The Scoop

The Paradox of Belonging

Brené Brown presents her research, praises the refuge of libraries
By Terra Dankowski | June 27, 2017
Fighting Sexual Harassment in the Library

Knowing what to do when patrons go too far
By Amy Carlton | June 27, 2017
Funny Books for Funny Girls

Humor and gender for middle-grade readers
By Amy Carlton | June 27, 2017
To Mars and Back

Author Andy Weir discusses his meteoric success
By Phil Morehart | June 27, 2017
Council II: Tribute to Keith Michael Fiels
By Amy Carlton | June 26, 2017

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Open Educational Resources for Science Liaisons

The strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities of OERs
By Samuel R. Putnam | June 26, 2017
All About the Man Buried in Grant’s Tomb

Biographer Ron Chernow sheds some light on a forgotten president
By George M. Eberhart | June 26, 2017
The Benefits of Tabletop Games for Libraries

Beyond Monopoly and Candyland
By Dawn Abron | June 26, 2017
You Don’t Always Need Money to Run a Successful Program

Panel encourages thinking outside of the box
By Jennifer Putnam Davis | June 26, 2017
Top 10 Tweets — Sunday (Day 3)
By Crystal Carrazco | June 26, 2017
The Tougaloo Nine Remembered

A Civil Rights pioneer recalls the 1961 read-in in Jackson, Mississippi
By George M. Eberhart | June 26, 2017
Sarah Jessica Parker Unveils ALA’s Book Club Central

Actor and honorary chair reveals the first reading recommendation
By Terra Dankowski | June 26, 2017

Latest Library Links

10h

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
15h

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
18h

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
1d

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
2d

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