Cambridge University seeks Stephen Hawking archivist

Cambridge University is looking for an archivist to take on the “challenging task” of cataloging 160 boxes of Professor Stephen Hawking’s work. The University Library acquired the 10,000-page archive belonging to the world-renowned physicist last month. It will be the two-year job of a new archivist to catalog the documents, which include scientific papers, letters, and scripts from The X-Files and The Simpsons.

BBC News, June 21

Latest Library Links

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Daniel G. Tracy, Elizabeth A. Budd, and Thomas H. Teper write: “With increasing requirements for open access (OA) by funders, academic libraries have begun piloting so-called ‘transformative agreements’ with publishers. This study documents the broad success of two transformative agreement pilots at a large research university and argues that the growth of such agreements could help transition a broad proportion of research to OA at the university and within the consortium. The success of these agreements was true across disciplines and stages of career seniority.”

Library Resources and Technical Services, Jan.
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Ann Schimke writes: “Elizabeth (Colo.) School District officials say they have returned to school libraries 19 books they removed last fall. But most students won’t be able to read or check out the books, which include The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. That’s because the district decided to make the returned books available only to a small number of people: Specifically, plaintiffs in a recent lawsuit against the district over the book removals. Those allowed access to the books include two district students, and members of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and their children.”

Chalkbeat Colorado, Feb. 12; Dec. 19, 2024
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The US Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) announced on February 7 that it would remove and review “books potentially related to gender ideology or discriminatory equity ideology topics” in DoD schools, and suppress programs, activities and holidays related to those topics. Additionally, ALA has received confidential reports that library workers on military installations are being forced to remove books from shelves, take down displays about Black History Month and cancel cultural events. Among the books removed from DoD schools is Freckleface Strawberry, a picture book by actor Julianne Moore about a girl who dislikes her freckles.

ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office and American Association of School Librarians, Feb. 14; Stars and Stripes, Feb. 7; Variety, Feb. 16
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Megan Bennett writes: “Growing up in remote, rural areas, singer-songwriter Neko Case found that her love of reading provided an escape. In her memoir, The Harder I Fight the More I Love You (Hachette, January), she recalls repeatedly flipping through the same October 1972 issue of Mad magazine, poring over her stepdad’s collection of archaeology books, and forcing herself to finish David Copperfield. American Libraries spoke with Case about writing her first book and the role libraries have played in her life.”

American Libraries Trend, Jan./Feb.
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Megan Bennett writes: “Theater for young audiences may not receive the same recognition as productions by Shakespeare or Tennessee Williams, but it deserves its time in the spotlight, says Caelin Ross, performing arts librarian at Arizona State University (ASU) Library in Tempe. Ross oversees ASU’s Theatre for Youth and Community Collection. The collection, which Ross estimates to be approximately 5,000 linear feet, holds research materials like curricula and books, as well as scripts, production design samples, sketches, and costumes.”

American Libraries column, Jan./Feb.
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“2025 has started off with a great deal of instability to federal programs, funding, and governance. During such times as the 2025 Federal Shift, it is the role of a governing board to assess factors that could risk the achievement of an institution’s mission and develop plans to address them. While confronting risk can be intimidating, it can also be empowering. And while not every risk can be avoided, risks can often be mitigated. Now is a good time to inventory newly emerging risks and develop a response plan.”

Western New York Library Resources Council, Feb. 4
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“From dashing dukes to passionate pickleballers, sexy supernatural creatures to flirting frenemies, with spice levels across the spectrum, there’s something for everyone on our list of the best new romance titles—handpicked by our expert librarians and staff.” Find more romance recommendations from Lake Bluff (Ill.) Public Library and Miami Dade College, adventurous romances from Chicago Public Library, romance comics from Toledo Lucas County (Ohio) Public Library, and even romances featuring librarians.

New York Public Library, Feb.; Lake Bluff (Ill.) Public Library, Feb. 6; Miami Dade College, Feb. 12; Chicago Public Library, Feb. 7; Toledo Lucas County Public Library, Feb. 10; Under The Covers Book Blog, Apr. 11, 2024

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