Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.8, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Public Libraries Online A Publication of the Public Library Association ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [How Library Science Principles Power Community AI Literacy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/07/how-library-science-principles-power-community-ai-literacy/) - AI may be transforming the information landscape, but libraries already have the tools to help communities navigate it. Jose Ruiz-Vazquez explores how core library science principles, from authority and provenance to equitable access and information literacy, provide a roadmap for building meaningful community AI literacy. Originally published in the May/June 2026 issue of Public Libraries. - [Making the Invisible Visible: Advocacy at the Heart of Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/06/28518/) - Advocacy isn't separate from library work. It's an essential part of it. Drawing on sessions from PLA 2026, this reflection explores practical approaches to advocacy, from building relationships with legislators to helping decision-makers better understand the vital, and often unseen, work public libraries do every day. - [Tag! You’re It: RFID’s Big Play in Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/07/tag-youre-it-rfids-big-play-in-public-libraries/) - Is RFID right for your library? This in-depth guide examines how RFID technology is being used in public libraries, from improving circulation and inventory control to supporting self-service and automated materials handling. Learn about implementation costs, operational benefits, industry standards, and key considerations for making an informed decision. - [Bring Laufey Book Club Library Cards to Your Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/07/bring-laufey-book-club-library-cards-to-your-library/) - Bring new patrons through your doors with a limited-edition Laufey Book Club library card! Public libraries are invited to participate in this nationwide collaboration celebrating Library Card Sign-up Month. Learn how your library can enroll by July 10. - [Creating Meaningful Connections Through Memory Cafés](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/06/creating-meaningful-connections-through-memory-cafes/) - At PLA 2026, Hannah Amherst-Kemps discovered how Memory Cafés can help libraries support people living with dementia, their caregivers, and the wider community. One standout session offered both practical tools and a powerful reminder that empathy is at the heart of meaningful programming. - [From Skeptic to Troublemaker: One Book Club Idea That Changed My Mind](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/06/from-skeptic-to-troublemaker-one-book-club-idea-that-changed-my-mind/) - Sam Bashakevitz arrived at PLA 2026 skeptical about book clubs, especially for kids. But one standout session on using middle grade literature to build allyship skills changed everything, inspiring a new vision for staff learning, reader’s advisory, and creating more inclusive library spaces. - [Renewed and Reenergized: A Rural Librarian’s PLA 2026 Experience](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/06/renewed-and-reenergized-a-rural-librarians-pla-2026-experience/) - It was a true gift to attend the recent Public Library Association Conference in Minneapolis. It had been 12 years since I last attended PLA, and I had forgotten just how exciting and energizing it can be to gather with library workers from across the country. I returned home reinvigorated, renewed, and more excited than - [Finding Connection and Community at PLA 2026](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/06/finding-connection-and-community-at-pla-2026/) - PLA 2026 offered one scholarship recipient a deeper understanding of how public libraries build trust through outreach, cultural programming, and representation. From early literacy initiatives to conversations about workforce diversity, the conference highlighted the power of libraries to create meaningful community connections. - ["I Wanted To Write Something That Felt More Like A Hug" - DeAndra Davis On Her Enchanting Coming-Of-Age Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/06/davis-4/) - Despite being smart, funny, and her class's valedictorian, Jaliya has spent much of her high school career ignored by her classmates. After graduation, her dad encourages her to leave their South Florida home to spend the summer in Jamaica with her family, who she hasn't seen in several years. Although reluctant to do so, Jaliya changes her mind after receiving an unsigned letter postmarked from Jamaica asking when she's going to return there. Convinced the letter is from her estranged mother, Jaliya devises a plan to return to Jamaica, find her mother, and figure out once and for all why she left their family long ago. Yet once she's back in Jamaica, Jaliya's life grows unexpectedly richer. She reconnects with childhood friends and finds herself caught in a love triangle between her schoolgirl crush, Andre, and an intriguing new girl, India, who has just moved to her cousin's neighborhood. DeAndra Davis's The Lovers, The Liars, And Me is a tender coming-of-age story that sensitively handles estrangement, coming out, cultural identity, and the complicated feelings that arise when you enter the adult world. - [Expanding Access Through Inclusive Collections](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/06/expanding-access-through-inclusive-collections/) - Access is about more than having materials on the shelf. Reflecting on a PLA 2026 session about adaptive books and disability inclusion, one librarian explores how libraries can create collections that support meaningful access for readers of all abilities. - [Connections, Ideas, and a Little Hope: Reflections from PLA 2026](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/06/connections-ideas-and-a-little-hope-reflections-from-pla-2026/) - From internal communications and employee development to legislative advocacy, PLA 2026 provided one librarian with practical ideas, new professional connections, and renewed optimism about the future of libraries. - [What I Wrote in the Margins of My Notebook: Reflections from PLA 2026](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/06/what-i-wrote-in-the-margins-of-my-notebook-reflections-from-pla-2026/) - The most valuable conference takeaways aren't always the ones neatly captured in presentation slides. Reflecting on PLA 2026, one librarian shares the ideas, questions, and moments that reshaped her thinking about staff communication, leadership, and services for older adults. - [Information Strategies for Libraries in the Age of AI](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/06/information-strategies-for-libraries-in-the-age-of-ai/) - How can libraries help patrons navigate a world shaped by AI, algorithms, and misinformation? A PLA 2026 conference session explored practical strategies for evaluating information, combating misleading content, and strengthening libraries' role as trusted community resources. - [Building More Inclusive Libraries for Patrons with Disabilities](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/06/building-more-inclusive-libraries-for-patrons-with-disabilities/) - What does meaningful accessibility look like in practice? At PLA 2026, librarians shared innovative approaches to creating adapted collections, developing programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and building libraries that are more inclusive for patrons of all abilities. - [Learning Across Generations at PLA 2026](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/learning-across-generations-at-pla-2026/) - From AI-powered book clubs for older adults to teen workforce development programs and culinary literacy inspired by Indigenous food traditions, PLA 2026 offered one small-library director practical ideas for strengthening community learning and engagement. The conference highlighted how libraries of all sizes can create innovative programs that connect technology, literacy, culture, and lifelong learning - [One Year Later: The Digital Equity Act Cancellation and Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/06/one-year-later-the-digital-equity-act-cancellation-and-libraries/) - A year after the cancellation of the Digital Equity Act, libraries are still grappling with the loss of funding intended to expand broadband access, digital skills training, and technology support. ALA continues to advocate for policies and funding that ensure all communities can fully participate in today's digital world. - [Rennie McDougall On How Social And Historical Forces Molded Twentieth Century Dance](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/mcdougall/) - Rennie McDougall's Nonstop Bodies: How Dance Shaped New York City gives readers a thrilling new perspective on twentieth century New York City by investigating the different choreographers, dancers, and dance movements that flourished there during that time. McDougall guides the reader through various dance movements, from the marathon dances of the Prohibition era to the Lindy Hop to the Rockettes and beyond. All the while, he catalogues the dense web of lineages that developed among specific dances and artists, allowing readers to see relationships among disparate dance forms that might not be immediately apparent. McDougall also dives into how social and historical forces directly molded the evolving dance forms, and the unique position New York City held to create countless connections between dancers and choreographers not only in the moment, but across time as well. - [Leading Public Library Groups Call for E-book Action](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/leading-public-library-groups-call-for-e-book-action/) - ULC, PLA, CULC/CBUC, COSLA, ARSL, seek sustainable pricing for digital access for all readers As community demand continues to ramp up, organizations representing the vast majority of North American public libraries today released a joint statement calling for change in licensing for digital content. The explosion in usage is straining public library budgets and dragging - [Trust, Verification, and the Role of Libraries in the Age of AI](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/trust-verification-and-the-role-of-libraries-in-the-age-of-ai/) - At PLA 2026, a session on AI, algorithms, and misinformation explored how libraries can respond to an increasingly complex information landscape. Reflecting on practical examples and real-world patron interactions, one scholarship recipient examines the growing importance of information verification, media literacy, and the library’s role as a trusted source in the age of AI. - [Reflections on Accessibility, Teen Services, and Lifelong Learning](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/reflections-on-accessibility-teen-services-and-lifelong-learning/) - Inspired by Bryan Stevenson’s message about “the power of proximity,” one first-time PLA attendee reflects on sessions focused on accessibility, inclusive collections, and innovative teen services. From adapted books for patrons with disabilities to youth internship programs addressing community needs, PLA 2026 highlighted how libraries can create meaningful change through learning, empathy, and action - [Rethinking Teen Services in Rural Communities](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/rethinking-teen-services-in-rural-communities/) - At PLA 2026, a session on rural teen services offered practical and encouraging ideas for librarians working with teens in small or underserved communities. From building community partnerships and creating “teen asset maps” to rethinking what success looks like in teen librarianship, the session highlighted the importance of flexibility, authenticity, and meeting teens where they are. - [Building Allyship Through Middle Grade Literature](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/building-allyship-through-middle-grade-literature/) - At PLA 2026, a session on Good Books, Young Troublemakers explored how libraries can help tweens and teens practice allyship through literature, discussion, and roleplay. Reflecting on the session, one aspiring teen librarian shares how social justice programming can empower young people to build empathy, develop practical skills, and believe in their ability to create change - [Finding Confidence and Community at PLA 2026](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/finding-confidence-and-community-at-pla-2026/) - At PLA 2026, one library worker found inspiration and affirmation through conversations about representation, authenticity, and community in public librarianship. Reflecting on sessions about Black librarianship and connections made with Urban Librarians Unite, this scholarship recipient shares how the conference strengthened their confidence and sense of belonging as a future librarian serving Chicago’s Little Village community - [Filling a Notebook with Ideas at PLA 2026](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/filling-a-notebook-with-ideas-at-pla-2026/) - From LGBTQ+ programming ideas to learning ukulele chords for storytime and exploring innovative literacy kits, PLA 2026 provided one first-time attendee with pages of inspiration to bring back to their library. The conference offered opportunities to learn from librarians across the country while building new professional connections and discovering practical ideas for supporting literacy and inclusion. - [Finding Humanity in Minneapolis-Reflections from the PLA 2026 Opening Session](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/finding-humanity-in-minneapolis-reflections-from-the-pla-2026-opening-session/) - Bryan Stevenson’s keynote at the PLA 2026 Opening Session challenged attendees to think deeply about justice, proximity, hope, and the stories society tells about marginalized communities. Inspired by both Stevenson’s remarks and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s welcoming message, one conference attendee found that some of the most meaningful lessons of the week came not only from the sessions themselves, but from everyday moments of kindness and connection experienced throughout the city. - [“I Don't Know If I Was Always Patient, But I Did Persevere” – E. Davis Enloe On His Gripping Debut Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/enloe/) - E. Davis Enloe’s debut novel Into the Night Woods plunges readers into the life of an irrepressible twelve-year-old in one memorable summer in 1961 North Carolina. Sixth grader Boyd’s healthy sense of mischief leads him to fantastic adventures, yet also frequently pushes him into conflict with the adults in his life. When he lands in a fistfight on the last day of school, his mother sends him to his grandfather’s farm for the summer as punishment. Yet Boyd doesn’t allow this change to upset his and his friend Roger’s summer plans: to explore the nearby woods and find the cave that has achieved mythic status in their minds. Meanwhile, Roger’s increasingly abusive father forces Boyd to acknowledge the limits of care his close-knit community can provide. A deeply moving coming of age story as well as a propulsive adventure, Into the Night Woods celebrates friendship, the deep bonds of family, and one boy’s steadfast pursuit of justice for his friend. Enloe spoke to us about drawing inspiration for his characters from family members, creating such a specific setting for his novel, and the role of perseverance in his writing career. - [Practical Strategies for Helping Youth Develop Empathy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/practical-strategies-for-helping-youth-develop-empathy/) - Using middle grade books as a starting point, libraries can help youth build empathy, practice allyship, and gain confidence in speaking up against bullying and bigotry. - [From Empathy to Action: Building Allyship Through Middle Grade Books](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/28406/) - Moving beyond empathy to action, this approach uses middle grade books to help young readers practice allyship, challenge bias, and speak up in real-world situations. - [Leading with Intention: Building a Values-Based Culture in Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/leading-with-intention-building-a-values-based-culture-in-public-libraries/) - From navigating staff challenges to shaping workplace culture, PLA 2026 sessions highlighted how intentional, values-based leadership can transform library environments. - [Building Joy in Libraries: Small Practices, Big Impact](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/building-joy-in-libraries-small-practices-big-impact/) - From small “seeds of joy” to meaningful connections, PLA 2026 highlighted how intentional practices can build stronger, more resilient library staff and communities. - [Rethinking Reach: Strategies for Teen Services and Summer Reading in Rural Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/rethinking-reach-strategies-for-teen-services-and-summer-reading-in-rural-libraries/) - From teen outreach to summer reading, rural libraries are finding creative ways to build connections, measure impact, and expand services beyond traditional spaces. - [Inclusive Libraries Without Big Budgets](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/inclusive-libraries-without-big-budgets/) - Discover how inclusive collections and sensory “pop-up” experiences can be created with little to no budget, expanding access and engagement for patrons with disabilities. - [Boundary Building with Patrons: Key Takeaways from PLA 2026](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/boundary-building-with-patrons-key-takeaways-from-pla-2026/) - Boundaries are not barriers. Learn how clear expectations, staff comfort levels, and practical strategies can help public libraries support both patrons and staff more effectively. - [What Makes a Library, and How Does It Feel?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/what-makes-a-library-and-how-does-it-feel/) - Building a library is not just about space or materials. It is about creating moments of connection, joy, and meaning that resonate across cultures and communitie - [Reimagining Outreach: Partnerships as Infrastructure](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/reimagining-outreach-partnerships-as-infrastructure/) - From disaster response to community-wide service models, one library’s approach shows how partnerships can expand access, strengthen resilience, and redefine outreach. - [Adaptive Books: Expanding Access Through Hands-On Design](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/adaptive-books-expanding-access-through-hands-on-design/) - Transforming picture books with sensory elements and durable materials can make reading more accessible, offering new ways for patrons with disabilities to engage with stories. - [Aging Together: Rethinking Programming for Older Adults](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/aging-together-rethinking-programming-for-older-adults/) - Consistent, practical, and accessible programs can make a meaningful difference for older adults, especially when libraries prioritize connection and real-life learning. - [Strategic Planning, Simplified](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/strategic-planning-simplified/) - Effective strategic planning starts with listening. Small, intentional steps can help libraries of any size align services with community needs. - [Relationships Are Not Optional: Advocacy at PLA 2026](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/relationships-are-not-optional-advocacy-at-pla-2026/) - PLA advocacy sessions emphasized relationship-building, shared messaging, and the power of collective action in defending libraries. - [Libraries, Empathy, and Second Chances](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/libraries-empathy-and-second-chances/) - PLA sessions on justice-impacted populations highlight how libraries can support reentry, build skills, and lead with empathy. - [Making Space for Teens Starts with Showing Up](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/making-space-for-teens-starts-with-showing-up/) - A PLA session on teen services highlights simple, meaningful ways libraries can create space, build connection, and welcome teens back in. - [Reflections on PLA 2026: Navigating the “Highway to Hell” and Building “One Library”](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/reflections-on-pla-2026-navigating-the-highway-to-hell-and-building-one-library/) - Reflections on two standout PLA sessions exploring leadership challenges, workplace culture, and the power of strong internal communication. - [Memory Cafés in Libraries: Creating Meaningful Connections](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/memory-cafes-in-libraries-creating-meaningful-connections/) - A PLA session highlights how memory cafés can support people living with dementia and their caregivers through welcoming, community-centered programming. - [Lessons in Leadership at PLA 2026](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/lessons-in-leadership-at-pla-2026/) - A PLA session on leadership challenged the idea that good intentions are always enough, highlighting the importance of boundaries, consistency, and accountability. - [From Kimchi to Community: Cultural Connection at PLA 2026](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/from-kimchi-to-community-cultural-connection-at-pla-2026/) - From Hanbok Day to kimchi-making, this PLA session showcased how libraries bring cultural traditions to life. - [From PLA to Practice: What I’m Bringing Back](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/05/from-pla-to-practice-what-im-bringing-back/) - A first PLA, a full notebook, and ideas ready for action. - [What Gen Z Wants from Libraries: Takeaways from PLA 2026](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/04/what-gen-z-wants-from-libraries-takeaways-from-pla-2026/) - What draws Gen Z to libraries and what keeps them away? Insights from PLA 2026 highlight key trends, challenges, and opportunities for engagement. - [Finding Community and Purpose at PLA 2026](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/04/finding-community-and-purpose-at-pla-2026/) - PLA 2026 delivered new ideas, meaningful connections, and practical strategies for community engagement, outreach, and early literacy. - [From Displays to DIY: Practical Inspiration from the How-To Stage at PLA 2026](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/04/from-displays-to-diy-practical-inspiration-from-the-how-to-stage-at-pla-2026/) - Hands-on sessions at the How-To Stage offered practical, creative strategies for engaging adult readers, from interactive book displays to accessible craft programming designed for all skill levels. - [PLA 2026: Day One Reflections on Justice, Libraries, and Purpose](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/04/fuel-for-the-journey-day-one-at-pla-2026/) - Even after returning to a regular routine, it still feels surreal to have received a scholarship to attend the Public Library Association’s 2026 conference--and to have been there in person. Hosted in Minneapolis, Minnesota, PLA 2026 was inspiring, energizing, and filled with a sense of purpose. While there is far more to say than space - [April Is National Arab American Heritage Month](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/04/april-is-national-arab-american-heritage-month/) - As April gets underway, libraries have an opportunity to recognize National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM), celebrating the vibrant culture, history, and contributions of people in the United States with roots in the Arab world. This observance highlights the long-standing presence of Arab American communities and honors their impact across generations. Libraries are uniquely positioned - [Genius Is Not Reserved For An Elite Few – Nelson Dellis On His Fascinating New Book](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/03/dellis/) - To the layperson, Nelson Dellis’s accomplishments seem unachievable. A six-time USA Memory Champion, Dellis’s feats of memorization seem otherworldly. In Everyday Genius, Dellis shares his process with readers and delves into the techniques he uses to hone his memory. Yet Dellis doesn’t limit his scope to memory, but re-examines our concept of genius by introducing concrete skills readers can use to hone their focus, amplify their creativity, and boost mental cognition. Throughout the book, Dellis profiles different geniuses, drawing parallels with their work to the various skills he focuses on in each chapter. Dellis spoke with us about his introduction to the world of memory competitions, common misconceptions people have about memory work, and the role mental cognition plays in an increasingly technological world. - [Katie Bernet On Her Twisty Reimagining Of Little Women](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/02/bernet/) - Using Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women as a springboard, Katie Bernet’s dark and twisty Beth Is Dead transports the complicated lives of the beloved March sisters to modern times, where Jo, Amy, and Meg are reeling after the shocking death of their beloved Beth. When Jo suspects her sister was a victim of homicide, she dives into solving the murder. As Jo uncovers more clues, her investigation forces the sisters to reckon with secrets they’ve been withholding from each other that not only brand each one a likely suspect but could also destroy the family. Jumping adroitly from the days leading up to Beth’s murder to its devastating aftermath, Beth Is Dead honors the complexities of Alcott’s characters while exploring how they would thrive— and struggle—in modern times. \ Bernet spoke with us about her love of mysteries, the dark side of Alcott’s famous characters, and letting Beth have a voice in the novel. - [Making Space After School: How Lansing (IL) Public Library Serves Tweens and Teens](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/02/making-space-after-school-how-lansing-il-public-library-serves-tweens-and-teens/) - Where do tweens and teens go after school? For many public libraries, that question arrives with a mix of opportunity and apprehension. Youth bring energy, curiosity, and community. They also bring backpacks, noise, friend groups, and the full intensity of adolescence. For years, some libraries have hesitated to fully embrace tween and teen services out - [Making Library Leadership Visible - A Conversation with PLA President Dr. Brandy McNeil](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/01/making-library-leadership-visible-a-conversation-with-pla-president-dr-brandy-mcneil/) - PLA President Brandy McNeil discusses leadership, adult learning, AI, and why making library work visible matters now more than ever. - [PLA 2026 Local Spotlight | DreamHaven Books](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/02/pla-2026-local-spotlight-dreamhaven-books/) - DreamHaven Books2301 E. 38th St., Minneapolis, MNNeighborhood: PowderhornTransit: Approximately 4.1 miles from the Minneapolis Convention Center. Accessible via the Blue Line light rail and multiple bus routes; about a 9-minute walk from the nearest light rail stop. Since 1977, DreamHaven Books has specialized in new and used science fiction, fantasy, horror, film, and media titles, - [PLA 2026 Local Spotlight | Tropes & Trifles](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/01/pla-2026-local-spotlight-tropes-trifles/) - Tropes & Trifles is a romance bookstore rooted in community, known for its welcoming atmosphere, thoughtful staff recommendations, and a busy calendar of book clubs and events. Located in Minneapolis’s Powderhorn neighborhood, the shop offers everything from beloved romance subgenres to “not quite romance,” along with gifts, signed books, and Minnesota-connected reads--making it a welcoming stop for conferencegoers looking to explore Minneapolis beyond the Convention Center. - [A Message from the Public Library Association Board Regarding Federal Immigration Enforcement in Minneapolis and the PLA 2026 Conference](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/01/a-message-from-the-public-library-association-board-regarding-federal-immigration-enforcement-in-minneapolis-and-the-pla-2026-conference/) - The Public Library Association Board of Directors shares an update on PLA 2026 in Minneapolis, addressing recent events, public safety considerations, and ways the library community can show up in support and solidarity. - [January/February 2026 Issue of Public Libraries Now Available](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/01/january-february-2026-issue-of-public-libraries-now-available/) - This issue focuses on civic literacy and explores how public libraries are supporting informed, engaged communities at a time when access to reliable information and opportunities for civic participation are more important than ever. - [Fátima Vélez On The Origins Of Her Transportive New Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/01/fatima-velez-on-the-origins-of-her-transportive-new-novel/) - In Fátima Vélez's gorgeous debut novel, Lorenzo is a brilliant painter who has temporarily stopped painting in favor of more quotidian pastimes. He lolls about in his partner’s bed, watching French films and corresponding with old lovers. His idyllic