trustees-bonfield-150

October 20, 2025 150 × 100 From the Trustees: An introduction to the endowment

From the Trustees by Brett Bonfield

Latest Library Links

13h

“Over the past few weeks, Iran has once again moved to the forefront of international attention. With events moving quickly and several policy strands converging at once, having clear and reliable reference points is essential. To support colleagues following these developments, the European Council Library has prepared a dedicated library guide on Iran. It brings together key European Union (EU) documents, background material, books and articles, media sources, and external analysis in one structured place—helping to connect immediate decisions with the wider framework of EU-Iran relations.”

European Council Library, Mar. 2
19h

Kelly Jensen writes: “Utah has added four more books to its list of titles banned from every public school in the state: Breathless by Jennifer Niven, The Carnival at Bray by Jessie Ann Foley, The Handmaid’s Tale: The Graphic Novel by Margaret Atwood and illustrated by Renee Nault, and Red Hood by Elana K. Arnold. That brings the total to 27 books banned statewide under H.B. 29, which bans books from all public schools in the state if those books have been deemed ‘objective sensitive material’ or ‘pornographic’ in at least three public school districts or two public and five charter schools statewide.”

Book Riot, Mar. 3
1d

Dianndra Roberts, Valarie Guagnini, and Devyani Mahajan write: “The implementation of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workplace attempts to right historic wrongs. For years, organizations have mistaken ‘niceness’ with kindness. They say the right things, yet often lack the action, accountability, and structural commitment needed. Instead, they rely on people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ communities, and especially women to push the work forward without meaningful support, especially from those in power. Organizations must break the pattern of looking to the most impacted people to protect them from criticism, explain the issues, or lead the healing.”

The Scholarly Kitchen, Feb. 25
2d

ALA is seeking volunteers for two ALA Endowment Trustee positions. Trustees serve a three-year term and are eligible to be reappointed for one additional three-year term. Applications are due March 31; a preview of the application is available for preparation. Applications will be reviewed by the ALA Endowment Trustees, who make recommendations to the ALA Executive Board, which will make its selection at its Spring Meeting. The successful applicants’ terms will begin after the ALA’s 2026 Annual Conference in Chicago, and will end after the 2029 Annual Conference.

ALA Governance Office, Mar. 2
2d

George Eberhart writes: “On June 24, 2018, ALA Council passed a historic resolution that ‘apologizes to African Americans for wrongs committed against them in segregated public libraries’ and commends those ‘who risked their lives to integrate public libraries for their bravery and courage in challenging segregation in public libraries and in forcing public libraries to live up to the rhetoric of their ideals.’ Then-ALA President Jim Neal read the resolution later that day to an audience at the main New Orleans Public Library accompanied by four individuals who participated in sit-ins and protests at libraries in the South during the 1960s.”

ALA150, Mar. 2; Birmingham Public Library, June 25, 2018
3d

Jillian Forstadt writes: “The board of the Pine-Richland School District in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania voted Monday to advance a set of major revisions to its controversial library policy. The changes, if given final approval, would reverse measures passed last year that expanded the board’s role in library book selection, broadened parental control over which books are part of the district’s collection, and prohibited librarians from acquiring any materials with ‘pervasive vulgarity or profanity’ or ‘explicit sexual content.’” A slate of Democratic candidates won four seats on the board in November, flipping the district’s conservative majority.

WESA-FM (Pittsburgh), Feb. 24
3d

Elizabeth Everett writes: “Storytime is more than reading aloud—it’s an opportunity to create an inclusive space where every child can see themselves reflected, practice language, and participate actively. Whether it’s a weekly storytime or a special author visit, librarians can use intentional strategies to support multilingual learners, Deaf and hard-of-hearing students, and all children in exploring stories, ideas, and concepts together. This post focuses on practical ways to make storytime engaging, equitable, and accessible for every learner.”

Knowledge Quest, Feb. 27

View more Latest Library Links