Baby Yoda stars in new ALA READ poster and bookmark

Star Wars fans, book lovers, and collectors from around the universe can use their powers to help libraries this holiday season. The Child (a.k.a. Grogu or Baby Yoda), the breakout star of the Disney+ series The Mandalorian, is featured in a new poster and bookmark from ALA Graphics. All proceeds will fund advocacy, awareness, and accreditation programs for library professionals worldwide.

ALA Graphics, Dec. 3

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The ALA Executive Board is accepting applications to fill two ALA Endowment Trustees committee vacancies. ALA Endowment Trustees manage the ALA Endowment Fund on behalf of the Executive Board, guided by the established policies, procedures, and guidelines of the ALA investment policy statement. ALA members interested in submitting their candidacy for a three-year term are welcome to complete an application form and provide three professional letters of reference before June 5.

ALA Finance Dept., Apr. 22
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Researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago have issued a working paper examining the returns on public investment in libraries. The report finds that library capital investment increases children’s attendance at library events by 18%, children’s checkouts of items by 21%, and total library visits by 21%. Increases in library use also translate into improved children’s test scores in nearby school districts.

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, April
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In recent weeks, nine bills have been introduced in seven states to bar the teaching of “divisive concepts” in school, specifically targeting teaching about social justice and systemic racism. These bills reflect a trend seen in the American Library Association’s recently-released Top 10 Challenged Books list. Several bills call out the teaching of the 1619 Project, a curriculum based on a New York Times series that frames US history through the lens of slavery and structural racism.

National Coalition against Censorship, Apr. 13
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Karla Peterson writes: “Odi’s Library Day is the first children’s book to be published by San Diego Public Library. The eight-page bilingual board book also marks the publication debut by writer Hunter Hackett and illustrator Anisi Baigude, two longtime San Diegans who met in a UCSD Extension art class. And while there is no definitive proof that this is the first children’s book to star a gender-neutral coyote, it is certainly the first children’s book to show a gender-neutral coyote getting their first library card from an owl librarian.”

San Diego Union Tribune, Apr. 17
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The Nominating Committee for the 2022 ALA election is soliciting nominees to run on the 2022 spring ballot for the offices of ALA president-elect, treasurer, and councilor-at-large. Members who wish to make nominations should submit the following information: nominee name; present position; institution; address; telephone; and email address. Self-nominations are encouraged. All potential nominees must complete the Potential Candidate Biographical Form. Nominations and forms must be received no later than July 1.

ALA Governance Office, Apr. 21
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NASA Teams Engaging Affiliated Museums and Informal Institutions (TEAM II) is now accepting proposals for two opportunities, including the new Community Anchor Awards for TEAM II to support institutions in establishing themselves as a local NASA STEM informal education community resource. Selected parties will offer NASA education directly aligned with space exploration, aeronautics, space science, earth science, or microgravity. Eligible proposers include US nonprofit science museums, planetariums, youth-serving organizations, and libraries. Proposals are due June 17 and July 19.

NASA, Apr. 22
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Rochester (Minn.) Public Library has a potato library. You can check out potatoes there, just like books. Library cardholders are able take an 8-oz. bag of Dark Red Norland seed potatoes, in addition to up to 10 seed packets from RPL’s seed library, to plant in their gardens.

KROC-AM (Rochester, Minn.), Apr. 19

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