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Chelsey Roos writes: “There have been 160 school shootings since 2018. Every shooting leaves shocked, scared, and traumatized children in its wake. Children who have never had an act of gun violence in their school are also aware of these shootings. Sharing books can be a great way to support kids who have fears and to start a conversation about gun violence – but this is not easy, given the very small number of books published on the subject. How can we build a strong collection when there is so little published?” -
Jess Williams writes: “Academic libraries in the US have shifted service models over the years for several reasons. Rapid changes in technology play a large role, but other external factors—like budget cuts and institutional needs—also drive evolution. As new skillsets are identified and positions created, leaders can also introduce new frameworks. Many academic libraries have pivoted away from subject-based or discipline-based liaison models, which have traditionally relied on designated staffers to build relationships with faculty and act as points of contact for specific services. They are now switching to team-based models or hybrid models.” -
Opioid overdoses remain a significant health crisis. In western Alberta, near the Canadian Rockies, sits Banff, a resort town of nearly 8,500 residents and an internationally known outdoor sports destination. Banff is also known for its nightlife, which has exacerbated its opioid problem.To help tackle the issue, Jessia Arsenio, access and inclusion library assistant at Banff Public Library (BPL), created an innovative program to offer test strips for fentanyl—a potent synthetic opioid and major contributor to overdoses—available to library visitors. Information from the test strips can reduce a person’s risk of overdose. -
Bill Furbee writes: “On a bright, sunny day in Norman, Oklahoma, patrons of Pioneer Library System (PLS) are browsing available titles, messaging friends and family, and powering up personal devices. The twist? Those patrons are doing this all outside while sitting at benches placed throughout the community—sometimes mere steps away from their own homes. PLS is one of a growing number of libraries nationwide to install high-tech, solar-powered benches that offer more than just a place to rest; they also provide free Wi-Fi and charging stations. In this case, benches also advertise library resources via QR codes.” -
Keir Clarke writes: “The Visual Book Recommender is an interactive map of 51,847 books organized by similarity. Using the map you can discover new books to read by searching for your favorite books and exploring other ‘similar’ nearby books. If you click on a book’s cover on the map an information window will open containing a short introduction to the novel’s plot. All the nearby books on the map are then likely to be fairly ‘similar’.” -
YLE News writes: “Library users in Turku will soon be able to borrow an electric car alongside books and other materials. The city is partnering with Toyota Auto Finland to deliver the service on a trial basis for three weeks starting May 8. Library card holders can borrow the fully electric Toyota bZ4X car from the library for six hours at a time during weekdays and four and a half hours during weekends.” Turku City Library Services Director Rebekka Pilppula said she believes the trial is the first of its kind in the world. -
Tim Riesterer writes: “The service recovery paradox is a phenomenon in which a customer who experiences a problem with a product or service, but has that problem effectively resolved, is more likely to have a positive impression of the company than a customer who never experienced any problems. Essentially, when a company is able to effectively recover from a service failure, the customer’s satisfaction can actually increase beyond what it would have been if the failure had never happened.” -
https://apnews.com/article/book-ban-library-republican-democrat-illinois-8422dbabac75f86ee7aeccbd39ed9a06Claire Savage writes: “Illinois lawmakers greenlighted a bill Wednesday that says libraries in the state must adopt an anti-book banning policy to receive state funding, in a vote that fissured along party lines. The measure, spearheaded by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, represents a counter-movement to growing efforts to restrict books on topics such as race, gender and sexuality in schools and libraries across the United States. The legislation has passed both chambers and now heads to the desk of Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who said he looks forward to signing it. -
Tim Arango writes: “For days now, the [University of California, Berkeley anthropology] library has become a scene of occupation. Students have filled it with tents, sleeping bags and air mattresses in a last-ditch effort to save the 67-year-old institution dedicated to anthropology, which encompasses the study of humanity, societies and cultures. The university is preparing to move the collections of archaeological field notes and books—about 80,000 volumes in total, on subjects as varied as folk tales, Black culture and Mexican American social movements—to a nearby warehouse and the main library, saving $400,000 annually.” -
Mary Kamela writes: “In March 2023, I attended my first national library conference: ACRL 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Although I was initially worried about the size of the conference and the number of programs, I found the experience to be very manageable, as well as fun and informative! Here are some of my biggest tips for others embarking on their first large library conferences.” -
Elizabeth Libberton writes: “Verse poetry novels cover a wide variety of topics, are a unique reading format, and can be engaging for more reluctant readers. Over the past few years there has been a rise in the amount of really great verse poetry for teens. I compiled a list of some of the best titles I’ve read lately to help with recommendations for students, teachers, and book study projects. This list can be a jumping off point for teen readers as they explore verse poetry.” -
Each year, the Freedom to Read Foundation distributes $1,000 grants for organizations to support activities that raise awareness of intellectual freedom and censorship issues during the annual Banned Books Weeks celebration. This year’s Banned Books Week will be held October 1–7 with the theme “Let Freedom Read.” Staff at all types of libraries, schools, universities, and non-profit community organizations are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted through May 19.
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