Archives

Burke, Linda

September 5, 2017

Children’s librarian Linda Burke retired from Mattapoisett (Mass.) Free Public Library June 30.

Clark, Marjorie

September 5, 2017

In June Marjorie “Marge” Clark retired as director of Wilson (N.Y.) Community Library.

Humphreys, Betsy

September 5, 2017

Betsy Humphreys retired June 30 as deputy director at the National Library of Medicine (NLM) in Bethesda, Maryland. She has served NLM for 44 years, and upon her retirement, received a tribute in the Congressional Record.

McCreless, Susan

September 5, 2017

After 35 years at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Susan McCreless retired as head of technical services June 1.

Rohrbaugh, Ann

September 5, 2017

June 30 Ann Rohrbaugh retired as director of Kalamazoo (Mich.) Public Library.

Rohrbaugh, Lisa

September 5, 2017

Lisa Rohrbaugh retired as director of Leetonia (Ohio) Community Public Library in June.

Siddell, Linda

September 5, 2017

June 23 Linda Siddell retired as assistant manager of the Farragut branch of Knox County (Tenn.) Public Library.

Simmons, Kitty

September 5, 2017

Kitty J. Simmons, director of La Sierra University Library in Riverside, California, retired in July.

Dawson, Elly

September 5, 2017

In June Elly Dawson retired as director of Victor (N.Y.) Farmington Library.

Gribetz, Hannah

September 5, 2017

Hannah Gribetz, production editor and graphic designer in ALA Production Services, left ALA July 11.

Root, Nina

September 5, 2017

Nina J. Root, 83, director emeritus of the Library of the American Museum of Natural History in New York, died June 24. Her work at the museum improved the library’s holdings and reach; consolidated the photographic archives, art, memorabilia, and film collections; and supported preservation and access to the library’s special collections. She secured funding … Continue reading Root, Nina →

Wimberley, Laura

September 5, 2017

Oviatt Library at California State University, Northridge, has named Laura Wimberley as assessment librarian. Save

Latest Library Links

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Anne Ford writes: “With total earnings of $426,600, Adriana Harmeyer, archives and special collections assistant professor and archivist for university history at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, is the winningest library professional ever to have appeared on Jeopardy! On May 14, she seeks to further cement that title, as she aims for the quarterfinals of the 2025 Jeopardy! Masters Tournament. Harmeyer—who holds the 11th longest consecutive winning streak of any player on the show—spoke with American Libraries about her longtime love of the game, her least favorite category, and how she blazed her path to the Masters.”

American Libraries Trend, May 12
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Leslie Burger writes: “We have all been impacted in both anticipated and unpredictable ways following the sweeping changes in Washington, D.C., since the January inauguration. ALA has always done its best to avoid partisan politics, choosing instead to work across the aisle to develop partnerships and relationships with individuals and organizations that share our values and support the important work of libraries. Libraries are inherently nonpartisan institutions. But this time a different approach may be needed.”

American Libraries column, May; AL: The Scoop, Apr. 8
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On May 12, ALA President Cindy Hohl released a statement criticizing President Trump’s May 10 dismissal of Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter. Perlmutter was fired two days after the Trump administration fired Carla Hayden, head of the Library of Congress, which oversees the US Copyright Office. Perlmutter’s termination came shortly after her office issued a report questioning the legality of training artificial intelligence systems on copyrighted works. According to Wired, Paul Perkins, who claimed he was new acting director of the Copyright Office, and Brian Nieves, who identified himself as the new deputy librarian, attempted to enter the Copyright Office May 12, but were turned away by Capitol Police.

AL: The Scoop, May 12; Associated Press, May 11; United States Copyright Office, May; Politico, May 10; Wired, May 12
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Chase Ollis writes: “The 2025 recipients of the I Love My Librarian Award are 10 standout librarians. They include a bookmobile librarian serving a community in crisis, a school librarian bridging gaps for low-income students, a youth detention facility librarian creating a more inviting and inclusive space, and other notable community figures. ALA presented the awards on January 24 as part of the LibLearnX conference in Phoenix (watch video of the ceremony). Among the recipients were four academic librarians, three public librarians, and three school librarians, each nominated by community members for their expertise, dedication, and impact.”

American Libraries feature, May
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ALA, along with other members of the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition, expressed strong disappointment following the Senate’s passage of S.J. Res. 7, a Congressional Review Act joint resolution that overturns the Federal Communications Commission’s decision to allow E-Rate funding for Wi-Fi hotspot lending by schools and libraries. The resolution now heads to the House of Representatives. If enacted, it would eliminate a critical tool that community anchor institutions use to provide broadband access to students and library patrons who rely on hotspots for education, employment, and health care. Over 800 school and library districts have requested approximately 200,000 Wi-Fi hotspots to loan out this year to students and library patrons.

ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office, May 8
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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 Congress members. 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 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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