Headshot of Librarian's Library columnist Rachel Rosenberg

Improving Inclusivity

November 1, 2024

The Inclusive Organization: Real Solutions, Impactful Change, and Meaningful Diversity By Netta Jenkins Jenkins, a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) executive, has worked with organizations of all sizes. Here she draws on her lived experiences and years of accumulated knowledge to suggest actionable ways that employees can improve their workplaces. The book shows readers how … Continue reading Improving Inclusivity


Librarian's Library by Araceli Mendez Hintermeister

Beyond the Bookshelves

September 3, 2024

Academic Libraries for Commuter Students: Research-Based Strategies Edited by Mariana Regalado and Maura A. Smale With commuter students making up most of the country’s undergraduate population, academic librarians need creative solutions to meet their diverse needs. This book, produced by a multidisciplinary team from City University of New York, provides examples of services specifically for … Continue reading Beyond the Bookshelves


Headshot of Library's Library columnist Reanna Esmail

Instruction Junction

June 3, 2024

Teaching Machines: The History of Personalized Learning By Audrey Watters Artificial intelligence (AI) will revolutionize education—or so many tech tycoons and venture capitalists commonly claim. As this title demonstrates, these promises are not novel, and their echoes can be heard in histories of educational technologies once known as teaching machines. Putting current AI hype into … Continue reading Instruction Junction



Librarian's Library by Araceli Mendez Hintermeister

Getting Down to Business

March 1, 2024

Libraries That Build Business: Advancing Small Business and Entrepreneurship in Public Libraries Edited by Megan Janicki Libraries are valuable allies for local entrepreneurs, breaking down barriers to technology and information access while fostering community connections. Drawing from ALA’s Libraries Build Business initiative, this book is divided into two parts. The first outlines strategies and considerations … Continue reading Getting Down to Business


Headshot of Library's Library columnist Reanna Esmail

Finding Funding

January 2, 2024

The Grant Writing Guide: A Road Map for Scholars By Betty S. Lai This is one of those books that accomplishes everything it promises. Divided into manageable tasks, the chapters provide practical advice, sample templates, and guided exercises to help applicants articulate their projects. Lai demystifies the grant writing process while thoughtfully reflecting on its … Continue reading Finding Funding


Librarian's Library by Allison Escoto

Supporting Marginalized Patrons

November 1, 2023

  Libraries and Homelessness: An Action Guide By Julie Ann Winkelstein As many communities face increasing houseless populations, public library workers are often on the front lines, offering services that may not exist elsewhere. From strategies to implementation, the chapters in this enlightening guide offer hands-on tools and real-world examples of successful programming, as well … Continue reading Supporting Marginalized Patrons


Librarian's Library by Araceli Mendez Hintermeister

Knowledge Creates Power

September 1, 2023

Library Collaborations and Community Partnerships: Enhancing Health and Quality of Life  This title showcases libraries as vital collaborators in communities through their efforts to foster engagement, build connections, and serve as partners in leadership. Firsthand accounts of projects and programs help illustrate the ways these institutions are uniquely positioned to recognize local needs and facilitate … Continue reading Knowledge Creates Power


Headshot of Library's Library columnist Reanna Esmail

Seize the Data

June 1, 2023

Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism By Safiya Umoja Noble Understanding algorithms is crucial for library workers grappling with emergent technologies such as artificial intelligence chatbots and their effect on information access. This is one of the first major books to examine algorithms and how they may perpetuate biased representation, remaining on point … Continue reading Seize the Data



Librarian's Library by Allison Escoto

Leadership at Any Level

May 1, 2023

Inspired Thinking: Big Ideas to Enrich Yourself and Your Community By Dorothy Stoltz, with Morgan Miller, Lisa Picker, Joseph Thompson, and Carrie Willson For libraries to remain relevant, the concept of inspired thinking is not only valuable but essential. Beginning with a hat tip to big thinkers like Plato and Shakespeare, this reflective volume outlines … Continue reading Leadership at Any Level


Librarian's Library by Araceli Mendez Hintermeister

Demystifying Data

March 1, 2023

Fundamentals of Planning and Assessment for Libraries By Rachel A. Fleming-May and Regina Mays Part of ALA Publishing’s Fundamentals series, this book helps to build understanding of planning and assessment cycles in a way that suits all library workers’ needs, no matter their prior familiarity. Fleming-May and Mays detail different parts of the cycle, including … Continue reading Demystifying Data