lifestyle comes to a halt, however, when one day his fingernail falls out of his nail bed. When more fingernails follow suit, Lorenzo decides to hit the road. He embarks on a journey that will take him to the streets of Paris, a farm in the French countryside, and ultimately a ship bound for the Galapagos Islands. On the ship with friends and lovers, many of whom are also succumbing to the same unnamed illness, Lorenzo attacks life ferociously, reveling in stories from the past and incredible food and drink. Based in part on the life of artist Lorenzo Jaramillo, Galapagos is a vibrant exploration of creativity, sexuality, friendship, mortality. In its starred review, Publishers Weekly wrote, “Vélez stuns with her corporeal descriptions and baroque literary allusions. This is a knockout.” - [Creating Space for Parents: A Family-Centered Book Club at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/01/creating-space-for-parents-a-family-centered-book-club-at-the-library/) - At Crown Point Community Library in Northwestern Indiana, a new parent book club shows how thoughtful partnerships can expand access to adult programming. By collaborating with the local Rotary Club and providing on-site childcare, the library created a program that supports caregivers while strengthening community connections. - [Early Bird Registration Extended Through January 26 for PLA 2026](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/01/early-bird-registration-extended-through-january-26-for-pla-2026/) - The early bird registration deadline for PLA 2026 has been extended to January 26 to support library workers navigating travel and professional development approval timelines. With more than 100 educational sessions, inspiring speakers, and opportunities to connect with peers, PLA 2026 is a conference you won’t want to miss. - [Major National Study Examines the Condition of Public Library Buildings](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/01/major-national-study-examines-the-condition-of-public-library-buildings/) - A new GAO report provides the first comprehensive national data in decades on public library facilities, revealing widespread deferred maintenance, aging buildings, and accessibility challenges. The findings underscore the growing need for investment to ensure libraries remain safe, accessible, and responsive community spaces. - [Jessica Gross On The Fascinatingly Bizarre World Of Her New Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/12/gross/) - In Jessica Gross’ darkly comic horror novel Open Wide, a radio journalist perplexed by human behavior discovers exactly how close she can get to her new boyfriend. Olive is incredibly bright and funny, but she’s always struggled with maintaining romantic relationships. She’s resorted to secretly recording her conversations, poring over each interaction to analyze what social cues she’s missing and hopefully uncover the root of her relationship problems. When she meets Theo, a charming brain surgeon with a unique interest in human organs, it appears that she’s finally met someone who will embrace her for exactly who she is, idiosyncrasies and all. Despite finding someone she can truly be emotionally intimate with, Olive obsesses over the idea of getting even closer to her new boyfriend. Specifically, Olive grows fascinated by the gap between Theo’s teeth, and the alarming possibility that it’s perhaps big enough for someone to slip in between and burrow inside his body. Critics have heaped praise on Gross’ extraordinary novel. - [Learning at Every Pace: Explore PLA 2026 Program Formats](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/12/learning-at-every-pace-explore-pla-2026-program-formats/) - From quick Hot Takes to immersive Deep Dives, PLA 2026 lets you choose how you learn. With session formats ranging from minutes to hours, it’s easy to design a conference experience that works for you. - [A Look at PLA 2026: Deadlines, New Opportunities, and What’s Ahead in Minneapolis](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/12/a-look-at-pla-2026-deadlines-new-opportunities-and-whats-ahead-in-minneapolis/) - The PLA Conference returns in 2026, bringing thousands of public library workers together for several days of learning, inspiration, and community. Every PLA Conference builds on the strengths of the last, and Minneapolis will host a vibrant, idea-rich gathering that blends peer-driven programming, fresh perspectives, and a dynamic exhibits floor. With new opportunities launching and - [The 2026 Early Literacy Calendar Is Here!](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/12/the-2026-early-literacy-calendar-is-here/) - Designed specifically for public libraries and the families they serve, this colorful, engaging resource offers a full year of simple, ready-to-use activities that build early literacy skills. - [Refresh Your Library on a Budget](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/12/refresh-your-library-on-a-budget/) - Public libraries built decades ago weren’t designed for the way people use them in 2025. Today’s customers expect bright, flexible spaces with comfortable seating, good lighting, strong technology access, and places for everything from telehealth calls to quiet study. While full renovations can take years and millions of dollars, there are plenty of low-cost updates that can make an immediate impact. From rethinking lighting and furniture to refreshing paint and outdoor areas, these practical ideas can help any library modernize its space and show the community that their tax dollars are being used thoughtfully and creatively. - [The November/December Issue of Public Libraries Is Now Available: A Deep Dive into Strategic Planning](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/11/the-november-december-issue-of-public-libraries-is-now-available-a-deep-dive-into-strategic-planning/) - Strategic planning touches every corner of library work, from services to staffing to facilities to technology, and the articles in this issue offer thoughtful perspectives and actionable tools to support that process. Whether you are leading a full planning effort or contributing to one, this issue provides ideas, examples, and approaches to help guide your next steps. - [Expanding Possibilities: Public Libraries and Adult Learning White Paper](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/11/expanding-possibilities-public-libraries-and-adult-learning-white-paper/) - Discover how libraries are expanding opportunities for adult learners. Expanding Possibilities: Public Libraries and Adult Learning—developed by the Public Library Association (PLA) and sponsored by Gale, part of Cengage Group—shares insights from a national study of public libraries across the U.S. The white paper highlights key trends, challenges, and real-world examples of how libraries are - [Court Permanently Blocks Trump’s Executive Order to Dismantle Federal Agency for America’s Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/11/court-permanently-blocks-trumps-executive-order-to-dismantle-federal-agency-for-americas-libraries/) - Today’s court ruling found that those actions were arbitrary and capricious and contrary to federal law that established IMLS and directed it to carry out programs, including funding for libraries and museums across the nation. The ruling nullifies the Administration’s actions to dismantle IMLS and permanently prohibits the Administration from taking such actions in the future. The ruling has immediate nationwide effect. - [New Podcast Episode! Navigating Difficult Situations in Public Libraries with Dr. Margaret Ann Paauw](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/11/new-podcast-episode-navigating-difficult-situations-in-public-libraries-with-dr-margaret-ann-paauw/) - In this episode, Dr. Margaret Ann Paauw shares insights from her new book, "Navigating Difficult Situations in Public Libraries," which offers straightforward de-escalation and crisis navigation tools that any library worker can use. - [“Everybody Has A Language Story” – Martha Barnette On Her Wide-Ranging New Memoir](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/08/barnette/) - For over two decades, Martha Barnette has co-hosted A Way with Words, the popular radio show and podcast dubbed the "Car Talk for Lexiphiles" by The New Yorker. With her winning new memoir, Friends With Words: Adventures in Languageland, Barnette serves as a charismatic tour guide through the unusual (and entertaining) path her life took to arriving behind the mic stand. Yet whether it’s almost flunking introductory Greek in college to playing in a band under the stage name Patty O. Veranda, Barnette’s reverence and curiosity about language remain foundational to her journey. Barnette also takes the reader on a remarkably enjoyable linguistic road trip through the United States, diving deep into regionalisms and showing the intricate connections forged by language throughout the country. Critics have heaped praise on A Way with Words, with the Saturday Evening Post writing, "This book belongs on the shelf of every word lover." Barnette spoke to us about weaving her own story into the book, letting go of grammatical pet peeves, and stopping dinnertime conversations cold with language ephemera - [David Levithan and Jens Lekman On Love Songs And Being Trapped Inside A Wedding Cake](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/08/levithanlekman/) - David Levithan and acclaimed singer-songwriter Jens Lekman have teamed up to write an intoxicating comedy about a lovelorn wedding singer, loosely based on Lekman’s own experiences as a part-time wedding singer. With Songs For Other People’s Weddings, Levithan and Lekman have crafted a deeply tender comedy about love, the many ways relationships evolve, and the intricacies of the creative process. The duo spoke to us about working together to create one of the summer’s most eagerly awaited books. - [Jesse James Rose On Exploring The Complicated Process Of Healing In Her Memoir](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/10/rose/) - Jesse James Rose’s heartfelt and exuberant memoir, Sorry I Keep Crying During Sex, shifts seamlessly between the eras in her life before and after a sexual assault. Before the assault: she’s blissfully in love with her new boyfriend, exploring her gender identity, and enjoying a thriving acting career in New York. After the assault, she’s heartbroken over her relationship’s demise and has moved in with her grandparents to care for her grandfather, who has Alzheimer’s. Rose boldly tells her story through a variety of formats: lists, theatrical scenes, DMs, and text exchanges, deftly playing with form as she investigates different areas of her life. Through it all, Rose, a noted transgender actor and activist, employs her storytelling skills to immense effect, writing movingly about trauma, relationships, and what true restorative justice could look like. Critics have heaped praise on the book, with Rolling Stone writing, “the cheeky title only begins to scratch the surface of the humorous and frank self-awareness that jumps out on every page of this non-fiction tell-all,” and Kirkus Reviews calling it “an intimate, emotionally honest patchwork quilt of trauma, compassion, desire, and identity.” Rose spoke with us about the process of inviting readers into her brain and the evolving process of healing. - [Laser Cutter Safety in Library Makerspaces](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/11/laser-cutter-safety-in-library-makerspaces/) - Fourteen years after the first modern library makerspace opened at the Fayetteville Free Library, makerspaces have become a staple in libraries across the country. These creative hubs empower patrons to design, build, and explore using equipment like 3D printers, vinyl cutters, and laser engravers. But as libraries embrace innovation, one critical element can’t be overlooked—safety. In particular, proper safety procedures for laser cutters are essential to ensuring that creativity and community engagement thrive without risk. - [FYI Podcast: Résumé Writing with Alison King](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/06/fyi-podcast-resume-writing-with-alison-king/) - Job searching can be intimidating—especially when it comes to writing a strong résumé. In this episode of FYI: The Public Libraries Podcast, we talk with Alison King of King Career Services, who shares practical advice for library workers looking to stand out in a competitive job market. Alison’s tips, featured in the January/February 2025 issue of Public Libraries magazine, cover common pitfalls, what hiring managers really want to see, and how to position yourself for success. - [Books Unbanned: From Local Action to National Movement](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/11/books-unbanned-from-local-action-to-national-movement/) - As book challenges increased across the U.S., Brooklyn Public Library responded with Books Unbanned, an initiative offering free digital library cards to young people everywhere and standing up for open access to ideas. - [Spectrum and Wi-Fi: The Airwaves that Power Your Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/10/spectrum-and-wi-fi-the-airwaves-that-power-your-library/) - Policies that maintain and expand unlicensed spectrum help libraries provide reliable Wi-Fi and essential services. For this reason, the American Library Association – directly and in coalition with Wi-Fi Allies in the WiFiForward coalition and others – advocates for spectrum policies designed to protect and expand unlicensed spectrum access. - [Want to Learn AI? Ask it!](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/10/want-to-learn-ai-ask-it/) - As librarians, we’ve always learned by doing, often just a step ahead of those we serve. AI is no different. By experimenting, asking questions, and curating our own learning journeys, we can model the very curiosity and adaptability that libraries stand for. - [Ask Dr. Paauw: De-Escalation in Public Libraries — Send Us Your Questions](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/10/ask-dr-paauw-de-escalation-in-public-libraries-send-us-your-questions/) - FYI: The Public Libraries Podcast will feature Dr. Margaret Ann Paauw, author of "Navigating Difficult Situations in Public Libraries," on an upcoming episode. Submit your questions on trauma-informed de-escalation for a chance to have your question answered, and win a free copy of the book. - [Public Libraries Magazine — 2026 Call for Submissions](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/09/public-libraries-magazine-2026-call-for-submissions/) - Public Libraries Magazine is now accepting submissions for the 2026 editorial calendar. Each issue will focus on a key theme, including civic literacy, AI in libraries, equity, community partnerships, and innovation on a budget. We welcome feature articles (2,500–3,000 words), and shorter pieces (~1,200 words) for our On My Mind and The Wired Library columns. See the full calendar and submission guidelines below. Queries and submissions may be sent to Kathleen Hughes at khughes@ala.org - [What the 2025 Government Shutdown Means for Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/10/what-the-2025-government-shutdown-means-for-libraries/) - From funding delays to disruptions in critical services, the impact could be significant. - [So You’ve Earned Your MLIS: Now What? Advice and Reflections for New Library Professionals](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/09/so-youve-earned-your-mlis-now-what-advice-and-reflections-for-new-library-professionals/) - Landing your first post-MLIS job is an exciting milestone, but it also comes with complexity. By approaching the process with curiosity, honesty, and preparation, you can find a role that aligns with your goals and values. - [ALA Partners with Welcoming America to Celebrate Welcoming Week 2025](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/09/ala-partners-with-welcoming-america-to-celebrate-welcoming-week-2025/) - This Welcoming Week, ALA invites libraries of all types and sizes to take part in celebrating the vital role they play in creating inclusive communities. - [Inclusive by Design: Pride Programming in 2025](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/07/inclusive-by-design-pride-programming-in-2025/) - Even after June, the spirit of Pride continues in public libraries. Whether it’s through year-round displays, inclusive programs, or community partnerships, library-hosted Pride initiatives remain creative, welcoming, and essential to fostering inclusion, joy, and connection. - [An Oklahoma Public Library Makes its Case (and a Cup)](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/08/oklahoma-public-library-tom-cole-2025/) - “This is definitely not my father’s library!” said impressed Oklahoma Representative Tom Cole (OK-04) as he watched a video about one of the Pioneer Library System’s (PLS) most successful adult education programs. That’s certainly true of most public libraries across the country, whose customers now need and find vastly different services than they did even - [Library Workers are the Magic: Developing Leadership Potential at Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/07/library-workers-are-the-magic-developing-leadership-potential-at-public-libraries/) - Public libraries are places where everyone is invited to access information, exercise their imagination, and improve their skills. That’s why it’s so important that public library workers are also given opportunities to develop their own skills—so they can better help patrons do the same. It makes sense, then, that one of the Public Library Association’s - [Nonprofits Do Entrepreneurship Too!](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/07/nonprofits-do-entrepreneurship-too/) - Nonprofits are startups too. Libraries are helping mission-driven founders turn ideas into impact, with research tools and strategic support tailored to the unique challenges of nonprofit entrepreneurship. - [Lisa Cooper And Bremond Berry MacDougall On Influencing The Literary Canon With Quite Literally Books](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/07/quiteliterally/) - Lifelong friends Lisa Cooper and Bremond Berry MacDougall turned their shared passion of reading into Quite Literally Books, a publishing company designed to draw attention to critical works by authors who have not enjoyed the lasting critical attention they deserve. Their first three books—Plum Bun by Jessie Redmon Fauset, The Home-Maker by Dorothy Canfield Fisher, and The Pink House by Nelia Gardner White—are all terrifically engaging novels primed to be rediscovered by readers. With the reissuance of these books, Cooper and MacDougall hope to spark a conversation among readers about who gets included in the literary canon and who gets left out. We spoke to MacDougall and Cooper about how their company came about, plans for future books for the company, and how reading gives people permission to talk about difficult topics. - ["Every Bit Of Art Is Local Some Place": Helen Sheehy On Her Enthralling Family Saga](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/06/sheehy/) - Helen Sheehy is perhaps best known for her biographies of acclaimed theater-makers such as Eve Le Gallienne and Eleonora Duse. With Just Willa, Sheehy turns her considerable skills as a biographer to fiction, detailing the life of Willa Hardesty, a young woman born to a homesteader in Kansas during World War I. Sheehy tracks Willa’s extraordinary life as she moves from being a precocious schoolgirl to an unexpected single mother to wife of a tenant farmer and bootlegger. Willa’s life touches many of the significant events of the twentieth century, and Sheehy immerses the reader into the day-to-day life of an ordinary woman who navigates events as formidable as the Dust Bowl and the Polio epidemic. The result is a gripping family saga centered on an unforgettable character who Sheehy captures with humor and a bracing lack of sentimentality. Sheehy spoke to us about the long journey Willa’s story took to the page, the real-life inspiration for the fictional Willa, and how Sheehy’s background in theater helped bring her characters to life. - [Work It Out @ Your Library!](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/06/work-it-out-your-library/) - Work It Out @ Your Library is designed to leverage the unique role that libraries play in families’ lives to bring Computational Thinking learning to as many children as possible. - [FYI Podcast Episode: Be MediaWise with Heath Umbreit](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/03/fyi-podcast-episode-be-mediawise-with-heath-umbreit/) - Learn how libraries are fighting misinformation with the Be MediaWise toolkit—featuring insights from librarian Heath Umbreit! - [FYI Podcast Episode - Exploring Acoustic Rooster with PBS Kids](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/04/fyi-podcast-episode-exploring-acoustic-rooster-with-pbs-kids/) - In this episode of FYI: The Public Libraries Podcast, host Kathleen Hughes speaks with Julius Harper, Emmy-nominated executive producer, and Nicole Velez, senior producer at GBH KIDS, about Acoustic Rooster—a joyful new PBS KIDS series based on the beloved book by Newbery Medalist Kwame Alexander. Learn how the series introduces young viewers to the world - [FYI Podcast Episode - Navigating Legal Reference at the Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/05/fyi-podcast-episode-navigating-legal-reference-at-the-public-library/) - How can librarians provide useful guidance without crossing into legal advice? What resources are available to support pro se litigants? In this episode, we're joined by Anthony Aycock, Legislative Librarian at the North Carolina General Assembly, to explore these challenges and solutions. - [What Does the Termination of the Digital Equity Act Grant Programs Mean for Libraries?  ](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/06/what-does-the-termination-of-the-digital-equity-act-grant-programs-mean-for-libraries/) - We know that the need for reliable internet access, digital skills training, and wi-fi-enabled technology persists. The DEA programs would have brought capacity-building resources to communities all over the United States; these devastating cancellations will hinder our progress toward closing the digital divide and ensuring that all Americans can thrive. - [Help Shape the Future of Adult Education in Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/06/help-shape-the-future-of-adult-education-in-public-libraries/) - This brief but impactful survey will help us better understand the scope, outcomes, and evolving needs of adult education services in public libraries—and we need your voice! - [Supporting LGBTQIA+ Health and Well-being: Reliable Resources](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/06/supporting-lgbtqia-health-and-well-being-reliable-resources/) - Providing these resources in your library isn’t just about information access—it’s about affirming identities, protecting rights, and saving lives. As stewards of community knowledge and equity, libraries have a vital role to play in bridging the information gap for LGBTQIA+ individuals. Especially when trusted sources are disappearing elsewhere, your library can stand as a beacon of inclusion, support, and evidence-based care. - [Books Removed from the United States Naval Academy Library – a Local Perspective](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/06/books-removed-from-the-united-states-naval-academy-library-a-local-perspective/) - Much has been written in the national and local news about the 381 books that were removed from the Nimitz Library at the United States Naval Academy before a visit from Pete Hegseth, Defense Secretary. The stated impetus for the removal of these books was an order from Secretary Hegseth regarding compliance with President Trump’s Executive Order from January 20, 2025, regarding diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI. The order is broad and general, using wording that can be interpreted in many ways. It does not mention books, publications or press at all. - [Kateryna Sylvanova And Elena Malisova On The Rapturous Romance At The Heart Of Their Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/06/pioneer/) - Elena Malisova and Kateryna Sylvanova’s Pioneer Summer is a decade-spanning, deeply felt romance set in an unlikely location, a Soviet-era summer camp. In 1986, Yurka is a rebellious, sharp-witted sixteen-year-old dreading another summer at Camp Barn Swallow. At a loss as to what to do with this maverick camper, the camp director assigns Yurka to - [Connecting Communities and Expanding Access: How Lexington County Public Library Leveraged AM Quartex to Launch their First Digital Collections](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/06/connecting-communities-and-expanding-access-how-lexington-county-public-library-leveraged-am-quartex-to-launch-their-first-digital-collections/) - Lexington County Public Library's new digital collections platform blends historical preservation with modern innovation. Powered by AM Quartex, the initiative offers equitable access to rare photographs, documents, and local history. This user-friendly, accessible resource deepens community engagement and reflects the library’s ongoing commitment to education, outreach, and inclusion. - [Superheroes Need Not Apply](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/06/superheroes-need-not-apply/) - But there are also other actions taken by my staff to help the public that I have yet seen taught in library schools. Sometimes staff members act as therapists, or substance abuse counselors. Or social workers. Or confidantes. Or interventionists. Or psychiatrists. Or tax consultants. Or coaches. Or childcare providers. - [The Growler](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/06/the-growler/) - We have all experienced the public’s perception that libraries are quiet peaceful places, in which staff merely sit around and read. This idyllic image is frequently presumed about my library as we are relatively small and rural. Although we have had some significant incidents, such as the elderly gentlemen who drove his car six feet into our building, these are infrequent and we are thankful that we do not often experiences the challenges that some of our more urban colleagues face daily. Still, we are not immune. - [Welcoming the Refugee - Best Practices to Help the Displaced](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/08/welcoming-the-refugee-best-practices-to-help-the-displaced/) - Refugees seek a safe and welcoming space to call home. Public libraries can offer support for transition to a new country. Libraries Serve Refugees and Project Welcome are two online spaces where librarians share information and best practices to meet these unique needs. - [Fitting Fitness into Library Programming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/08/fitting-fitness-into-library-programming/) - Libraries around the country have incorporated fitness into their collections and programming offerings, and these programs are often met with enthusiasm from patrons. However, it's not always easy to get a fitness program off the ground. - [It's About Who Knows You](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/06/its-about-who-knows-you/) - Networking: love it or hate it, it’s tough to ignore this facet of the modern career. Many experts tout the importance of making connections in order to further one’s career, but it can be difficult and overwhelming to get started. - [Five Kinds of Outreach to People in Residential Care](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/10/five-kinds-of-outreach-to-people-in-residential-care/) - The 96-year-old’s face lit up when she saw Outreach Librarian Diane Hollendonner again. She relayed she was quite happy with the book she returned - Mary Jo Putney's Dearly Beloved- and announced that she had shared it with several other ladies at the assisted living facility.... "and now they all knew how to be a - [The Library's Timeless Purpose](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/12/the-librarys-timeless-purpose/) - The first step in managing change is identifying what must stay the same. - [Librarians as Media Dietitians](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/12/librarians-as-media-dieticians/) - This week I came across a piece in the New York Times that referred to a study published by Common Sense Media, a San Francisco-based research group. The study, entitled Children, Teens, and Entertainment Media: A View from the Classroom (.pdf file), looked at teachers' perceptions about how media use has effected students. The group - [Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, & Me](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/12/marbles-mania-depression-michelangelo-me-by-ellen-forney/) - Ellen Forney’s graphic memoir, Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo & Me, not only tells the story of her struggle with bipolar disorder, but also documents her travels along the turbulent road of creativity versus insanity. - [Safe Public Spaces](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/12/safe-public-spaces/) - The overwhelming tragedy of the recent shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, though, has forced this issue back into mind, and revisiting this issue in these circumstances breaks my heart. - [Attempting to Make Sense](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/12/attempting-to-make-sense/) - My first blog post for this site was about gun control and how it affects those of us in libraries. I said that our hands were tied when the government declares that guns are allowed into libraries, and that we should use the opportunity as a teachable moment. That stance seems so inefficient and unaffected now, after the horror of Friday. There has to be more. - [The Public Library Data Service 2012 Statistical Report: Characteristics and Trends](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/12/the-public-library-data-service-2012-statistical-report-characteristics-and-trends/) - The Public Library Data Service (PLDS) is an annual survey conducted by PLA. This 2012 survey of public libraries from the United States and Canada collected fiscal year (FY) 2011 information on finances, library resources, annual use figures, and technology. Each year PLDS includes a special survey highlighting statistics on one service area or public library topic. This year these supplemental questions focused on young adult library services. - [An Erotic Publishing Person of the Year!?!](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/12/an-erotic-publishing-person-of-the-year/) - Each year, Publishers Weekly (PW) names an individual they feel has had a notable impact on the field of publishing. On November 30, PW announced the 2012 Publishing Person of the Year. Their choice? E. L. James, author of the Fifty Shades trilogy. - [Is Dewey Dead?