designf-southwest-regional

August 11, 2016 750 × 500 designf-southwest-regional

Southwest Regional Library, Louisville (Ky.) Free Public Library

Wedged among homes, a railroad, big-box stores, strip malls, and other commercial developments on the Dixie Highway, the new Southwest Regional Library was designed to pop out from its surroundings. Behind the striking geometric façade lies an interactive learning center with 100 public computers. It also houses the largest children’s library in the Louisville Free Public Library system.

Project: New construction

Architect: JRA Architects/MSR Design

Size: 40,000 square feet

Cost: $12 million

Photo: Lara Swimmer

Southwest Regional Library, Louisville (Ky.) Free Public Library

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Past is Present, Apr. 22
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ALA and the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) organized the inaugural ALA School Librarians Conference in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, April 15–16. The event brought together a lineup of school librarians and education experts from around the world, with the goal of fostering a reading culture and enhancing school library systems across the region. It was planned in conjunction with the Sharjah Book Authority, the Emirates Library and Information Association, and the Combined Book Exhibit. AASL President Becky Calzada delivered the keynote address.

Sharjah 24 (United Arab Emirates), Apr. 15
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Alison Marcotte writes: “About a decade ago, filmmaker Dawn Logsdon started documenting life in libraries throughout the country. Since she began filming, public libraries have been on the front lines of a battlefield over intellectual freedom, facing threats of closures and an unprecedented surge of book challenges and bans. In the upcoming documentary Free for All: The Public Library, which premieres April 29 on PBS’s Independent Lens, Logsdon and codirector Lucie Faulknor trace the public library’s history since the late 19^th century. American Libraries spoke with the duo about libraries in today’s sociopolitical climate and the unsung heroes in library history.”

American Libraries Trend, Apr. 23
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After President Trump’s executive order to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), states are grappling with how the cuts will affect their services. While South Dakota has not received formal notification of the elimination of IMLS funding, it has suspended its interlibrary loan courier program funded by IMLS grants. The Philadelphia School District has seen the cancellation of a $150,000 IMLS grant that would help it develop a model to reopen school libraries with certified school librarians. The Alabama Senate, meanwhile, has implemented a plan to use state money to replace up to $3 million in lost federal funds. See additional updates from Kentucky, Wisconsin, Arizona, Missouri, Idaho, and Washington.

South Dakota Searchlight, Apr. 15; AL: The Scoop, Mar. 16; Philadelphia Inquirer, Apr. 22; Alabama Political Reporter, Apr. 22; Louisville (Ky.) Courier-Journal, Apr. 22; Wisconsin Examiner, Apr. 21; Queen Creek Tribune (Tempe, Ariz.), Apr. 22; KCUR-FM (Kansas City, Mo.), Apr. 21; Idaho Capital Sun, Apr. 16; KUOW-FM (Seattle), Apr. 11
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RIPS Law Librarian Blog, Apr. 16
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MLive, Apr. 15
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Free for All: The Public Library, a new documentary “the evolution of public libraries from their revolutionary beginnings to their role today as essential pillars of democracy, education, and community support,” will premiere on Independent Lens on PBS April 29. PBS Books is hosting an in-depth discussion with filmmakers Dawn Logsdon and Lucie Faulknor, and ALA President Cindy Hohl, on Facebook, YouTube, and the PBS app today, April 23, at 8 p.m. Eastern.

PBS Books

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