Archives

Thulin, Mary

September 1, 2020

Mary Thulin, 75, retired librarian at Plymouth (Mass.) Community Intermediate School, died in May.

Walker, Walter

September 1, 2020

Walter “Cat” Walker, 63, retired head of cataloging and associate librarian at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles , died June 11. Walker was activein the Program for Cooperative Cataloging, the Association for Library Collections and Technical Services, Online Audio-Visual Catalogers, and ALA’s Rainbow Round Table.

Warren, Annie

September 1, 2020

Annie Lee Warren, 94, retired bookmobile librarian at Dixie Regional Library in Pontotoc, Mississippi, died May 18.

Williams, Linda

September 1, 2020

Linda Williams, 74, retired coordinator of school library services for Anne Arundel County (Md.) Public Schools and an ALA member for 44 years, died February 20. Williams served as president of the Maryland Association of School Librarians, president of the American Association of School Librarians (2005–2006), and head of school library services for the Maryland … Continue reading Williams, Linda →

On My Mind, by Jarrett Dapier and Emily Knox

When Not to Call the Cops

This incident took place at the library where one of us, Jarrett Dapier, worked as a readers’ advisor and program coordinator serving teens. (He was not present but has seen cellphone footage of the incident.) Calling the police when a patron is disruptive may seem like a library’s only course of action. But often, the … Continue reading When Not to Call the Cops →

Rethinking Police Presence

By Cass Balzer | July 8, 2020

For example, Toledo–Lucas County (Ohio) Public Library (TLCPL) has announced that when it reopens after its COVID-19 shutdown, many of the security staff members in its branches will no longer carry arms or wear uniforms. In addition, TLCPL is forming a public safety working group that will “attempt to untangle complex questions about what safety … Continue reading Rethinking Police Presence →

Latest Library Links

3d

Jen Lennon writes: “The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America held its 61st annual Nebula Awards June 6, celebrating the best sci-fi and fantasy writing from 2025. The awards cover a broad swath of mediums, including literature, film, television, and games writing. Stephen Graham Jones took home the top prize for his novel The Buffalo Hunter Hunter.” The same day, Jones’s book also took the Superior Achievement in a Novel prize at the Bram Stoker Awards, presented by the Horror Writers Association to recognize outstanding horror writing.

Gizmodo, June 9; Nebula Awards, June 6; Bram Stoker Awards, June 7
3d

Najifa Farhat writes: “The US Department of Commerce reported in April that the current inflation rate is at a three-year high of 3.8%, up from March’s rate of 3.5%, and prompting many Americans to look for ways to reduce spending. As inflation continues to put pressure on household budgets, more Missourians are turning to public libraries for help with stretching their dollars. Librarians across Missouri say they are seeing increased demand for resources that help people save money, learn new skills, and access services they might otherwise pay for.”

KBIA-FM (Columbia, Mo.), June 9
3d

Kristen Johnson writes: “On June 5, Durham County (N.C.) Board of Commissioners ordered the immediate reversal of a decision that forced library staff to dismantle Pride Month displays. The initial order, sent by email from Durham County Public Library Director Dana Conners, required branches to take down all LGBTQ+ materials effective immediately June 4, citing federal action and executive orders that reject ‘illegal’ diversity, equity and inclusion actions in the workplace.” Supporters of the LGBTQ community gathered outside Durham’s main library June 5, including drag performer Stormie Daie, who read to children.

Raleigh (N.C.) News and Observer, June 6; WRAL-TV (Raleigh), June 5
4d

Nina Heller writes: “House lawmakers passed a bill June 8 aimed at preventing future executive branch interference in some legislative branch agencies, a year after President Donald Trump fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. It would allow House and Senate leaders to appoint the heads of both the Library of Congress and the Government Publishing Office, removing that power from the president. The president would get new appointment authority over the register of copyrights. Now the bill heads to the Senate, where it would need enough bipartisan support to overcome a filibuster.”

Roll Call, June 8
4d

Kyle K. Courtney writes: “On May 28, Mayor Muriel Bowser officially signed B26-0490, the Library Ebook Pricing Fairness Amendment Act of 2025. The bill is now being prepared for remittance to Congress for the standard review period.” Readers First observes that the bill includes a trigger clause and will come into effect once 10 states with a total population of at least 50 million have similar laws in place. Connecticut passed a bill last year and several other states are considering similar legislation, including Rhode Island, where a bill passed out of its Senate committee June 4.

Ebook Study Group, June 1; Readers First, June 5; Connecticut Mirror, May 15, 2025
5d

Hilary Craiglow writes: “The growing federal skepticism toward research infrastructure is forcing institutions to explain both their contributions and their costs. Libraries that cannot do so risk being sidelined in decisions that shape their future and the future of research. But they have an important tool at their disposal: cost transparency. Libraries are still often treated as general overhead, allocated using methodologies designed decades ago. Cost transparency doesn’t have to compromise library values. It can strengthen them.”

Katina, June 3
5d

Russell Michalak, Trevor A. Dawes, and Ava Wallace write: “Rather than advancing a single argument, the contributors present their perspectives in conversation, showing how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping discovery, access, and professional practice while also raising pressing ethical and equity concerns. The discussion is framed around three interlocking themes: innovation, equity, and responsibility. AI’s potential to transform discovery is real, but its impacts depend on how librarians choose to shape and guide its use.”

College & Research Libraries News, vol. 87, no. 6 (June)

View more Latest Library Links