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/12/is-dewey-dead/) - Half the battle of any search in a library is locating the item in question. In a perfect library, every item would be shelved and stored exactly where the catalog says it should be down to the shelf marks. Even if the library pours a majority of its operating budget into excellent cataloging though, there is one thing that operating dollars cannot help: patrons’ knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System. - [The E-Book Dilemma](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/12/the-e-book-dilemna/) - The wait and see decision by many librarians has not only placed us in an awkward situation with publishers, but it also damages our credibility with our communities. How will they translate our actions? - [Seven Reasons to Support Unglue.it](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/seven-reasons-to-support-unglue-it/) - Unglue.it is a crowdfunding platform for ebooks. It rewards authors and publishers for making their ebooks available to the world under Creative Commons licenses. According to Unglue.it’s website, to “unglue” is “to make it clearly legal for a digital book to be used, distributed, archived, and preserved by libraries.”Librarians should be paying attention to this. - [In the Cloud? It Might Not Be Yours](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/in-the-cloud-it-might-not-be-yours/) - A MegaUpload user can’t retrieve his legal video files because the government says he gave up his property rights when he stored them in the cloud. What does this mean for libraries? - [Not Your Grandpa’s Comic Books](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/12/not-your-grandpas-comic-books/) - Comics have come a long way since Superman made his first appearance in 1938. No longer are the days of “biff,” “pow,” and “bam” ending the treacherous reign of some half-wit excuse for a villain. The future of comics and graphic novels is here and now and they deserve a spot in your library. - [Gun Toting as a Teachable Moment?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/12/gun-toting-as-a-teachable-moment/) - So what do we do when our hands are tied, and the library policies that ban weapons from the premises are overruled by the state? In a world where mass shootings are a horrific possibility, how do we create a sense of security for ourselves and our patrons? - [Strategic Marketing is a Smart Investment](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/12/strategic-marketing-is-a-smart-investment/) - When money is tight, marketing budgets are the first to go. Developing a strategic marketing plan will help prove why marketing is not only smart, it’s necessary to be successful. - [The Votes Are in and U.S. Libraries Win](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/12/the-votes-are-in-and-u-s-libraries-win/) - Even as the dust continues to settle from the election of 2012, an assessment of the final results unearths some interesting trends, especially with regard to ballot initiatives. - [I ♥ Working in Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/12/i-love-working-in-public-libraries/) - I started working in public libraries while still in college in order to fill up my free time and supplement my education -- while I figured out what I wanted to do with my life. It was a part-time job that ended up shaping my future, landing me in a career that I love! - [First Amendment Sure-But the Second Amendment Too?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/12/first-amendment-sure-but-the-second-amendment-too-2/) - As librarians, we have no problem with the First Amendment, right? Sure, it might be trickier than a simple yes or no. Well, how about championing the Second Amendment? The right to keep and bear arms? Apparently, some-trigger happy citizens have set their sights on libraries. (Sure, it's a bad pun...distressing, too). - [There’s No Such Thing as a Free App](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/12/theres-no-such-thing-as-a-free-app/) - What is it about the notion of “free” that causes a typically rational person to let down their guard so easily?? It feels relative to our “lottery gene,” that idea that we are the individual exception to the rule, the 1 winner among 5 million players. Subconsciously, we know or suspect that “free” means a - [Library Book Sale: A Community Emerges](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/12/library-book-sale-a-community-emerges/) - Recently the library I work for held their annual Library Book Sale, and while I have worked during this event before, I was still surprised by how popular it is. Let me be clear that I do not think our sale isn’t worthwhile; on the contrary, I always end up spending more money than I - [Voices From the Past - Discovering Local History](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/12/voices-from-the-past-discovering-local-history/) - Not many medium-sized cities in the United States are recognizable by most of the country. Lancaster, Pennsylvania, I like to think, is one of those places, bringing to mind horse-drawn buggies, farmers markets, and family-style dinners (think chuck-wagon for you folks out west). Granted, reality is never quite as perfect as the brochure, but it's - [World Book Night - What Better Way to Spread the Love of Reading?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/12/world-book-night-what-better-way-to-spread-the-love-of-reading/) - What do you think it would be like to pick a great location and then go there and give FREE books away to complete strangers? World Book Night (WBN) is a means of celebrating literacy and promoting the love of books and reading. - [Social Justice and the Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/12/social-justice-and-the-public-library/) - As librarians, we know that intellectual freedom, education, and democracy are among the most important of our profession’s ethics, values, and foundational principles. These values and principles are codified in the Code of Ethics of the American Library Association and the Library Bill of Rights. - [Make Your Library A Safe Space](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/12/make-your-library-a-safe-space/) - The idea of the library is constantly evolving. In ancient times royalty held libraries and librarians in the highest regard. Kings and generals sought wisdom from the keepers of knowledge. Nowadays, libraries are free for all who wish to enter, but what can we offer besides a stiff finger pointed toward the fiction section? - [First Aid at the Library - Keeping Calm is Key](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/first-aid-at-the-library-keeping-calm-is-key/) - Can your staff handle medical emergencies? Sure they can. - [Big Ideas at the iDEAL Summit](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/big-ideas-at-the-ideal-summit/) - A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending the University of North Carolina Greensboro’s (UNCG) iDEAL Summit. The ideal Summit has been an annual event since 2009 and the topics change each year but the focus is on information, diversity, engagement, access, and libraries (iDEAL). The topic for this particular conference was 'Literacy - [Creating Digital Tutorials](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/creating-digital-tutorials/) - Digital instructional and reference content on your library website will expand the service area of your library and maximize the use of library resources available to your patrons. These objects can guide at-home and onsite users through use of the library resources including the library’s catalog, collections, and e-government services. Library computers can prompt users - [‘Homework Help’ Outreach Efforts Take Off](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/homework-help-outreach-efforts-take-off/) - Since October, 2011 the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) has been working closely with Los Angeles United School District (LAUSD) sites, Angeleno nonprofits, and city of L.A. Family Source Centers to increase user rates for Live Homework Help, a free online tutoring interface for patrons of the Los Angeles Public Library. Staff members involved in - [Manga: Tips for A Great Library Collection](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/manga-tips-for-a-great-library-collection/) - Manga, or Japanese comics, are extremely popular. The New York Times bestseller list even includes a manga category. In an effort to keep up with this trend, most libraries are now including manga as a part of the collection. For a librarian who is unfamiliar with manga, and its accompanying art form anime (Japanese cartoons), - [Getting to Know Fantasy Fiction](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/454/) - The world of fantasy fiction is immense, complicated, and contains something for most every reader. However, many library-users do not know where to start when considering tackling this genre. For those unfamiliar with this type of literature, it can seem unwieldy and obtuse. That’s where I come in. As an avid reader of the genre, - [Do You Remember Your First Library Visit?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/do-you-remember-your-first-library-visit/) - A child’s first visit to a library may very well set the tone for the child's adult relationship with the library. As public library workers, it is part of our responsibility to foster a positive relationship between patrons and libraries, and all the services they provide. It is not unheard of to see a patron - [Trans-Librarianship: What Type of Library Do I Work In?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/trans-librarianship-what-type-of-library-do-i-work-in/) - The answer to the question is “I work at the Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) Reference Library.” The question is raised because it is a confusing library to designate according to MLIS definitions. We are taught in the first and most basic LIS class in first year of the program, that there are three types - [The Eyes Have It](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/the-eyes-have-it/) - Most of the tweens who come in to the library seem to have trouble establishing and maintaining eye contact. I often observe them turning slightly away from me and glancing at the shelves or down at a piece of paper. Even when they really need help from a librarian they cannot force themselves to walk - [Disasters: Providing Resources for Your Community](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/disasters-providing-resources-for-your-community/) - There is no shortage of evidence that libraries and librarians can effectively fulfill many roles in disaster planning, response, and recovery (Featherstone, Lyon, and Ruffin 2008; Fitzgerald 2012; Paulsen 2012). Although your library probably already has emergency action plans in place, you can do more for your community as a library professional: Subscribe to the - [Managing Change Logically, Imaginatively, and Actively](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/harnessing-change/) - “The process of changing libraries and information centres has started. It is time for the librarians and information specialists to tackle the task systematically.”[i] - [Respect the Romance](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/respect-the-romance/) - The Romance Reader and the Librarian: The beginnings of a beautiful relationship. - [Book Discussion Mash-Ups](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/book-discussion-mash-ups/) - When is a book discussion not a book discussion? When the participants each bring and talk about news articles rather than all reading the same book.Discussing news articles rather than a single title can revitalize the members of a book group. This kind of book discussion mash-up allows the participants to choose an article from - [The Talking Cure How do we process change (and lead) during uncertain times?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/the-talking-cure-how-do-we-process-change-and-lead-during-uncertain-times/) - Librarians know better than anyone else how to reason knowledge from pools of information. It’s just what we do – our process - compile and deduce. An inverted triangle that filters and points to absoluteness. Inconclusiveness does not rest easy with us; it’s a toxin, it affects us, spurs us, and maybe even taunts us. We’re - [80/20 Collection Development](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/8020-collection-development/) - What if we applied the science and wisdom of the 80/20 rule to our collections and weeding, could libraries radically increase our circulation and relevance to the community? - [Can I Check This Out? : Circulating Collections Beyond Books, CDs, and DVDs](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/can-i-check-this-out-circulating-collections-beyond-books-cds-and-dvds/) - The public library’s role is changing in the 21st century. Although digital services encompass a large portion of that change, public libraries are a critical resource center for many different types of resources. It is one thing to offer a local history or graphic novel collection, but it is entirely different to offer cake pans - [Google's Digitization Project - Full Steam Ahead](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/googles-digitization-project-full-steam-ahead/) - Opines on the settlement between the Association of American Publishers and Google, which seems to allow Google to continue their massive digitizing project. - [The World’s Most Luxurious “Floating Collection”](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/floating-collection/) - I recently returned from an oceangoing trip aboard the Cunard liner Queen Mary 2. While en route to various ports of call in both New England and the maritime provinces of Canada, I had the opportunity to explore this luxurious vessel. The Queen Mary 2, as the largest ocean liner ever built, has fourteen public - [Checking Out Books and Checking in Boxes: Is Tennessee’s Ruling Really a Step in the Right Direction?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/checking-boxes/) - In a perfect world, it would be just as easy to cast a vote in your country as it is to check out a book, but Tennessee’s court has simply expanded the allowable forms of voter identification by a unit of one. It has not loosened the restrictions, nor has it made it any more accessible to those people who are marginalized at the polling centers. - [Libraries in the Wake of Disaster](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/libraries-in-the-wake-of-disaster/) - In the aftermath of disaster, we seek refuge in the places that are familiar to us. For so many dealing with the tragic devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the public library has become just such a place. - [Making the Case for a Public Library Makerspace](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/making-the-case-for-a-public-library-makerspace/) - A makerspace is a tool that can advance the fulfillment of the public library's mission, especially when paired with an effective program of instruction. - [Libraries Are Dead — Long Live the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/libraries-are-dead-long-live-the-library/) - On November 6, 2012 in addition to deciding the next President, Senators, et.al., my town decided on the future of our library with a referendum on a proposed (and much needed) expansion. Sadly it was no surprise, that the referendum was defeated by approximately 600 votes. In the months leading up to this election, the issue became so heated on both sides I wondered if I should be coming to work in Kevlar. - [Safety First. (And Second. And Third.)](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/11/safety-first-and-second-and-third/) - Hurricane Sandy reminds libraries to prepare for possible emergencies in order to be of the best possible service in the event of an occurrence. - [A Story Walk in the Park](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/10/a-story-walk-in-the-park/) - Many libraries across the country and around the world are bringing story-time outside in a way that is safe, fun for the whole family, and encourages a healthy lifestyle through StoryWalks®. - [Online Learning Opportunities for Babies](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/11/online-learning-opportunities-for-babies/) - Eight months have gone by since the beginning of the pandemic. This means that anyone younger than 8 months has probably not been inside of a library. If they have it hasn’t been the library experience their older brothers and sisters experienced. We are not getting to know our infant patrons in the same manner - [Not open? No problem. Rural Libraries Push WiFi Into Community Spaces](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/11/not-open-no-problem-rural-libraries-push-wifi-into-community-spaces/) - When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, those who live in such remote areas may have been among the hardest hit. Getting access to WiFi safely – outdoors and away from crowds – can relieve the isolation. It’s something the Gilbreath library (along with more than 60 other libraries in rural regions) can now more easily facilitate, thanks to a $120,000 grant program offered by the Public Library Association (PLA) and Microsoft. - [New Research Explores How Public Libraries Can Best Combat Misinformation](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/11/new-research-explores-how-public-libraries-can-best-combat-misinformation/) - New research published in the Journal of Librarianship and Information Science adds pieces to the puzzle of how public libraries can best address rising tides of misinformation within their communities. Most recently, misinformation surrounding COVID-19 has demonstrated how complex the issue can be and how serious- even lethal- the consequences. - [Work Smarter, Not Harder](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/11/work-smarter-not-harder/) - Allen County Public Library has strategically incorporated logic models and outcome measurement in planning and evaluating programs and services in a relatively short amount of time by using Project Outcome tools as a central part of an overall shift to a more outward-facing approach to library services. - [Libraries Celebrate Community with New Murals](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/01/libraries-celebrate-community-with-new-murals/) - In 2020, through the global pandemic and the rise of voices for social justice, libraries across the country found their own means of expression through art. In particular, three libraries celebrated the diversity of their communities with the creation of new library murals. - [Blurred Line Between Safety and Service](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/01/blurred-line-between-safety-and-service/) - As the pandemic continues, how do library workers stay safe and still provide the services desperately needed in our communities? - [Why Aren't More Public Librarians Eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/02/why-arent-more-public-librarians-eligible-for-the-covid-19-vaccine/) - Public librarians wear many hats -- we’re de facto educators, social workers, emergency responders, and much more -- but which role will keep us safe from COVID? - ["We Aren’t Afraid to Have the Numbers, and They’ve Showed Up"—Heights Libraries on their 1619 Project Programming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/02/1619/) - For over a year, Heights Libraries (Cleveland Heights, OH) has held monthly programs surrounding The 1619 Project, The New York Times' long-form journalism project that investigates how slavery molded the United States' economy, politics, and social structure. Outreach Librarian John Piché spoke with us about best practices for holding your own program, community engagement, and partnering with local organizations. - [Ethical Issues in Libraries: An International Conference](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/01/ethical-issues-in-libraries-an-international-conference/) - Combating rampant misinformation in the age of internet and social media, as well as dilemmas regarding how best to serve the most vulnerable populations, were key topics of discussion. - [Virtual Programming Tips](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/02/virtual-programming-tips/) - Every librarian is at a different place when it comes to virtual programming. Some of us are longtime users/experts, some are coming up on a year of using video meeting software, Facebook, or YouTube to present programs, while others are just starting out. Programming in general can be difficult, but virtual programming has its own rules. Here are some of the things that have helped me in my first year of virtual programming. - [COVID-19 Makes Library Skilling Programs Critical](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/02/covid-19-makes-library-skilling-programs-critical/) - Improving their communities’ digital literacy is important for public libraries as they seek to live up to their mission. The challenge has taken on new urgency as we fight against the economic costs of the pandemic. - [Fostering Civility at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/02/fostering-civility-at-the-library/) - Fierce disagreements between individuals is what causes incivility and many US citizens believe that we, as a country, are more divided, so instead, this article is about how US citizens agree on most topics. - [Short Story Dispenser Connects Libraries to Communities](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/02/short-story-dispenser-connects-libraries-to-communities/) - Short Édition’s Short Story Dispenser was embedded in four pilot communities around the country through a project called “Fostering Creative Community Connections,” a partnership between the Public Library Association (PLA) and French publisher Short Édition, and made possible by a grant from the Knight Foundation. - [Ensuring Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/03/ensuring-equity-diversity-inclusion/) - Diversity. Inclusion. Equity. These are all fundamental aspects of librarianship, coded in our professional organizations and informing all of our actions from collection development to services to programming. We are uniquely positioned given these professional ethics to contribute at a higher level. - [Helping a Community Coping with Loss and Grief](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/03/helping-a-community-coping-with-loss-and-grief/) - Over half a million Americans have died from COVID-19 in almost a year. It is an enormous loss for our country and deeply felt in every community. Public libraries are in a prime position to help community members dealing with these tragic losses and many are already doing great work in this area. - [The Library is a Lifeline in Deerfield](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/03/the-library-is-a-lifeline-in-deerfield/) - Deerfield Public Library is working hard to reach homebound patrons during the pandemic - and you can, too. - [Short Story Dispensers Make Strides, Despite Pandemic](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/05/short-story-dispensers-make-strides-despite-pandemic/) - French publisher Short Édition made waves in U.S. libraries with its innovative Short Story Dispenser. - [The Dr. Seuss Opportunity](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/04/the-dr-seuss-opportunity/) - Controversy surrounding Dr. Seuss is not new. In recent years, more scrutiny has been placed on the depictions of Seuss characters in regards to ethnicity and race. The decision by Dr. Seuss Enterprises to end publishing of six titles reignited discussions. - [The Impact of COVID-19 on Library Staff: Supporting Health and Well-Being](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/04/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-library-staff-supporting-health-and-well-being/) - In 2020 the Public Library Association (PLA) and the American Library Association (ALA) conducted two surveys about the impact of COVID-19 on libraries. Following on from that, PLA’s "Survey of the Public Library Field" in February 2021 asked library staff about the impact of the pandemic on them as individuals. The survey received 2,967 responses. - [Feeding More than Minds at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/04/feeding-more-than-minds-at-the-library/) - Utilizing public libraries to combat food insecurity is not a new concept. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, many public libraries across the country had programs in place to provide meals on the weekends and during summer for children in food insecure households. However, as the pandemic continues, Feeding America projects that over 50 million people—to include 17 million children—will face food insecurity as a result of COVID-19. - [Eating the Elephant: Libraries Tackle Huge Issues in Small Bites](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/04/eating-the-elephant-libraries-tackle-huge-issues-in-small-bites/) - Combatting the behemoth of misinformation can seem like an impossible task. Here are three subtle ways libraries do so on a daily basis. - [The Future of Remote Work is Flexibility](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/04/the-future-of-remote-work-is-flexibility/) - The potential value of remote work is not just about being remote, but about new ways of working. - [Help Fight Light Pollution with a Science Experiment](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/04/help-fight-light-pollution-with-a-science-experiment/) - Globe at Night asks volunteers to go outside and measure light pollution in their communities using either the naked eye or a simple piece of equipment called a Sky Quality Meter. - [Library Staff In and Beyond the Workplace](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/04/library-staff-in-and-beyond-the-workplace/) - The survey comments indicated that inadequate support has two main characteristics: lack of access to paid leave and caregiver accommodations, and lack of flexibility, especially for part-time staff. A lack of support can have serious consequences for individual staff members, libraries, and the profession as a whole. It is a particularly pressing issue within the library profession as it is predominantly female, and women are more likely to be caregivers. - [What's New in Library Podcasts?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/04/whats-new-in-library-podcasts/) - A look at pandemic-born podcasts as well as how long-running library podcasts have fared during the past year of weirdness. - [Gaining Patron Cooperation on Mask Wearing](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/04/gaining-patron-cooperation-on-mask-wearing/) - As COVID-19 infection rates start to go down and libraries across the country begin to reopen, what is the best way to keep everyone safe? - [Ransomware Attacks at Libraries: How They Happen, What to Do](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/05/ransomware-attacks-at-libraries-how-they-happen-what-to-do/) - Malicious hacking attacks of institutions are on the rise, particularly after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Corporations, including nonprofits like public libraries, face greater dangers from these attacks. Ransomware is the name for a particular type of cyberattack where hackers encrypt a victim’s files, then demands a ransom to give users access to their - [COVID-19 Operating Restrictions Ease but Differences Remain](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/05/covid-19-operating-restrictions-ease-but-differences-remain/) - Now that vaccines are available and virus transmission rates are dropping, public library service is largely being restored across the United States, but at vastly different timelines. - [Amazon, E-books, Copyright, and Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/05/amazon-e-books-copyright-and-libraries/) - Amazon refuses to allow libraries to purchase copies of the e-books they publish. That means more than 10,000 e-books and tens of thousands of audiobooks are simply not available to our patrons. - [The Library Comic Convention Goes Virtual](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/06/the-library-comic-convention-goes-virtual/) - Like most other library programming, Library Comic Conventions went virtual during the pandemic. Three libraries share how they made the transition. - [Why Do We Think Library Services are Free?