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Mikkaka Overstreet writes: “The #OwnVoices movement has challenged the publishing industry to increase the number of books written about and by authors from underrepresented populations. With that in mind, I’ve compiled this list of audiobooks read by Black authors. After all, how much more #OwnVoices can you get than listening to audiobooks written and read by Black authors?”
ALA has selected Amanda Rose Toledo of Pasadena, California, as the 2020 Christopher Hoy/ERT Scholarship recipient. The scholarship was named for a longtime ALA staff member who directed the ALA Conference Services Office for more than 20 years. The $5,000 scholarship is awarded to a person pursuing a master’s degree in library and information studies. Toledo works as a library associate for the Altadena Library District. She commented that “some of the most gratifying work that she has done thus far includes establishing storytime for children on the autism spectrum, being awarded and managing grant-funded programming for tweens and families, and creating a deposit library at a locally owned laundromat, which provides greater access to underserved parts of the community.”
The American Library Association (ALA) has selected Ariana Brown of San Antonio, Texas as the 2020 recipient of the Mary V. Gaver Scholarship. The $3,000 scholarship was established to honor the memory of a past ALA president and Rutgers University professor, who made many contributions to library youth services. The scholarship is awarded to a person pursuing a master’s degree in library and information studies, with a specialty in youth services. Brown says her goals as a librarian will be similar to her goals as a touring poet — “to create a more equitable world, to honor and help others engage in the power of storytelling, and to empower communities with resources to improve their lives.”ALA Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment, July 27
The “Collecting and Protecting LGBTQ+ Materials and Programs” webinar, hosted by the Freedom to Read Foundation, will examine collection development tools for LGBTQ+ materials and digital resources and explain how to navigate challenges to library programs and materials. Cosponsored by ALA’s Rainbow Round Table and Intellectual Freedom Round Table, the webinar will take place August 5, at 2 p.m. Central. The webinar is free for members of FTRF, IFRT, and RRT, and $25 for nonmembers. Attendees must register in advance.
ALA President-Elect Patty Wong encourages members to volunteer to serve on ALA, Council, and Joint committees for the 2021–2023 term (beginning July 1, 2021). Serving on a committee provides members with leadership training, networking opportunities, and experience in working on specific association topics. To volunteer, please complete and submit the electronic form no later than September 30.
Booklist’s Briana Shemroske writes: “Back in May, I Love Libraries spoke with academic librarian Jennifer Snoek-Brown about portrayals of librarians in film, from ‘spinster librarian’ Mary Hatch of It’s a Wonderful Life fame (wrong!) to the denim-organizing protagonist of Party Girl (oh so right!). Lucky for library staff and book lovers everywhere, Hollywood’s only honed its depictions of the library space and vocation in recent years—and they’re not alone. Many books, especially lately, are serving up masterful reflections on the sometimes messy, sometimes magical, and always inspiring realm of librarianship.”
On July 28 as part of his Holding Space national tour, American Library Association President Julius C. Jefferson Jr. paid a virtual visit to Muskingum County (Ohio) Library in Zanesville. He met with community leaders, including US Rep. Troy Balderson (R-12) and Zanesville Mayor Don Mason, to discuss how the library provides access to broadband and more traditional tools to keep the community connected.
The Association of College and Research Libraries has published Get the Job: Academic Library Hiring for the New Librarian by Meggan Press. Get the Job is a concise, practical guide to the job search for librarians interested in a career in academic libraries. It opens with concrete suggestions for how to direct your education toward full-time employment and get the most out of student experiences. Available for purchase in print and as an ebook through the ALA Online Store.
A new American Alliance of Museums survey of more than 750 museum directors confirmed early estimates of the dire economic harm to museums caused by the COVID-19 closures, which are expected to continue due to recent outbreaks across the country. One-third (33%) of museum directors surveyed confirmed there was a “significant risk” of closing permanently by next fall, or they “didn’t know” if they would survive. The vast majority (87%) of museums have only 12 months or less of financial operating reserves remaining, with 56% having less than six months left to cover operations.
The 32nd Annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards were presented at a virtual ceremony on July 24. Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell’s graphic novel Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me won Best Publication for Teens, Best Writer, and Best Penciller/Inker; and G. Willow Wilson and Christian Ward’s comic book series Invisible Kingdom won Best New Series, Best Writer, and Best Painter. Other winners included Lynda Barry, Raina Telgemeier, George Takei, and Emil Ferris.
Join ALA President Julius C. Jefferson Jr. on August 27 at 2 p.m. Eastern for the August ALA Connect Live. The session will focus on reopening and recovery initiatives within libraries. Connect with fellow librarians and leaders within our community to discuss how to approach and tackle the difficult questions that the new school year brings. Please submit your questions in advance on any topic of interest, including your library’s reopening plans. Register now.
ALA President Julius C. Jefferson Jr. writes: “When we started laying the foundation for what would become ‘Holding Space’ nine months ago, I imagined an adventure spanning thousands of miles. We’d rent a bus and take to the open road, crossing the US and visiting libraries along the way. But I’ll be embarking on a different kind of journey now. Rather than a celebration on wheels, ‘Holding Space’ will take place virtually. The intent remains the same: As ALA president, I want to elevate the stories and successes of libraries whose work takes place just out of the spotlight.”
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