American Libraries podcast Archives | Page 3 of 6

Dewey Decibel, episode 44: Advocacy: Anyone Can Do It

Dewey Decibel Podcast: Advocacy: Anyone Can Do It

November 22, 2019

First, American Libraries Senior Editor and Dewey Decibel host Phil Morehart speaks with Denis Cotter, chair of Loudon County (Va.) Public Library Board of Trustees, about how the board successfully lobbied the county board of supervisors for the elimination of fines at the library. Next, American Libraries Associate Editor Sallyann Price talks to John Windmueller, … Continue reading Dewey Decibel Podcast: Advocacy: Anyone Can Do It →

Dewey Decibel Podcast: It’s a Mystery

October 25, 2019

First, American Libraries Senior Editor and Dewey Decibel host Phil Morehart speaks with Rebekah Heath, a research librarian and amateur sleuth who helped uncover the identities of the victims of the Bear Brook Murders in Allenstown, New Hampshire. Next, American Libraries Managing Editor Terra Dankowski and Sarah Ostman, communications manager in the American Library Association’s … Continue reading Dewey Decibel Podcast: It’s a Mystery →

Dewey Decibel Podcast: Libraries of All Shapes and Sizes

September 30, 2019

First, American Libraries Senior Editor and Dewey Decibel host Phil Morehart speaks with Gretchen Caserotti, director of Meridian (Idaho) Library District, about its 320-square-foot Tiny Library. Next, American Libraries Managing Editor Terra Dankowski discusses the construction of Austin (Texas) Public Library’s $125 million Central Library with its project manager, Cynthia Jordan. Finally, Morehart speaks with Rachel … Continue reading Dewey Decibel Podcast: Libraries of All Shapes and Sizes →

Dewey Decibel Podcast: Beyond Our Borders

August 30, 2019

First, American Libraries Senior Editor George Eberhart speaks with Nigerian-American science-fiction writer Nnedi Okorafor (Who Fears Death and The Book of Phoenix) about how her heritage influences her work. Then, Dewey Decibel host and American Libraries Senior Editor Phil Morehart speaks with Jonathon Hodge, digital literacy service lead at Toronto Public Library, and Mark Williams, chief librarian … Continue reading Dewey Decibel Podcast: Beyond Our Borders →

Dewey Decibel Podcast: 50 Years of the CSK Book Awards

July 29, 2019

Episode 40 revisits that panel, joining American Libraries Senior Editor and Dewey Decibel host Phil Morehart as he talks with authors Jacqueline Woodson (Brown Girl Dreaming), Jason Reynolds (As Brave As You), and Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give); author and illustrator Christopher Myers (Firebird); and illustrator Ekua Holmes (The Stuff of Stars) about the history … Continue reading Dewey Decibel Podcast: 50 Years of the CSK Book Awards →

Dewey Decibel Podcast: The Buzz on Library Gardens

May 31, 2019

In Episode 38, Dewey Decibel examines how libraries are using outdoor spaces for gardening and food production. First, ALA Editions Acquisitions Editor Rachel Chance speaks with Kathy Lane, programming, events, and outreach coordinator at Boulder (Colo.) Public Library (BPL), and the BeeChicas of Boulder, beekeepers who advocate for sustainable pollination and beekeeping, about BPL’s rooftop … Continue reading Dewey Decibel Podcast: The Buzz on Library Gardens →

Dewey Decibel Podcast: AI in Academic Libraries

April 30, 2019

In Episode 37, Dewey Decibel explores how two academic libraries use AI to reach students and advance research. First, Dewey Decibel host and American Libraries Senior Editor Phil Morehart speaks with Nicole Coleman, digital research architect at Stanford (Calif.) University Libraries, about the importance of AI for libraries and the university’s multiple AI programs. Then Bohyun … Continue reading Dewey Decibel Podcast: AI in Academic Libraries →

Dewey Decibel Podcast: Spring Cleaning

March 29, 2019

In Episode 36 of the Dewey Decibel podcast, two librarians discuss different aspects of the weeding process. American Libraries Senior Editor and Dewey Decibel host Phil Morehart speaks with Rebecca Vnuk, executive director of LibraryReads and author of The Weeding Handbook: A Shelf-By Shelf Guide (ALA Editions, 2015) about why weeding is necessary, how to get started, and … Continue reading Dewey Decibel Podcast: Spring Cleaning →

Dewey Decibel Podcast: Fostering New Businesses

February 15, 2019

In Episode 35, Dewey Decibel looks at libraries that are leading the charge. First, American Libraries Managing Editor Terra Dankowski speaks with Amy Fisher, information readers services manager, and Morgan Perry, business outreach specialist, at Mid-Continent Public Library in Missouri about that library system’s Square One Business Services program. Next, American Libraries Senior Editor and Dewey Decibel … Continue reading Dewey Decibel Podcast: Fostering New Businesses →