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/06/why-do-we-think-library-services-are-free/) - I was in the library’s media lab helping a patron with Microsoft Publisher, and I recommended she learn how to use Publisher with an online course provided through the library. My co-worker chimes in, “and the best part is that it’s free!” I frowned and said, “it’s not free. It’s paid for with your tax dollars.” I am beginning to believe that how we think about public library services as free directly impacts how public libraries don’t get funded. - [Make Your Library ADA Friendly, Not Just ADA Compliant](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/06/make-your-library-ada-friendly-not-just-ada-compliant/) - Having an ADA compliant library is necessary by law, but you can go above the ADA requirements to become an ADA friendly library and better help your patrons with different abilities. - [Twelve Months of Passive Programming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/06/twelve-months-of-passive-programming/) - Passive programming can be a challenge. More so, the difficulty is determining how to supply activities that are not too pricey (we try to supply enough kits for 60 patrons) and too complicated for patrons to follow via printout instructions. With that being said, my library has successfully carried out twelve months of dynamic passive - [ALA Group Calls on Publishers to Update Pricing Models](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/06/ala-group-calls-on-publishers-to-update-pricing-models/) - The ALA Joint Digital Content Working Group has issued a position paper on ebook lending, calling on publishers to update their models for pricing and licensing to enhance equity of access for public, academic, and school libraries. - [Are We Reaching the End of Library DVD Collections?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/06/are-we-reaching-the-end-of-library-dvd-collections/) - When then-President Trump early voted at the Palm Beach County’s Main Library, late night host Jimmy Kimmel featured it in his show’s opening monologue. In addition to the usual jokes at the President’s expense, Kimmel was amazed by the long row of DVD shelving in the background. “Those are all DVDs. It’s a huge DVD - [IFLA Public Library of the Year Award Finalists](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/07/ifla-public-library-of-the-year-award-finalists/) - The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) has announced five finalists for the sixth annual Public Library of the Year award, with the winner to be announced on August 19th during the IFLA’s annual conference, to be taken place virtually this year. The Public Library of the Year award goes to a library - [From Alone to Together Again: Using Data to Deliver Value](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/08/from-alone-to-together-again-using-data-to-deliver-value/) - Meet Patron 11. Let’s call her a super fan! She’s a 35-44 year-old white woman with a husband and two children. They use many of the library’s services – they max out their borrowing, they spread out in the space, they rattle off the new services the library rolls out, and they are strong advocates - [Library Book Bikes Gaining in Popularity](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/08/library-book-bikes-gaining-in-popularity/) - Book bikes — a portable, eco-friendly, and relatively low-cost investment — are experiencing something of a renaissance as public libraries find creative ways to take their collections and resources outdoors. - [Applying Game Design to Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/01/applying-game-design-to-libraries/) - They’re making a video game and their reference question is this: “How do I make my character dance? That is just one possible future application of Game Design in libraries. - [Library Spaces and Well Building Ideals](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/08/library-spaces-and-well-building-ideals/) - According to a report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans spend about 90% of their time inside buildings. Based on data for the 20-21 fiscal year, the total number of computer sessions in my library system was 77,769, with each session lasting, on average, forty minutes. This means that the residents spend more than 50,000 hours at the public library in a given year, making the public library one of the most popular indoor spaces - [Working Paper Seeks to Quantify Library ROI](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/08/working-paper-seeks-to-quantify-library-roi/) - Study shows correlation between library capital investment and student success. - [Serving the Incarcerated During the Pandemic](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/08/serving-the-incarcerated-during-the-pandemic/) - Libraries have been providing service to the incarcerated for many decades. While this past year has challenged the ability to serve the general public, many library systems continue to reach out to jail and prison populations. Here are examples from three large library systems that reflect the variety of creative programs and the outstanding efforts - [Guidance for Social Work Positions at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/09/guidance-for-social-work-positions-at-the-library/) - While a library/social work partnership may seem like a no-brainer, there is much for a library system to consider before partnering with a social work professional. We’d like to share some of those considerations to help you determine if a social work program could be a good fit for your library. - [The Return to Public Spaces: Alleviating Anxiety for Staff, Patrons, and Yourself](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/09/the-return-to-public-spaces-alleviating-anxiety-for-staff-patrons-and-yourself/) - All of us have different feelings related to the end of the pandemic and a return to normal life. As keepers of a public space, librarians are wise to bear this in mind when thinking about our library guests, staff, and ourselves. - [Finding Answers IV - This or That](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/09/finding-answers-iv-this-or-that/) - In all my years of doing and teaching research, and searching for answers, there are two alternative places I like to look when trying to find information I know little about. - [Is COVID-19 Still Preventing Indoor Library Activities?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/10/is-covid-19-still-preventing-indoor-library-activities/) - When COVID swept across the country last year, libraries closed their doors to the public. Programming for children, teens, and adults went virtual and for the most part was very successful. Over time as buildings opened and services were restored, one thing that remained off limits was indoor activities and events. However, with vaccination rates climbing over the summer, many libraries explored reintroducing indoor activities. How many have taken that next step? - [Creating Safer Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/10/creating-safer-libraries/) - The last year and a half has certainly posed new risks to staff safety, but public librarianship was not necessarily risk-free pre-pandemic either. - [Ending Late Fees: A Case for Equity](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/11/ending-late-fees-a-case-for-equity/) - Public libraries in New York City are officially putting an end to late fees. They now join a group of libraries across the country working to provide more equitable access to library resources. - [A Salute to the Schneider](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/11/a-salute-to-the-schneider/) - Since 2004, the American Library Association's (ALA) Schneider Family Book Award has been given annually to honor an author or illustrator for a work that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences. Prizes are bestowed in the categories of Young Children, Middle School, and Teen. - [Criminalizing Book Selection](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/11/criminalizing-book-selection/) - Yes, you read the title right. In a (sadly) not-so-surprising turn of events, a parent attempted to press charges for collection decisions made at the Central Kitsap School District in Washington state. - [Readers Advisory Reimagined](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/12/readers-advisory-reimagined/) - How do we create sustainable RA practices that empower staff and embed Readers’ Advisory fully into libraries? - [Missing Karen](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/12/missing-karen/) - Karen Blumenthal (1959-2020) was a journalist, a teacher, a historian, a biographer, a master needle-pointer, a cookie-maker, a proud Texas native, a much-loved wife and mother, an enthusiastic Dallas sports fan, a passionate public library supporter, a tireless fund-raiser, and a dedicated civic volunteer. - [Improving Virtual Reference Services for LGBTQIA+ Users](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/12/improving-virtual-reference-services-for-lgbtqia-users/) - Public libraries can do more to improve virtual reference services for their LGBTQIA+ users and customers. Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library and other library systems are leading the way. - [Gazing Into the Crystal Ball](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/12/gazing-into-the-crystal-ball/) - The one thing we can all predict about the future is that it will be unpredictable. That being said, we also know that certain themes carry forward like clockwork. After two crazy years, what does the future hold for public libraries? - [Stop Trying to Make Book Banning a Thing](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/01/stop-trying-to-make-book-banning-a-thing/) - Book banning has become an unfortunate trend. According to ALA, the rate of attempted book bannings in September 2021 was a 67% increase from September 2020. Challenged books deal overwhelmingly with two topics: race and LGBTQ+ issues. - [Public Libraries are Feeling the Impact of the Latest Surges](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/01/public-libraries-are-feeling-the-impact-of-the-latest-surges/) - As we near the 2-year anniversary of the first lockdown, libraries continue to feel the effects of skyrocketing COVID-19 case numbers. The Delta and Omicron surges have forced libraries to adjust yet again in the face of rampant staffing shortages, testing demand, and schools going remote. Libraries are constantly adjusting to continue being a resource to their communities. - [Bertha Winborne Edwards: An Icon of Library Black History](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/02/bertha-winborne-edwards-an-icon-of-library-black-history/) - Before all public libraries were desegregated, Black librarians were especially critical in providing library services to their communities. They often had to creatively marshal resources, working with modest budgets and collections. One such librarian was Mrs. Bertha Winborne Edwards, (1920-2009), librarian of the Portsmouth Colored Community Library in Virginia for its entire existence, from 1945 – 1963. - [Asexuality On the Shelves](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/02/asexuality-on-the-shelves/) - What is asexuality? While it’s most often described as “not being sexually attracted to others,” it is far more complex than those few words indicate. What else? Approximately one per cent of the population is asexual (or ace) and it is an orientation, akin to lesbianism or bisexuality. It’s also important to understand that a - [Libraries Can Really Change the Future](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/04/libraries-can-really-change-the-future/) - It was sheer good fortune that I went from working with cities and counties to working with urban libraries. Truly one of the luckiest things that has ever happened to me. - [Overdue Party](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/05/overdue-party/) - When you are a kid, your birthday is one of the cornerstones of your year. Festivities, friends, and family, and birthday cake all come together to make it a special day. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many children were unable to properly celebrate their birthdays this year. - [Helping Patrons Keep Up in the Digital Age--Promising Practices in Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/05/helping-patrons-keep-up-in-the-digital-age-promising-practices-in-libraries/) - Adults need digital literacy to access essential information, compete for jobs, and participate in education. These needs existed long before 2020, but were highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic as adults with developing digital literacy skills had difficulty accessing unemployment benefits, participating in virtual doctors’ appointments, and registering for COVID-19 tests and vaccinations. During the pandemic, - [Inclusive Birding through the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/05/inclusive-birding-through-the-library/) - In May 2020 Black birder Christian Cooper had the police called on him in Central Park in New York City. One result of the media frenzy that followed was that it brought attention to the long history of bigotry and exclusiveness in the birding world. - [Policing and Social Justice in Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/05/policing-and-social-justice-in-libraries/) - Catherine Hollerbach, Chief Operating Officer, Anne Arundel County (MD) Public Library, and Michelle Hamiel, Chief Operating Officer for Public Services, Prince George's County Memorial Library (MD), presented a program at PLA 2022 called 'Policing and Social Justice in Libraries.' In this program they examined “the role that police officers and security guards play in making - [Beyond Yuck and Yum: Programming with Picture Books about Food](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/05/beyond-yuck-and-yum-programming-with-picture-books-about-food/) - When brainstorming ways to include food in library programming, it’s easy to think about the traditional ways in which food has been included in library programming – nutrition, cooking, and gardening/farming. What if food in library programming could build communities around food? What if it could start conversations about culture and food equity? - [The Conversation Around Policing and Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/05/the-conversation-around-policing-and-public-libraries/) - Police interference is often justified under the pretense that it keeps people safe, a reasoning that has been called into question in libraries across America, especially in recent years. - [Federal Broadband Funding Guidelines Now Available for States to Begin Planning, Applications](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/05/federal-broadband-funding-guidelines-now-available-for-states-to-begin-planning-applications/) - On Friday, May 13, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued the first round of Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) documents for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), including the Digital Equity Act state planning grants. ALA advocated for this vital funding for broadband and digital inclusion funding, and ALA Public Policy & - [Free and Fresh Fridge](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/06/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. - [Changing Expectations: New Ways to Entice the Public](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/09/changing-expectations-new-ways-to-entice-the-public/) - Is your library quiet or noisy? Are the patrons reading, playing a board game, or getting documents notarized? Public libraries are evolving. As the focus (and access) changed from providing original sources for academics to providing materials to teach kids how to read, adults are thinking of libraries differently. Now they are more likely to - [Libraries Eligible for New Digital Equity Outreach Funding; January 9 Deadline to Apply](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/11/libraries-eligible-for-new-digital-equity-outreach-funding-january-9-deadline-to-apply/) - While over 14 million households nationwide are currently enrolled in the ACP, millions more U.S. residents are eligible. The ACP Outreach Grant Program will provide funding to develop and implement impactful outreach programs to historically underserved and unserved communities—work that many libraries are already doing. - [Public Libraries Need Partnerships](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/12/public-libraries-need-partnerships/) - During my tenure as a public librarian, I have encountered many enthusiastic and progressive colleagues who have ambitious ideas to help their communities, but often their libraries are not able to incorporate these plans due to lack of funding or staff. - [Beyond Self-Care for Library Staffers](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/01/beyond-self-care-for-library-staffers/) - The World Health Organization defines self-care as the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider. - [Researching the Integration History of Your Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/01/researching-the-integration-history-of-your-library/) - Has your public library always been open to all residents? Are you sure? Many libraries, especially those in the Southern Unites States, have a buried history of racial segregation that isn’t found in books or websites and is often unknown to current staff and community members. Through archival research and oral histories, you can help uncover clues about your library’s past. - [Using Co-Design as an Approach to Better Serve and Engage Low-Income, Latinx Communities](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/07/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 - [Serving Those Who Served: The Libraries and Veterans Toolkit](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/03/serving-those-who-served-the-libraries-and-veterans-toolkit/) - Public librarians across the country assist countless veterans and military families every day. The "Libraries and Veterans" Toolkit offers invaluable assistance to public libraries via programming resources that will aid all members of their communities. - [Just Where are We Heading?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/08/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. - [New Year, New Music: Streaming Options for Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/01/new-year-new-music-streaming-options-for-libraries/) - While it may take a backseat to reading material, multimedia such as movies and music have long been a service provided by public libraries, and as more music lovers consume their music online, so too have libraries explored innovative ways to bring music to their patrons free of charge. - [Adding Fun to Your Library's Programming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/02/adding-fun-to-your-librarys-programming/) - Should public libraries offer programming that is just for fun? No, but the programming that we do offer ought to be fun anyway! - [Where is the New Information?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/02/where-is-the-new-information/) - A bibliography of resources related to libraries and AI. - [Addressing Food Insecurity with Community Refrigerators](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/02/addressing-food-insecurity-with-community-refrigerators/) - Community Refrigerators are a great way to help those in your community struggling with food insecurity. - [Celebrate International Love Data Week 2023](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/02/celebrate-international-love-data-week-2023/) - February 13-17, 2023 is International Love Data Week, an initiative of ICPSR at the University of Michigan. This year's theme is “Data: Agent of Change." Explore the large variety of data projects and resources that PLA provides to see how data can inspire change at your library and in your community. - [World Language Collections: Growing With Our Communities](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/02/world-language-collections-growing-with-our-communities/) - As our communities develop and diversify further, it is increasingly important for public libraries to provide quality world language collections. - [Welcoming Mental Health Counseling at Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/04/welcoming-mental-health-counseling-at-libraries/) - The Chicago Public Library system and The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) partnered up for the CDPH’s campaigned called #All77. #All77 is an effort to improve mental health care for Chicagoans by providing access to mental health care in all seventy-seven neighborhood communities in Chicago - [NYPL Celebrates 50 Years of Hip-Hop](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/04/nypl-celebrates-50-years-of-hip-hop/) - There are many ways to celebrate and also learn more about Hip Hop. Start with these resources to see the contributions and impact of Hip Hop Artists, music, and fans. - [What's In a Name?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/03/whats-in-a-name/) - Library names shape identity, influence perception, and reflect values—whether etched in stone or creatively reimagined through programs and services. - [Required Viewing for Library Advocates](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/05/required-viewing-for-library-advocates/) - Looking for a little inspiration? Free for All: The Public Library and Banned Together are two powerful new documentaries that every library advocate should see. These films will ignite your passion and prepare you to stand up, speak out, and take action. - [Read the May/June Issue of Public Libraries Magazine](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/05/read-the-may-june-issue-of-public-libraries-magazine/) - This digital issue of Public Libraries celebrates the power of collaboration and the ways libraries are coming together to drive change in our communities. From strategic partnerships to shared advocacy efforts, libraries are proving that we are stronger together. Feature articles include, "Advocacy on Offense: Building Library Advocates," "Marketing by Design," "How Do We Get - [ALA President Hohl Statement Regarding the Firing of Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/05/ala-president-hohl-statement-regarding-the-firing-of-carla-hayden-librarian-of-congress/) - Dr. Hayden’s abrupt and unjust dismissal is an insult to the scope and breadth of work Dr. Hayden has undertaken in her role leading the Library of Congress. - [PLA Member Spotlights: ALA Annual Conference 2025](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/05/pla-member-spotlights-ala-annual-conference-2025/) - PLA will host more than 30 programs during the ALA Annual Conference, June 26–30, 2025, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We couldn’t be more excited to hear from PLA members and public library professionals on topics ranging from supporting immigrant communities, to library resiliency in challenging times, to exploring empowerment through storytelling tools, and many more. Read below about three PLA members from across the country who will be presenting in Philadelphia at #ALAAC25 next month. - [How I Used ChatGPT to Make a Video Game](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/05/how-i-used-chatgpt-to-make-a-video-game/) - The debate on the ethics of AI is lengthy, especially in terms of art, but one aspect of the debate is using AI as a tool. Whether you use it as a tool to brainstorm ideas for projects or use it to help your writing- it’s a very powerful tool- so powerful, I asked it to help me make a basic 2D Platformer. - [Group Seeks to Dissolve Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/03/group-seeks-to-dissolve-library/) - A group filed a petition to eliminate the Meridian (Idaho) Library District for, among other things, allegedly carrying books that are offensive. - [Commemorating Juneteenth at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/06/commemorating-juneteenth-at-the-library/) - The official federal holiday for Juneteenth began in 2021, but communities and libraries have spearheaded Juneteenth commemorations, celebrations, and community for far longer. Here is inspiration from libraries nation-wide to get you started on your own celebration and commemoration across the month of June. - [Michael Deagler On The Rich Territory Of Sobriety](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/05/deagler/) - Dennis Monk is a newly sober twenty-six-year-old figuring out the next steps of his life. When his mother tells him he can’t live at home in the suburbs any longer, Dennis couch surfs with various friends and acquaintances throughout South Philadelphia. Michael Deagler’s wry and incisive Early Sobrieties charts Dennis’s first sober summer as he navigates the complexities of this new phase and cautiously forms a plan for his future. Through it all, Dennis proves to be a winningly perceptive narrator, describing his various housemates with wit and compassion as he makes his way through the ever-changing neighborhoods of South Philadelphia. Deagler spoke with us about how achieving distance from his initial manuscript strengthened the novel, writing a book that was funnier than his friends expected, and the dramatically rich terrain of sobriety. - [Try These Tools for Helping Older Adults with Health Questions](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/05/try-these-tools-for-helping-older-adults-with-health-questions/) - The National Library of Medicine and other agencies within the National Institutes of Health can help you help your patron with free resources that include evidence-based information for all ages, including older adults. - [Court Halts Dismantling of IMLS in ALA Lawsuit](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/05/court-halts-dismantling-of-imls-in-ala-lawsuit/) - ALA President Cindy Hohl said, “The immediate halt to the gutting of IMLS is a win for America's libraries and the millions of Americans who rely on them. ALA is encouraged that the court recognizes the immediacy of the need for IMLS and library services at risk. The temporary restraining order will stop the dismantling of IMLS while the court considers the merits in this case." - [Read Out Protest Against North Dakota Bill Targeting Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/04/read-out-protest-against-north-dakota-bill-targeting-libraries/) - The typical definition of a “read out” is a receipt or document that is produced by a printer or machine. However, a group of protestors in North Dakota have taken the phrase in a different direction by staging “read out” protests, a quiet way of making a statement against something. - [Public Libraries Highlight Business Support at 'Main Street Now' Conference](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/04/public-libraries-highlight-business-support-at-main-street-now-conference/) - As we navigate uncertain economic times, supporting economic development is a key way we can support our communities. Libraries are uniquely positioned to meet this moment by showcasing the resources and services we offer to support and strengthen community economic development - [Libraries Lead the Way in Sustainability](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/04/libraries-lead-the-way-in-sustainability/) - By installing solar panels, libraries provide tangible examples of renewable energy in action, inspiring patrons of all ages to explore careers and personal choices that support sustainability. - [Celebrate Earth Day with Environmental Health Resources from NLM and NNLM](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/04/celebrate-earth-day-with-environmental-health-resources-from-nlm-and-nnlm/) - April 22 is Earth Day making April a great time to learn about environmental health and find resources for programming that promotes environmental health year-round. What is Environmental Health? Environmental Health is how what’s around us in the places we live, work, study and visit impacts our health and the health of our community. Environmental - [Recognizing Trans Day of Visibility: Resources from PL Online](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/03/recognizing-trans-day-of-visibility-resources-from-pl-online/) - Each year on March 31, the world celebrates Trans Day of Visibility, a day to honor and support the transgender community. In recognition, we’re sharing past Public Libraries Online articles that explore how libraries can create inclusive spaces and provide vital resources for transgender patrons. Check out the links below: Nico Lang on Finding - ["I Wanted A Whole Shakespearean Play Of A Human Body" - Samuel Ashworth On His Boisterous And Adventurous Debut Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/03/ashworth/) - The nontraditional placement of “death” and “life” in the title of The Death and Life of August Sweeney, Samuel Ashworth’s inventive and adventurous debut novel, is intentional. Readers first meet August Sweeney as a corpse on a medical examiner, about to be autopsied by the brilliant Dr. Maya Zhu for a select group of medical students. Ashworth’s novel is a result of immense craft and rigorous research, as he spent weeks observing autopsies at a hospital in Pittsburgh and received a grant to work as a prep cook in a Michelin-starred kitchen in France as part of research for the novel. Ashworth spoke about the novel’s unusual research process, his newfound evangelism for autopsies, and creating the Shakespearean character of August. - [Get To Know the 2025 PLA Candidates: Directors-At-Large](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/03/get-to-know-the-2025-pla-candidates-directors-at-large/) - The Public Library Association asked the candidates standing for the 2025 election to answer three questions developed by PLA committee members. The two presidential candidates, Jamar Rahming and Nate Coulter, responded to these questions on Monday, March 17 during the virtual 2025 PLA Presidential Candidates Forum. The remaining Director-At-Large candidates had the opportunity to answer - [A Message From the PLA President Regarding IMLS](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/03/a-message-from-the-pla-president-regarding-imls/) - PLA is coordinating with our partners at the Urban Libraries Council and the Association of Rural and Small Libraries to voice our support for IMLS and its value to public libraries and their communities nationwide. - [Celebrate Spring: Promoting Health Observances for March](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/03/celebrate-spring-promoting-health-observances-for-march/) - While most libraries may gravitate toward promoting St. Patrick’s Day or National Pi Day (who doesn’t like pie?) why not consider promoting one or more of the health awareness days highlighted this month? - [Cassidy Randall On The Incredible Story Of The First All-Women Team to Ascend Denali](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/03/randall/) - In 1970, Grace Hoeman, a doctor living in Alaska, frustrated that her attempts to summit Denali were being regularly stymied by her male counterparts, recruited some of the world’s top mountaineers to form the first all-women team to summit Denali. This group included Arlene Blum, Margaret Clark, Faye Kerr, Dana Isherwood, and Margaret Young. While - [ALA Launches ‘Show Up for Our Libraries’ Campaign](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/03/ala-launches-show-up-for-our-libraries-campaign/) - We must face whatever threats come our way by showing up together—library workers and public supporters in our communities—to advocate for our patrons, our profession, and our core values. - [Most Borrowed Library Books of 2024](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/02/most-borrowed-library-books-of-2024/) - Every year, library systems across the country release lists of the most checked-out books. While the titles vary, patterns emerge. According to a Booklist article published on December 27, 2024, Kristin Hannah’s The Women was the most popular book of the year, appearing on 34 library lists nationwide. The novel follows a Vietnam War nurse - [Book Résumés: A Tool for Defending the Right to Read](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/03/book-resumes-a-tool-for-defending-the-right-to-read/) - Each book résumé contains a book synopsis, reviews, awards, media, and recommended age ranges. - [What is a Library without a Librarian?