Comic-cons as professional development | American Libraries Magazine

Comic Conventions as Pow!erful PD logo Amy Brownlee writes: “Attending San Diego Comic-Con in 2024 and 2025 provided an array of professional development opportunities and gave me new insights as I contemplated how I would take what I learned and experienced and apply it in my work as a teacher-librarian. In addition to implementing comics-related lessons and programs, I wanted to find ways to leverage the power of pop culture to amplify the library experience, build relationships, and increase relevance for users. I started by enhancing existing programs, embracing pop culture, and championing ‘nerd culture’ in my school library.”

Knowledge Quest, Apr. 21; Oct. 2, 2025; Aug. 20, 2025

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Marydee Ojala writes: “Contingency plans should start with the premise that no library is completely immune from attack. In the case of the Canvas attack, the library can take on the role of help desk, as students may not know where else to turn for accurate information and will need advice, explanations, and a personalized roadmap of what to do next. This was not simply downtime; this was a major security breach. Warn students about the possibility of phishing emails. Look at existing collections that can provide alternatives to data provided on the Canvas platform.”

Information Today Europe, May 12
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Phil Morehart writes: “Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, The Go-Go’s, Vince Gill, Chaka Khan, and Weezer are some of the most successful musical artists in the world, and they’ve now been enshrined in the Library of Congress. On May 14, Acting Librarian of Congress Robert R. Newlen announced the latest round of recordings that will join the National Recording Registry. The 25 selections were chosen as audio treasures worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical, or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.”

I Love Libraries, May 15
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“From wartime appeals to celebrity-studded reading campaigns, library posters have long captured the evolving role of libraries in American life. This feature traces ALA’s history through some of its most iconic visuals—the patriotic mobilization of ALA’s Library War Service, the pop-culture energy of its READ posters, the spirited encouragement of the ‘Wake Up and Read’ campaign, and the fearless advocacy of Banned Books Week. Together, these images chart a story of the profession’s unflinching ideals of access, literacy, and intellectual freedom, showcasing how libraries continue to reimagine their place in public life.”

American Libraries feature, May
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Sarah Hunter writes: “This year marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. But the Declaration of Independence wasn’t an isolated event. As young readers confront the meaning of America’s 250th birthday, it’s important to allow them to see the wider picture beyond the keystone document and the familiar roster of ‘founding fathers’ that fill the pages of history textbooks. The following titles together offer a rich variety of perspectives on the decades leading up to and following the American Revolution.”

I Love Libraries, May 6
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Nicole A. Cooke writes: “Imagine a 14-year-old sitting on the floor of a library, flipping through a book they found almost by accident. The main character shares something deeply personal with them. For the first time, their life is not treated as unusual or controversial. It is simply there. Then the book is removed. No announcement. No explanation. Just absence. The message lands anyway. Your story is a problem. This moment captures what is often missing from public conversations about censorship. When books disappear, the impact is not abstract. It shapes how young people understand themselves, how they understand others, and how they learn to think.”

Information Matters, May 3
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Gary Brannan writes: “Special collections and heritage services in higher education institutions face a familiar accumulation of problems. We are seen as appealing only to an undefined body of ‘elite’ researchers [with declining usage]. This is the position we found ourselves in at the Borthwick Institute for Archives at the University of York, England. Our experiences suggest that, in addition to financial control, staffing resilience, and adaptability, special collections and heritage services should also consider their capacity for visibility, cultural repositioning, and pedagogical integration.”

Katina, May 6
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Sam Stuart writes: “If you have ever worked with a middle schooler, you know they love graphic novels. Now more than ever, they are also demanding manga, or Japanese graphic novels, as well as manhwa (South Korea), manhua (China), and other works from around the world. I have never been able to dedicate as much money as I would have liked to this section of the library. A Vision to Reality Grant from the Association of Independent School Librarians gave me the flexibility to explore new releases, expand on popular authors, and even work on expanding lengthy manga series.”

AISL Independent Ideas, May 11

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