Dewey Decibel Podcast: Insider’s Guide to Seattle

January 18, 2019

In Episode 34, we get tips on where to eat, what to see, and what to do during Midwinter. First, American Libraries Managing Editor Terra Dankowski talks with travel guru Rick Steves about his favorite off-the-beaten path sights in the Seattle area. Then Dankowski speaks with Tori Mann, chef at Seattle restaurant Lola, about her favorite spots … Continue reading Dewey Decibel Podcast: Insider’s Guide to Seattle →

Dewey Decibel Podcast: Writers on Writing

December 21, 2018

In Episode 33, American Libraries’ editors speak with an array of authors about the inspirations behind their new books and the importance of libraries in their lives. Interviews include actor Sally Field (In Pieces), Bill Nye the Science Guy (Jack and the Geniuses series), poet and novelist Elizabeth Acevedo (The Poet X), journalists Jonathan Eig (Ali: … Continue reading Dewey Decibel Podcast: Writers on Writing →

Dewey Decibel Podcast: Get a Job!

November 27, 2018

First, ALA Editions acquisitions editor and Dewey Decibel contributor Jamie Santoro speaks with Caitlin Williams, author of Be Opportunity-Minded: Start Growing Your Career Now (ALA Editions, 2019), about tips for those on the job hunt and job market trends. Next, Dewey Decibel host and American Libraries associate editor Phil Morehart talks with David Connolly, recruitment … Continue reading Dewey Decibel Podcast: Get a Job! →

Latest Library Links

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Nadine Kramarz writes: “I am beginning to believe that how we think about public library services as free directly impacts how public libraries don’t get funded. This idea that ‘public libraries are free’ sounds very enticing and makes a great soundbite, but it’s not true. Public libraries are paid for by their community in order to create services for said community. The reality is that tax dollars are spread thin and every government department has to struggle to get enough funds.”

Public Libraries Online, June 10
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Americans see a variety of factors as important when it comes to deciding whether a news story is trustworthy or not, but their attitudes vary by party affiliation, demographic characteristics and news consumption habits, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. Overall, broad majorities of US adults say it is at least somewhat important to consider each of five surveyed factors when determining whether a news story is trustworthy or not: the news organization that publishes it (88%); the sources cited in it (86%); their gut instinct about it (77%); the person, if any, who shared it with them (68%); and the specific journalist who reported it (66%).

Pew Research Center, June 9
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Associate Professor and digital archivist Erin Baucom writes: “Digital preservation is a relatively young field. And as a result, it lacks established pathways and processes. What’s more, guidance for practitioners has been purposefully written from a high-level perspective to allow for flexibility by different types and sizes of institutions. But to translate lofty digital preservation theory into on-the-ground practice, we need workflow documents to break down the necessary steps required to complete a task.”

American Libraries column, June
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Terra Dankowski writes: “Nearly 150 years after it leveled 18,000 buildings and killed 300 people, the Great Chicago Fire (October 8–10, 1871) lives on—in the city’s tourist attractions, sports team names, and soon in a Chicago History Museum exhibit commemorating its anniversary this fall. ‘It’s just amazing how much the aftermath was documented,’ says Ellen Keith, director of the museum library. The library’s holdings include period maps and stereographs (an early form of three-dimensional photographs popular in the 19th century) depicting the burned areas of the city, transcripts of the 1871 fire department hearings, a 1997 mayoral resolution exonerating Mrs. O’Leary and her cow of blame for setting the blaze, and even sheet music for songs about the fire.”

American Libraries Bookend, June
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ALA members are invited to join Patricia “Patty” Wong at 1 p.m. Central on June 29 as she begins her term as the first Asian American to serve as president of ALA and shares her plans for leading the association through an exciting time of change. The virtual event is free and is part of the ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition, June 23–29.

ALA Governance Office, June 4
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Emily Temple writes: “It’s June, the summer reading lists are out in full force, and so are our newly vaccinated knees (and chins), which can only mean that it’s that time of year again. This year, I read 38 lists, which recommended a grand total of 522 individual books. I have included those books recommended at least three times below, in descending order of frequency. So if you want to Read the Book That Everyone is Reading (or at least recommending) this summer, here’s where you should start.”

LitHub, June 10
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Quanetta Batts and Ellen Knutson write: “Ethics and inclusion should be at the center of all your community engagement programs. Putting these ideas into practice can be challenging because of organizational inertia and a lack of appetite for risk. By carefully considering the potential impacts of your actions and plans, you will be on your way to providing truly ethical and inclusive engagement programs.”

American Libraries feature, June

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