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/05/what-is-a-library-without-a-librarian/) - Striving for a balance between accessibility and the preservation of essential services will enable libraries to continue their crucial role in fostering community connections and meeting the diverse needs of their users. - [Building a Second Brain: A Conversation with Tiago Forte](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/07/building-a-second-brain-a-conversation-with-tiago-forte/) - Your Second Brain is a trusted place outside of your head where you save all of the ideas, insights reflections and realizations that are most important to you. It contains information that is personally relevant and meaningful. It contains moving and powerful life experiences, memories, and unique ways of seeing the world. - [Dummies, Idiots, and Other Aliens](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/07/dummies-idiots-and-other-aliens/) - It appears our culture has been taken over by aliens called Idiots, Dummies, and Chicken Soup Souls. Or perhaps the aliens have convinced us that we really are dummies and idiots, and need to eat chicken soup to change all that. I've begun to take offense at theses book collections, since so many people seem - [Socioeconomic Mixing: Creating Public Libraries Where Everyone Belongs](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/07/socioeconomic-mixing-creating-public-libraries-where-everyone-belongs/) - Saturday, June 24, 2023, Shamichael Hallman (Harvard Graduate School), Bridget Marquis (Reimagining the Civic Commons), and Keenon McCloy (Memphis Public Libraries), kicked off a jam-packed event, a program entitled “Power of the Commons.” - [Florida Libraries are Fundamental to Freedom](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/07/florida-libraries-are-fundamental-to-freedom/) - The future of our society is determined in part by our children. Whether it is a baby at his first lap sit story time, a toddler giggling at a funny rhyme, a teen finding a book that gives them insight into who they are, or a college student working on her thesis, the fundamental freedoms provided by libraries are essential to their growth. - [The Veterans Health Library: Helping Veterans Stay Well and Well-Informed](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/08/the-veterans-health-library-helping-veterans-stay-well-and-well-informed/) - The VHL offers resources to help Veterans better understand and take an active role in their health care. Share the VHL with Veterans, their family members, and caregivers as a tool they can use to better understand and manage their own health. - [Summer Learning Programs Surprise, Delight, and “Save the World”](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/09/summer-learning-programs/) - As the weather warmed up earlier this year, library staffs across the country planned their summer learning programs. Ninety-nine percent of libraries offer them—for children, teens, and adults. Now that autumn is coming, it’s time to look at how these programs performed. Did they bring the joy of reading to their communities? Did they prevent - [Share Your Insights on De-escalation Techniques in Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/10/share-your-insights-on-de-escalation-techniques-in-libraries/) - By taking this short survey, (seven questions) you can help shape our understanding of this critical topic and ensure our book aligns with your real-world experiences. - [Camaraderie, Reignition, and Actualization at PLA 2024](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/04/camaraderie-reignition-and-actualization-at-pla-2024/) - I applied for the PLA Scholarship for the experience of attending the conference for the first time; I left the conference with so much more. I began my conference experience by attending the pre-conference workshop, "Media Training: When Your Library is the Headline". I looked for a lifeboat to save myself and my library from - [Babytime Boredom to Storytime Joy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/04/babytime-boredom-to-storytime-joy/) - A storytime refresh. That’s what I hoped to gain from attending “Babytime Boredom” at the PLA 2024 Conference. I was expecting to pick up a few ideas on how to improve my storytimes, but I left with much more. Not only did I learn ways to make storytimes and other programs for littles more fun, - [Notable Asian Climate Fiction to Read on Earth Day](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/04/notable-asian-climate-fiction-to-read-on-earth-day/) - Many novelists from the region have tackled climate change in their fiction: these works by Yun Ko-Eun, Akira Toriyama, Cixin Liu, and Soyoung Park will heat up the conversation about Earth’s changing climate, each in a different and provoking way. - [Gamifying Outreach & Building Community at PLA 2024](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/04/gamifying-outreach-building-community-at-the-2024-pla-conference/) - The 2024 Public Library Conference was the experience of a lifetime. Along with the opportunity to network with peers, I met my library hero, Mychal Threets. I also attended several informative sessions ranging from employee resource groups to sessions on increasing accessibility and outreach efforts. As the Gwinnett County Public Library Ambassador for the Georgia - [Better Prepared to Charge Forward After PLA 2024](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/04/better-prepared-to-charge-forward-after-pla-2024/) - This year, I was awarded a full scholarship to attend the PLA Conference in Columbus, Ohio. I had never attended one before and was eager to check out the schedule of programs, guests and exhibitors. I found the app to be a useful tool as I sat down to plan my conference experience. I began - [Read Romance, Fight Patriarchy – a Reflection](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/04/read-romance-fight-patriarchy-a-reflection/) - I attended the Read Romance, Fight Patriarchy program on Friday, April 5th, 2024 at the Columbus Convention Center as part of the PLA 2024 conference. This session was led by Teacher Librarian, Lori Lieberman of Lincoln High School in Portland, Oregon. This session highlighted the different facets of the romance genre as a whole, the - [Getting Spicy at PLA 2024](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/04/getting-spicy-at-pla-2024/) - A highlight of my first PLA conference was the panel “Hot Ones: Burning Issues in Library Operations.” Hosted by Directors of 5 public libraries, the panel promised a rapid-fire Q+A on public librarianship’s spiciest (i.e., most controversial) topics. In addition to being playful and informal, this panel’s diversity in responses echoed one of the biggest - [Cultivating Trans Safety through Cis Literacy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/04/cultivating-trans-safety-through-cis-literacy/) - Of the many marvelous sessions offered during the PLA 2024 Conference, one rises above the rest. Heath Umbreit, MLIS, provided a presentation entitled: “Debunking Misinformation about Trans Identities and People.” What made this the most meaningful moment for me is that the urgency inflecting the content matched the urgency inflecting the country. Trans folks across - [Diverse and Equitable Collections at PLA 2024](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/05/diverse-and-equitable-collections-at-pla-2024/) - PLA 2024 was such a positive experience for me! As a first time attendee, the size of the crowd on Wednesday morning was a bit overwhelming for an introvert like me, but the enthusiasm was palpable. In a short time, I figured out the layout of the conference center. Every stranger I sat down next - [Connecting Communities with Language Resources](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/05/connecting-communities-with-language-resources/) - The PLA 2024 Conference was jam-packed with sessions dedicated to supporting librarians as they serve their communities in meaningful ways. The only negative about attending the conference was having to make difficult decisions regarding which sessions to attend! So many sessions resonated with me, but there was one in particular that made me immediately eager - [Observation Deck! A Qualitative & Observational Assessment Toolkit](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/05/observation-deck-a-qualitative-observational-assessment-toolkit/) - Programming is an essential part of libraries and their communities, from storytimes to adult book clubs, but how do we demonstrate a program’s value? As librarians, we can observe and identify learning but what do we do with these observations? The PLA 2024 conference provided sessions to learn more about innovative programming and outcomes-based assessment. - [Trans Staff and Patrons – a Reflection](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/05/trans-staff-and-patrons-a-reflection/) - At the Public Library Association’s 2024 annual conference, Damon Verdema and Simon DeSalvo delivered a session called Trans Staff and Patrons: Where to Begin, Next Steps. They used slides, analogies, storytelling, historical and current facts, personal experience, and role playing to help audience members understand the barriers trans staff and patrons experience in the library - [How to Say Hard Things – a Reflection](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/05/how-to-say-hard-things-a-reflection/) - The biggest takeaway I had from this session presented by the Kenosha (WI) Public Library at the PLA 2024 conference is that a crisis is not merely a state of emergency. The speaker defined a crisis as events that go beyond normal, that involve an increase in a resource need and are usually unexpected. Libraries - [Creating Youth Opportunities – a Reflection](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/05/creating-youth-opportunities-a-reflection/) - I had an amazing time attending the PLA 2024 Conference this year thanks to the generous scholarship I received from the Public Library Association. One session which had a major impact on me was the session on "Creating Youth Opportunities: Libraries Serve Youth at Risk of Incarceration". I was unable to make the other session - [A Boost to my Professional Community at PLA 2024](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/05/a-boost-to-my-professional-community-at-pla-2024/) - Being selected to receive a scholarship to attend the PLA 2024 Conference was a special honor. I am at the beginning of my librarianship journey, and so am eager to soak up whatever knowledge and professional connections I can. I am working in the state of Florida currently, but grew up in New York City, - [Resources for Raising Readers and Spaces for Building Connections at PLA 2024](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/05/resources-for-raising-readers-and-spaces-for-building-connections-at-pla-2024/) - PLA 2024 was truly the place for all things public libraries! With a range of relevant topics and opportunities to interact with public library workers across the country; PLA provided a unique, necessary and meaningful space to connect with others and spark new solutions. One of many programs I found valuable was “The Science of - [Gratitude and Growth: My Journey at PLA 2024](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/05/gratitude-and-growth-my-journey-at-pla-2024/) - As I sit down to reflect on my experience at the Public Library Association conference in Columbus, Ohio, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. This journey, made possible through the generous scholarship provided by the PLA, has been nothing short of transformative. The most moving program for me was the "PLA President’s - [Data-Driven Librarianship: A Children’s Librarian Perspective](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/05/data-driven-librarianship-a-childrens-librarian-perspective/) - Ever felt the incredible impact of your work as a children's librarian, but struggled to explain it to others? We all see for ourselves how libraries are essential for kids, but that "importance" can feel a little abstract at times. This is especially true when trying to convince people who don’t often step foot into - [Believing in Library Magic at PLA 2024](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/05/believing-in-library-magic-at-pla-2024/) - As a fairly new librarian, I was given the opportunity to go to the PLA 2024 conference through a scholarship provided by the Public Library Association. Attending this event at the start of my career is immensely beneficial, providing me with a strong foundation to become an excellent librarian. I had the pleasure of attending - [Reflections on We See You: Programming for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/06/reflecting-on-we-see-you-programming-for-adults-with-intellectual-and-developmental-disabilities/) - I attended the PLA 2024 Conference hoping to learn more information about how to create, run, and evaluate programs my community needs. Rebecca Wolfe’s presentation on programming for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities is an excellent example that explains the “why” and “how” behind a set of programs, while simultaneously providing ample resources and - [Reflections on Teen Artists-in-Residence at PLA 2024](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/06/reflections-on-teen-artists-in-residence-at-pla-2024/) - I was honored to be selected as one of the PLA 2024 scholarship recipients this year. The session I was most excited for was “Creating a Teen Artist-in-Residence Program at Your Library” presented by Michael Cherry of the Carmel Clay Public Library in Carmel, Indiana which was my first session of the conference and thankfully - [Excitement and Ideas at PLA 2024](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/06/excitement-and-ideas-at-pla-2024/) - I had a fantastic time in Columbus at the PLA 2024 Conference. It was the first library-specific conference I'd ever been to, and definitely the biggest conference I'd been to overall. Everything was really well-organized, and everyone was very welcoming, so the feeling of being overwhelmed was short-lived. Being a scholarship recipient meant I got - [The Science of Reading @ Your Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/06/the-science-of-reading-your-public-library/) - Literacy is our greatest civil right. However, in our country, 65% of fourth graders are not proficient in reading. Eighty-two percent of Black fourth graders are not proficient in reading, and the gap is growing. The most disheartening aspect of these statistics is the pervasive acceptance of persistently low literacy rates among children, which has - [Creating Cultural Change: Bringing DEI to Life – a Reflection](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/06/creating-cultural-change-bringing-dei-to-life-a-reflection/) - The Stark Library in Canton, Ohio presented Creating Cultural Change: Bringing DEI to Life at the PLA 2024 conference. When I came to the conference as a scholarship recipient, I was especially interested in learning from other public library systems about their experience with equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Since I have been serving on - [Library Programming to Support New or Struggling Readers](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/06/library-programming-to-support-new-or-struggling-readers/) - Throughout the youth-oriented circles of the PLA 2024 Conference, one of the primary alarm bells rung was the consistent decline in reading performance and those lasting implications. From poor performance in school all the way to lower income and poverty, the bottom line is: literacy is imperative to ones future. How can public libraries address - [The Antidote to Negativity at PLA 2024](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/05/the-antidote-to-negativity-at-pla-2024/) - The positive and powerful words spoken by Shola Richards during the opening keynote at PLA 2024 became the theme song for the totality of my experience in Columbus. The ‘extreme kindness warrior” poetically and bravely laid down the stones and boulders that compose his life path. With the stories of his beloved childhood to the - [VA Launches Redesigned Burn Pit Registry](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/08/va-launches-redesigned-burn-pit-registry/) - The Burn Pit Registry is a database that combines Veteran and service member data to help VA better understand, research, and ultimately improve treatment for the health challenges faced by Veterans exposed to airborne hazards and burn pits during their military service. - [Are You Ready To Be a Library Administrator?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/01/are-you-ready-to-be-a-library-administrator/) - What steps do you need to take to pave the way for promotion to administration? - [Distributing Gun Locks at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/10/distributing-gun-locks-at-the-library/) - The library quickly ran out of gun locks and realized that this program was meeting a real need in the community. With the department of health and GVIT’s support, they gradually expanded to include all 16 branches. - [VA Health Chat Connects Veterans with Care Quickly and Conveniently](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/12/va-health-chat-connects-veterans-with-care-quickly-and-conveniently/) - The VA Health Chat app makes it easy for Veterans to get help wherever they are from their smartphone, tablet, or computer. - [Reimagining the Civic Commons: A Transformative Model for Urban Renewal](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/02/reimagining-the-civic-commons-a-transformative-model-for-urban-renewal/) - Reimagining the Civic Commons is a pioneering initiative led by local civic leaders and national foundations to create vibrant, inclusive public spaces that strengthen communities - [Honoring Black History: Engaging Library Programs and Initiatives for Every Community](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/02/honoring-black-history-engaging-library-programs-and-initiatives-for-every-community/) - As February arrives, so does Black History Month, a time to honor the rich history and contributions of Black and African Americans. Public librarians develop innovative and meaningful ways to celebrate and engage their communities each year. How a library celebrates Black History Month will vary widely on the community it serves, what resources are - [Exploring Black History Month Programming in Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/02/exploring-black-history-month-programming-in-public-libraries/) - In this episode, we explore the Black History Month Programming in Public Libraries study, a three-year research project funded by the University of Michigan. - [Melissa Mogollon On The Joy Of Writing Angry Teenage Girls](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/01/mogollon/) - When readers first meet Luciana in Melissa Mogollon’s Oye, a natural disaster has upended the high school senior’s life. Hurricane Irma has forced her family to evacuate Miami, and Luciana is stuck in a car with her mother, an eternally optimistic swimming instructor who has never fully acknowledged that Luciana has come out. To make matters worse, it falls upon Luciana to convince her glamorous grandmother, Abue, to join them in fleeing the hurricane. Yet Abue, a charismatic entertainer who spends her time juggling online romances and singing at nursing homes, has other plans. Luciana soon finds herself mediating her mother and grandmother’s contentious interactions when Abue moves in with Luciana’s family after receiving a sobering medical diagnosis. Now roommates with her grandmother, Luciana is shocked when Abue lets down her guard and reveals family secrets from her childhood in Colombia. Oye is a tender multigenerational family saga that celebrates storytelling in its many forms. Electric Literature hailed it as “a funny and heartfelt exploration of growing up, resilience, sisterhood, and finding your path” while Debutiful described it as “a swoon-worthy family saga that will make you fall in love with the characters.” Mogollon spoke about falling in love with a character’s voice, the joy of writing angry teenage girls, and nerding out about craft. - [FYI Podcast Episode: Arlington Library’s Gift Nook: Holiday Giving, Reimagined](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/12/fyi-podcast-episode-arlington-librarys-gift-nook-holiday-giving-reimagined/) - Entirely fueled by community donations, the Gift Nook transforms donated items into a curated shopping experience where families can select giftable items at no cost. - [FYI Podcast Episode - Work It Out Wombats!](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/01/fyi-podcast-episode-work-it-out-wombats/) - Join us as we explore the world of children’s educational media with Marisa Wolsky, Emmy and Peabody Award-winning producer and Executive Producer for GBH Kids. Marisa shares the magic behind Work It Out Wombats! the new PBS Kids series that introduces preschoolers to computational thinking. - [Transforming Library Catalogs: The Promise and Challenges of Linked Data](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/01/transforming-library-catalogs-the-promise-and-challenges-of-linked-data/) - Linked data offers a new way to structure library catalogs, promising better discovery but sparking debate about readiness and feasibility. - [Join Public Libraries Online on BlueSky!](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/01/join-public-libraries-online-on-bluesky/) - Did you know Public Libraries Online has a presence on BlueSky? You can find us at publiclibrariesmag.bsky.social! BlueSky is an emerging social media platform that prioritizes decentralized and user-driven experiences. As we continue to explore new ways to connect with our readers and share valuable resources, we’re excited to expand our presence to this innovative - [As a Life Artist, Your Life is the Art That You Are Making](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/01/as-a-life-artist-your-life-is-the-art-that-you-are-making/) - Libraries welcomed me into an environment that celebrated learning, service, and connection. This atmosphere sparked a transformation—not only did I feel part of something bigger, but I also found a way to integrate creativity into my everyday life. The concept of "life art" emerged from this experience. - [What is a Consumer Health Information Specialization (CHIS) and Why Do You Need It?