#alaac16 Archives | Page 5 of 6 | American Libraries Magazine

Disseminating the World’s Largest Genocide Testimony Archive

By Laurie D. Borman | June 25, 2016

In seeking the partnership, the Shoah Foundation wanted to expand access of the testimonies from survivors, rescuers, political prisoners, and other witnesses from the Holocaust, the 1915 Armenian Genocide, the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, and the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. It was also looking to increase citations. With 112,000 hours of video that average two hours and … Continue reading Disseminating the World’s Largest Genocide Testimony Archive →

Michael Eric Dyson Delivers Energetic Opening Session

By Terra Dankowski | June 25, 2016

Dyson dazzled the crowd with his punchy, poetic style, tackling social issues and recent events, and expressing his love for libraries and books. “I’m a Luddite—I like the feel of the papyrus,” Dyson said. “I like the smell of the page, the decaying fragmented text that immediates intelligence. I am a fan of books.” He … Continue reading Michael Eric Dyson Delivers Energetic Opening Session →

Freelance Success Doesn’t Require a Projector

By Meredith Myers | June 24, 2016

With more than 40 years experience as a trainer, educator, and consultant, Wagner doesn’t need to be fancy. She’s honest about that. She’s more concerned with building relationships and maintaining integrity, while helping as many people as she can along the way. It’s why ASCLA chose her to speak about “Freelance Success: Building a Business … Continue reading Freelance Success Doesn’t Require a Projector →

Top Ten(ish) Tweets—Day 1 (Friday)

By Julie Cai | June 24, 2016

The anticipation is over, and day one of Annual is here! With exhibits opening, fun activities, and awesome sessions, excitement was brewing IRL and on the Twitterverse.

Saroj Ghoting, J. Elizabeth Mills, and Kathleen Campana

Supporting Early Literacy with Supercharged Storytimes

By Kara Pauley | June 24, 2016

Project VIEWS2 is a study that focuses on early childhood literacy. It’s a program that’s complementary to Every Child Ready to Read, although the trio strongly emphasized that VIEWS2 is a distinct program. VIEWS2 emphasizes intention and community, and can be used as a planning tool or guide for librarians to build from. “When you are intentional … Continue reading Supporting Early Literacy with Supercharged Storytimes →

At the 2016 Rare Books and Manuscripts Section conference, the panel discusses how to prepare LIS students for the market ahead.

Preparing LIS Students for the Market Ahead

By Erika L. Jenns | June 24, 2016

Meyers began her talk, “Evangelizing for Reference: Teaching the Value of Public Services,” by explaining that for years she thought of herself as a special collections librarian who happened to have a reference component to her job. But she has come to realize that she is actually a reference librarian who happens to work in … Continue reading Preparing LIS Students for the Market Ahead →

Top Ten Tweets—Thursday (Day 0)

By Julie Cai | June 24, 2016

Get ready… Get (jet) set… Go! And, for those #alaleftbehind: Keep ’em coming!

From left: Athena Jackson, Paul Ortiz, Michelle Caswell, and Mark Puente

Rough Seas Ahead

By Erika L. Jenns | June 24, 2016

Delivering short talks were Mark Puente, director of diversity and leadership programs at Association of Research Libraries; Paul Ortiz, director of the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program and associate professor of history at the University of Florida; and Michelle Caswell, assistant professor of archival studies in the Department of Information Studies at UCLA. The panel … Continue reading Rough Seas Ahead →

Dewey Decibel Podcast Episode Three Celebrating the Carnegie Medals

Dewey Decibel Podcast: Celebrating the Carnegie Medals

June 24, 2016

Episode Three features interviews with Viet Thanh Nguyen, author of the Carnegie Medal– and Pulitizer Prize–winning novel The Sympathizer, and Nancy Pearl, renowned librarian, literary critic, and Carnegie Medals committee chair. The awards, cosponsored by Booklist and the American Library Association’s (ALA) Reference and User Services Association, were announced in January. Carnegie Medal winners Nguyen … Continue reading Dewey Decibel Podcast: Celebrating the Carnegie Medals →

Support Activities and Resources for Orlando

By Sari Feldman | June 15, 2016

I want to thank everyone who has contacted us with suggestions for ways to support the victims and their families and show solidarity with the people of Orlando and the GLBTQ community. ALA is working closely with divisions, offices, round tables, task forces, and members to organize meaningful remembrances, events, and activities for Annual, in … Continue reading Support Activities and Resources for Orlando →

