Archives

Pitts, Julia

February 16, 2022

July 12 Julia Pitts became marketing and communications manager at W. Frank Steely Library at Northern Kentucky University.

Marshall, Brianna

February 16, 2022

June 1 Brianna Marshall was appointed associate professor and senior associate dean for operations, assessment, and communications at Northern Kentucky University’s W. Frank Steely Library.

Talley, Parnell

February 16, 2022

Parnell Talley became library reserves specialist at W. Frank Steely Library at Northern Kentucky University June 1.

Gertel, Elliot

February 16, 2022

Elliot H. Gertel retired from the University of Michigan Graduate Library December 31, 2018, and was named Irving M. Hermelin Curator Emeritus of Judaica and senior associate librarian emeritus December 5, 2019.

2022 LibLearnX Wrap-Up

By Alison Marcotte | February 1, 2022

The lineup also included familiar ALA conference components: high-profile speakers, networking opportunities, and celebrations of libraries, books, and authors. Originally scheduled to be held in person in San Antonio, the conference shifted to an all-virtual format because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Speakers get personal US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) opened the conference in … Continue reading 2022 LibLearnX Wrap-Up →

Newsmaker: Rhone Talsma

By Steve Zalusky | February 1, 2022

On January 26, Talsma earned a spot in Jeopardy! history when he unseated fellow contestant Amy Schneider, who had racked up a 40-game winning streak, the second highest on the iconic game show. Talsma, multimedia librarian at Chicago Ridge (Ill.) Public Library, was the most recent in an impressive line of successful library contestants that … Continue reading Newsmaker: Rhone Talsma →

2021 gift guide items (clockwise from top left: sweatshirt, puzzle, playing cards, READ sweatshirt, messenger bag, coasters)

2021 Holiday Gift Guide for Librarians and Book Lovers

By Lara Ewen | November 23, 2021

Gifts under $10 James Baldwin bookmark ($3.99) Save your place and make your mark with this handmade paper bookmark from KLigg Co. The two-by-six-inch design is crafted from 16-point paper and features Baldwin’s quote, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” … Continue reading 2021 Holiday Gift Guide for Librarians and Book Lovers →

Referenda Roundup 2021

By Lucas McGranahan | November 1, 2021

Libraries notched many wins in 2021: In Illinois, the state’s April 6 election saw four of five ballot measures passing. To many library workers’ relief, a threatened reduction in Ohio’s support for public libraries—from 1.7% to 1.66% of the general fund—did not make it into the final version of the state’s budget. In addition, all … Continue reading Referenda Roundup 2021 →

Man in plaid shirt, back to camera, films library patron with a cellphone

Uptick in First Amendment Audits

By Cass Balzer | August 26, 2021

“My heart sank,” Ryan says. She had learned about these encounters in 2020 and knew what they entailed. In First Amendment audits, individuals arm themselves with video cameras, proclaim themselves “auditors,” and enter public buildings, like police precincts and libraries, to record alleged violations. “I know what these people do, so when I heard it … Continue reading Uptick in First Amendment Audits →

Graphic: Letters of the Law with Mary Minow

Can the Library Protect Itself from Copyright Suits?

By Mary Minow | August 18, 2021

Our online column Letters of the Law explores a wide range of legal issues that arise in libraries, with the help of a pair of leading authorities: Mary Minow, a librarian who became a lawyer; and Tomas A. Lipinski, a lawyer who became a librarian. Together they have authored four books on the subject, including … Continue reading Can the Library Protect Itself from Copyright Suits? →

2021 ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition Virtual

2021 Annual Conference Wrap-Up

By Greg Landgraf | July 8, 2021

Headlining speakers talked about books, libraries, and the exchange of ideas in the greater context of major societal challenges. Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and Opening Session speaker Nikole Hannah-Jones, who developed the 1619 Project for The New York Times Magazine, recalled an elective course on Black studies she took as a teenager. “It was the first … Continue reading 2021 Annual Conference Wrap-Up →

