Parsons, Gail | American Libraries Magazine

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Traverse Area District Library in Traverse City, Michigan, appointed Gail Parsons as director March 12.

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Karin Greenberg writes: “For centuries, poets have attempted to put words to profound experiences. Using the monumental event of the Artemis II mission, I decided to challenge my high school students to give it a try. For this year’s April poetry competition, I asked them to write a poem focusing on the theme of time and space. A familiar refrain that high school educators hear from students is ‘How will this have anything to do with life?’ When we pair real events, especially intriguing ones, with literature and writing skills, we’re more likely to engage learners.

Knowledge Quest, May 19
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Matt Hollingsworth writes: “Alex Haley’s book Roots is included in an updated list of book titles to be removed from Knox County Schools libraries. The schools previously removed other books from shelves due to the Age-Appropriate Materials Act including Water for Elephants, A Court of Thorns and Roses and A Clockwork Orange. The state passed the Age Appropriate Materials Act in 2022, requiring schools to have a list of materials in their libraries and to have a policy for reviewing them for age appropriateness.” Roots is one of Tennessee’s state books, and members of the county Board of Education have pushed back against the removal.

WATE-TV (Knoxville), May 14; WKRN-TV (Nashville), Mar. 29, 2024; WBIR-TV (Knoxville), May 18
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Eleanor Ball writes: “With summer break around the corner, I’m eagerly beginning to plan what books I might read this summer. I’m also reflecting on the books I read this year as I prepared to teach my own course, an artificial intelligence (AI) literacy elective, for the first time. Today, as we ease ourselves into summer break, I want to share four quickfire reviews of books I’ve recently read about pedagogy and AI. If you’re looking for something to read this summer, I hope you find something intriguing in this list!”

ACRLog, May 14
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Marydee Ojala writes: “Contingency plans should start with the premise that no library is completely immune from attack. In the case of the Canvas attack, the library can take on the role of help desk, as students may not know where else to turn for accurate information and will need advice, explanations, and a personalized roadmap of what to do next. This was not simply downtime; this was a major security breach. Warn students about the possibility of phishing emails. Look at existing collections that can provide alternatives to data provided on the Canvas platform.”

Information Today Europe, May 12
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Phil Morehart writes: “Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, The Go-Go’s, Vince Gill, Chaka Khan, and Weezer are some of the most successful musical artists in the world, and they’ve now been enshrined in the Library of Congress. On May 14, Acting Librarian of Congress Robert R. Newlen announced the latest round of recordings that will join the National Recording Registry. The 25 selections were chosen as audio treasures worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical, or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.”

I Love Libraries, May 15
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“From wartime appeals to celebrity-studded reading campaigns, library posters have long captured the evolving role of libraries in American life. This feature traces ALA’s history through some of its most iconic visuals—the patriotic mobilization of ALA’s Library War Service, the pop-culture energy of its READ posters, the spirited encouragement of the ‘Wake Up and Read’ campaign, and the fearless advocacy of Banned Books Week. Together, these images chart a story of the profession’s unflinching ideals of access, literacy, and intellectual freedom, showcasing how libraries continue to reimagine their place in public life.”

American Libraries feature, May
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Sarah Hunter writes: “This year marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. But the Declaration of Independence wasn’t an isolated event. As young readers confront the meaning of America’s 250th birthday, it’s important to allow them to see the wider picture beyond the keystone document and the familiar roster of ‘founding fathers’ that fill the pages of history textbooks. The following titles together offer a rich variety of perspectives on the decades leading up to and following the American Revolution.”

I Love Libraries, May 6

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