Justine Withers, Kim Hill, and Adam Chandler at ALA Annual 2024

Patron Privacy and Enhanced Research

June 30, 2024

Panelists at “Identity and Authentication: Enhancing the Research Experience with Responsible Use of Patron Data,” moderated by Justine Withers, electronic resources librarian at Western New Mexico University in Silver City, addressed these and other questions around privacy policies in the academic library. The panel took place on Saturday, June 30, at the American Library Association’s … Continue reading Patron Privacy and Enhanced Research


Jennifer Pate at a podium gesturing while speaking

Going Hard on Trivial Pursuits

June 30, 2024

In 2021, Jennifer Pate and Margaret McGuire teamed up to host team trivia nights at University of North Alabama’s Collier Library, where they both worked at the time. While the library “gamified” a number of activities, they wanted a program that wasn’t directly related to academics and would build community. They shared their experience developing … Continue reading Going Hard on Trivial Pursuits




Channeling Courage

June 30, 2024

Velshi, who is chief correspondent for MSNBC and host of the TV segment Velshi Across America, shared this message during his June 30 talk at the American Library Association’s 2024 Annual Conference and Exhibition in San Diego. While discussing his book, Small Acts of Courage: A Legacy of Endurance and the Fight for Democracy (St. … Continue reading Channeling Courage


Max Greenfield discusses his new book during a June 30 talk at the American Library Association's Annual Conference and Exhibition

Putting Anxiety to Sleep

June 30, 2024

“I’m scared of sharks and straight men,” Greenfield recalled Jordan saying in his signature Tennessee twang. Those conversations inspired Greenfield, best known for his roles in the sitcoms New Girl and The Neighborhood, to write his forthcoming book Good Night Thoughts (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, September), which focuses on anxiety and how … Continue reading Putting Anxiety to Sleep


Tapping In, Tapping Out

June 30, 2024

Three panelists and a moderator from BPL led a discussion at “When to Tap-In and Tap-Out: Nurturing Resilience and Renewing Bonds in Library Teams” at the American Library Association’s 2024 Annual Conference and Exhibition in San Diego on June 29. Moderator Nicole T. Bryan, branch manager at BPL’s Macon Library, said Tap-Ins are designed to … Continue reading Tapping In, Tapping Out


Lights, Camera, Internship

June 30, 2024

For its part, San Diego Public Library (SDPL), in partnership with the City of San Diego and the nonprofit Media Arts Center San Diego (MACSD), launched a paid internship program comprising a six-week video production training course taught by visual artists and film producers. The classes offered hands-on opportunities to pitch a documentary idea, shoot … Continue reading Lights, Camera, Internship



Inclusivity on a Budget

June 30, 2024

“I had no experience but a lot of enthusiasm,” she told attendees of “Library for All: Programming Ideas for Adults with Disabilities on a $0 Budget,” a June 29 program at the American Library Association’s (ALA) 2024 Annual Conference and Exhibition in San Diego. Thanks to her efforts, MPL has hosted 150 programs for adults … Continue reading Inclusivity on a Budget


Choosing Empathy

June 30, 2024

That was just one of the reasons why Henson, an Academy Award–nominated actor, producer, author, and mental-health advocate, chose to write her debut picture book, You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!) (June, Zonderkidz). She discussed her inspiration behind the book, her mental health initiatives, and the importance of letting others be seen … Continue reading Choosing Empathy