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/07/what-is-a-consumer-health-information-specialization-chis-and-why-do-you-need-it/) - It’s estimated that around 60% of total reference inquiries at public libraries are health information related, but studies have shown that many library professionals don’t feel adequately prepared to help patrons with the health and social issues most affecting them. This is where the Consumer Health Information Specialization (CHIS) comes in. - [Health, Digital, and Research Literacy Support for Your Library Patrons](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/10/health-digital-and-research-literacy-support-for-your-library-patrons/) - Whether a public library is new to offering health, digital, and research literacy programming or already has a slate of programs scheduled, the NNLM can help strengthen library patrons' digital health literacy skills. - [Rural Health Matters: Addressing the Unique Challenges of America’s Rural Communities](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/11/rural-health-matters-addressing-the-unique-challenges-of-americas-rural-communities/) - What do you picture when you hear the word rural? Do you see a particular landscape or town? Do you think of a particular industry? What do the people look like? What you pictured probably depends on what rural looks like near you but every state has rural areas. So how then do we define - [Trusted Resources for Assisting Patrons with Health Research](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/12/trusted-resources-for-assisting-patrons-with-health-research/) - Essential health resources like MedlinePlus, PubMed, and ClinicalTrials.gov enhance your library’s ability to support patrons with accurate, trustworthy health information. - [New ALA Task Force Looks at Older Adults, Justice, and Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2025/01/new-ala-task-force-looks-at-older-adults-justice-and-libraries/) - Most public librarians not working exclusively in Children’s or YA can count a good number of older adults among their regular visitors. So how can libraries reach beyond the surface level in serving this important constituency in a just and equitable manner? A newly formed task force within ALA hopes to address that question. The - [The Library Workers Support Group: A Response to Workplace Trauma](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/12/the-library-workers-support-group-a-response-to-workplace-trauma/) - The establishment of the Library Workers Support Group marks a significant step toward addressing the complex challenges faced by library staff, including secondary trauma, abuse, and harassment. - [Nico Lang On Finding Space For Queer Joy In Their Extraordinary New Book](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/11/lang/) - Nico Lang’s extraordinary American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era dives into the lives of seven families of trans and nonbinary youth in seven different states. Lang, an award-winning journalist whose work has appeared in Rolling Stone and The New York Times, spent weeks with each of the families, interviewing various family members and learning about the details of their daily life. The result is a compassionate examination of what it is like to grow up trans today, whether it’s navigating the typical problems of adolescence or the effect of anti-trans laws on every apsect of their family life. Critics have met American Teenager with rapturous praise. The Washington Post called it “a necessary work of patient, dogged reportage” and BookPage hailed it as a “series of complex, sometimes searing and always sensitive portraits of young people whose right to existence currently hangs in the balance.” Lang spoke to us about the book’s origins, the advocacy work of the different families, and holding space for queer joy in the book. - [Best Practices for Engaging Seniors at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/12/best-practices-for-engaging-seniors-at-the-library/) - Public libraries can be a proponent of healthy aging and have a positive impact on the physical, mental, and social health of the seniors in their communities. - ["I'm Wedded To The Truth" - David Tereshchuk On His Heart-Rending Memoir](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/12/tereshchuk/) - David Tereshchuk’s astonishing career in journalism took him around the world, memorably covering stories in Northern Ireland, Uganda, and Bangladesh as well as interviewing multiple world leaders. Yet despite an acclaimed work life, Tereshchuk was haunted by one question for which he had no answer: the identity of his father. As a young child, Tereshchuk grew up in Scotland with his mother, older brothers, and “sister,” Hilda. Eventually he learned that Hilda was, in fact, his mother, and he moved away to Manchester, England with her when she married. Despite his and Hilda’s closeness, the one topic that both avoided for most of her life was his origin. After Hilda’s death, Tereschuk embarked on a journey to uncover his father’s identity, an investigation that took him back to the village where he was born and ultimately relied on the assistance of the police, the Catholic Church, Red Cross, and the British military. His memoir, A Question of Paternity: My Life As An Unaffiliated Reporter, is a compassionate examination of the people who raised him, an unflinching look at the darker passages of his own life, and a riveting behind-the-scenes glimpse in to Tereschuk’s career as a journalist. - [Rx for Community Wellness: How Social Prescribing Can Empower Libraries to Boost Public Health](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/12/rx-for-community-wellness-how-social-prescribing-can-empower-libraries-to-boost-public-health/) - Social prescribing is an opportunity for public libraries to position themselves as providers of non-clinical solutions to health challenges that impact millions of people every day - [New Survey Will Provide Vital Data About Library Facility Needs](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/12/new-survey-will-provide-vital-data-about-library-facility-needs/) - Your library may soon receive an invitation to complete a questionnaire about its facility conditions and needs. If you receive the survey, please respond! About the Survey The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is conducting a survey on the physical conditions and facility needs of public libraries in the United States. GAO is sending the - [New Podcast Episode: Ten Stories of Library Joy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/11/new-podcast-episode-ten-stories-of-library-joy/) - In this episode of FYI: The Public Libraries Podcast, we share inspiring stories of Library Joy. Ten stories in under twenty minutes! Inspired by Mychal Threets' focus on celebrating joy in libraries, this episode highlights moments from library workers across the country that capture the magic, connection, and transformation that happen in libraries every day. - [E-Rate and Universal Service Under Fire; ALA Prepares for Supreme Court](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/11/e-rate-and-universal-service-under-fire-ala-prepares-for-supreme-court/) - E-Rate in Jeopardy: Court ruling challenges funding lifeline for library broadband connectivity. - [Commission for Libraries Leads Nation in Opening Digital Equity Grant Funding Opportunity](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/11/commission-for-libraries-leads-nation-in-opening-digital-equity-grant-funding-opportunity/) - The Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL) is the only state library agency administering its state planning and implementation, due in part to close-knit relationships in this small state. It’s also one of the first to begin its subgrant process open to eligible applicants, including libraries. We sat down with Deputy State Librarian Dylan Baker to learn more about Idaho’s subgrant application and discuss how libraries can assist states in achieving the goals. While each state has its own process and deadlines for releasing funds, the takeaways here can be applied to libraries seeking or considering state capacity funds across the country. - [Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Celebrates Welcoming Week](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/11/charlotte-mecklenburg-library-celebrates-welcoming-week/) - Charlotte, North Carolina, proudly holds the Certified Welcoming designation from Welcoming America, a recognition awarded to cities and counties that demonstrate a strong commitment to immigrant inclusion. As of 2024, Charlotte is one of only 24 cities and counties in the United States to receive this honor, and it is the only city in the - [New Tool for Veterans - VA Resource Navigator](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/11/new-tool-for-veterans-va-resource-navigator/) - The VA Resource Navigator helps Veterans easily find and use VA resources so they can make informed decisions about their long-term health. - [New FYI Podcast! Navigating Difficult Situations in Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/10/new-fyi-podcast-navigating-difficult-situations-in-public-libraries/) - In this episode, we focus on how libraries can manage crises through trauma-informed de-escalation techniques. Dr. Margaret Ann Paauw shares strategies from her upcoming book to help library staff address challenging situations, support patrons experiencing trauma, and protect staff well-being by recognizing and preventing burnout. - [The Pratt Library: Transforming Spaces, Addressing Needs in Baltimore](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/10/the-pratt-library-transforming-spaces-addressing-needs-in-baltimore/) - The Enoch Pratt Free Library, a cornerstone of Baltimore since 1882, champions inclusivity and community empowerment. With 21 branches, it addresses urban challenges through innovative initiatives like the Pratt Free Market to combat food insecurity and strategic partnerships for neighborhood revitalization, fostering resilience and opportunity for all residents. - [Resources for Civic Engagement in Libraries for All Ages](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/10/resources-for-civic-engagement-in-libraries-for-all-ages/) - Libraries play a vital role in fostering civic engagement, and the ALA's Reader Voter Ready campaign offers a comprehensive suite of resources to help libraries empower their communities. Through relatable stories and hands-on programming, libraries can spark a lifelong commitment to democracy, preparing all citizens to make informed choices at the ballot box. - [Presidents in Fiction: Exploring the Lives of Leaders Through Novels](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/10/presidents-in-fiction-exploring-the-lives-of-leaders-through-novels/) - Discover a new side of America's leaders with these four captivating novels that dive into the personal and political lives of presidents. From Edith Wilson's behind-the-scenes influence in The President’s Wife to the thrilling mystery of Hope Never Dies starring Obama and Biden, these books offer fresh, fictionalized perspectives on some of the country's most iconic figures. - [Empowering Health Care Providers with Version 2.0 of VA’s Exposure Ed Mobile App ](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/10/empowering-health-care-providers-with-version-2-0-of-vas-exposure-ed-mobile-app/) - Many Veterans may have been at risk of exposure to a range of chemical, physical, and/or environmental hazards during their service, and the information and resources provided through Exposure Ed can help health care professionals to have more tailored discussions with Veterans about their exposure history during medical appointments, exposure assessments, and environmental registry evaluations. - [Luis Jaramillo On Allowing Characters To Make Not Great Choices](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/10/jaramillo/) - Luis Jaramillo’s The Witches of El Paso showcases the incredible bond between an elderly woman and her beloved grandniece, two women linked not only by their intense devotion to each other but also by their formidable magical prowess. Teenager Nena spends her days in 1943 El Paso, Texas, caring for the children in her family while her older sisters work in the local factories. Yet childcare is the least of her worries. Nena is plagued by dark premonitions and fearful that her close-knit community might label her a witch if they ever glimpsed the extent of her powers. When a foreboding nun, Sister Benedicta, appears one night, Nena thinks she might finally have an answer to her problems. Following Sister Benedicta, Nena finds herself transported to 1790s colonial Mexico, where she cultivates her magic and discovers an unexpected romance. In the present day, readers meet Marta, a lawyer juggling a challenging case along with running her family and caring for her great-aunt, the now ninety-three-year-old Nena. Marta’s problems only increase when Nena asks for help locating a daughter she left long ago, a search that ultimately leads both women to some unexpected revelations. Jaramillo spoke with us about how his family inspired parts of the novel, allowing characters to make bad choices, and writing endings that seem like beginnings. - [Charles Bock on Grief, Musicals, and Montaigne](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/10/bock/) - Charles Bock and his wife, Diana Joy Colbert, were parents of a six-month-old daughter, Lily, when they received devastating news: Diana had acute myeloid leukemia. The parents were soon thrust into a labyrinthine medical care system as they pursued every resource to combat Diana’s illness. Shortly before Lily’s third birthday, Diana died, and Charles was faced with the monumental task of caring for and raising a child on his own. I Will Do Better is Bock's moving account of the two years that followed, as he and Lily formed a new family unit amidst their grief and he had to confront his complicated feelings about fatherhood. Readers might be familiar with Bock from his previous novels, Beautiful Children and Alice & Oliver, both of which were published to great acclaim. Critics have greeted I Will Do Better with similar praise. In its starred review, Kirkus called it “a uniquely forthright and powerful addition to the literature of fatherhood,” while Rebecca Makkai hailed it as “a memoir of survival, grief, and the fathomless ways our fates are tethered to those of people we lose, people we fail, people we love. This book will get deep under your skin.” - [Providing Health Information/Evaluating Health News](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/providing-health-information-evaluating-health-news/) - We talk with Carolyn Martin and Sally James about providing Health Information Services and in particular evaluating health news. Carolyn Martin is a librarian who is the Consumer Health Coordinator for the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) Pacific Northwest Region. Sally James reads health news critically and gives grades to stories and news releases as a part of a team at the nonprofit Health News Review. She also writes about medical research and other science as a freelancer from Seattle. - [Tips for First Time Conference Presenters](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/09/mastering-your-first-conference-presentation/) - Preparing for your first conference presentation may seem daunting, but with the right strategies, it can be a rewarding and transformative experience. - [Spreading Joy at the Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/09/spreading-joy-at-the-public-library/) - Library joy is more than a feeling; it is a choice and call to everyday practices of connection, empowerment, and wellbeing. And it isn’t a heavy lift—in fact, it can all start with a few tiny seeds. - [VA Offers Rural Veterans Options to Connect with Providers](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/09/va-offers-rural-veterans-options-to-connect-with-providers/) - VA telehealth is a convenient care option that allows Veterans to connect with their VA providers from anywhere. If you or a Veteran you know would benefit from VA virtual care, keep reading to learn about some options to consider. - [Call for Submissions: Public Libraries Magazine 2025 Themes](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/09/call-for-submissions-public-libraries-magazine-2025-themes/) - Public Libraries Magazine is excited to announce the themes for our 2025 issues, and we invite you to contribute your insights and stories. - [A New Beginning: How Fresh Start Supports Returning Citizens in New Jersey](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/09/a-new-beginning-how-fresh-start-supports-returning-citizens-in-new-jersey/) - By providing empowerment programs, we can help break the stigma of being a former prisoner and create positive change that benefits both individuals and the broader community. - [Navigating Budget Reductions for Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/09/navigating-budget-reductions-for-public-libraries/) - I had only been in my role as Electronic Resources Librarian for about six months when I was faced with the daunting task of eliminating 20 percent of our budget - [Be Ready, Be Informed: Raising Awareness of Resources to Support Emergency Preparedness](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/09/be-ready-be-informed-raising-awareness-of-resources-to-support-emergency-preparedness/) - The Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) is committed to providing training and support to libraries and communities to better prepare for and respond to emergencies. - [“I Was On A Treasure Hunt” – Ann B. Parson On Her Fascinating Debut Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/08/parson/) - Readers hungry for historical fiction will find lots to savor in Ann B. Parson’s The Birds Of Dog. Parson, an accomplished science journalist and author of several nonfiction books, lends her journalistic acumen to this tale centered on Catherine Pickering, a curator’s assistant at Boston’s Society of Natural History. Catherine is a fictional member of Massachusetts’s very real Pickering family, whose members included many notable scientists. The Birds of Dog takes form in a series of letters written between Catherine and her cousin, Charles, an acclaimed zoologist who has been dispatched on an exploratory mission to the South Seas. Through their correspondence, Parson immerses the reader in the world of nineteenth century Boston, highlighting the rapid technological changes of the era, the complicated association between hunting and scientific research, and Catherine’s developing relationship with the famed inventor James Cutting. Readers will fall under the spell of Catherine, whose reverence for the natural world and innate curiosity to better understand it propels the novel. Parson spoke with us about her introduction to the Pickerings, delving into the nineteenth century scientific world, and how working on the book was like being on a treasure hunt. - [Matt Ferrence On How Stories Offer A Way Forward In Politics](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/08/ferrence/) - At first glance, Matt Ferrence might not strike you as your typical political candidate. He’s a mustachioed creative writing professor as likely to discuss the works of Mary Ruefle as he is policy reform. Yet in 2020 he was motivated to run for State Representative, an experience that gave him a profound new insight to the community in which he lives. Ferrence’s memoir, I Hate It Here, Please Vote For Me: Essays On Rural Political Decay, details his ill-fated campaign while examining the complexity of political life in rural spaces, the issues that confront these communities, and how the various needs of the community are (and are not) being met by their representatives. The result is a fascinating exploration of a Quixotic political campaign that also perceptively investigates the role geography plays in one’s identity. Ferrence spoke with us about lessons learned on his campaign and how stories offer a better way to achieve a more effective governance. - [Fred Waitzkin On The Lifelong Friendship At The Heart Of His New Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/07/waitzkin/) - Fred Waitzkin’s tender and moving Anything Is Good charts the lifelong friendship between Fred and Ralph, from their initial friendship as high school students to their eventual reunion decades later, when their lives have drastically diverged. Both young men begin as bright, curious adolescents and their intelligence leads them to exciting careers: Fred as an acclaimed writer and Ralph as a gifted mathematician and philosopher. When the long dormant secrets pinning together Ralph’s family life are exposed, Ralph’s life destabilizes and he quickly finds himself unhoused. Told in alternating perspectives, Anything Is Good explores the evolving nature of the strong bond that holds these two men together over the decades, delving into larger issues like the parts of our lives we withhold from friends and what we owe to our community. The origin of the book sprang from a real relationship in Waitzkin’s life, and he uses his considerable novelistic powers to illuminate the complicated interior lives of both men. Waitzkin’s previous work includes his memoir Searching For Bobby Fischer, and already Anything is Good is earning similar praise from critics and fellow writers, with Geraldine Brooks calling it “a deeply affecting dive into the lives of the unhoused. Its shifting perspective and changing narrative voice builds to a clarion call for greater empathy and understanding.” - [FYI Podcast Episode: Navigating Workplace Burnout](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/08/fyi-podcast-episode-navigating-workplace-burnout/) - In this episode we are talking about workplace burnout. It's a growing issue in many professions, including our own, and it can have serious consequences for both individuals and organizations. Our guests are Ris Labib and Amber Salmon, both Adult Services Librarians from the Akron-Summit County Public Library in Ohio. They've been looking into workplace - [Freedom to Read Day of Action - October 19](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/08/freedom-to-read-day-of-action-october-19/) - As libraries and the freedom to read remain under historic threat nationwide, we must seize this critical moment to protect the rights of readers and libraries as institutions. Working with our collaborators, Unite will provide all-new materials to support in-person rallies that mobilize support for libraries in their local communities and protect the freedom to read. - [Nakikita: The Rise of Filipino Creatives in Literature and Beyond at #ALAAC24](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/08/nakikita-the-rise-of-filipino-creatives-in-literature-and-beyond-at-alaac24/) - Nakikita, a Tagolog verb meaning “to see something; to catch sight of something; to be seen,” was a poignant way to capture the striking moment of representation at the APALA President’s Program at the ALA Annual Conference. The panel consisted entirely of Filipino American writers and creatives. As the APALA president herself remarked, it may have - [Richmond Public Library Works with Virginia Poverty Law Center to Provide Eviction Help](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/08/richmond-public-library-works-with-virginia-poverty-law-center-to-provide-eviction-help/) - As lawmakers and community activists struggle to provide ample affordable housing, the public library is providing free assistance to give customers the tools they need to find and keep safe housing in the community that is their home. - [Ransomware on the Rise: Protecting Library Systems](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/07/ransomware-on-the-rise-protecting-library-systems/) - As digital threats continue to evolve, staying informed and prepared remains paramount in defending against the potentially devastating consequences of ransomware. - [Building Resilient Libraries: Protecting Against Book Bans](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/07/building-resilient-libraries-protecting-against-book-bans/) - Readers do not want the opinions of a few to make decisions on what books are available to them or their communities. - [Teen Theater Programming - An Interview with Kate Whitman](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/07/teen-theater-programming-an-interview-with-kate-whitman/) - This is one of those magical moments when a community need matches a librarian’s skill set. Our amazing Hillsboro Public Library needed an ongoing teen program to get more teens in the door. I researched and found very little in terms of free teen theater opportunities in Hillsboro. And not all Hillsboro schools have theater programs. - [Let’s Wonder Together: Book Inspiration to Get Outside with Kids](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/07/lets-wonder-together-book-inspiration-to-get-outside-with-kids/) - Did you know that most children (5-8 years old) spend at least three hours a day on screens, and for older kids, it’s 5+ hours – and these are considered low estimates. Meanwhile, the time children spend outdoors engaging in unstructured play has plummeted. Some estimates are as low as five minutes a day. - [Share Your Library Joy Story](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/07/share-your-library-joy-story/) - Inspired by Mychal Threets and his message of library joy, PLA is looking for YOUR stories of joy from the library for a special podcast episode! - [Digitizing Local Zines](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/07/digitizing-local-zines/) - Has your library considered beginning a local history collection? If so, have you wondered what types of materials to include? - [Strategies for Success as a Neurodiverse Librarian](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/07/strategies-for-success-as-a-neurodiverse-librarian/) - While we often discuss accessibility for library patrons with disabilities, we sometimes overlook the needs of staff members with disabilities and the accommodations they may require. - [New FYI Podcast Episode - True Crime Podcasts Discussion Group](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/06/new-fyi-podcast-episode-true-crime-podcasts-discussion-group/) - In this episode, we welcome Amy Carmichael, the driving force behind the True Crime Podcast Discussion Group at Lane Public Library in Ohio. Join us as we delve into the group's origins, glean advice on selecting top-tier podcasts, explore effective engagement strategies, uncover discussion preparation techniques, tackle the nuanced handling of sensitive topics within the true crime genre, and much more - [PLA Member Spotlight: ALA Annual Conference 2024](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/06/turning-the-page-alaac24/) - The 2024 ALA Annual Conference will take place in just a few days during June 27–July 2, 2024 in San Diego, CA. PLA will host over a dozen top-quality educational programs on public library topics at #ALAAC24, alongside the conference’s 150+ educational programs available on the Conference Scheduler. Two PLA members are among a spectacular panel of - [PLA Member Spotlight: ALA Annual Conference 2024](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/06/pla-member-spotlight-food-justice/) - The ALA Annual Conference will take place this year during June 27–July 2, 2024 in San Diego, CA. PLA will host 16 top-quality educational programs on public library topics at #ALAAC24, alongside the conference's 150+ educational programs available on the Conference Scheduler. We can’t wait to hear from PLA members and public library workers on - [How to Survive Departmental Restructuring in a Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/06/how-to-survive-departmental-restructuring-in-a-public-library/) - Whether you are a middle manager or the person being managed, it is difficult to transition. In a large system, different departments can have vastly different managers and managing styles. - [Asher Perlman On Obsessive Ruminating, Getting Personal, And Drawing Hands](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/06/perlman/) - Emmy Award nominee Asher Perlman has been writing for late-night television for nearly a decade, first with The Opposition With Jordan Klepper and more recently with Late Night With Stephen Colbert. Yet since 2020, he's emerged as a wildly popular cartoonist, both with his cartoons that regularly get published in The New Yorker as well as his Instagram account. With Well, This Is Me, Perlman has released his first compilation, not only full of fan favorites but also packed with never-before-seen cartoons. Early reaction has been ecstatic. Ben Stiller said "Asher Perlman's cartoons are the kind of funny that makes you question what it is to be a person, but in a good way" and Judd Apatow called the collection "insightful, human, hilarious." Perlman spoke with us about cartooning, getting personal with his compilation, and the perils of drawing hands. - [Building and Curating a Manga Collection to Meet Growing Community Demand](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/06/building-and-curating-a-manga-collection-to-meet-growing-community-demand/) - How can librarians cater to the growing number of manga enthusiasts in their communities? - [Public Libraries Celebrate Pride](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/06/public-libraries-celebrate-pride/) - Libraries have been part of the Pride movement and the acknowledgement and celebration of LGBTQIA+ rights for over 50 years. - [Queer* Query LGBTQIA+ Health Resources in the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/06/queer-query-lgbtqia-health-resources-in-the-library/) - For some in the LGBTQIA+ community, the library may be the only place to safely acquire information on LGBTQIA+ topics and health. - [Myriam Lacroix On Her Spectacular Debut Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/06/lacroix/) - Myriam Lacroix’s intoxicating How It Works Out traces the life span of the relationship between Allison and Myriam, twentysomething creatives in Vancouver who first meet at a punk show. In each chapter, Lacroix reveals new layers of their dynamic as she examines the women in various scenarios in wildly different potential realities. From debating motherhood after they find a baby in an alley to combating depression through cannibalism, Myriam and Allison prove themselves an unforgettable romantic duo. Through it all, Lacroix deftly juggles multiple genres while spinning a love story readers will be hard pressed to forget. Critics have heaped praise on How It Works Out, with Kirkus Reviews singling out Lacroix’s “gift for cutting to the heart of things: the way you inevitably open yourself up to both injury and transformation when you try to love and be loved” and George Saunders calling the book “an audacious, breathtaking, and inspiring debut.” Lacroix spoke to us about her unexpected influences and pushing herself as a writer. - [Spotlight on PLA 2024 Conference Scholarship Recipients](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/02/spotlight-on-pla-2024-conference-scholarship-recipients/) - Check out some of the incredible recipients of the 115 scholarships awarded to public library professionals and students to attend the PLA 2024 Conference, taking place April 3-5 in Columbus, Ohio! With this year's increase in the number of scholarships available and expanded qualifying categories, the scholarship recipients include early career and un/under-employed library workers, - [PLA Member Spotlights: ALA Annual Conference 2023](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/06/pla-member-spotlights-annual/) - PLA will host over 20 programs and preconferences during the ALA Annual Conference, June 22–27, 2023, in Chicago. We couldn't be more excited to hear from PLA members and public library professionals on topics ranging from outcome data and library impact, to mental health resources, to digital literacy, and many more. Read below about three - [PLA Member Spotlights](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/11/pla-member-spotlights/) - Read about Public Library Association members—their PLA membership journey, new