Doreen Horstin, manager of San Fran­cisco Public Library’s Park branch, adds a book to the Read to Recovery shelves, which provide free addiction recovery materials to patrons.

No Questions Asked

January 2, 2025

Then, without checking out these titles, these patrons leave. They may mark up the books they take. They won’t return the materials. And, according to Doreen Horstin, manager of San Francisco Public Library’s (SFPL) Park branch, this is just fine. These patrons are participants in Read to Recovery, an SFPL program that has been providing … Continue reading No Questions Asked


Cindy Hohl, president of the American Library Association

Our Winter Count

January 2, 2025

My hope for the future is that we live in peace among all that is living. I believe in the power of the human spirit, and I offer humble observance to those who left us this past year, the many loved ones who have walked on to another journey. May their journeys be honored by … Continue reading Our Winter Count


Headshot of Emily Weak

Redefining Resilience

November 1, 2024

These concepts are deeply entrenched in librarianship, but I think we’re beginning to see how they can cause problems. The recognition of the harms of vocational awe, the notion that librarians, the library profession, and the institution of libraries as a whole is inherently good and therefore above reproach, seems to have set change in … Continue reading Redefining Resilience


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


Image of multiple drawn faces with different moods.

Working for Well-Being

June 3, 2024

Institutions continue to innovate while meeting community needs, piloting targeted tools, dedicating roles and spaces to well-being, and investing in specialty programming and services for both patrons and staff. American Libraries spoke with workers from four libraries that are pioneering mental health practices in the field. Supporting Staff Strategically Oak Park (Ill.) Library When, in … Continue reading Working for Well-Being