I’ve shifted from lightweight outfits to the heavier sweaters of the season. Autumn is, after all, a time of transition—which is something our Association is currently experiencing. Transition can be unsettling, yes, but it is also an opportunity to step back, take stock, and lay the foundation for what will follow. As we work with … Continue reading A Time of Transition
Silver made us each a cup of tea as we talked through the challenges and joys of her job. She had taught a class that morning using the book Drum Dream Girl—for which illustrator Rafael López won a Pura Belpré Award—that sparked the imaginations of her 3rd graders. When she asked what the main character … Continue reading Stories That Resonate
So what can we do? First, take inventory of your organization’s DEI interventions. This can include antibias training sessions, antiracism book clubs, climate surveys, land acknowledgements, diversity residency cohorts, and revised collection policies. Second, ask tough questions. Why has progress so far been measured in inches instead of miles? Can any of these approaches meaningfully … Continue reading A New Ethic of Accountability
First, leaders should create a clear sense of purpose for their teams. For example, if you have decided that you’d like to increase risk-taking and experimentation in your organization, that should filter down through everything you do. You must realize the impact you can have on an organization and remember that your actions motivate and … Continue reading Purpose and Productivity
To achieve equity in youth services, we must build an authentic foundation that centers historically marginalized youth and families. This process is worth a closer look so that we can think more critically about the programs and services we offer. Let’s consider an example: A library in a community with a large Vietnamese population distributes … Continue reading Committing to Equity
However, in the days, months, and years afterward, tenured academic librarians may start to feel a lack of motivation, support, and career guidance. Mentoring programs customarily focus on early-career librarians, and many people begin to wonder, “What next?” To answer that question, we’ve highlighted strategies for dealing with posttenure burnout. Be intentional about your time. … Continue reading Fighting Posttenure Fatigue
The Grant Writing Guide: A Road Map for Scholars By Betty S. Lai This is one of those books that accomplishes everything it promises. Divided into manageable tasks, the chapters provide practical advice, sample templates, and guided exercises to help applicants articulate their projects. Lai demystifies the grant writing process while thoughtfully reflecting on its … Continue reading Finding Funding
Elizabeth Dill became dean of the university library at California State University, Long Beach, August 1.
Peter Bae became library director at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, in August.
November 1 Erin Dreiling was named executive director of Atlanta-Fulton (Ga.) Public Library Foundation.
The Association of Research Libraries in Washington, D.C., appointed Todd Breach senior director of finance and administration, effective October 30.
July 5 Andrea Brown started as library director at Warner University in Lake Wales, Florida.
