sustainability in libraries Archives | American Libraries Magazine

Campus Sustainability through Information Literacy

By Raymond Pun | September 12, 2017

This column is one in a multipart American Libraries series that explores the library profession’s relationship to sustainability. When I first started working at Fresno State as the first-year student success librarian in 2015, a colleague referred my name to a team of science professors in this program. From there, I began attending weekly meetings and contributing … Continue reading Campus Sustainability through Information Literacy →

Degrowth Is Coming

By Edgardo Civallero | August 4, 2017

Generally speaking, human beings have been aware of these boundaries throughout history, if only to protect existing resources. Our lives depended on it—and still do. But societies have come to view themselves as independent of that abstract entity known as “nature” and believe that human beings can handle their environment at their convenience, using and … Continue reading Degrowth Is Coming →

Sustainability in Public Libraries

This column is one in a multipart American Libraries series that explores the library profession’s relationship to sustainability. Sustainability does not mean continuing the public library, its facilities, and its roles as they are now. It may mean retaining key elements of the library while changing many others. Or it may mean retaining the core values … Continue reading Sustainability in Public Libraries →

Triple Bottom Line Sustainability

By Gary Shaffer | June 15, 2017

This column is one in a multipart American Libraries series that explores the library profession’s relationship to sustainability. Author and entrepreneur John Elkington, often credited for introducing the concept of TBL, wrote in Cannibals with Forks: Triple Bottom Line of 21st Century Business (1999) that organizations must be economically prosperous, promote environmental quality, and be champions of … Continue reading Triple Bottom Line Sustainability →

Strengthening the Voice for Sustainability

By Kellie Sparks | May 31, 2017

This column is one in a multipart American Libraries series that explores the library profession’s relationship to sustainability. Libraries can move toward providing a fact-based voice in fighting climate change in their communities. One way to do this is by more proactively collecting and disseminating information to stakeholders involved in local sustainability efforts. A recent study … Continue reading Strengthening the Voice for Sustainability →

Sustainability on the Other Side of the Stacks

By Amy Brunvand | May 22, 2017

This column is one in a multipart American Libraries series that explores the library profession’s relationship to sustainability. Why not? I hadn’t previously thought of embedding myself in the Sustainability Office, but the idea seemed brilliant. Typically, academic libraries mirror the subject-based structure of academic departments; but one of the unique aspects of campus sustainability is … Continue reading Sustainability on the Other Side of the Stacks →

Sustainability’s Community of Practice

By Beth Filar Williams and Bonnie Smith | May 10, 2017

This column is one in a multipart American Libraries series that explores the library profession’s relationship to sustainability. This consideration of the need and role of humanity in constructing a sustainable future for all—balancing environmental, economic, and social needs while protecting vulnerable populations—is a core and urgent concern of society, and consequently of libraries. The very … Continue reading Sustainability’s Community of Practice →

Libraries and Sustainable Thinking

By Rebekkah Smith Aldrich | April 20, 2017

This is the first column in a multipart American Libraries series that explores the library profession’s relationship to sustainability. In today’s world, libraries cannot afford to be passive or neutral. We find ourselves contending with disruption on all fronts—political, social, economic, technological, and environmental. Fully participating in community life through the pursuit of our professional values … Continue reading Libraries and Sustainable Thinking →

Latest Library Links

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Nancy Coleman writes: “Public library cardholders in New York City will no longer have access to tens of thousands of movies through Kanopy as of July 1, when the New York, Brooklyn, and Queens public libraries end their partnerships with the streaming service because of the cost, the libraries said Monday. The San Francisco-based platform, which notified library cardholders by email on Monday, offers well-known feature films, like Lady Bird and Moonlight, as well as classic movies, documentaries, and foreign-language films not always available on other services.”

New York Times, June 24
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David Canfield writes: “Read With Jenna is but the latest literary recommendation operation launched by a major public figure —see everyone from Reese Witherspoon and Oprah Winfrey to Emma Watson and Sarah Jessica Parker—and, collectively, these celeb-led groups have transformed the publishing industry in a crucial moment, spotlighting distinctive titles for large fan bases amid the distractions of Netflix and social media and our ongoing political nightmare. But Hager is demonstrating an individual power not seen since Oprah’s glory days.”

Entertainment Weekly, June 24
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The American Association of School Librarians announced its 2019 Best Apps and Best Websites for Teaching and Learning at the ALA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., on June 22. The annual lists honor apps and websites that enhance learning and curriculum development for school librarians and their teacher collaborators. Recognized apps and websites foster innovation, creativity, active participation, and collaboration. They were also evaluated for their support of AASL’s “National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries.”

AL: The Scoop, June 22
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Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot vowed June 24 to find the money to establish Sunday hours at the city’s 77 branch libraries despite grappling with a budget shortfall she claims is “north of $700 million.” “We’re gonna provide more resources so that our libraries can continue to grow. So that we can expand our hours because it’s important for us to be present and visible for our residents and the libraries are really ground zero for what’s good about Chicago,” Lightfoot said after unveiling the “Summer of Learning” program at the McKinley Park branch.

Chicago Sun-Times, June 24
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Valerie Byrd Fort writes: “Now that we are in the middle of ALA Annual Conference, you might find yourself feeling a little tired. The excitement of getting here is over. You have spent at least one full day learning, meeting people, attending social events, and walking the Exhibit Hall while lugging around heavy bags of books. Today, you might start to feel conference burnout and you might be tempted to hide out in your hotel room. Don’t do it! There is still much to enjoy. But, if you find yourself feeling less than excited for another full day—here are some tips to get you through the rest of conference.”

ALSC Blog, June 23
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OverDrive Education has been selected by AASL President Kathryn Roots Lewis as a 2019 recipient of the AASL Crystal Apple. The Crystal Apple honor is given at the discretion of the AASL president to an individual or group that has had a significant impact on school libraries and students. OverDrive Education’s generous support enabled AASL to launch a two-year initiative to engage with an audience vital to the success of school librarian advocacy: school administrators.

AASL, June 21
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Marina “Marney” Welmers, retired middle school librarian, has been selected as a 2019 recipient of the Crystal Apple by AASL President Kathryn Roots Lewis. The Crystal Apple honor is given at the discretion of the AASL president to an individual or group that has had a significant impact on school libraries and students. Since 2016, Welmers has sponsored the Inspire Collection Development and Inspire Special Events Grants that provide funds for school libraries to extend, update, and diversify their collections.

AASL, June 21

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