The inconvenient truth about library e-collections

Public librarian Jennie Rothschild writes: “As we continue to stay home as much as possible, even the most die-hard ‘give me paper or give me death’ readers have been dipping their toes into the ebook waters. And they’re discovering what long-time users have known forever. Good news! You can get ebooks from your library! But (bad news) only if you’re willing to wait for-EVER for the most popular titles. Which leads to the following questions: 1. Why do you have to wait for an ebook at all?! 2. Why doesn’t my library just buy more copies?!”

Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, Sept. 6

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“Elton John’s monumental album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, the original cast recording of Broadway’s Hamilton, and Microsoft’s reboot chime have been selected as some of the defining sounds of history and culture that will join the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress. On April 9, Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden named 25 recordings as audio treasures worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage. The recordings selected for the National Recording Registry this year bring the number of titles on the registry to 675.”

Library of Congress, Apr. 9
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“Due to continued challenges in accessing federal funding, the Maine State Library will temporarily close and reorganize its operations. This decision follows layoff notices issued this week to 13 employees whose positions are funded through a program grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in Washington, DC. The library tentatively plans to reopen to the public on April 28. IMLS support accounts for approximately 30% of the library’s annual budget, and the 13 affected employees represent about 30% of its staff. Should access to federal funding be reinstated, the layoffs may be reversed.”

Maine State Library, Apr. 10
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Brittany Allen writes: “The American Academy of Poets launched National Poetry Month in 1996. Reviving a recent tradition, the fine minds at Farrar, Straus, and Giroux (FSG) are celebrating the sonnet in style this spring. Every weekday this entire month, you can call the FSG Poetry Hotline (385-DIAL-FSG) and hear an FSG author read a poem, right into your personal ear.” For recommendations of poetry books, see lists from NCW Libraries in Washington; Utah State University; Canton (Mich.) Public Library; Boston Public Library; or St. Joe County Public Library in South Bend, Indiana.

Literary Hub, Apr. 1; NCW Libraries, Apr. 9; Utah State University, Apr. 7; Canton (Mich.) Public Library, Jan. 8; Boston Public Library; St. Joe County (South Bend, Ind.) Public Library, Apr. 10
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Phil Morehart writes: “The Secret Life of Librarians has been nominated for a Webby Award. Produced by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the online series explores the unexpected stories of librarians across the country. The 10 recipients of the American Library Association’s 2024 I Love My Librarian Award are at the series’ heart, with each penning a short piece encapsulating their work, and more importantly, why they do it. These are the stories of the unsung heroes whose work impacts lives both inside the library and outside its walls. Award voting is open until April 17.”

I Love Libraries, Apr. 14
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Ella Creamer writes: “Requests to remove books from library shelves are on the rise in the UK, as the influence of pressure groups behind book bans in the US crosses the Atlantic, according to those working in the sector. Most of the UK challenges appear to come from individuals or small groups, unlike in the US, where 72% of demands to censor books last year were brought forward by organized groups, according to the American Library Association earlier this week. However, evidence suggests that the work of US action groups is reaching UK libraries too.”

The Guardian, Apr. 14, Apr. 8
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Aviva Bechky writes: “For more than a century, Canadians have used nothing but a narrow sidewalk to cross their national border into Vermont and enter the Haskell Free Library and Opera House. Now, however, the US Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to limit access to the library from the Canadian side of the border. After [October 1], anyone in Canada who wants to use the library’s main entrance must cross at an approved checkpoint or use an entrance on the Canadian side of the library that is about to undergo renovations.”

American Libraries Trend, Apr. 14
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“Tabletop game collections are an increasingly popular addition to libraries. They can provide innovative new ways for patrons to interact with library collections, and they can support hours of programming and events. But you know what makes game collections 20% cooler? When they’re discoverable in your library catalog! We at the ALA Games and Gaming Roundtable (GameRT) understand: if you’re not a cataloger, cataloging probably seems daunting. To that end, GameRT’s Metadata Committee has developed a guide for cataloging tabletop games, created for both catalogers and non-catalogers alike.”

ALA Games and Gaming Roundtable, Apr. 11

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