Amid Tragedy, Libraries Can Offer Help and Hope

By Peter Coyl | June 14, 2016

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Round Table has been working closely with ALA in response to this tragedy, and it is of paramount concern to ALA that its members and conference attendees are safe. ALA is working with our conference venue to ensure the safety and security of those who attend. We have also been … Continue reading Amid Tragedy, Libraries Can Offer Help and Hope →

ALA President Responds to Orlando Shooting

By Sari Feldman | June 13, 2016

“The library community is deeply saddened by the tragedy at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando,” said Feldman. “Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends, and the GLBTQ community. “Our nation’s libraries serve communities with equity, dignity and respect. ALA will carry this legacy to Orlando. In defiance of fear, ignorance and intolerance, … Continue reading ALA President Responds to Orlando Shooting →

Latest Library Links

13h

Jackie Jennings writes: “It feels like the debate over whether #BookTok is bad has been raging since the moment the term was first coined. I’m starting off with a strong stance: BookTok is indeed bad. However, the problem with BookTok is not crappy books or bogus influencers. The problem with BookTok is TikTok itself. BookTok isn’t actually a community driven by fans, writers, influencers, or even publishers: it’s part of a social media corporation, controlled by the most mysterious, fickle god of all, the algorithm.” Not surprisingly, librarian recommendations can overcome some of BookTok’s limitations.

Jezebel, Apr. 18; Book Riot, Apr. 22
19h

ALA announced the launch of its state Intellectual Freedom Helpline grant program April 22. Over the next two years, 10 pilot program sites will operate a confidential reporting system that will help connect those experiencing censorship attempts with professional support, in-state peers, or referral to ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, as appropriate. State or school library associations or agencies wishing to either establish an Intellectual Freedom Helpline in their state or expand existing efforts may apply for $10,000 grants through July 14.

ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom, Apr. 22
20h

In celebration of the release of his latest nonfiction title, The Secret Lives of Booksellers & Librarians, bestselling author James Patterson is honoring select American Bookseller Association and American Library Association members with bonuses. He announced plans April 11 to give $200 each to 250 library workers across the country. The deadline for ALA members may nominate members to receive bonuses through April 30. Winners will be announced at ALA’s 2024 Annual Conference in San Diego.
1d

Catherine Hollerbach writes: “In early 2020, when the world shut down for COVID, many people got interested in houseplants. Anne Arundel County (Md.) Public Library’s Crofton Library embraced this trend and then some!” While preparing to reopen after the COVID shutdown, the library installed plants at the information desk to discourage patrons from sticking their heads through gaps in newly installed acrylic shields. They were well received and cared for, and the library gradually added more plants and built educational tools, programming, and partnerships around the plants.

Public Libraries Online, Apr. 18
2d

Rodney Freeman writes: “I am proud to be a librarian—and rare. Less than 7% of librarians in the US are Black. Libraries symbolize the literacy that was denied to so many of our ancestors. For our enslaved forebears, something as fundamental as learning to read was illegal and dangerous, but they did it anyway. Separate but ‘equal’ schools and ‘colored’ libraries filled with cast-offs from white libraries were key features of the Jim Crow era. Today we are seeing the same impulse to distort access to information into a tool to suppress and control, and to make some people ‘other.’”

Newsweek, Apr. 16
2d

Lori Birrell writes: “Staff want to feel valued, and they want their work to have an impact. A reorganization process can help leaders to surface such areas of impact and give staff a feeling of empowerment and value. Practitioners considering any sized reorganization are strongly encouraged to consider what models and resources will best support them as they plan and lead this work. Regardless of the model or resources, any reorganization process should be more than just moving boxes and reporting lines around on an organizational chart.”

Library Leadership and Management, Apr. 15
2d

Megan Bennett writes: “Two decades ago, while Daily Show Senior Correspondent Dulcé Sloan was doing summer shows at a community theater in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, the library was her main hangout spot. In the small town of 9,000 people, it was a place to gather with other young actors—and the only place with internet access. American Libraries spoke with Sloan before her closing session at the Public Library Association 2024 Conference in Columbus, Ohio, about her new book, her journey in stand-up comedy, and her memories of libraries.”

American Libraries Trend, Apr. 17

View more Latest Library Links