achievements, exciting projects they're working on at their libraries, and their favorite parts about working at their libraries. Are you a PLA member and interested in being featured? Email ekleiman@ala.org for more information. Latest Member Spotlight November 30, 2023 Mary Ellen Icaza is the CEO - [Emiko Jean On The Role Of Hope In Her Riveting New Thriller](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/05/jean/) - It’s been two years since high schooler Ellie Black disappeared from a motel party in her coastal Washington state hometown. When she reemerges on a hiking trail, it seems like a miracle. Yet her reappearance elicits more questions than answers. Ellie refuses to talk about where she’s been or who took her to either her family or the police. Meanwhile, the detective working Ellie’s case, Chelsey Calhoun, finds that delving into Ellie’s kidnapping resurfaces memories of her sister’s murder nearly twenty years earlier. With The Return of Ellie Black, Emiko Jean has crafted a page-turning thriller that honestly examines trauma and full of characters struggling to do the right thing. Jean spoke to us about keeping the pace moving, her influences, and the function of hope in her terrifying thriller. - [New Podcast Episode - The Role of Libraries in Navigating an AI-Empowered Future](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/05/new-podcast-episode-the-role-of-libraries-in-navigating-an-ai-empowered-future-with-juan-rubio/) - In this episode of FYI, the Public Libraries Podcast, we explore the transformative impact of AI on public libraries with Juan Rubio, Digital Media and Learning Expert at the Seattle Public Library. Drawing from his article in the May/June 2024 issue of Public Libraries magazine, our conversation covers how AI can revolutionize library services, addresses ethical considerations, and highlights the importance of AI literacy. - [PLA Member Spotlight: ALA Annual Conference 2024](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/05/pla-member-spotlight-pilar-martinez/) - The ALA Annual Conference will take place this year during June 27–July 2, 2024 in San Diego, CA. PLA will host 16 top-quality educational programs on public library topics at #ALAAC24. We can't wait to hear from PLA members and public library workers on topics ranging from the results of PLA's Technology Survey to building - [Barbara Bush Foundation Joins PLA and AT&T in Promoting Digital Literacy for Adult Learners](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/05/barbara-bush-foundation-joins-pla-and-att-in-promoting-digital-literacy-for-adult-learners/) - As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the need for effective and interactive digital literacy instruction will only increase. This collaboration (AT&T, BBF, and PLA) highlights the importance of investing in digital literacy education and adopting innovative approaches to meet the diverse needs of learners. - [Free People Read Freely Tote Bags Available](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/05/free-people-read-freely-tote-bags-available/) - Introducing PLA's exclusive 'Free People Read Freely' Tote Bag! - [First Naturalization Ceremony Hosted at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/05/first-naturalization-ceremony-hosted-at-charlotte-mecklenburg-library/) - The event, at which fourteen individuals became Unites States citizens, was a joyous first for CML. Ten countries were represented at the ceremony, including Belarus, Cameroon, Canada, El Salvador, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Jordan, Ukraine, and United Kingdom. - [Libraries as Beacons of Support: Empowering Communities During Mental Health Awareness Month](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/05/libraries-as-beacons-of-support-empowering-communities-during-mental-health-awareness-month/) - May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and reducing stigma around mental health issues. Public libraries have a unique role in this endeavor as pillars of community support. By providing access to a wealth of health information resources, libraries can empower their patrons and foster a supportive environment for mental wellness. - [Highlights from PLA2024](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/05/highlights-from-pla2024/) - Author signings, ARCS (advanced reader copies), words of wisdom, therapy dogs, swag, and a rabbit- what could be better? Everyone who attended the 2024 Public Library Association conference in Columbus, Ohio will have different highlights to share. I attended all three days and had a fantastic time. - [2024 Feature Article Award Winners Announced](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/05/2024-feature-article-award-winners-announced/) - Public Libraries, the official magazine of the Public Library Association (PLA), is excited to announce the winners of the 2024 Feature Article Contest. These articles, chosen for their excellence in content and contribution, are excellent examples of the dedication and innovation within the public library community. - ["You Don't Know How Many People Are In Your Corner Until You Remove Yourself Out Of Your Own Way" - Deesha Dyer On Taking Risks and Tackling Imposter Syndrome](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/04/dyer/) - In her candid and vulnerable memoir, Undiplomatic, Deesha Dyer shares stories from her extraordinary life, whether it’s flying on Air Force One or a memorable job interview with Michelle Obama. Dyer was a thirty-one-year-old community college student in Philadelphia when she applied for an internship at the White House. Dyer knew she was an unconventional candidate, but she quickly proved herself to be an invaluable member of the team in the Office of Scheduling and Advance. Following her internship, Dyer was hired to work full time in the same office. She earned a series of promotions, and was ultimately appointed to serve as the White House Social Secretary for the final two years of the Obama administration. In that role, Deesha oversaw all official and personal social events given by President Obama and his family. Her tenure included what observers at the time called a “diplomatic trifecta”: a visit from Pope Francis, a state visit by President Xi Jinping of China, and the President’s reception for the UN General Assembly, all taking place within the span of a week. Dyer has remained similarly active since her time at the White House, serving as a Resident Fellow for the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics and founding Hook and Fasten, a social impact firm. More than a political memoir, Undiplomatic serves as a clarion call to eradicate imposter syndrome, as Dyer vulnerably shares her lifelong struggle with self-doubt, how it haunted her at various points in her career, and the step she took to confront it. - [FYI Podcast Episode: Brooklyn Public Library - Library Card Access Study](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/04/fyi-podcast-episode-brooklyn-public-library-library-card-access-study/) - In this episode we talk with Amy Mikel, Director of Customer Experience at the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL). Amy shares the catalyst for the BPL's Cardholder Signup Practices study—the Books Unbanned initiative—and how it spurred BPL's curiosity to examine library access. She also share's the study's objectives and key findings, shedding light on the challenges of ensuring equitable access, particularly for marginalized communities, and provides actionable recommendations. - [Houseplants in the Library - Beautiful and Educational](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/04/houseplants-in-the-library-beautiful-and-educational/) - How one light-filled library started with a few plants from a staff member’s garden and created a cozy plant-filled space that turned into opportunities for education and connection. - [Advancing Equity in Black Birthing Health: Leveraging NNLM Resources and Public Library Partnerships](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/04/advancing-equity-in-black-birthing-health-leveraging-nnlm-resources-and-public-library-partnerships/) - The NNLM actively supports public libraries in addressing health disparities and disseminating maternal health information to their communities. For the third year in a row, NNLM will host events in support of Black Maternal Health Week. In this post, we will share events and health information resources for information professionals and provide examples of how - [Dr. Brandy McNeil Named PLA 2025-2026 President](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/04/dr-brandy-mcneil-named-pla-2025-2026-president/) - Members elected Dr. Brandy McNeil, Deputy Director, Branch Programs and Services, The New York Public Library (NYPL) , to the office of 2025–2026 PLA president. - [Check Out the Latest News From OverDrive: Your Partner. Your Library. Forward Together. ](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/04/check-out-the-latest-news-from-overdrive-your-partner-your-library-forward-together/) - Here are some of the highlights we shared at PLA in our effort to assist our library partners achieve their goals of reaching more readers. - [2024 Public Library Association Conference Preview](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/03/2024-public-library-association-conference-preview/) - While there are many other local and national conferences for librarians, the biennial PLA conference brings focused attention to public libraries and provides opportunities for staff at all levels to network with and support each other. - [Get to Know the 2024 PLA Election Candidates](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/03/get-to-know-the-2024-pla-election-candidates/) - The Public Library Association asked the candidates standing for the 2024 election to answer three questions developed by the PLA committee members. The two presidential candidates, Kim DeNero-Ackroyd and Dr. Brandy McNeil, responded to these questions on Monday, March 18 during the virtual 2024 PLA Presidential Candidates Forum. The on-demand recording of the forum may - [New FYI Podcast Episode: Navigating PLA 2024 Conference - Tips for Small and Rural Library Workers](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/03/new-fyi-podcast-episode-navigating-pla-2024-conference-tips-for-small-and-rural-library-workers/) - In this episode we're tackling a topic close to the hearts of many public librarians: navigating the Public Library Association Conference. But we're taking a unique angle – focusing on the perspective of attendees from small and rural libraries. - [Katya Apekina On Mediums, Complicated Family Relationships, And The Weight Of Storytelling](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/03/apekina/) - On the surface, the circumstances of Zhenia’s are similar to a lot of young people in their twenties. Her marriage has sputtered out, she’s grown apart from her best friend from college, and she’s recently found out she’s pregnant. What sets Zhenia apart from her peers, however, is the fact that the ghost of her great-grandmother, Irina, has recently contacted her through a medium, Paul. Zhenia soon finds herself on marathon phone calls with Paul as he channels Irina, who spills the secrets of her life as a young woman in pre-revolution Russia and the events that led her to commit an act for which her family has never forgiven her. With Mother Doll, Katya Apekina has crafted an enormously compassionate tale of family relationships, immigration, and war that has received raves from critics. In its starred review, Kirkus Reviews raved, “Like the Russian nesting dolls that inspired it, Mother Doll reveals layer after layer of poignant delight.” Apekina spoke to us about the book’s origins, delving into the complicated relationships of her characters, and the connection she discovered between channeling and the writing process. - [Exploring Complementary and Integrative Health Approaches and Resources](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/03/exploring-complementary-and-integrative-health-approaches-and-resources/) - By fostering an environment of openness, curiosity, and respect for diverse perspectives, public libraries can serve as valuable hubs for individuals seeking reliable information on complementary and integrative health. - [We are All Part of the Magic: Insights From Disney Leadership Experts](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/03/we-are-all-part-of-the-magic-insights-from-disney-leadership-experts/) - There is a mutual respect across the lines of seniority and responsibility when everybody has the same value system, the same decision-making process and the same shared purpose. That is one of the biggest keys to the Disney leader philosophy. Nobody is better than anybody else; we are all part of the magic. - [New FYI Podcast Episode: Unlocking Student Loan Forgiveness with Kyra Hahn](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/02/new-fyi-podcast-episode-unlocking-student-loan-forgiveness-with-kyra-hahn/) - In this episode, we delve into the realm of federal government student loan repayment programs with our expert guest, Kyra Hahn, a librarian at the Denver Public Library. Kyra has successfully navigated the public service student loan forgiveness process and is here to shed light on recent changes introduced by the Biden Administration. - [It’s International Love Data Week 2024](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/02/its-international-love-data-week-2024/) - February 12-16, 2024, marks the annual international celebration of Love Data Week! This year’s theme is “My Kind of Data.” Data is personal – even for public libraries. - [Public Libraries as Public Health Messengers](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/02/public-libraries-as-public-health-messengers/) - As a trusted source of health information in the communities they serve, public libraries are in a unique position to provide public health information to patrons and help them find trustworthy information through health literacy programs. - [Protecting Library Workers : The Ongoing Battle for the Health and Safety of Library Staff](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/02/protecting-library-workers-the-ongoing-battle-for-the-health-and-safety-of-library-staff/) - Almost every report suggested that changes needed to occur within library leadership to create a more supportive environment. - [Helping Your Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses: ALA presents to U.S. Conference of Mayors](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/02/helping-your-entrepreneurs-and-small-businesses-ala-presents-to-u-s-conference-of-mayors/) - Consider us part of your business support community. Libraries can save your small businesses time and money and can make the difference for a successful start. - [Daniel Lefferts On The Surprising Fusion Of Influences On His Exhilarating Debut Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/02/lefferts/) - Daniel Lefferts’s shrewd and exhilarating Ways and Means defies easy categorization, combining the social insights one would expect from E.M. Forster with the confident twists of a John Grisham novel. It’s the spring of 2016, and Mark and Elijah are young, attractive artists who have spent the past eight years half-heartedly attempting to finish their respective projects while living off Mark’s dwindling trust fund. In an attempt to smooth over their increasingly fractious relationship, they’ve invited a third into their bedroom. Their new lover, Alistair, is an ambitious finance student in his last year at New York University, devastated that he failed to secure a high-paying job that would pay off his debt and provide his mother, Maura, with financial stability. As Alistair becomes more enmeshed in Mark and Elijah’s lives, he quickly finds himself way over his head. Not only does he become emotionally entangled with the two men, but he also realizes his too-good-to-be-true part-time job with Herve, a wealthy acquaintance of Elijah’s, has far more nefarious roots than he realized. In his debut novel, Lefferts takes the reader on a suspenseful ride that bracingly confronts the financial and political moment of recent years. In its starred review, Publishers Weekly wrote, “Lefferts’s nimble sense of scale enables him to convincingly depict the blue-chip firms who rejected Alistair and exploit the housing market, then zoom in for poignant and subtle psychological realism. The results are electrifying.” Lefferts spoke with us about finding his narrative voice, being drawn to characters experiencing alienation, and the novel’s surprising fusion of influences. - [What We Learned From Drag Queen Storytime (It Might Not Be What You Think!)](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/02/what-we-learned-from-drag-queen-storytime-it-might-not-be-what-you-think/) - Although it was a challenging time, Drag Queen Storytime broke the ice, and it was worth it. We are now known as a system that values diverse programming, especially LGBTQIA+ programming. - ["The End Is Not The End, It's Going To Linger" — Lindsay Hunter On Her Heartbreaking New Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/02/hunter/) - In the opening pages of Lindsay Hunter’s explosive Hot Springs Drive, readers learn a few simple facts: Jackie and Theresa have been friends since giving birth on the same day fifteen years earlier, Jackie later had an affair with Theresa’s husband, and Theresa was brutally murdered in her garage. What follows is a moving exploration of what led up to the shocking act of violence and its ripple effects on the characters' lives years later. Hunter tells the story through a chorus of voices, from the family members most affected to peripheral community figures who observed from afar. The result is a compassionate and haunting examination of friendships, complicated family dynamics, and desire that has earned rapturous praise from critics. The Washington Post hailed Hot Springs Drive as a "gripping psychological thriller that is both a character study and a twisting combination of lust and tension" while Publishers Weekly noted that "Hunter’s masterwork hits all the right notes." Hunter spoke to us about the origins of her novel, playing with time, and writing during the pandemic. Note: the interview contains some mild spoilers about information the reader learns halfway through the novel. - [Pixelating Libraries: Bridging Books and Bytes](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/01/pixelating-libraries-bridging-books-and-bytes/) - This project, born from frustration and anxiety, metamorphoses into a tribute to colleagues, acknowledging the exceptional work of librarians. - [FYI Podcast: Desegregation of Libraries in the Jim Crow South](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/05/new-fyi-episode-desegregation-of-libraries-in-the-jim-crow-south/) - In this episode, we discuss the history of library segregation in the Jim Crow south and the fight for desegregation. Our guests, Suzanne LaPierre and Chris Barbuschak are librarians at the Fairfax County Library in Virginia and the authors of "Desegregation in Northern Virginia Libraries." Their book sheds light on the libraries in Northern Virginia - [New FYI Episode - Let's Talk Race with Richland (SC) Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/08/new-fyi-episode-lets-talk-race-with-richland-sc-public-library/) - In this episode, our guests are Tamara King, Chief Equity and Engagement Officer, and Heather McCue, Children's and Teens Services Manager at Richland Public Library. We’ll look at the roots and expansion of "Let’s Talk Race,” delve into the transformative influence of dialogue, its capacity to ignite change, nurture empathy, and foster unity within communities, and share how libraries can join this important initiative. - [New FYI Episode - The PLA Technology Survey](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/10/new-fyi-episode-the-pla-technology-survey/) - Uncover the transformative power of library technology with insights from the PLA Public Library Technology Survey, as industry experts dissect pivotal findings that drive funding and champion digital equity, emphasizing your library's crucial role in the upcoming 2023 technology survey - [FYI Podcast - Black History Month Programming Study](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/12/new-fyi-episode-black-history-month-programming-study/) - This three year project is the first national study to assess the content, scope, and factors influencing Black History Month offerings at public libraries in the United States. - [New FYI Episode: Read Romance -- Fight Patriarchy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/01/new-fyi-episode-read-romance-fight-patriarchy/) - In this episode of FYI, The Public Libraries Podcast, Kathleen Hughes, PLA, hosts Lori Leiberman, a Teacher/Librarian from Lincoln High School in Portland, Oregon, as they explore the intricate dynamics of the romance genre, and Lieberman's upcoming PLA conference program, "Read Romance/Fight Patriarchy." - [Neurodiverse Drivers, Traffic Stops, and the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/01/neurodiverse-drivers-traffic-stops-and-the-library/) - One library system is stepping up to help neurodiverse customers navigate the complexities of traffic stops and relieve anxiety around driving. Staff at Discoveries: The Library at the Mall recently brought the Neurodiverse Driver Traffic Stop program offered to its Annapolis, Maryland branch to help neurodiverse customers learn how to interact with law enforcement officials if stopped while driving and how to communicate effectively in such a tense situation. - [ALA Seeks E-rate Funding for Wi-Fi Hotspot Lending ](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/01/ala-seeks-e-rate-funding-for-wi-fi-hotspot-lending/) - Libraries have always played a critical role in bridging the digital divide by providing internet access to the public. However, traditional library Wi-Fi networks are limited to the physical boundaries of the building, leaving many patrons without access outside of library hours. The FCC's proposed expansion of E-rate eligibility to include Wi-Fi hotspots represents a significant step forward in closing the digital divide and ensuring that all Americans have access to the internet. - [Period Poverty Resources at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2024/01/period-poverty-resources-at-the-library/) - Education plays a crucial role in dispelling myths and dismantling taboos surrounding menstruation. Initiatives that promote inclusivity, gender sensitivity, and advocate for policy changes are essential steps toward breaking the silence around periods, ensuring that menstruating individuals can manage their periods with dignity and without the burden of shame or financial constraints. Many public libraries provide free menstrual products in their restrooms. - ["I Want There To Be Room For The Reader's Imagination" - Laura Sims On Her Terrifying New Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/12/sims/) - Margo has found a fragile sense of solace working at a library, charming coworkers and patrons with her wicked sense of humor and strong work ethic. But Margo’s cheerful disposition masks a much darker past. Prior to the library, Margo worked under a different name as a nurse, shuffled from hospital to hospital due to the fact that her patients often met with untimely deaths. When Patricia, an aspiring novelist reeling after a recent career setback, takes a job as a reference librarian at Margo’s library, she’s drawn to the charismatic Margo. When Patricia gets a glimpse of Margo’s true persona in a rare unguarded moment, it sparks a deadly fascination between the two women that pulls them into increasingly dangerous territory. Laura Sims’ How Can I Help You? is a searing thriller that combines keen psychological insight with mordant wit. Critics have widely praised the book, and it was recently named both a New York Times Book Review Best Thriller of the Year a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year. Laura Sims spoke with us about the novel’s real life inspiration, what she left out of her book, and her love of "weird, short novels." - [Denene Millner On Her Tender Family Saga And Discovering "Beauty On The Page"](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/12/millner/) - Denene Millner’s One Blood dives into the lives of three generations of Black women, exploring how their individual struggles for autonomy and self-knowledge are connected across time. Grace is a vibrant teenager who leads an idyllic life in 1960s Virginia under the care of her beloved grandmother. Lolo is a recently married young woman in New York whose intelligence and wit buoy her family and protect her from secrets from her past. Rae, the baby that Grace gave birth to and whom Lolo adopted, is now a young woman about to become a mother herself in the early 2000s. Rae discovered she was adopted when she was twelve, but her pregnancy causes her to pose critical questions to Lolo and learn more about her own origin. Told with incredible tenderness, One Blood spans decades to tell an incredibly moving story about motherhood, healing, and generational trauma. In its starred review, Library Journal raved, "Millner beautifully limns the experiences of a woman who must give up her child, a mother who has adopted, and Black women everywhere who must negotiate the roles of wife and mother while entertaining their own dreams." Denene Millner spoke to us about how her own background informed her novel, how she crafted her characters, and bringing different periods of history to life. # - [Lessons in Focus: What Public Libraries Can Learn from Barnes & Noble's Challenges](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/12/lessons-in-focus-what-public-libraries-can-learn-from-barnes-nobles-challenges/) - Libraries are most successful when they let the staff respond to community interests. Front line staff members know their customers and their community. They know what people are asking for and how to meet those needs. - [Unlock a Year of Early Literacy Adventures in 2024 with PLA's Early Literacy Calendars](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/10/unlock-a-year-of-early-literacy-adventures-in-2024-with-plas-early-literacy-calendars/) - Share these engaging, reproducible calendars with the families who visit your library, and watch the magic of literacy come to life. - [Cardholder Signup Practice: Collecting and Analyzing How Patrons Get Library Cards](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/11/cardholder-signup-practice-collecting-and-analyzing-how-patrons-get-library-cards/) - The hope is that regardless of size or governance structure, libraries can use this common reference point to shape their signup policies towards the shared priority of access, even while we fight to regain trust in our ability to manage our collections in the name of the public good. - [Knowing the Health Consumer](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/12/knowing-the-health-consumer/) - Libraries are one of the first places people turn to for consumer health information, whether to use library computers, internet access, or librarians in their search for health information. - [New FYI Episode - Beekeeping at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/11/new-fyi-episode-beekeeping-at-the-library/) - Whether you're contemplating introducing bees to your library or simply curious about the benefits of pollinator programs for your community, this episode has something for everyone. - [Nina Simon On How Her Bighearted Mystery Helped Her Redefine Strength](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/11/simon/) - In Nina Simon’s witty and twisty Mother-Daughter Murder Night, three generations of women determined to live life on their own terms team up to solve a murder when one of them chances upon a dead body. Lana, a successful commercial real estate developer in Los Angeles, has been forced to move in with her semi-estranged daughter, Beth, following a recent cancer diagnosis. The decidedly independent Lana bristles at having to accept help from Beth, whose semi-bohemian home in Elkhorn Slough, a coastal town near Monterey Bay, is far from her mother’s more glamorous tastes. When Beth’s daughter Jack discovers a corpse while leading a kayak tour, Lana uses her considerable talents to turn amateur sleuth and solve the mystery. The three women are soon plunged into a complex plot that exposes their neighbors’ most closely guarded secrets and strains their complicated family dynamic. Mother-Daughter Murder Night is the first book by Nina Simon , and it was selected as a Reese’s Book Club pick as well as one of Barnes and Noble’s Best of 2023. Library Journal singled it out as a “dazzling debut [that] delivers everything a mystery fan could crave,” and Publishers Weekly stated, “Simon stocks her layered plot with plausibly motivated suspects and convincing red herrings, but it’s her indomitable female characters and their nuanced relationships that give this mystery its spark.” Simon spoke with us about the origins of her novel, writing strong women, and her plans for future novels. - [New FYI Podcast Episode! Stories Beyond Borders](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/07/new-fyi-podcast-episode-stories-beyond-borders/) - Stories Beyond Borders features