Library Design Showcase | American Libraries Magazine

2024 Library Design Showcase header Phil Morehart writes: “Welcome to the 2024 Library Design Showcase, American Libraries’ annual celebration of new and renovated libraries throughout North America. Like the profession itself, library facilities are in a constant state of rebirth and reimagination. Libraries have evolved from places devoted strictly to scholarship and materials collection to true third spaces, where diverse communities come together to congregate, learn, and grow while also honoring local history and the environment. This year’s showcase selections deserve to be celebrated as prime examples of this progress.”

American Libraries feature, Sept./Oct.

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Teague Bohlen writes: “Working with the Colorado State Library’s Institutional Library Development group, Prison Motivators (PRISM) set out to answer relatively simple questions: Do prison libraries help people? And if so, how? The resulting PRISM Project report shows that ‘sentiments regarding prison libraries from both currently and formerly incarcerated people were overwhelmingly positive,’ notes Charissa Brammer, director of Library Research Service with the Colorado State Library. The report identifies 13 prosocial behaviors associated with prison library use.”

Westword (Denver), Jan. 16
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Martin Austermuhle writes: “Ebooks—both the digital and audio versions—are more expensive than their physical counterparts. It’s a fiscal challenge public libraries across the country are facing. A bill being considered by the D.C. Council would broadly restrict DC Public Library from buying ebooks from publishers that charge excessive prices or attach conditions on their use. The bill includes a provision saying it would only take effect if 10 other states with a combined population of 50 million people pass similar measures. Connecticut already has, and variations have been debated in New Jersey and Massachusetts.”

The 51st, Jan. 15; Library Futures, May 20, 2025; Readers First, June 2, 2025; Massachusetts Sen. Paul Feeney, Nov. 14, 2025
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Todd Bishop writes: “The Microsoft Library in Redmond, Washington, has long been a quiet anachronism in the middle of the high-tech campus, a place where authors gave talks and employees checked out old-fashioned paper books, including titles recommended by CEO Satya Nadella and other execs. That chapter of the company’s history is now closing. The Verge [paywalled] broke the news January 15 that Microsoft’s traditional library is going away as part of what Microsoft described internally as a shift to a ‘modern, AI-powered learning experience.’”

GeekWire, Jan. 15; The Verge, Jan. 15
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Laurie Robinson writes: “A new national resource is available to help libraries prepare for major community emergencies—including pandemics, natural disasters, and societal crises—before they hit. Centering Community: Library Staff Responding to Crisis—A Field Guide, developed through the University of Maryland’s Ready NOW project, provides practical strategies and examples to help libraries support their communities before, during, and after disruptions of varying scale. The Field Guide introduces a set of nonsequential, iterative practices that libraries can revisit over time.”

University of Maryland College of Information, Jan. 14
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Daniel Pfeiffer writes: “Pew publishes two social media reports at the end of every year, one on American adults, and the other on American youth. The results aren’t altogether surprising, but they offer some guidance on social media strategy for library outreach, advocacy, and promotion for the coming year. Below are the findings that stood out to me: Facebook is still kicking, video platforms reign supreme, and Reddit and LinkedIn may be worth a try.”

Choice 360: LibTech Insights, Jan. 14
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Lisa Shin writes: “As someone who grew up being scared to present in front of an audience, even in front of family during holiday karaoke time, I never thought I would turn into an ambivert of sorts. Alone time is much appreciated; however, there is this heartwarming feeling that is so unique to meeting and connecting with people with similar interests, passions, and experiences. As I slowly wade into the winter semester of my first year as an academic librarian, I wanted to share some anecdotes in hopes of helping out a fellow introvert!”

ACRLog, Jan. 17
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Haley Cole and Tylar Kerstetter write: “Libraries are institutions that excel at both formal and informal learning. Tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPG) lend themselves to supporting learning in a variety of ways. They can help with basic math skills, spatial awareness and tactics, how to properly use an index or appendix to efficiently find information, and even communication or conflict resolution. TTRPG players are often practicing soft skills, self-regulation, empathy, and problem solving while roleplaying. If you’re interested in integrating TTRPGs into your library or classroom, there are a number of resources out there to support you.”

ALA Games and Gaming Round Table, Jan. 19

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