Dewey Decibel Episode Ten

Dewey Decibel Podcast: Librarians, Use the Force

February 14, 2017

Anne Neumann, general manager of Rancho Obi-Wan, a nonprofit organization in Sonoma County, California, that collects, conserves, and exhibits Star Wars toys, memorabilia, and artifacts. Allen Callaci, literacy librarian at Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) Library and organizer of the library’s annual Star Wars Day event, which draws thousands of attendees each year. Saul Drake, project director of Rebel, Jedi, Princess, … Continue reading Dewey Decibel Podcast: Librarians, Use the Force


Illustration by Tom Deja

Fellowship of the Fans

November 1, 2016

That was the beginning of a big confidence boost on Shelby’s part, says Frisbie, who is now a collection development librarian at the same branch. The pair began collaborating on a story based on characters from the video-game series The Legend of Zelda, taking it in turns each week to continue and give feedback on … Continue reading Fellowship of the Fans


Streaming video

Streaming Video in Academic Libraries

September 21, 2016

Even if our undergraduates wanted to listen to a CD or watch a DVD, they probably couldn’t, as many of their tablets and laptops don’t include an optical disc drive. This is occurring at the same time that many faculty use the “flipped classroom” model, which requires students to engage with material, including videos, outside … Continue reading Streaming Video in Academic Libraries


Helping Veterans

August 26, 2016

While collecting information for this document last week, I had the pleasure of visiting a Veterans Resource Center—one of 10 in the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) system—at the LAPL’s Exposition Park branch. Many thanks to LAPL Adult Service Librarian Edwin Rodarte and veteran volunteers Paola Martinez and Veronica Hansel for briefing me and answering … Continue reading Helping Veterans




Films for Change

January 10, 2016

An unthinkable tragedy led Colin Goddard, the subject of Living for 32, to become a filmmaker. The title of the film references the 32 people murdered in the mass shooting that devastated Virginia Tech in 2007. Goddard was one of the survivors. (He was shot four times, and three of the bullets remain in his … Continue reading Films for Change


Colleen Theisen, Susie Kirk, and Richert Schnorr

How Do You YouTube?

January 9, 2016

Theisen’s online video series, Staxpedition, tries to break down these barriers. “We have a will and an enthusiasm, but none of us knows anything about video, and we just really wanted to make them,” she said. Joining Theisen on the panel were Susie Kirk of Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and Richert Schnorr of … Continue reading How Do You YouTube?


Opening image from The Story of the Stuff

In the Wake of Tragedy

December 14, 2015

University of Tennessee Digital Humanities Librarian Ashley R. Maynor has created a multimedia web documentary, titled The Story of the Stuff, that looks at what motivates people to send physical memorials to the victims and survivors of such tragedies. After Newtown, Maynor says she “witnessed firsthand the growing phenomenon in global culture that we’ve seen … Continue reading In the Wake of Tragedy


Salt Lake City Public Library System staffers pose as characters from the Back to the Future films. From left, teen services coordinator Christina Walsh as Doc Brown, children's services coordinator Liesl Johnson as Marty McFly, and adult services coordinator Tommy Hamby as Jennifer Parker. Photo: Salt Lake City Public Library System

Marty, We’ve Got to Go Back—to the Library!

October 21, 2015

Many libraries are celebrating Back to the Future Day—October 21, 2015—with screenings of the Back to the Future trilogy and programming related to the films. The date, which is featured prominently in Back to the Future Part II, has been incorrectly depicted in internet hoaxes and memes for years. “We actually have a super fan … Continue reading Marty, We’ve Got to Go Back—to the Library!


The Mzansi Youth Choir of Soweto performs at the opening session of the IFLA World Library and Information Congress in Cape Town. Photo: George M. Eberhart

Strong Libraries, Heritage, and Crises: IFLA in Africa

September 23, 2015

The opening session on August 16 began with a dynamic performance by South African actor, poet, and author Gcina Mhlophe, one of the few women storytellers in the country. Against a backdrop of images of African scenery and wildlife, Mhlophe described how creativity and musical rhythm were born long ago on the continent, and people … Continue reading Strong Libraries, Heritage, and Crises: IFLA in Africa


Films offered by Digitalia Film Library (left, center) and India for Everyone (right).

Libraries Go to the Movies

September 22, 2015

Digitalia Film Library The Digitalia Film Library, a division of Spanish-language e-content provider Digitalia Publishing, allows libraries to bring the world of cinema to their patrons. Digitalia offers contemporary and classic fiction and nonfiction films, documentary programming, animation, and television shows from Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, France, Mexico, Spain, and the US that can be accessed … Continue reading Libraries Go to the Movies