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Maya Marchel Hoff writes: “Iowa public and charter schools would not be able to enter into agreements with public libraries providing students with access to books and other materials, under a bill advanced by Iowa lawmakers February 4. The legislation, House Study Bill 636, was advanced by the Iowa House Education Committee, 14–9. It is the latest effort by Republicans in the legislature to limit children’s access to content and materials they view as obscene.” ALA President Sam Helmick and 10 other people testified against the bill, while two spoke in support.

The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), Feb. 4
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Jaimie Seaton writes: “The Institute of Museum and Library Services is now accepting applications for its 2026 grant cycle. But this time, it has unusually specific criteria. In cover letters accompanying the applications, the institute said it ‘particularly welcomes’ projects that align with President Donald Trump’s vision for America. The solicitation marks a stark departure for the agency, whose guidelines were previously apolitical and focused on merit. Former agency leaders from both political parties, as well as those of library, historical, and museum associations, expressed concern that funded projects could encourage a more constrained or distorted view of American history.”

ProPublica, Feb. 6
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Matthew Carey writes: “The Librarians premiered on PBS February 9, after a robust theatrical and festival run that saw Kim A. Snyder’s documentary earn awards across the country. The film examines the coordinated effort by conservative groups like Moms for Liberty to ban a wide range of books at public schools and public libraries nationwide, and the abuse librarians have received for defending the right of children to access reading material, including books with antiracist or LGBTQ themes.” The film is streaming free on the PBS website until May 9.

Deadline, Feb. 4
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Amanda Galliton writes: “When people talk about leadership in schools, the focus often lands on titles: principals, administrators, and department heads. Yet some of the most impactful leadership happens without a formal title. For school librarians, leadership frequently begins with self-leadership: the ability to intentionally guide our own actions, mindset, and professional growth in service of students and the school community. For school librarians, self-leadership is not optional. Without strong self-leadership, it is easy to become reactive rather than intentional.”

Knowledge Quest, Feb. 3
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Violet Fox writes: “To be unexpectedly unemployed in the US is to be in a state of desperation. If you haven’t been out of work lately, it’s a particularly challenging time. The labor market is cooling, and people are struggling to find work, especially younger workers and people of color. There has been a sharp increase in the number of ‘ghost jobs,’ job listings that never result in a hiring. The job search is inherently demoralizing and difficult; consider making changes in your workplace processes that make it less dehumanizing.”

ACRLog, Feb. 5
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ALA Council has elected Lesliediana Jones, director of the Arthur Neef Law Library at Wayne State University Library System and assistant professor at Wayne State University Law School in Detroit, and Shauntee Burns-Simpson, director of youth and family services at DC Public Library, to serve on the ALA Executive Board. Elected board members will begin a three-year term in July 2026 and conclude in June 2029. The ALA Executive Board provides the strategic and fiduciary oversight of the Association.

ALA Communications and Media Relations Office, Feb. 3
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Brett Bonfield writes: “As my colleagues and I offer guidance on ALA’s more than $60 million in investments, some of the questions that arise are the same ones you may consider when managing a personal retirement account. How much to take out of the account each year as a distribution is significant, because it affects how long the money will last and continue to grow, and it’s the one I will discuss in this column.”

American Libraries Online, Feb. 9

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