gift guide Archives | American Libraries Magazine

2023 Holiday Gift Guide for Librarians and Book Lovers

By Alison Marcotte | November 29, 2023

Gifts under $20 This Is My Bookstore 2024 Wall Calendar ($14.99) With Chronicle Books’ This Is My Bookstore 2024 Wall Calendar, avid readers can begin each month discovering a new bookstore from around the world. This 12-by-12-inch calendar will sate their wanderlust and make them feel part of a global literary community. … Continue reading 2023 Holiday Gift Guide for Librarians and Book Lovers →

2022 Holiday Gift Guide for Librarians and Book Lovers

By Lara Ewen | December 7, 2022

Gifts Under $10 “Read Banned Books” Bookmark ($4) Let LeVar Burton save your place with this colorful, two-by-seven-inch, matte-coated card stock bookmark by HereNowWow. It features collage portrait imagery with text printed on the front, and shipping is free. “I’m with the Banned” Sticker ($4.49) Rock star librarians can use … Continue reading 2022 Holiday Gift Guide for Librarians and Book Lovers →

2021 gift guide items (clockwise from top left: sweatshirt, puzzle, playing cards, READ sweatshirt, messenger bag, coasters)

2021 Holiday Gift Guide for Librarians and Book Lovers

By Lara Ewen | November 23, 2021

Gifts under $10 James Baldwin bookmark ($3.99) Save your place and make your mark with this handmade paper bookmark from KLigg Co. The two-by-six-inch design is crafted from 16-point paper and features Baldwin’s quote, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” … Continue reading 2021 Holiday Gift Guide for Librarians and Book Lovers →

2020 Holiday Gift Guide for Librarians and Book Lovers

By Lara Ewen | December 1, 2020

Gifts under $10 Checking You Out Card ($5.50) This letterpress-printed card from Power and Light Press presents the perfect opportunity to tell someone special how you feel. The 3.5-by-5-inch library card comes in a compostable manila-colored sleeve and a pool-blue envelope. Librarians Saving Your Ass Since 300 B.C.E. Patch ($6) This kick-ass … Continue reading 2020 Holiday Gift Guide for Librarians and Book Lovers →

2019 Gift Guide for Librarians and Book Lovers

2019 Holiday Gift Guide for Librarians and Book Lovers

By Lara Ewen | December 2, 2019

Gifts under $20 Great Writers Page Flags ($6.50) Lost? Let world-renowned authors help you find your place. This set of 240 page flags from Girl of All Work features illustrations of Jane Austen, Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allan Poe, and Oscar Wilde. Star Wars Princess Leia READ pouch ($12) Princess Leia—or General … Continue reading 2019 Holiday Gift Guide for Librarians and Book Lovers →

2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Librarians and Book Lovers

By Lara Ewen | November 29, 2018

Gifts Under $10 Writersblok Black Bookmark Pen ($3) This dual-purpose pen takes notes and keeps your place. The matte black exterior lies flat inside books and holds a brass ink cartridge—perfect for the moment inspiration strikes. Bloom Bookmark Set ($5) Bring some bright blooms to your bookshelf with this set of six floral bookmarks. … Continue reading 2018 Holiday Gift Guide for Librarians and Book Lovers →

2017 Holiday Gift Guide for Librarians and Book Lovers

By Alison Marcotte | December 8, 2017

Gifts Under $20 “Cool Story, Poe” Mug ($16) This 15-oz. ceramic mug features the star of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Black Cat” giving a twist on the deadpan “cool story, bro” rejoinder. Perfect for the sarcastic coffee-drinker. Novel Teas ($12.50) In addition to providing a great pun, these Sri Lankan black teas are perfect for … Continue reading 2017 Holiday Gift Guide for Librarians and Book Lovers →

2016 American Libraries Gift Guide items

2016 Holiday Gift Guide for Librarians and Book Lovers

By Alison Marcotte | December 8, 2016

Gifts Under $20 Banned Books Matchbox Set ($8) For the librarian who appreciates banned books—and has a dark sense of humor—Out of Print’s Banned Books Matchbox Set includes the regularly challenged classics Slaughterhouse-Five, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Black Beauty, Song of Solomon, and, of course, Fahrenheit 451. Each tiny matchbox has a message on the back about … Continue reading 2016 Holiday Gift Guide for Librarians and Book Lovers →

Holiday Gift Guide for Librarians and Book Lovers

By Alison Marcotte | December 3, 2015

1. Literary Candles ($11) Readers can bring their favorite books to life with Etsy artist Callie Meaney’s literary candles. Whether it be the scent of the ocean breeze at Jay Gatsby’s shoreline, the freshly laundered socks of Dobby the House Elf, or the blue spruce from the Narnia forest, From the Page soy candles bring … Continue reading Holiday Gift Guide for Librarians and Book Lovers →

Latest Library Links

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“A new Taylor Swift album is always a big event on the internet, including fans carefully reading into every line for hidden meaning—a little like close reading poetry. But while Swifties have celebrated Taylor Swift’s lyricism from the beginning, no album invites comparisons to literature quite like The Tortured Poets Department, if just for the title. Already, outlets have been putting together reading lists to pair with each song on the album. Here are just a few to get you started.”

Book Riot, Apr. 22
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Chris Hoffman writes: “When I was younger, I was told ‘never use your real name on the internet.’ But the world has changed, and I don’t follow that advice anymore. Likewise, there’s a lot of well-meaning online security advice that has outlasted its usefulness. There’s a core of truth to each one of the security practices I criticize below, but you shouldn’t blindly follow these old tips. At best, you’ll be wasting your time. At worst, you’ll be putting yourself more at risk. Read on to learn more about the five outdated security practices you shouldn’t use anymore.”

PC World, Apr. 17
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Bobbi L. Newman writes: “This week, an article from the BBC caught my attention: ‘Without support, many menopausal workers are quitting their jobs.’ Supporting employees going through menopause is important for those experiencing it and for everyone’s wellbeing. It reflects a commitment to employee wellbeing and a strategic approach to workforce management. Libraries can adopt strategies to support employees experiencing menopause, enhancing their wellbeing and workplace productivity. Remember, with all wellbeing, the goal is to support and empower staff to make the choices that best improve their health. Here are some practical approaches.”

Librarian by Day, Apr. 19; BBC, Apr. 9
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Libraries have a long history of helping to deliver on a wide variety of development goals, from literacy and school readiness to research productivity and urban cohesion. Their unique potential has been recognized not just by the governments or others that traditionally fund them, but also by a range of other funders, private and public alike. The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions has created a dataset to help librarians easily discover examples of private philanthropic grants, as well as other funding sources, that other libraries have been able to leverage.”

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, Apr. 22
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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
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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
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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.

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