As you approach retirement and need to rely on investments to cover living expenses, the standard advice is to shift your portfolio toward bond-based ETFs or mutual funds. Bonds have had fewer and less dramatic booms and busts. For this reason, they are generally considered less risky than stocks. On average, over the long term, … Continue reading Limiting Risk in the Face of Uncertainty
Of course, moving a library takes more than a month. Our planning took more than a year and required staff to work under tight deadlines, limited budgets, and high expectations. Here’s how we did it, and what we learned from the process. Choosing a location. It’s essential to consider whether the new location will match, … Continue reading Mall Wonder
Book Bans, Disinformation, and Cultural Erasure: The Censorship Movement in Libraries, Schools, and Society By Paul T. Jaeger Jaeger situates the current book-banning movement within a larger social and political effort to erase marginalized communities and culture. He provides clear definitions and examples of these processes and goals, including the roles played by technological progress … Continue reading Dismantling Disinformation
The Obama Presidential Center (OPC) branch of Chicago Public Library (CPL) is an example of a library that strengthens the social infrastructure that underpins resilience. CPL Commissioner Chris Brown describes the branch as a civic platform for residents, artists, educators, and organizations to cocreate the life of the library and its surrounding public spaces. Though … Continue reading A Sense of Purpose
School librarians work hard to turn their classroom—the library—into the well-loved hub and heart of the school. It’s a tall order, but they are up to the task. Certified school librarians are trained to provide equitable access, personalized learning opportunities, technology access, updated digital and print materials, and creative programming to motivate students and help … Continue reading Thank You, School Librarians
As our nation marks its 250th year and E-Rate reaches its 30th anniversary, we should be celebrating a program that has expanded information access for all Americans. Unfortunately, opponents argue that because E-Rate has succeeded, we no longer need it. But success is precisely why it must continue. Just as our streets and roads require … Continue reading Save Our E-Rate
Policy issues and legalities aside, what I find concerning are the abusive communication and behavior patterns I see being used by many who attempt to challenge books, ban books, and “protect children.” Here are the patterns I have pointed out to my staff: Character assassination. This includes smear campaigns designed to intimidate and destroy the … Continue reading Fighting Words
LGBTQIA+ Books for Children and Teens, 2nd edition By Kathleen Breitenbach and Liz Deskins This resource text provides suggestions for librarians wanting to choose a variety of titles across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, while contextualizing the significance of these collections. It includes an overview of the history of LGBTQIA+ children’s and YA literature with perspectives from … Continue reading Confident Readers’ Advisory
This milestone is about more than looking back; it is about the momentum we carry into the next era. When we talk about shaping what’s next, we are acknowledging that the radical act of keeping library doors open for everyone requires constant, courageous innovation. In the hallways of McCormick Place, you will feel a renewed … Continue reading Sparking a New Era
While this is my first Annual as executive director, I attended the conference last summer in Philadelphia. There, I was blown away by the sheer number of participants, the depth of quality programming, and the infectious enthusiasm and energy from morning to night. This year, we expect approximately 15,000 conference attendees. As in previous years, … Continue reading Summer Connections
ESG investing refers to the practice of incorporating environmental impact, social issues, and corporate governance into investing decisions. A series of United Nations–sponsored reports popularized the term in 2004, although some earlier investment funds practiced socially responsible investing. Some that remain popular and influential include: Calvert’s social investment fund, launched in 1982; TIAA’s CREF Social … Continue reading Principled Investments
Today, we stand at 150 years, a century and a half of voices lifted, stories shared, and doors opened. We celebrate not just survival but triumph. For libraries are not just buildings; they are the pulse of democracy, the heart of community, and the echo of our collective soul. Through wars and unrest, through the … Continue reading ALA at 150
