Davis, Terri | American Libraries Magazine

Rapid City (S.Dak.) Public Library appointed Terri Davis director, effective August 14.

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Corey Halaychik writes: “Libraries have long been the backbone of academic and public access to knowledge. But over time, we have handed over too much control to vendors—companies that provide us with books, databases, discovery systems, and other essential services. If we continue down this path, we risk losing our ability to shape the future of information access. But libraries don’t have to be passive consumers of vendor products. We can be creators, leaders, and innovators. The question is: Are we ready to take that step?”

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, Nov. 7
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Amanda Jones, the Livingston Parish (La.) school librarian who became one of the first librarians to sue book-banning advocates for defamation after relentless assaults on her character, has received an apology from one of the critics who accused her of giving inappropriate materials to children. Jones settled her lawsuit against Ryan Thames, who operates the Bayou State of Mind Facebook page, for $1 and an apology, in which he acknowledged that his claims about her were not true.

Louisiana Voice, Nov. 3; American Libraries feature, Sept./Oct. 2023; Instagram, Nov. 2
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On November 5, ALA, Unite Against Book Bans, and the Interfaith Alliance launched the “Faith for Libraries: Diverse Faith Communities Supporting Libraries and Librarians” campaign to defend the freedom to read. The organizations have launched a pledge for people of faith to defend the freedom to read, and a campaign for houses of worship to send supportive postcards to their local librarians. They will also announce a major event in Chicago next year to coincide with the ALA annual conference.

ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office, Nov. 5
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Greg Landgraf writes: “Growing up, Steve Spohn’s primary way to connect with others was through videogames. Diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy as an infant, Spohn spent significant time in the hospital as a child [where he could only play with others through the hospital’s gaming system]. Spohn, director of the Mount Sinai Back to Life Center in New York City and former chief operating officer of AbleGamers, worked with Deerfield (Ill.) Public Library to host an open-house-style Adaptive Arcade event, featuring a PlayStation 5, a Nintendo Switch, and a gaming PC for use with games such as Rocket League and the Mario Kart series.”

American Libraries feature, Nov./Dec.
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ALA announced on November 6 the candidates running for ALA president for the 2027–2028 term: Tamika Barnes, associate dean of Perimeter College Library Services at Georgia State University in Atlanta, and Becky Calzada, district library coordinator at Leander (Tex.) Independent School District. The ALA Nominating Committee also announced candidates for 12 councilor-at-large seats. Barnes and Calzada, as well as any petition candidates for president, will take part in a virtual candidates’ forum to be scheduled in winter 2026. Ballot mailing for the election will begin March 9, 2026, and will run through April 1.

AL: The Scoop, Nov. 6
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Dan Montgomery writes: “When the interview committee asked why I was interested in the executive director position, I replied, doing my best impression of famed mountaineer George Mallory: ‘Because it’s the ALA!’ I was responding, of course, to my belief in libraries and in the right to read, both of which have been under serious attack. And library workers and advocates who defend reading, books, and unfettered access to knowledge are critical to protecting American democracy. So, to be part of the organization most squarely in the forefront of that cause seemed to me an unmissable opportunity, and a great honor.”

American Libraries column, Nov./Dec.
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R. L. Maizes and Ali Solomon share a series of cartoons that depict true horrors for book lovers. These hilarious but hair-raising situations include lending a book to a friend who cares for it improperly, the terrible measures you might have to take to avoid spoilers, and the horrifying combination of a toddler, a heavily sauced pasta, and a first edition.

Electric Lit, Oct. 31

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