Benson, Toni | American Libraries Magazine

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Toni Benson, 50, local history librarian at the Van Buren District Library in Decatur, Michigan, died July 5 of cancer.

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ALA sent a letter March 20 warning Keith E. Sonderling, the new Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) acting director, not to cut library programs required by federal law. The letter was sent in response to President Trump’s Executive Order of March 14, “Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy,” which takes aim at IMLS. Outlining the Congressional mandate of the Museum and Library Services Act (MLSA) of 2018, which was signed by President Trump, ALA urged Sonderling to follow provisions of the MLSA and avoid violating federal law.

ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office, Mar. 20
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Peter McCabe and Anna Mehler Paperny write: “US authorities said March 21 they are closing Canadian access to a library straddling the Canada-US border. The Haskell Free Library and Opera House is located between the towns of Stanstead, Quebec, and Derby Line, Vermont. The library’s entrance is on the Vermont side. Previously, Canadian visitors were able to enter using the sidewalk and entrance on the American side. Under the new rules, Canadians would need to go through a formal border crossing before entering the library.” The Department of Homeland Security told Reuters the move was in response to drug trafficking, but provided no evidence of such activity.

Reuters, Mar. 21
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Megan Bennett and David Alvarado write: “In 1979, Berkeley (Calif.) Public Library became one of the first libraries to start a tool lending program. Today, library patrons can choose from dozens of household options, from lawn mowers to miter saws, cold-press juicers to knife sharpeners. Public libraries continue to adopt this model. These Library of Things collections allow carbon footprint–conscious locals to buy less, monitor their usage of natural resources, appreciate nature, and create a more sustainable environment. Here’s an illustrated list of 21 popular tools promoting sustainability available in library collections across the US and Canada.”

American Libraries feature, Mar./Apr.
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Jodi Fortino writes: “Some Lee’s Summit (Mo.) School District Board of Education members said they’ve heard from parents concerned about what content their children can access in school libraries. Starting this month, parents can place their student on a restricted checkout status. Parents can call their school’s librarian and list up to 20 titles that their student won’t be able to check out. School librarians said they received 89 formal reconsideration requests in the 2022–2023 school year, but none of them came from parents whose children had checked out a book.” No requests were received in the 2023–2024 school year.

KCUR-FM (Kansas City, Mo.), Mar. 10
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Jeffrey Brainard writes: “The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Friday told staff members it has canceled subscriptions carried by its National Agricultural Library as part of a drive by President Donald Trump’s administration (and its Department of Government Efficiency) to cut federal spending. The move appears to drop nearly 400 of the library’s roughly 2,000 journals, including many prominent in various agricultural subfields—but curiously none from the world’s three largest scientific publishers, all of which are for-profit. Most of the affected publishers are university or nonprofit scientific society presses. USDA staff members depicted the move as hasty, indiscriminate slashing.”

Science, Mar. 17
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Amanda Rogers and Dianndra Roberts write: “Neurodiversity is the natural variation in human neurological functioning. Approximately 15%–20% of the global population is neurodivergent. Organizations that do not actively include and support neurodivergent individuals risk missing out on exceptional talents and undermining employees’ ability to work to their full potential. Workplace practices that support diverse working styles can build a positive and supportive environment without enforcing neuronormativity. By fostering an inclusive environment that values different ways of thinking, organizations can drive innovation, enhance problem-solving, and improve overall team performance.”

The Scholarly Kitchen, Mar. 17
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Dawson Damico writes: “For nearly 80 years, Iberia Parish (La.) Library has offered services to the public. It is now on the verge of closing down if a reduced millage renewal is not passed in the March 29 election. Last year, the renewal failed to pass, making this year’s election vital for the future of the system. It will be at a reduced rate from six mills to 4.5 mills. All libraries in the system are [currently] operating off a reduced balance of $3.3 million. If [the millage is] not passed, Hills said the funds will be depleted by March 2026.”

KLFY-TV (Lafayette, La.), Mar. 12

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