1989 ALA creates the Task Force on the Environment, timed with Earth Day’s 20th anniversary in 1990. The task force is now part of the Sustainability Round Table (SustainRT). 1990 ALA introduces Environmental Issues to its Policy Manual, urging librarians and library governing boards to “collect and provide information [to patrons] on the condition of our … Continue reading Commitments to Conservation
“It’s totally normal to be scared of a shark if you’re in the water and a shark is swimming toward you,” says Greenfield, an actor most known for his roles on sitcoms New Girl and The Neighborhood. “It’d be weird if you weren’t scared. But if you’re thinking about a shark when you’re lying in … Continue reading Newsmaker: Max Greenfield
Opened by comedian, author, and former Daily Show host Trevor Noah, the conference showcased themes of activism, diversity and inclusivity, and bridgebuilding. Participants celebrated successful programs and initiatives while engaging in important discussions on protecting intellectual freedom, mental and physical well-being, and other critical topics in the profession. Fighting the good fight At the United for … Continue reading 2024 Annual Wrap-Up
Vendors displayed a near-comprehensive range of products and services available to libraries, both physical and digital. Representatives were on hand to demonstrate solutions for use in the library, as well as services that can be offered virtually to patrons or deployed beyond building walls. Books and authors Much of the activity in the exhibit hall … Continue reading Solutions in San Diego
Now she reflects on her life with her memoir, Connie (Grand Central Publishing, September), which traces her family’s immigration to the US, the stories she broke, and the legacy she hopes to leave behind. American Libraries talked with Chung after her appearance at the American Library Association’s 2024 Annual Conference and Exhibition in San Diego … Continue reading Newsmaker: Connie Chung
Clockwise from top: Haley White, reference department manager at Springfield-Greene County (Mo.) Library District, takes a selfie with actor and author Max Greenfield during a book signing for his upcoming children’s title, Good Night Thoughts; Newbery Medal–winning author Jerry Craft captures a photo of the crowd during fellow Newbery winner Kwame Alexander’s talk on June 29; … Continue reading Bookend: Say Cheese!
The Tony Award–winning actor, singer, and storytime series host—perhaps best known for voicing Princess Tiana in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog—has written Tiana’s Perfect Plan (Disney Hyperion, October), a picture book that teaches kids the importance of self-forgiveness. “Things don’t always go the way you want them to go, and yet they still turn … Continue reading Nobody’s Perfect
“Across the nation, there’s been a significant increase, with New York State and California among the highest,” said Deborah Hempe, coordinator for outreach services at Middle Country Public Library (MCPL) in Centereach, New York. Public libraries can be a place that meets the educational and social needs of this growing demographic, said Hempe and her … Continue reading A Space Away from Home
That was the question Tara Susman-Peña, senior technical expert at IREX, posed to attendees at the outset of “Bridgebuilding: Fostering Community Engagement, Dialogue, and Interactions in Libraries,” a July 1 session at the American Library Association’s 2024 Annual Conference and Exhibition in San Diego. The US is enduring a period marked by division, social isolation, … Continue reading Bringing Civility Back to Civic Life
“That [memory] still moves me to want to help others, especially children in our community,” said Watkins, director of Aztec (N.Mex) Public Library. “There’s nothing like watching the joy on the face of a person when they learn to read.” At the American Library Association’s (ALA) President’s Program, held during ALA’s 2024 Annual Conference and … Continue reading ‘In this Work Together’
“They all wore staid suits and wing-tip shoes, they … all had this bravado and ability to walk into a room and command it,” Chung told the crowd at the American Library Association’s 2024 Annual Conference and Exhibition in San Diego on June 29. “And I thought, I’ll be just like them.” “I convinced myself … Continue reading Making Headlines
“When I didn’t make the Olympic team, I kind of thought my dreams were over,” she told attendees at the American Library Association’s 2024 Annual Conference and Exhibition in San Diego on June 30. But, ultimately, “it grew me into who I am today,” said Nichols, who went on to become an eight-time NCAA champion … Continue reading The Unstoppable Maggie Nichols