Newsmakers: Judy Tyrus and Paul Novosel

By Sallyann Price | June 15, 2021

The pair, who cofounded a nonprofit dedicated to promoting diversity in the arts, talked with American Libraries ahead of their appearance at the 2021 ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition Virtual on Friday, June 25. How long have you two known each other? Judy Tyrus: I was the archivist at Dance Theatre of Harlem and Paul … Continue reading Newsmakers: Judy Tyrus and Paul Novosel →

Latest Library Links

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On May 9, ALA President Cindy Hohl released a statement condemning President Trump’s May 8 firing of Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, who had been in the role since 2016. The statement celebrates Hayden’s leadership and efforts to make the Library of Congress “a bastion of knowledge and a beacon of opportunity” for all. The statement also urges all library supporters to reach out to their Congressmembers. According to the Washington Post, Hayden had recently been criticized as “woke” by the American Accountability Foundation, a conservative organization that identifies nonpartisan appointees it suspects will resist President Trump’s policies.

AL: The Scoop, May 9; ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office, May 9; PBS News, May 9, Washington Post, May 9
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Steve Tetrault writes: “I bet I’m not the only one who has, at some point, told students how much easier they have it than we adults did at their age—especially when it comes to doing research. But I’ve recently been rethinking that stance. While I had to ‘work’ to get information throughout most of my primary, secondary, and early higher education years, I knew that when I went to the library, the information I would find would be considered reliable. Our students have a wealth of information at their fingertips, but determining the veracity of the information requires work.”

Knowledge Quest, May 6
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Amy Shaw writes: “Google searches for the term ‘impostor syndrome’ have been on the rise since 2010, which many experts agree is less an indication that it is becoming more common and more an indication that awareness of the phenomenon has grown. Impostor syndrome, although not a recognized psychological disorder, can cause library workers to feel less confident, less motivated, and less likely to apply to higher positions, thus robbing institutions of significantly talented individuals in management roles. What can we do?”

NMRT Notes, May 5
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Lila Denning writes: “Book displays and online book lists work for those patrons who enter your buildings or view your website and social media accounts. It is possible to extend your outreach to those in your community who aren’t currently using the library. By increasing the percentage of members of your community who use and appreciate the library, you are increasing the stakeholders and voices who can be asked to speak up during times when your library could use more defenders such as when budget cuts are on the horizon.”

Passively Recommending Books, Apr. 30
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Daniel Pfeiffer writes: “Not quite two years after our first post on the antitrust cases against Google, the courts have finally issued judgment in the second major antitrust lawsuit against the company. This post will recap both of these lawsuits and also get into the ongoing Meta antitrust trial. What what is most significant about these trials isn’t the outcome necessarily, but that Big Tech is beginning to face high-level legal scrutiny. An antitrust campaign could radically affect the structure of the internet economy and its information landscape, so we wanted to make sure they have stayed on your radar.”

Choice: LibTech Insights, Apr. 30
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Jason Parham writes: “Earlier this week, at the Auburn Avenue Research Library in Atlanta, a couple dozen fellows commenced a year-long project designed to put the mission of preserving Black history back in the hands of community members. The Web Archiving School (WARC) is a new training program that teaches practitioners methods of digital preservation built around an ‘ethic of care.’ As many agencies, public and private, have quickly fallen in line with Trump’s orders, WARC cofounder Makiba Foster says she’s not going to rely on legacy institutions to do that important preservation work.”

Wired, May 2
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Frank Strong writes: “I’ve been covering Texas school board elections for seven cycles, and as I have documented over and over again, book bans, attacks on educators and public schools, and attempts to target LGBTQ students do not fare well at the polls. But Saturday night’s election results were next level. Voters across Texas clearly and consistently punished the people who have been restricting students’ reading and learning.” School board candidates who advocated for restrictive school library book policies lost in Fort Bend, Keller, Mansfield, and several other communities.

Anger & Clarity, May 5; May 7, 2023; May 5, 2024; Nov. 9, 2024; Community Impact, May 3; Newsweek, May 4

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