse of the Library

With some help from NASA, librarians plan star-studded events
By Hanako Maki | August 15, 2017
ALA Condemns Racism and Violence in Charlottesville
August 15, 2017
“Everybody Is Somebody in the Library”

Speakers, singers inspire hope amid hostility at NCAAL
By Amanda Davis | August 15, 2017
Sparking Interest in Archives and History

Ignite sessions at NCAAL
By Amanda Davis | August 14, 2017
Spider-Man, Inspiration, and Literacy

Jason Reynolds speaks at NCAAL about creating space for black boys
By Amanda Davis | August 14, 2017

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NCAAL Opens in Atlanta

Tenth conference for African American librarians addresses community engagement, outreach
By Amanda Davis | August 11, 2017
Next Steps on Net Neutrality

There's still time to make your voice heard
By Ellen Satterwhite | August 4, 2017
Degrowth Is Coming

What libraries can do to contribute to the downscaling debate
By Edgardo Civallero | August 4, 2017
Dewey Decibel Podcast: Fighting Fake News

Episode 16 examines misinformation from all angles
August 1, 2017
Comics in the Classroom: Beyond Maus and Persepolis

Leveling Up at San Diego Comic-Con
By Amie Wright | July 28, 2017
Retrial for Former Librarian in Sessions Laugh Case
By Timothy Inklebarger | July 19, 2017
Accessible at All Ability Levels

Making school libraries open to everyone
By Athina Livanos-Propst | July 4, 2017

Latest Library Links

12h

Timothy Peters writes: “Today’s organizations are making a concerted effort to demonstrate greater inclusivity in their workplace practices, processes, and larger cultures. Research has shown diverse organizations are more innovative, adaptable, and regarded as better places to work by current and potential employees. Systems thinking frames the organization as a single, interconnected and interdependent system, and abandons many of the traditional organizational concepts which stand in the way of inclusion. Through its emphasis on holism, fostering productive relationships, multidirectional communication, and transparency, systems thinking creates an organizational culture that actively includes and empowers.”

Library Leadership and Management, Oct. 2
17h

Small and rural libraries don’t always have the same resources and opportunities that urban libraries do. But they still have big ideas about how to serve their communities, and as we hear in Episode 98, they find ways to realize them. At Burlingame (Kans.) Community Library, sensory spaces and a new loanable resource collection are improving the lives of patrons with disabilities and their families. Meanwhile, at North Liberty (Iowa) Library, staffers are moderating discussions on hot-button topics that are getting community members to open up, listen to one another, and connect.

AL: The Scoop, Nov. 11
20h

ALA announced on November 12 the six books shortlisted for the 2025 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction. Established in 2012, the awards honor the previous year’s best fiction and nonfiction books written for adult readers and published in the US. The two Medal winners will be announced at 10:30 a.m. Mountain on January 26, 2025, at the livestreamed Reference and User Services Association Book and Media Awards during ALA’s LibLearnX conference in Phoenix.

AL: The Scoop, Nov. 13
2d

Amy Katzenberger became director of ALA’s Development Office in early September. Among other fundraising activities, Katzenberger and her team have been shepherding the campaign for the Association’s 150th anniversary, which will culminate in 2026. Prior to joining ALA, Katzenberger worked at Riley Children’s Foundation in Indianapolis as director of foundation relations, where she secured millions of dollars in grants. Before Riley, she served as chief program officer for the American Camp Association. Early in her career, Katzenberger worked in ALA’s Conference Services department as a meetings and scheduling manager. She answered our 11 Questions to introduce herself to ALA members.

AL: The Scoop, Nov. 12
2d

Kyle Werner writes: “State Librarian Michael Lynn Scott has been arrested and charged with dissemination of obscene material for allegedly sending lewd images to someone he thought was a 14-year-old boy but was actually a deputy. Police arrested Scott, 54, on November 6. He had been the state librarian since 2014. Scott was reported to have been messaging a minor on the messaging app KiK according to a criminal complaint. The conversation, allegedly initiated by Scott, began on August 13, police said. Brenda Hall was appointed the interim state librarian on November 7.”

Des Moines Register, Nov. 8
3d

Nick Tanzi writes: “Whenever an emerging technology arises, there are inevitably those who will question the value and relevance of the library. Throughout my career, I have heard some version of the refrain ‘Why do I need the library when I have:’ the World Wide Web, Google, ereaders, the iPad, or ChatGPT. In each instance, the library adopted and/or adapted to these technologies. As we enter the age of artificial intelligence, we can expect the same skeptical voices challenging the relevance of our institutions. A closer look at the library and our brand reveals that their value has only grown.”

The Digital Librarian, Nov. 7
3d

Shannon Young writes: “In June, Prince George’s County (Md.) Memorial Library System embarked on a partnership with Maryland Public Television (MPT) to develop programs that empower families and caregivers to cultivate healthy media habits. MPT’s Early Learning Media Ambassador initiative is tailored for early childhood educators interested in helping families and caregivers learn how to use media effectively. Material provided by MPT includes Media STEPs, which outline strategies like selecting appropriate content, talking about what children are seeing, exploring new things that they learned, and playing in both virtual and physical environments.”

ALSC Blog, Nov. 9