Latest Library Links
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Daisy Auger-Domínguez writes: “Workplace burnout is often discussed as if it were a single condition with a single solution: fewer hours, better boundaries, more resilience. That framing is incomplete and misleading. Burnout takes different forms depending on where someone sits in the organization; what they’re accountable for; and how much clarity, control, and moral alignment they have. Burnout is rarely a personal failure. It is usually a design failure. When capable, committed people are exhausted, the issue is not resilience—it is work engineered without regard for human limits and systems that quietly reward overextension.” -
Claire Woodcock writes: “Conservative parents’ advocacy groups have been experimenting with using commercially available artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help them flag more books they’ve deemed pornographic to be removed from public schools and libraries. Even though LLMs are notoriously error-prone, and the books in question aren’t pornographic, these groups continue to explore use cases for AI anyway. One such experiment indicates a desire to accelerate content production of book reviews for conservative book-rating sites and explicitly defines ‘educational inappropriateness’ as ‘content offensive to conservative values.’” -
Rebekkah Smith Aldrich writes: “Building on the work of the ALA Task Force on the Environment (formed in 1989) and the momentum of the Sustainability Round Table (formed in 2013), ALA Council passed the Resolution on the Importance of Sustainable Libraries in 2015. The resolution suggested the beginning of a ‘new era.’ That was a bold statement—and once it made, it called for action. Fortunately, the right leadership was in place at the right time.” -
Elizabeth Szkirpan writes: “In a field shaped by strong values, many librarians cite ethical concerns with labor, copyright, privacy, and the environmental impact of artificial intelligence (AI). Some professionals are shirking it altogether. However, as vendors continue to integrate AI into library platforms, patrons increasingly rely on these tools for everyday tasks, and institutions commit to AI-forward strategies, complete disengagement is not an option for today’s librarian. So, what does ethical AI interaction look like in a role where you can’t ignore or cut it out altogether? Balance is key.” -
A supermajority of ALA employees formally requested that ALA management voluntarily recognize their union, ALA Workers United, in a letter delivered to ALA Executive Director Dan Montgomery March 30. “Voluntary recognition is an established process that allows workers to freely exercise their right to choose union representation without the unnecessary duplication and delay of an election,” according to a statement from union leaders. Employees have also filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to trigger an election if the union is not voluntarily recognized. -
Samantha Ingerson writes: “The first day of a conference is always incredibly exciting… and incredibly tiring. However, there is something very different about the Public Library Association Conference. I’m not sure what it is: seeing different librarians from different states who have the same ideas as you, learning new things, or maybe it’s just exciting because it’s exciting. Either way, day one didn’t disappoint.” Find recaps of sessions on advocacy, serving migrant families, fat-inclusive libraries, teen spaces, and more. -
On April 6, ALA announced the 10 recipients of the 2026 I Love My Librarian Award, nominated by library users for their expertise, dedication, and impact on the people in their communities. This year’s award recipients include three academic librarians, four public librarians, and three school librarians. Honorees will receive a $5,000 cash prize as well as complimentary registration and a $750 travel stipend to attend ALA’s 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago, to be held June 25–29. The award ceremony and reception will begin at 7:30 p.m. Central on Friday, June 26, and will stream live on YouTube. -
Tamika Barnes, associate dean of Perimeter College Library Services at Georgia State University in Atlanta, has been elected 2026–2027 president-elect of the ALA. The Association made the announcement April 6. Barnes received 3,827 votes, while her opponent, Becky Calzada, district library coordinator at Leander (Tex.) Independent School District, received 2,742 votes. In her candidate statement, Barnes pledged that her presidency would focus on four pillars: unified advocacy; inclusive leadership and professional growth; equity, access, and intellectual freedom; and transparency and stewardship. -
The White House’s proposed fiscal year 2027 federal budget released April 3 eliminates funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the school library program Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL); and several library-eligible programs. A response from ALA President Sam Helmick said, in part, “The president has repeatedly underestimated congressional support for libraries and the lengths to which advocates will go to protect library services. Thanks to library advocacy, Congress increased library funding last year, just as it did all four years of the president’s first term.” ALA is urging library supporters to contact their congressmembers in support of IMLS and IAL funding.ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office, Apr. 3; American Libraries Online, Feb. 6
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Rosie Newmark writes: “Traveling alone through Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, a woman wandered the concourse looking to pass the time. Then she spotted a sign for the Airport Library, where she plugged in her devices and picked up a historical biography she said she never would have chosen under normal circumstances. In recent years, public libraries across the country have begun partnering with airports to bring books, digital materials, and dedicated reading spaces into terminals, offering travelers a free alternative to a shop or restaurant and a rare moment of calm amid the bustle of travel.” -
Artie Beaty writes: “If you’ve been using your old Gmail account that you created before you knew your username would matter, or with a name you want to forget, your day is here. Google has announced that you can finally change your Google Account username without losing any of your account data. Evidence of the ability to do this started surfacing several months ago, but the option is now here for everyone. ” -
Megan Mabee writes: “Now that the Andy Weir novel Project Hail Mary has been adapted for film, I have dived into the audiobook. I’m determined to finish it while the movie’s still in theaters, so I can go see it. The further I get into reading Project Hail Mary, though, the hungrier I become for more space books. If you’re like me and craving more books like Project Hail Mary, I’ve got you covered below.”
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