Joice Public Library destroyed in fire | American Libraries Magazine

An early-morning fire completely destroyed the Joice (Iowa) Public Library on September 21. Investigators are uncertain how the fire started, but the building itself was undergoing renovations, including getting a new roof. Joice Mayor Mark Thoma says that there is no set timeline as to when the library will be rebuilt, but city council is looking at options, including a mobile trailer to house a temporary location. Librarians wishing to help in the recovery efforts can contribute to a GoFundMe account.

KIMT-TV, Mason City, Iowa, Sept. 21

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The ACRL Rare Books and Manuscripts Section has selected six winners, three honorable mentions, and a notable citation for the 2019 Katharine Kyes Leab and Daniel J. Leab American Book Prices Current Exhibition Awards. The awards recognize in five categories outstanding printed exhibition catalogs, guides, and electronic exhibitions produced by North American and Caribbean institutions. The winning catalogs will be on display at the 2019 RBMS Conference Booksellers’ Showcase in Baltimore.

ACRL, Apr. 25
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Sally Pewhairangi writes: “When did you last describe your current project as ‘beautiful’? We know beauty when we see it right? So why not beautiful library projects? Wouldn’t you love to think back on a beautiful library project that you worked on 2, 5, or 25 years ago? I think it’s less about what projects you do, and more about how you do them—the work itself. So if you want to make your next project one that you will recall fondly in years to come, here are seven ways you can do that.”

The Library Boss, Apr. 23
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A Geneva Bible, one of 321 rare items stolen from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, has been recovered in the Netherlands. The bible was among the rare books, maps, plate books, and atlases that were discovered missing from the library’s Oliver Room. It has been closed since April 3, 2017, because it is a crime scene. A former archivist at the library and a rare book dealer are accused of stealing more than $8 million of those books. Investigators believe the scheme dates back to the 1990s. The bible, published in 1615, was traced to the American Pilgrim Museum in Leiden. It is being returned to the Carnegie Library on April 25.

KDKA-TV, Pittsburgh, Apr. 25
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Rebecca Rego Barry writes: “A Little Blue Books bibliography, in the making for more than 15 years, has been published online by Jake Gibbs. Along the way, Gibbs amassed a collection of 20,000 Little Blue Books, according to the bibliography’s preface. He also examined collections at more than 20 college and university libraries. This once ubiquitous series founded by Emanuel Haldeman-Julius appeals to book collectors for many reasons, including affordability. Steven Cox, curator of special collections and university archives at Pittsburg (Kans.) State University, where the Haldeman-Julius Collection is located, wrote a short history of the Little Blue Books.”

Fine Books Blog, Apr. 19
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North Dakota House members have greenlit the plan for a Theodore Roosevelt presidential library, clearing the way for Gov. Doug Burgum’s biggest push this legislative session. The House voted 70–22 on April 24 to authorize a $35 million loan to help pay for operation and maintenance of the library. That money is only available after $100 million is raised in cash or pledged donations. Proponents spoke about the potential tourism impacts and Roosevelt’s legacy when he came to ranch near Medora to recover from his mother’s and wife’s deaths in 1884.

Bismarck (N.Dak.) Tribune, Apr. 24
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ALA Publishing eLearning Solutions will host a new workshop, “Graphic Design Skills for All Library Employees” with Aaron Schmidt, in two 90-minute sessions on June 12 and 19. Schmidt will provide you with an accessible and practical guide to graphic design and help you discover tools that you can use to improve your library’s signs, posters, brochures, and websites. Registration is through the ALA Store.

eLearning Solutions, Apr. 25
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ALA Publishing eLearning Solutions will host a new session of its workshop, “Offering Service and Support to the LGBTQIA Community and Allies” with Jessica Jupitus, in two 60-minute sessions on June 12–13. Jupitus, a librarian with experience providing services to many populations, will provide you with informative ways on how you can create a warm and welcoming space with visible allies to serve the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA) community. She will offer concrete ideas and strategies for programming, services, collection development, and getting your administration and community on board.

eLearning Solutions, Apr. 25

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