Ptacek, Bill | American Libraries Magazine

Bill Ptacek, 69, Calgary (Alberta) Public Library CEO since 2014, died October 15. During his tenure, the library built 12 early learning centers across the city and opened two new locations and a new Central Library. Calgary named him as its 2018 Citizen of the Year, and the Urban Libraries Council awarded him the 2019 Executive Board Award. Prior to joining Calgary Public Library, Ptacek was director of King County (Wash.) Library System.

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The US Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) announced on February 7 that it would remove and review “books potentially related to gender ideology or discriminatory equity ideology topics” in DoD schools, and suppress programs, activities and holidays related to those topics. Additionally, ALA has received confidential reports that library workers on military installations are being forced to remove books from shelves, take down displays about Black History Month and cancel cultural events. Among the books removed from DoD schools is Freckleface Strawberry, a picture book by actor Julianne Moore about a girl who dislikes her freckles.

ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office and American Association of School Librarians, Feb. 14; Stars and Stripes, Feb. 7; Variety, Feb. 16
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Megan Bennett writes: “Growing up in remote, rural areas, singer-songwriter Neko Case found that her love of reading provided an escape. In her memoir, The Harder I Fight the More I Love You (Hachette, January), she recalls repeatedly flipping through the same October 1972 issue of Mad magazine, poring over her stepdad’s collection of archaeology books, and forcing herself to finish David Copperfield. American Libraries spoke with Case about writing her first book and the role libraries have played in her life.”

American Libraries Trend, Jan./Feb.
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Megan Bennett writes: “Theater for young audiences may not receive the same recognition as productions by Shakespeare or Tennessee Williams, but it deserves its time in the spotlight, says Caelin Ross, performing arts librarian at Arizona State University (ASU) Library in Tempe. Ross oversees ASU’s Theatre for Youth and Community Collection. The collection, which Ross estimates to be approximately 5,000 linear feet, holds research materials like curricula and books, as well as scripts, production design samples, sketches, and costumes.”

American Libraries column, Jan./Feb.
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“2025 has started off with a great deal of instability to federal programs, funding, and governance. During such times as the 2025 Federal Shift, it is the role of a governing board to assess factors that could risk the achievement of an institution’s mission and develop plans to address them. While confronting risk can be intimidating, it can also be empowering. And while not every risk can be avoided, risks can often be mitigated. Now is a good time to inventory newly emerging risks and develop a response plan.”

Western New York Library Resources Council, Feb. 4
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“From dashing dukes to passionate pickleballers, sexy supernatural creatures to flirting frenemies, with spice levels across the spectrum, there’s something for everyone on our list of the best new romance titles—handpicked by our expert librarians and staff.” Find more romance recommendations from Lake Bluff (Ill.) Public Library and Miami Dade College, adventurous romances from Chicago Public Library, romance comics from Toledo Lucas County (Ohio) Public Library, and even romances featuring librarians.

New York Public Library, Feb.; Lake Bluff (Ill.) Public Library, Feb. 6; Miami Dade College, Feb. 12; Chicago Public Library, Feb. 7; Toledo Lucas County Public Library, Feb. 10; Under The Covers Book Blog, Apr. 11, 2024
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Spencer Donovan writes: “In 2023, the government board that runs the Greenville (S.C.) County Library System banned nearly all displays, a reaction to the political turmoil over Pride Month and Juneteenth. At some point after the ban, library branches removed posters from their bathrooms publicizing a local helpline for domestic abuse survivors. It’s unclear if the library will again allow the signs, which are created by Safe Harbor, a Greenville-based nonprofit that operates the domestic abuse helpline. Library leadership told The Post and Courier the signs don’t comply with the display policy.”

Greenville Post and Courier, Feb. 5; Oct. 25, 2023
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Ashley Mowreader writes: “As with many technological advancements, academic libraries have been spurred to respond to the evolution of generative artificial intelligence (AI). A September 2024 report found 7% of academic libraries are implementing AI tools, but 32% of the librarians and library-adjacent professionals surveyed said no AI training was available at their universities. A recent guide from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque offers a foundation for librarians to support student thriving in an AI-embedded world.”

Inside Higher Ed, Feb. 10; University of New Mexico, Jan. 9

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