left to right) Erin Stewart, Deborah Maroulis, Nikki Barthelmess, Sarah J. Carlson, C. H. Armstrong, James Brandon, Alexandra Villasante, and Laura Sibson

Tough Topics In YA

June 24, 2019

The program, titled “Tough topics in YA: How the 2019 debuts are tackling the dark—but real—issues teens care about,” featured authors Erin Stewart, Deborah Maroulis, Nikki Barthelmess, Sarah J. Carlson, C. H. Armstrong, James Brandon, Alexandra Villasante, and Laura Sibson. Each author brought a different slant to the notion of what is considered a tough topic … Continue reading Tough Topics In YA


Better Literacy for the Blackfeet Nation

June 24, 2019

That’s the number at which literacy levels of all types significantly improve, said Anthony Chow, associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, at “Resources for Rural and Tribal Libraries,” a June 24 session at the American Library Association’s (ALA) Annual Conference and Exhibition in Washington, D.C. Of the Blackfeet Nation individuals he … Continue reading Better Literacy for the Blackfeet Nation


Discord in the Community

June 24, 2019

So many people came to the program, the drag queen held a second storytime immediately after her session. Now, even though the program is over, the library is still receiving around 50 emails per day asking them not to hold it. Sukrit Goswami, director of the Haverford Township Free Library, shared how he and his … Continue reading Discord in the Community


History Repeats Itself

June 24, 2019

“I feel like I’m at a Star Trek convention,” he said in his trademark baritone, before laughing heartily. Takei’s tone changed, however, as he began to describe a childhood spent in internment camps for Japanese Americans during World War II—an experience that he details in his new YA graphic novel, They Called Us Enemy. With a … Continue reading History Repeats Itself


Social Unrest, Democracy, and Librarianship in the 21st Century

June 24, 2019

Diana Moronta, instruction and technology librarian at New York Institute of Technology, said that she often reminds herself to step back as an instructor and elevate the voices of her students. “I believe they are experts in their own lives,” she said. Tracy Drake, an archivist with Chicago Public Library, said she tries to let … Continue reading Social Unrest, Democracy, and Librarianship in the 21st Century



George Strawley and Alicia Lillich

Citizen Science

June 24, 2019

Lillich added that these projects are neither clinical trials nor social science surveys, but represent the real involvement of the public in scientific research. George Strawley, community engagement coordinator with the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Midcontinental Region, said that citizen science projects “definitely lend themselves to K-12 students,” but colleges and communities can … Continue reading Citizen Science


Council II: SCOE Preliminary Recommendations

June 24, 2019

Shali Zhang, chair of the Committee on Organization, proposed an action item (CD#27.1) to add representatives from the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services and the Association for Rural and Small Libraries to the Rural, Native, and Tribal Libraries of All Kinds Committee. The motion passed. Zhang also reported that the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and … Continue reading Council II: SCOE Preliminary Recommendations


Top Ten Tweets ALAMW20

Annual 2019 Top Ten Tweets – Day 3

June 24, 2019

The day started off early with the Coretta Scott King Book Awards breakfast!   Gave a speech, received an award, did not throw up on stage…I gotta say, today was a good day. #csk50 #alaac19 #whatadopebirthdaypresent #wonderwhattheywillgivemenextyear pic.twitter.com/SP74twwraM — Tiffany D. Jackson (@WriteinBK) June 23, 2019 After which, you headed off to some great sessions. … Continue reading Annual 2019 Top Ten Tweets – Day 3


Random House Preview Lunch

June 24, 2019

One picture book was Marie Kondo and Salina Yoon’s Kiki & Jax: The Life-Changing Magic of Friendship, about two unlikely best friends who learn how tidying up can create space for joy in all parts of one’s life. Other treasures included the picture book Sunny Day: A Celebration of the Sesame Street Theme Song, as well as the the previously unpublished Dr. … Continue reading Random House Preview Lunch



A Library Privacy Primer

June 24, 2019

With her colleague Kathleen Ross, head of technical services at St. John Fisher College’s Lavery Library, Greco presented “Library Confidentiality: Your Privacy is Our Business,” a comprehensive primer on privacy and libraries, at the American Library Association’s 2019 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Washington, D.C. In the first of many audience engagement moments, Ross and … Continue reading A Library Privacy Primer