Human cost of library and information labor under digital capitalism

Card Catalog Mike Olson writes: “The recent layoffs at OCLC offer a stark glimpse into the precarious future of library and information labor. In July 2025, OCLC confirmed it reduced its central Ohio workforce by about 80 positions, citing ‘shifts in technical skill requirements, growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI), and ongoing changes in higher education and libraries.’ [But] the organization has also announced it is developing AI tools for metadata processing. Here lies the paradox of our moment: The same technological advances celebrated for their efficiency are erasing the human expertise that creates the high-quality metadata these systems depend on to function.”

The Scholarly Kitchen, Aug. 26

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Matthew Carey writes: “The Librarians premiered on PBS February 9, after a robust theatrical and festival run that saw Kim A. Snyder’s documentary earn awards across the country. The film examines the coordinated effort by conservative groups like Moms for Liberty to ban a wide range of books at public schools and public libraries nationwide, and the abuse librarians have received for defending the right of children to access reading material, including books with antiracist or LGBTQ themes.” The film is streaming free on the PBS website until May 9.

Deadline, Feb. 4
5h

Amanda Galliton writes: “When people talk about leadership in schools, the focus often lands on titles: principals, administrators, and department heads. Yet some of the most impactful leadership happens without a formal title. For school librarians, leadership frequently begins with self-leadership: the ability to intentionally guide our own actions, mindset, and professional growth in service of students and the school community. For school librarians, self-leadership is not optional. Without strong self-leadership, it is easy to become reactive rather than intentional.”

Knowledge Quest, Feb. 3
10h

Violet Fox writes: “To be unexpectedly unemployed in the US is to be in a state of desperation. If you haven’t been out of work lately, it’s a particularly challenging time. The labor market is cooling, and people are struggling to find work, especially younger workers and people of color. There has been a sharp increase in the number of ‘ghost jobs,’ job listings that never result in a hiring. The job search is inherently demoralizing and difficult; consider making changes in your workplace processes that make it less dehumanizing.”

ACRLog, Feb. 5
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ALA Council has elected Lesliediana Jones, director of the Arthur Neef Law Library at Wayne State University Library System and assistant professor at Wayne State University Law School in Detroit, and Shauntee Burns-Simpson, director of youth and family services at DC Public Library, to serve on the ALA Executive Board. Elected board members will begin a three-year term in July 2026 and conclude in June 2029. The ALA Executive Board provides the strategic and fiduciary oversight of the Association.

ALA Communications and Media Relations Office, Feb. 3
1d

Brett Bonfield writes: “As my colleagues and I offer guidance on ALA’s more than $60 million in investments, some of the questions that arise are the same ones you may consider when managing a personal retirement account. How much to take out of the account each year as a distribution is significant, because it affects how long the money will last and continue to grow, and it’s the one I will discuss in this column.”

American Libraries Online, Feb. 9
2d

Rosie Newmark writes: “Hands flew, timers ticked, and tensions ran high. In 33 minutes and 23 seconds, team Piece Out triumphed in the inaugural speed puzzling tournament at Mid-Columbia Libraries (MCL) in southeastern Washington last January. Speed puzzling, or the practice of assembling a jigsaw puzzle as fast as possible, has become an unlikely hit at public libraries. What began as a social media curiosity and niche hobby has turned into a low-cost way to engage patrons of all ages—especially during colder months.”

American Libraries Trend, Jan./Feb.
2d

Lisa Varga writes: “After the threats to federal library funding in the past year, the fiscal year (FY) 2026 appropriations bills signed by President Trump on February 3 included an increase in federal funding for libraries. Less than a year ago, an executive order threatened to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the only source of federal funding dedicated to libraries. Thanks to advocates, IMLS still exists today, and Congress just passed a $1.4 million increase for library programs run by IMLS through the Library Services and Technology Act.”

American Libraries Online, Feb. 6

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