Andrew Bomback on the Cultural Shift in Parenting

In Andrew Bomback’s illuminating new book, Long Days, Short Years: A Cultural History of Modern Parenting, the physician and writer investigates the factors that have made parenting so incredibly hard at this particular moment. The father of three candidly admits to oftentimes having felt unprepared to meet the challenges parenting placed in front of him, and set out to analyze the various stressors that have emerged for parents in the twenty-first century. The result is an enlightening, insightful, and self-effacing book that will prove useful to parents and non-parents alike. Critics have praised Long Days, Short Years, with Library Journal noting that Bomback’s “empathy and frankness shine through on each page. This book is enjoyable to read and likely to be validating for many parents of young children.” Bomback spoke with us about the origins of the books, why he chose to be so transparent in his own shortcomings as a parent, and the unexpected revelations writing the book provided.

Protected: Available Now! Public Libraries May/June and July/August Digital Issues (Password Needed)

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sign posts pointing in different directions

Just Where are We Heading?

With the overturning of Roe, it is more important than ever for libraries to protect the privacy of patrons who seek information to help them make decisions about their health. And, if recent events in public library land provide any indication, some library workers will likely do that work under the threat of criminalization.

Using Co-Design as an Approach to Better Serve and Engage Low-Income, Latinx Communities

The nation’s Latinx population is estimated at 58.9 million and is predicted to make up 28% of the U.S. population by 2060 (U.S. Census Bureau 2021). [1]. While this proportion has been increasing, institutional resources to support Latinx families have not been developed at a similar pace. For example, historically, Latinx populations are less likely […]

Uso del diseño colaborativo como método para atender mejor e involucrar a las comunidades Latinx de bajos ingresos

La población Latinx de la nación se estima en 58.9 millones de personas y se prevé que represente el 28 % de la población de EE. UU. en 2060 (Oficina del Censo de EE. UU., 2021). [1]. Si bien esta proporción ha ido aumentando, los recursos institucionales para apoyar a las familias Latinx no se han desarrollado a […]

“I Feel Like I Can Create The Rules Of The World As I’m Writing It” — K-Ming Chang On The Stories in Her Phenomenal New Collection

In Gods of Want, K-Ming Chang has assembled an assortment of sly, challenging, and consistently surprising stories that will surely earn her the same level of critical acclaim as her debut novel, Bestiary. From a young woman whose new marriage to a storm-chaser is nearly upended by the ghosts of her dead cousins to the teenage girl who becomes so entranced with a model in a cigarette ad that the ad comes to life, each of these stories inventively plays with mythology while taking the reader to unexpected places. Indeed, the exhilarating stories of Gods of Want have already captured the attention of critics. The New York Times called Gods of Want “a voracious, probing collection, proof of how exhilarating the short story can be in the hands of a writer who, as one of her narrators puts it, ‘somehow … made every word sound like want,’” and Publishers Weekly noted that “Chang’s bold conceits and potent imagery evoke a raw, visceral power that captures feelings of deep longing and puts them into words.” Chang recently spoke with us about mythology, writing characters with an expanded sense of agency, and why she held her breath in the children’s section of her library.

New FYI Podcast Episode! Directors Dialogue

From leadership and management matters to current public library hot topics to strategic planning, capital projects, collection development, program planning, and so much more, the Directors Dialogue episodes aim to share ideas, best practices, and lessons learned.

“That Little Brown Ball Saved My Life” — Ray Scott On His Compelling New Memoir and Groundbreaking Career in the NBA

Ray Scott played a formative role in the creation of the modern day NBA, not only through his years playing for and coaching the Detroit Pistons, but also for his contributions to establishing the NBA players’ union in the 1960s. Now, in his richly told memoir, The NBA in Black and White: The Memoir of a Trailblazing NBA Player and Coach, Scott gives readers and basketball fans an unprecedented look at those early years, from growing up playing against Wilt Chamberlain on the basketball courts of Philadelphia, to unexpectedly being named head coach of the Detroit Pistons in the 70s. Scott also details his role in the civil rights movement, from meeting Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X to working alongside Coretta Scott King. Scott guides readers through the intimate moments of his professional life with warmth and humor, recounting the past with integrity and compassion. Critics have praised Scott’s book, with Publishers Weekly proclaiming it “a valuable addition to hoops history.” Scott recently spoke with us about his early days on the court against Chamberlain, his unexpected path to coaching, and growing up in the library.

Public Libraries Celebrate Juneteenth

This weekend, public libraries around the country are celebrating Juneteenth and Black freedom with events, discussions, book recommendations and more.

GIS-Mapping Exchange Grant Program

The GIS-Mapping Exchange is seeking applications from public libraries, for funding ($1500-$5000) to partner with local geospatial data professionals.

Lessa Kanani'opua Pelayo-Lozada, incoming ALA President

Brave Communities – A Conversation with Lessa Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozada

Feeling like I was making an impact I aspired to do more. The idea of becoming President stuck in my mind because when I was in Emerging Leaders, my group said I was going to be ALA president someday although I’m not sure I agreed then. When I was on the Executive Board and started doing work for the Steering Committee on Organizational Effectiveness (SCOE) it was a labor of love, and a lot of work. I saw how much I cared about the Association, but it also showed me how much others cared about too

variety of fruits and vegetables on a cutting board

Free and Fresh Fridge

With several sound and successful food programs, CCPL’s next undertaking was the Free and Fresh Fridge which would house fresh fruits and vegetables in a fridge located in a discreet part of the library from which patrons could help themselves.

“Whatever Job You Give Me, I’ll Learn” — Natalie Jacobson Reflects on Her Illustrious Career in Television News

For over three decades, Natalie Jacobson was a hallmark of the Boston media landscape, anchoring the nightly news on WCVB. In her new memoir, Every Life A Story, Jacobson reflects on her trailblazing career, from her circuitous career path to the seminal stories that highlighted her time on air. With candor and wit, Jacobson guides the reader through these key moments, showing how her childhood in a close-knit Chicago neighborhood prepared her for a career where she would go toe to toe with key political figures. Jacobson also pulls back the curtain and reveals the nuts and bolts of a television reporter’s life in the seventies and eighties, whether it’s diving deep into a local news story or navigating a television career while being a parent. Throughout her illustrious career, Jacobson remained committed to keeping the focus of her story on her subject. In this book, readers gain a sense of how her reverence and admiration for her community made her such a beloved figure in New England. Jacobson spoke to us about finding the right entry point into her life story, her choice to focus on local news, and her lifetime fandom of Ted Williams.

HOW TO Manage Fiction Series

We are always there to help, but the “browsers” want to be independent, and this helps them – it’s embedded.

New Podcast Episode! Celebrate National Voter Registration Day @ Your Library

Want to learn how more public libraries in your state can participate in National Voter Registration Day? NVRD is a nonpartisan civic holiday celebrating democracy, planned for Tuesday, September 20, 2022.