June 2014

Features & Trends

Reference librarian Zac Laugheed of Denver Public Library.

Custom Library Book Bikes Roll Out Across US

By Chris Francis

“We were lucky with the weather, really,” Eric Litschel, adult services associate at Cleveland Heights–University Heights Public Library (CHUHPL), tells American Libraries. “The worst day I rode was probably a little over 10 degrees.” Sam Lapides, special projects coordinator at CHUHPL, says the library’s Book Bike program, initiated in spring 2013, was supposed to run … Continue reading Custom Library Book Bikes Roll Out Across US →

Left to Our Devices

An excerpt from American Libraries Live

Moorefield-Lang, a former school librarian who is now education and applied social sciences librarian at Virginia Tech, was joined by Katherine Messier, managing director at Johnston, Rhode Island–based Mobile Beacon, a nonprofit that provides broadband service to libraries and other nonprofits; Bohyun Kim, digital access librarian at Florida International University Medical Library in Miami; and … Continue reading Left to Our Devices →

Metadata for Image Collections

by Eddie Woodward

Many libraries are eagerly digitizing their materials and making them accessible online. This enthusiasm often stems from patrons, who are excited to make use of the resources on the internet, or from administrators, who are intent on elevating the library’s public profile. But the push for digitization often puts pressure on library staff to make … Continue reading Metadata for Image Collections →

Building a Pipeline to Education in Azerbaijan
By Leonard Kniffel
Extremism @ the Library
By Maria R. Traska
How to Make the Most of Your Library Career
By Katherine Farmer
Libraries Stream toward Roku Lending
By Beverly Goldberg
Newsmaker: Jeff Bridges
By Phil Morehart
Bookend: Star Power
ALA Las Vegas Annual Conference & Exhibition
By Mariam Pera
A Taste of Las Vegas
Laura Daily

Columnists

Building the Collection
By Karen Muller
E-Content and First Sale
By Joseph Sanchez
Through Their Eyes
By Meredith Farkas
Rolling the Dice
By Joseph Janes
The Myth of Busy Summers
By Linda W. Braun
Speaking Up
By Lisa Rabey
A New Vision of Advocacy
By Keith Michael Fiels
Learners for a Lifetime
By Barbara K. Stripling
Don’t Let It Stay in Vegas
By Laurie D. Borman

Latest Library Links

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Morgan Matzen writes: “Four librarians and members of the South Dakota Library Association testified before the Senate Education Committee on Thursday about how cuts to the state library would devastate readers, especially in rural communities, and increase costs for local libraries. Gov. Kristi Noem has proposed reducing the state library’s general budget by more than $1 million, full-time employment by 12.5 positions and federal funding by more than $1.3 million.” Doland Community Library (DCL) Director Natasha Noethlich testified that DCL’s usage has grown from 250 people in 2018 to 6,000 last year thanks to state library resources and funding.

Sioux Falls (S.D.) Argus Leader, Jan. 16; Keloland.com, Jan. 17
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Rosie Newmark writes: “Since multiple wildfires erupted in Los Angeles on January 7, tens of thousands of residents have been displaced or remain on evacuation watch, as fire-fanning winds threaten to continue. Amid the disaster, library systems including Los Angeles County Library, Los Angeles City Public Library, and Altadena Library District, are spearheading efforts to help community members as well as library staff through fundraising and onsite support. ALA has also set up a relief effort through its ALA Disaster Relief Fund.”

AL: The Scoop, Jan. 22
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Gabriel Tynes writes: “An appeal of a lower court January 14 became an inquiry into the broader First Amendment question of whether an inmate’s limited access to reading materials amounted to a de facto ban on books, religious materials and newspapers. A three-judge Eighth Circuit panel heard arguments after officials from Washington County, Arkansas, sought qualified immunity from a lawsuit filed by an inmate who claims his constitutional rights were violated by the jail’s policy limiting access to certain reading materials to electronic tablets and kiosks.”

Courthouse News Service, Jan. 14
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Tara García Mathewson writes: “New data released this week by the DC-based Center for Democracy and Technology shows just how often [blocking of information in schools] happens nationwide. The nonprofit digital rights advocacy organization conducted its fifth annual nationally representative survey of middle and high school teachers and parents as well as high school students about a range of tech issues. About 70% of both teachers and students this year said web filters get in the way of students’ ability to complete their assignments.”

The Markup, Jan. 16; Center for Democracy and Technology, Jan. 15
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ALA filed an amicus brief affirming the importance of the Federal Communications Commission’s Universal Service Fund and the E-rate program that helps power broadband-enabled services and access through US public libraries and schools. More than half of all public libraries each year apply for E-rate funding. The brief is part of the record the Supreme Court will review in two consolidated cases (24-354 and 24-422) that will determine the future of vital funding for universal broadband access.

ALA Public Policy & Advocacy Office, Jan. 17
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ALA’s Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT) seeks nominations for the Herb Biblo Outstanding Leadership Award for Social Justice and Equality, sponsored by Library Juice Academy. Leadership can be demonstrated by accomplishments through SRRT or other ALA bodies, socially responsible groups within state, provincial, regional, or city library organizations, and/or international library organizations. To be eligible for this award, individuals must be members of SRRT or other library organizations or groups with similar goals and objectives. The deadline for nominations is February 15.

Social Responsibilities Round Table
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Cass Balzer writes: “Libraries are often gateways to new experiences, and a growing number are now offering patrons the chance to see the world in full color—literally. In recent years, libraries of all sizes have begun adding color-corrective glasses to their Library of Things collections. Made possible primarily through partnerships with manufacturers, patrons can test these glasses out before committing to purchasing their own pair.”

American Libraries Trend, Jan./Feb.

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