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  • 6y

    Peggy SullivanPeggy Sullivan, 90, died April 13. She worked in many public and school libraries from 1952 to 1977 and directed the Knapp School Libraries Project from 1963 to 1968. Sullivan’s many accomplishments include serving as 1976–1977 president of ALA’s Children’s Services Division (now the Association for Library Services to Children [ALSC]), chair of ALA’s Centennial Celebration in 1976, assistant commissioner for extension services at Chicago Public Library (1977–1981), 1980–1981 president of ALA, and ALA executive director from 1992 to 1994. She wrote several books and more than 100 articles on librari­anship, education, and administration. Sullivan held numerous university teaching positions, including on the LIS faculty at University of Pittsburgh and University of Chicago; part-time or interim positions at University of Mary­land, Rutgers University-New Bruns­wick, Syracuse University, the Catholic University of America, Drexel University, and Rosary College (now Dominican University); and as dean of the LIS pro­gram at Rosary College. She also served as dean and professor at the College of Professional Studies at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb 1981–1992 and as director 1990–1992. Sullivan received ALA’s Joseph W. Lippincott Award in 1991, the ALSC Distinguished Service Award in 2000, and distinguished alum­nus awards from both Clarke College and Catholic University. In 2004, she established ALA’s Sullivan Award for Public Library Administrators. In 2008 she was named an honorary member of ALA, the Association’s highest honor.

  • Latest Library Links

    • 51m

      Bird and cat sitting togetherLisa Shin writes: “As someone who grew up being scared to present in front of an audience, even in front of family during holiday karaoke time, I never thought I would turn into an ambivert of sorts. Alone time is much appreciated; however, there is this heartwarming feeling that is so unique to meeting and connecting with people with similar interests, passions, and experiences. As I slowly wade into the winter semester of my first year as an academic librarian, I wanted to share some anecdotes in hopes of helping out a fellow introvert!”

      ACRLog, Jan. 17

    • 5h

      DiceHaley Cole and Tylar Kerstetter write: “Libraries are institutions that excel at both formal and informal learning. Tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPG) lend themselves to supporting learning in a variety of ways. They can help with basic math skills, spatial awareness and tactics, how to properly use an index or appendix to efficiently find information, and even communication or conflict resolution. TTRPG players are often practicing soft skills, self-regulation, empathy, and problem solving while roleplaying. If you’re interested in integrating TTRPGs into your library or classroom, there are a number of resources out there to support you.”

      ALA Games and Gaming Round Table, Jan. 19

    • 9h

      ALA Presidential candidates Tamika Barnes and Becky CalzadaThe ALA Presidential Candidates Virtual Forum offers an opportunity to learn about ALA presidential candidates Becky Calzada and Tamika Barnes and their visions for ALA. The forum will take place at 2 p.m. Central on February 9. Register to attend the forum. You may also submit a question in advance.  Following the forum, ALA members will have the chance to participate in a virtual meet-and-greet with each candidate. The event will also be recorded and shared on ALA’s YouTube channel. Learn more about the candidates.

      ALA Governance Office

    • 1d

      Youth Media Awards logoEach year ALA’s Youth Media Awards—including the Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, and Coretta Scott King Book Awards—honor outstanding books, videos, and other materials for children and teens. The 2026 Youth Media Awards will be held on Monday, January 26, at 10 a.m. Central at the Hilton Chicago hotel. The event will be free and open to the public, but registration is required by Wednesday, January 21, for in-person attendance. The announcement will also be live streamed at ala.unikron.com and on the ALA Facebook page.

      ALA Youth Media Awards

    • 1d

      From the Treasurer by Larry NealLarry Neal writes: “When I volunteered to serve as ALA treasurer, I knew it was going to be one of the greatest challenges of my career. Only a few months in, it has already exceeded my expectations. ALA’s financial picture is not a pretty one. And it’s a similar picture currently seen at many other associations and nonprofit organizations. Fiscal year 2025, which ended in August, saw a deficit of $15.4 million. If this sounds like a financial crisis, it is. If it sounds like significant change is needed, it’s long overdue. If it sounds hopeless, it isn’t.”

      American Libraries column, Jan./Feb.

    • 1d

      Illustration by Antonio Rodriguez of a person reading a book to others in the libraryLast April, Choice convened the virtual panel “Affirmative Action and the Future of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).” Moderated by Fatima Mohie-Eldin, social sciences editor for Choice, the panel explored how these coalescing issues are impacting academic librarians and information scholars. The following are edited excerpts of their discussion, which considered how institutions can pursue and reaffirm their commitments to DEI principles, the murky legal and political territory around education and information, and how collaboration can support access and inclusion.

      American Libraries feature, Jan./Feb.

    • 5d

      Montage of hockey-related books“For many readers and viewers, HBOMax’s recent adaptation of Rachel Reid’s Heated Rivalry has become an entry-point for casual observers of the game played on ice with a puck—and hockey romances. You may not know what exactly is happening on the rink, or even in the locker room, but you can guess, and that’s half the fun!” See other lists from Johnson County (Kans.) Library, Multnomah County (Oreg.) Library, Mesa County (Colo.) Libraries, or Omaha (Nebr.) Public Library.

      St. Louis Public Library, Dec. 27; Johnson County (Kans.) Library, Dec. 13; Multnomah (Oreg.) County Library, Dec. 11; Mesa County (Colo.) Libraries, Dec. 18; Omaha (Nebr.) Public Library, Dec. 4

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