Top Ten Tweets–Sunday (Day 3)

By Crystal Carrazco | February 12, 2018

Sunday was a busy day before the big #ALAYMA announcements on Monday.

It began with Junot Diaz’s amazing speech and Q&A.

Thanks to Junot for his inspiring words for librarians of color! – and for attending the @reformanational fundraiser last night. 🇩🇴 #alamw18 pic.twitter.com/9Eba9PPmMH

— Madeline Peña (@madelinepena) February 11, 2018

Afterwards, a few lucky folks got a picture with him!

https://twitter.com/JoChenCham/status/962822448528875520

In the Networking Uncommons, people de-stressed by playing a too-real game of Cards Against Librarianship.

Indeed. #CardsAgainstLibrarianship #librarylife #alamw18 #neilgaiman https://t.co/1ZNps0kEQ5 pic.twitter.com/VDubskI54A

— Ariel Factor Birdoff (she/they)✡️📚🏳️‍🌈BLM ACAB (@Madam_Pince) February 11, 2018

Others opted for meeting with colleagues and brainstorming instead!

Thanks to @MelissaZD for organizing a storytime deep dive discussion at the #alamw18 Uncommons. @ClaudiaHaines pic.twitter.com/I06AyAAw81

— Michelle Y (@michelleyreads) February 11, 2018

After some sessions and networking, it was time to hit up the exhibit floor for even more swag.

Every time I think I'm done in the exhibit hall, I find something else. #alamw18

— Sarah Ryan (@SMRreadsbooks) February 11, 2018

We then head to the unsung heroes.

Shout-out to the @USPS! The unsung heroes of #alamw18 #ALAMW18 thanks for helping a girl get all that swag home! pic.twitter.com/mJR9nf4vzd

— Reba Tierney (@Rebrarian) February 11, 2018

It was also one of the last days to show off all the fun ribbons you grabbed at the ALA Lounge.

https://twitter.com/libraryvoice/status/962732024002826240

In the afternoon, the President’s Forum sparked discussion and debate on neutrality of libraries. (But not before some ’90s songs.)

Getting ready for hot takes on neutrality in libraries and listening to these 90’s dance songs. #alamw18

— Annie Pho (she/her) (@catladylib) February 11, 2018

After the forum, it was socializing time!

GLBTRT social! #alamw18 #librarians #blushbludenver pic.twitter.com/mbtwKm6nVw

— Sukrit Goswami (@SukritSpeaks) February 12, 2018

Andrew Carnegie medal 🥇 winners 2018 #alamw18 pic.twitter.com/WygM6zCF4S

— Erin Downey Howerton (@hybridlib) February 12, 2018

Jessica, we hope your friends brought you back stuff. Support your #alaleftbehind friends!

https://twitter.com/teacher2library/status/962773791112708096

CRYSTAL CARRAZCO is membership/marketing assistant at the American Library Association.

Tagged Under

Are Libraries Neutral?

President’s Program tackles heavy subject from multiple angles

Council II Discusses ALA Reorganization Ideas

Latest Library Links

14h

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
18h

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
21h

Alejandro Marquez and Brady Niemitalo Woods write: “While loneliness is a common experience, it is not evenly distributed. Some are more likely to experience loneliness. Factors include low income, parenthood, singleness, and age. LGBTQ people, minorities, and women are more likely to experience loneliness than the average. Libraries have long served as community spaces where people can connect, learn, and engage with others. Yet in a digital age, the sense of isolation among library users has become a growing concern. In this blog post, we explore the issue of loneliness in libraries and discuss strategies for librarians to address it.”

ACRLog, Nov. 11
2d

ALA announced on November 11 the candidates running for ALA offices. Lindsay Cronk, dean of libraries at Tulane University in New Orleans; Andrea Jamison, assistant professor of school librarianship at Illinois State University in Normal; and Maria McCauley, director of libraries at Cambridge (Mass.) Public Library are candidates for the ALA presidency for the 2026–2027 term. Larry Neal, library director of Clinton-Macomb Public Library (CMPL) in Michigan, and Joel Thornton, associate dean of collections and scholarly communication for University of Utah in Salt Lake City, are candidates for ALA treasurer for 2025–2028. ALA also announced 21 councilor-at-large candidates. Members interested in running by petition for ALA leadership positions may do so by completing a candidate biographical information form and a petition form with the signatures of no fewer than 200 ALA current personal members (25 members for Council positions) by December 13.

AL: The Scoop, Nov. 11
2d

Emily Weak writes: “Something I always hear from hiring managers is that they want to build a resilient, diverse workforce. Sometimes we say we want a resilient workforce, but what we mean is that we want staffers who are willing to go above and beyond, or to do more with less. These concepts are deeply entrenched in librarianship, but I think we’re beginning to see how they can cause problems. Instead of trying to hire people who will do more with less and who will thrive amid adversity, let’s think about resilience as an organizational feature.”

American Libraries column, Nov./Dec.
2d

Alison Marcotte writes: “In 2023, ALA’s Public Programs Office launched the largest grant initiative in the Association’s history—the Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Accessible Small and Rural Communities grants. During the first round of funding, 240 small and rural libraries, located within towns with populations of under 25,000 people, received awards of $10,000 or $20,000 to improve the accessibility of their facilities, services, and programs. American Libraries spoke with five libraries that participated in the program’s inaugural year about their projects’ impact on those they serve.” Applications for the third round of LTC funding will be accepted through December 11.

American Libraries feature, Nov./Dec.
5d

“There is some research that indicates winter is the most stressful season of the year: Our environment gets colder and darker, and winter holidays can be major stressors due to finances, family, and more. To usher in fall’s transition into winter, our November booklist has fiction and nonfiction titles all about kindness. That means a lot of things, such as: practicing kindness towards ourselves to promote self-care and wellbeing, practicing kindness towards others to strengthen empathy towards others, and practicing kindness toward our environment to better sustain our world.”

Denver Public Library, Nov.