The pre-Prohibition-style lager they crafted together was called 1895, a nod to the founding year of Johnson City Public Library (JCPL), located just a few blocks from the brewery’s downtown taproom. Inspired by beers of the late 19th century, it features three flavors: coffee (for its connection to books), black currant (for a vintage flare), … Continue reading Brewing Connections
Using Literature to Support Children’s Mental Health Edited by Kim Becnel and Robin A. Moeller There has been a huge increase in young people reporting symptoms of depression and anxiety in the past two decades, and this collection of essays supports librarians who want to do something to help. It prescribes selection criteria, book recommendations, and … Continue reading Championing Children and Teens
Organize a swap. Sul Ross State University Library in Alpine, Texas, hosted a clothing exchange for students, while Bring Your Own Plant is a popular, low-cost event at Lancaster (Wis.) Public Library. Facilitate food security. Charleston County (S.C.) Public Library installed community fridges stocked with fresh produce at three of its branches, while Summers County … Continue reading 27 Sustainability Ideas to Implement Right Now
That’s when Garmon, then a civic engagement specialist at Kansas City (Mo.) Public Library, first thought, “We need a space to talk about the feelings related to climate change.” Garmon researched ways patrons in her own community could share their emotions about the environment and discovered the work being done by Sami Aaron, founder of … Continue reading Climate Connection
Most people would be fired for bringing a box of bees to work. But not coauthor Taren Urquhart, West Vancouver (B.C.) Memorial Library’s (WVML) arts and special events programmer and resident insect enthusiast. Urquhart has been caring for bees in her backyard for more than 25 years and maintains a colony of Blue Orchard mason … Continue reading Generating Buzz
2013 Year that Clemson (S.C.) University’s Cooper Library introduced FitDesks to one of its study rooms. The desks are attached to stationary bikes, helping students to release endorphins and reduce stress while doing their schoolwork. Several other academic libraries across the US have since added FitDesks. 3 Number of months patrons at St. Louis County … Continue reading By the Numbers: Health and Wellness
Information for Sustainable Development: Technology, People, and Society By G. G. Chowdhury and Sudatta Chowdhury Sustainability is a worldwide endeavor, and the participation of information professionals in its achievement is front and center in this book. The authors parse out the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals and explain that the sharing of data and … Continue reading Sustainable Efforts
Inspired by the library’s popular how-to charcuterie events for adults, staffers Amanda Krumrine and Nancy Farace have hosted two teen snack-board classes to engage young patrons. In these classes, teens learn how to make the boards by laser-cutting wood in the makerspace at CCPL’s Exploration Commons location and later assembling the meats, cheeses, and other … Continue reading Crafting Charcuterie
In this bonus episode, sponsored by OverDrive, we learn more about Check Out Your Library and the campaign’s Fiction and Film Tour. American Libraries Managing Editor Terra Dankowski talks with Jen Leitman, chief marketing officer of OverDrive, about how the program is building public awareness and helping libraries fulfill their missions. For more information on … Continue reading Call Number Podcast: Check Out Your Library
Unlike traditional collaborations, codesign involves library staffers, community members, and youth working together as equals to design programs and services that meet the varying needs of young people and their families. It has emerged as a powerful strategy for making public library youth services more equitable. This approach not only fosters innovation but also strengthens … Continue reading Designing for Equity
Designed to encourage new and returning patrons to explore the amazing resources at your library, COYL is a multiyear program created to support and promote library services. With COYL, it’s never been easier to drive awareness and increase foot traffic using digital campaigns, events, social media, press and outreach, and more. We’re even hitting the … Continue reading Introducing Check Out Your Library!
Opened by comedian, author, and former Daily Show host Trevor Noah, the conference showcased themes of activism, diversity and inclusivity, and bridgebuilding. Participants celebrated successful programs and initiatives while engaging in important discussions on protecting intellectual freedom, mental and physical well-being, and other critical topics in the profession. Fighting the good fight At the United for … Continue reading 2024 Annual Wrap-Up