children's, middle grade, and young adult books centering Chinese American and diasporic voices. - [Graphic Medicine and Public Libraries: A Tool for Health Literacy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/11/graphic-medicine-and-public-libraries-a-tool-for-health-literacy/) - With this surge in interest in comics for new and established readers, it’s a good time to look at comics as a way to introduce, teach, and engage audiences around all kinds of topics including health, wellness, disease, and medicine. - [Judith L. Pearson On Mary Lasker, The "Catalytic Agent" Who Revolutionized U.S. Medical Research](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/10/pearson/) - Mary Lasker’s name is perhaps unknown to many people living today, yet so many of us owe a debt to her incredible life’s work. A former art gallerist, Lasker combined her political brilliance with her access to lawmakers to not only shift public thinking around cancer and other diseases, but also bring in a previously unimaginable sum of money to kickstart medical research in the United States. This self-described “catalytic agent” spent several decades on her goal to end human suffering, and her accomplishments number founding the Lasker Foundation, retooling the American Cancer Society and jumpstarting their donor base, and transforming the National Institutes of Health into the medical research powerhouse they remain today. Along the way, she developed close friendships with some of the most powerful people in the United States. But Lasker faced significant pushback from the media and lawmakers. In Crusade to Heal America: The Remarkable Life Of Mary Lasker, Judith L. Pearson brings Lasker to vivid life, diving deep into her extraordinary friendships, her arduous journey to reshape how the medical field (and general public) viewed diseases, and her extraordinary love story with her husband Albert. A fascinating biography that whisks the reader from New York high society to medical labs to the White House, Pearson’s book shines a long-overdue light on the brilliant life of a true American hero. Pearson spoke with us about how Lasker's political acumen, tireless drive, and rich friendships brought about her formidable accomplishments. - [Connecting Veterans to Care: VA Expands Access to Health Care Services Through Technology](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/10/connecting-veterans-to-care-va-expands-access-to-health-care-services-through-technology/) - VA’s Office of Connected Care provides Veterans with options to use telehealth and digital health technologies. These innovative technologies help Veterans overcome barriers to care. - [Take ‘em Back: The Importance of Proper Prescription Drug Disposal](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/10/take-em-back-the-importance-of-proper-prescription-drug-disposal/) - Having unused or expired prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines at home is not something new or uncommon. Leaving expired prescriptions and OTC medicines at home can increase the potential for misuse either by yourself or others. You may be asking yourself, “When should I dispose of medicines?” - [Complete the 2023 PLA Library Technology Survey](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/10/complete-the-2023-pla-library-technology-survey/) - Public libraries will be able to compare their unique characteristics to similar libraries across the country and enable PLA to advocate on behalf of public libraries at the national level with the aggregated responses. - [Registration and Housing are Now Open for PLA 2024 Conference](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/10/registration-pla-2024-conference/) - Today, the Public Library Association (PLA) announced that registration and housing are officially open for the PLA 2024 Conference. The conference will take place April 3–5, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio; most events will be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, located at 400 North High Street. This three-day event offers more than 100 thoughtfully curated education sessions, inspiring speakers and - [Banned Books Week at ALA](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/10/banned-books-week-at-ala/) - Tune in to the American Library Association throughout Banned Books Week (October 1-7, 2023) for a series of free online events featuring authors, librarians, and activists working to fight censorship. - [Greg Glasgow And Kathryn Mayer On The Environmental Battle Behind Walt Disney's Final Project](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/09/glasgowmayer/) - Few people, except perhaps the most diehard Disney fans, know about Walt Disney’s attempt to develop a ski resort on a mountain near California’s Sequoia National Park in the 1960s. What began as a seemingly straightforward development project transformed into a decades-long battle that went all the way to the Supreme Court. Disney faced competition from other developers in securing the coveted land, and later fierce opposition from environmentalists once he finalized development rights. In Disneyland On The Mountain, Greg Glasgow and Kathryn Mayer detail the dynamic personalities on both sides of the case and explore how the growing environmental and women’s rights movements intersected in this case. Through meticulous research and firsthand reporting, Glasgow and Mayer give readers a glimpse into a tremendously compelling conflict that changed the way public land was viewed in the United States. Critics have lauded Disneyland on The Mountain – Publishers Weekly called it “a rewarding deep dive” and Douglas Brinkley hailed it as “environmental history at its very best.” - [New FYI Podcast - Revitalizing a Spanish Beginning Readers Collection (Bienvenidos a la lectura - Multnomah County Library)](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/09/new-fyi-podcast-revitalizing-a-spanish-beginning-readers-collection-bienvenidos-a-la-lectura-multnomah-county-library/) - In this episode we'll hear about a successful project to revitalize the Spanish Beginning Readers Collection at the Multnomah County (Portland) Library System. The project, “Bienvenidos a la lectura” which included developing a culturally responsive collection and themed "bolsitas" (bags) of books for patrons, was designed to better serve the needs of the Latine community. - [ALA Releases Preliminary Data On 2023 Book Challenges](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/09/ala-releases-preliminary-data-on-2023-book-challenges/) - Challenges to books in public libraries accounted for 49 percent of those OIF documented, compared to 16 percent during the same reporting period in 2022. - [Unlocking Civic Knowledge: Library of Congress Game Development Challenge](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/09/unlocking-civic-knowledge-library-of-congress-game-development-challenge/) - The Library of Congress (LOC), is presenting game developers a challenge- to make games that help improve public knowledge on civics. The LOC will award a cash prize of $20,000 for the winning entry, $10,000 for the second-place entry, and $5,000 for the third-place entry. - [Libraries Address the Digital Divide with Telehealth](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/08/libraries-address-the-digital-divide-with-telehealth/) - Public library workers have been active participants in the work of the NNLM Telehealth Interest Group, whose efforts we feature in this month’s column. - [You’ve Heard of TikTok, But Do You Know About BookTok And LibraryTok?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/08/youve-heard-of-tiktok-but-do-you-know-about-booktok-and-librarytok/) - “I am looking for a book that I saw on TikTok. Can you help me find it?” - [Introducing CRAFT & HOBBY: Fostering Creativity in Local Communities](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/07/introducing-craft-hobby-fostering-creativity-in-local-communities/) - Is your library ready to dive into the captivating world of crafts and hobbies? Look no further than CRAFT & HOBBY, the premier instructional video platform designed exclusively for libraries. Sponsored Post. - [Unlocking Community Insights with CHIS Competencies](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/08/unlocking-community-insights-with-chis-competencies/) - Libraries play a vital role in promoting community well-being, and their understanding of the health needs of diverse populations is of utmost importance. Many people trust us to be accessible institutions, and libraries are valuable hubs for information, education, and resources. By comprehending the unique health challenges faced by diverse communities, libraries can curate culturally relevant health materials, programs, and services that cater to the specific needs of their users. - [Madeline Martin On The Unexpected Discovery That Made Her Change Course Midway Through Her Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/08/martin/) - Madeline Martin’s The Keeper of Hidden Books introduces readers to Zofia, a bright high school student in 1939 Warsaw who loves nothing more than discussing books with her best friend Janina. When the Nazis occupy Warsaw, the young women are horrified by the violence and devastation the Nazis enact on their city. When Nazi officials begin to ban and destroy books from the friends’ beloved library, Zofia and Janina devise a plan to thwart their actions. What begins as a secret book club to read books that Hitler has banned soon turns into a highly organized movement to preserve books that the Nazis have slated for destruction. As the war escalates, Janina, who is Jewish, finds the lives of her and her family at severe risk when they are displaced into the newly established ghetto. Facing unimaginable odds and surrounded by the horrors of war, Zofia must figure out how to save her best friend. Madeline Martin’s The Keeper of Hidden Books is a love letter to the power of books and the enduring ties of friendship. She spoke with us about her incredible research process and the discovery that made her change course halfway through the novel. - [Ben Purkert On Masculinity, The Ad World, and The "Train Wreck" Aspect Of His Sensational Debut Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/08/purkert/) - Ben Purkert’s riotous debut novel The Men Can't Be Saved explores what happens when someone who stakes their identity on their occupation suddenly loses their job. Seth is a young copywriter with a copious amount of self-regard, all too eager to tell anyone within earshot the origin story of his infamous tagline for adult diapers. When Seth becomes a victim of corporate downsizing, he scrambles to stay afloat while still clinging to the hope that he will be rehired. He secures a job at a local coffee shop and soon becomes entranced with a co-worker with a seemingly limitless access to prescription medication. Meanwhile, his former co-worker, Moon, an ad executive steeped in the frat boy lifestyle, seeks to pull Seth into his Bacchanalian exploits. Seth counters Moon’s excess with a deep dive into his spirituality, which includes a friendship with an over-eager Orthodox rabbi and a memorable Birthright trip. Critics have heaped praise on the book, with Publishers Weekly calling it “great fun” and The Washington Post singling out Purkert as “a sharply funny observer of male foibles, 20-something angst and the modern workplace.” An acutely perceptive examination of masculinity and the workplace, The Men Can’t Be Saved will be sought after by readers who have enjoyed the works of Gary Shteyngart and Sam Lipsyte. - [Greg Marshall On Writing Fearlessly And Rediscovering Queer Joy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/07/marshall/) - Growing up in Utah, Greg Marshall always knew he was gay. What he wasn’t aware of was that he was also disabled. His parents had always explained away his slight limp and multiple leg surgeries as due to “tight tendons.” It wasn’t until he was thirty and applying for private health insurance that he came across his diagnosis of cerebral palsy in his earliest medical records. In his memoir, Leg: The Story of A Limb And The Boy Who Grew From It, Marshall charts his childhood and young adulthood with precision and wit. His fun-loving family leaps from the page, especially his charismatic mother, and her decades-long battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and his wise and bemused father. Whether it’s his parents’ lie of omission about his diagnosis, his early relationships, and his ultimate romance with the man who becomes his husband, Marshall recounts his life with blistering honesty and enormous compassion. Critics have raved about Marshall’s debut. Buzzfeed praised Leg by writing, “With signature wit and humor, Marshall takes material that could be morbid in the hands of a lesser writer, and dares his readers not to laugh.” In its starred review, Bookpage called it a “riotously funny book that will steal your heart from the very first page.” Marshall spoke to us in late June about writing fearlessly, Utah, and writing himself into his own story. - [FYI Podcast: A Trauma-Informed Framework for Supporting Library Patrons](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/03/new-podcast-a-trauma-informed-framework-for-supporting-library-patrons/) - In this episode we talk with Debra Keane and Margaret Ann Paauw (members of the PLA Social Work Task Force) about the emerging field of public library social work; the SWTF's new book, (available April 2022 from ALA), "A Trauma-Informed Framework for Supporting Library Patrons -- A PLA Workbook of Best Practices;" and more. - [FYI Episode! Outreach Services to Persons Who Are/Were Incarcerated](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/04/fyi-episode-outreach-services-to-persons-who-are-were-incarcerated/) - In this episode, we chat with Jenn McKague, an Outreach Services Librarian at the Salt Lake County Library, who is dedicated to serving persons who are incarcerated and those who have been incarcerated - [FYI Podcast Episode: The Black Librarian in America (50th Anniversary Edition) with Shauntee Burns-Simpson](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/05/fyi-podcast-episode-the-black-librarian-in-america-50th-anniversary-edition-with-shauntee-burns-simpson/) - This reflective and celebratory edition marks the 50th anniversary of both the first edition, edited by Dr. E. J. Josey, and the founding of the BCALA. - [We're Stronger Together: A Conversation with ALA President Emily Drabinski](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/07/were-stronger-together-a-conversation-with-ala-president-emily-drabinski/) - We must remember that the vast majority of people agree with us. People love libraries. They are beloved institutions in almost all of our communities. We're stronger when we stand together in defense of those institutions. - [Post-Conference Debrief with ALA’s Public Policy and Advocacy Office](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/07/post-conference-debrief-with-alas-public-policy-and-advocacy-office/) - Whether it’s a push to ensure libraries receive federal funding, explaining the role library professionals play in continuing education and entrepreneurship, encouraging the expansion of affordable high-speed internet to all parts of the U.S., or helping library workers to defend their communities from book banning measures, PPA keeps busy year-round. - [Network of the National Library of Medicine - Health Information at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/07/network-of-the-national-library-of-medicine-health-information-at-the-library/) - Welcome to the exciting new column Health Information @ the Library, brought to you by the friendly Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) staff! Each month we will explore a new topic and dive into evidence-based health information resources, educational opportunities, and more. - [Fiona Davis On Radio City Music Hall And The City Behind The Stage](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/06/davis-3/) - In Fiona Davis’ beguiling The Spectacular, readers meet Marion Brooke, a young dancer struggling against the confines of her 1950s life. Nineteen-year-old Marion has spent her life pleasing everyone, shrinking her dreams of a career in dance to accommodate the plans her father has for her. She upends these strictly laid out plans, however, when she auditions for the Rockettes, a move that enrages her father and confuses her boyfriend. Thrust into a fast paced world of ever-changing choreography and punishing show schedules, Marion experiences creative fulfillment for the first time. Yet Marion’s newfound happiness is threatened by the actions of a man dubbed The Big Apple Bomber, who has been terrorizing New Yorkers by planting pipe bombs in the city’s famous landmarks. When the Bomber targets Radio City Music Hall, Marion finds herself unexpectedly pulled into the investigation. The dancer soon teams up with Peter Brooks, a young psychiatrist recruited to help with the investigation due to his expertise in a brand new field, psychological profiling. The two combine strengths to track down the Bomber in a tensely plotted tale that expertly combines romance, adventure, and thrills. Critics have applauded The Spectacular, with Publishers Weekly raving “this page-turner delivers the goods” and Booklist stating, “Davis masterfully draws Marion into the story, setting the scene for a cinematic conclusion. Readers will be attracted to the intriguing history and moved by Davis’ entrancing narrator.” Davis spoke with us about her research process, capturing the physicality of dance, and crafting inevitable but satisfying endings. - [Ibram X. Kendi headlines Rally for the Right to Read before 2023 ALA Annual Conference](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/06/ibram-x-kendi-headlines-rally/) - Hundreds of library professionals and advocates got a head start on the ALA Annual Conference Thursday, June 23, 2023, at the Rally for the Right to Read: Uniting for Libraries & Intellectual Freedom. This event, hosted by the American Library Association (ALA) and Unite Against Book Bans, brought together a diverse group of “freedom fighters” - [PLA Programs at the 2023 ALA Conference](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/06/pla-programs-at-the-2023-ala-conference/) - Get ready to elevate your ALA Annual Conference experience with this exciting lineup of PLA programs. Curated specifically for public library workers, these engaging sessions are thoughtfully designed to inspire, inform, and enrich your professional journey. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with fellow public library professionals and take your conference experience to the next level. - [Tyler Parker On Inherently Flawed Characters And Embracing Maximalism](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/06/parker/) - In Tyler Parker’s tragicomic western, the equally hilarious and heartbreaking A Little Blood And Dancing, readers are introduced to a trio of unforgettable characters whose lives collide with one another over the span of several decades. When we first meet Table, a low-level criminal adept at discovering new levels of incompetence, he’s fresh off a drug deal gone disastrously wrong. At a meeting with Table’s boss that night, also attended by Solomon’s five-year-old daughter, Priscilla, Table impulsively commits an act of violence that upends the course of Priscilla and Table’s lives. Years later, Table falls in love with the perceptive and tart Lady Sixkiller, and the two embark on their singular version of domestic bliss. Yet Table resists regular employment, and his financial hopes are thwarted by a wealthy relative who refuses to die. Meanwhile, the now grown Priscilla struggles to reckon her burgeoning faith with her past trauma as she enters the adult world. Both Priscilla and Table are haunted by the violent act that connects them, and this shared memory leads to an inexorable reunion. Parker spoke to us about his literary influences, creating the comic world of the novel, and embracing maximalism in epigraphs. - [Integrating Martinsville Memorial Library, Virginia, 1963](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/05/integrating-martinsville-memorial-library-virginia-1963/) - Many citizens in the Jim Crow South had to wage a lengthy battle simply to gain access to the public libraries in their towns and cities. Black residents held sit-ins, filed lawsuits, and some were even arrested and held in jail for attempting to use libraries that remained stubbornly whites-only even after Brown vs. Board - [Bringing Home The Personal Story In "The War Is Here"](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/05/lee/) - In July 1967, Newark citizens took to the streets to demonstrate against the arrest and beating of a young Black cabdriver by police. Five days of protest followed, leaving twenty-six people killed by police gunfire, thousands arrested, and millions of dollars incurred in property damage. The War Is Here collects unforgettable photographs Bud Lee took on assignment for Life magazine, capturing the lives of ordinary citizens as their neighborhoods were transformed into war zones. We spoke to the book’s editor, Chris Campion, about what makes these photographs so extraordinary, how the events of 1967 in Newark resonate with the current climate, and ensuring that the personal stories of the people affected are told. - [NEW Resource for Library Workers: The Libraries Build Business Communications Toolkit ](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/05/new-resource-for-library-workers-the-libraries-build-business-communications-toolkit/) - The toolkit offers advice and materials for library workers to promote their small business support services, engage with policymakers and local government officials, and form and strengthen ties with local businesses and existing entrepreneur support structures. - [Ten Essential Qualities for Success: A New Cataloging Librarian's Guide from a Supervisor's Perspective](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2013/06/ten-essential-qualities-for-success-a-new-cataloging-librarians-guide-from-a-supervisers-perspective/) - During my career as a librarian and, in particular, as a supervisor, I interviewed many candidates for the position of cataloging librarian. Few were prepared to answer the question, “What are the essential qualities of a successful cataloging librarian?” The most popular response given was “detail oriented.” While the very nature of working as a cataloging librarian requires comfort in managing detailed tasks, there exist many more qualities essential to an effective and efficient cataloging librarian. The following ten qualities will help you achieve success in cataloging. - [Marketing Libraries Through Word Clusters](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2014/09/marketing-libraries-through-word-clusters/) - An academic research applied a clinical psychology methodology to librarians and patrons of an Italian Public Library. The findings – clusters of “dense” words – depict libraries as spaces of inclusion or integration (or exclusion). - [Marketing 101 with Trenton Smiley](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2016/03/marketing-101-with-trenton-smiley/) - While public libraries are constantly transforming themselves to meet the changing informational and entertainment needs of the community, many people still have an old fashioned-view idea of what libraries have to offer. Why is this? Libraries are so much more than books. Today’s libraries have cutting-edge technology, dynamic programming, and knowledgeable staff, yet so many - [Sharing Your Awesomeness: Personal Library Marketing](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2016/06/sharing-your-awesomeness-personal-library-marketing/) - We work so hard on coming up with innovative, interesting, and just plain fun ways to make our libraries useful to our communities that sometimes we forget to keep our patrons in the know. But as public libraries, we have to constantly make sure our usefulness is known, whether it be during budget season when local support suddenly dries up behind pledges to lower taxes or watching our visit and circulation numbers drop throughout the year because people don’t realize what we’ve got. This is where library marketing comes in. - [The Mission-Informed Library--Internal Marketing to Improve the Organizational Climate in the Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/05/the-mission-informed-library-internal-marketing-to-improve-the-organizational-climate-in-the-public-library/) - by Amy An, Instructional Services II Librarian at the Boca Raton (FL) Public Library. Contact Amy at aan@myboca.us. “We treat coworkers and other colleagues with respect, fairness, and good faith, and advocate conditions of employment that safeguard the rights and welfare of all employees of our institutions.”—American Library Association (ALA) Code of Ethics [1] Library - [FYI Podcast: Library Marketing with Cordelia Anderson](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/07/new-podcast-library-marketing-with-cordelia-anderson/) - We talk library marketing and PR with Cordelia Anderson, a marketing and communications consultant who works primarily with libraries and nonprofits. She is also the former director of marketing and communications at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Library in North Carolina. Anderson shares her concept of the library marketing funnel, understanding the library user's wants and needs, the importance of the overall customer experience, and finding where library users are dropping off at your library. - [Working Alongside Robots at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/04/working-alongside-robots-at-the-library/) - It is difficult enough to compete with other qualified candidates who are human - but, with increasing automation, do librarians have to worry about being replaced by robots? - [We All Win -- Training and Advancement for Non-MLS Library Workers](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/01/we-all-win-training-and-advancement-for-non-mls-library-workers/) - There is a shift happening in East Bay Libraries, in California. One after another, hiring managers are inviting librarian candidates to the interview table who do not have a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS). - [ELC Pitch Competition Showcases Library Services to Support Small Business Communities ](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/05/elc-pitch-competition-showcases-library-services-to-support-small-business-communities/) - Events like the ELC Pitch Competition help showcase and inspire library professionals to rethink the role their library plays in local economic development, especially when it comes to marginalized populations in their community - [National Library Week: ALA Briefs Policymakers on How Libraries Build Business](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/05/national-library-week-ala-briefs-policymakers-on-how-libraries-build-business/) - Library workers are the connectors that link people to the information, opportunity, space, or resources they need or want in a timely and accessible manner - [Rebecca Makkai On Plot Construction, Boarding Schools, And Singing Gorilla Telegrams](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/05/makkai/) - Now a film professor and host of a popular podcast, Bodie Kane has largely managed to move past the events of her tumultuous adolescence. As a teenager, Bodie had to navigate a deeply dysfunctional family, four years feeling like an outsider at a prestigious boarding school, and the shocking murder of her former roommate her senior year. Yet when her former high school, Granby, invites her to teach a two week course on podcasting, Bodie's forced to reexamine her teenage years from an adult perspective. Two of her students begin investigating the now twenty-year-old murder, and their research leads Bodie to suspect that the wrong man might have been convicted. What follows is a suspenseful and disorienting reckoning with the past, where Bodie reconnects with former classmates, many of whom have their own reasons to deeply resist reexamining their high school years. I Have Some Questions For You marks Rebecca Makkai's first book since her acclaimed The Great Believers, and her new work has received equally rapturous reviews. The New York Times Book Review hailed it as "a spellbinding work" and The Boston Globe called it "an irresistible literary page-turner." Makkai spoke with us about creating the perfect hero for her story, what she had to leave out of her novel, and singing gorilla telegrams. - [National Library Week Kicks off With Right to Read Day](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/04/national-library-week-kicks-off-with-right-to-read-day/) - In response to the surge in book challenges, the American Library Association has designated every Monday of National Library Week as Right to Read Day, a day of action that encourages everyone to take concrete steps to fight back against censorship and protect and celebrate the right to read freely. - [FYI Podcast - A Conversation with PLA President, Dr. Maria McCauley](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/03/fyi-podcast-a-conversation-with-pla-president-dr-maria-mccauley/) - In this episode we are joined by Dr. Maria Taesil Hudson McCauley, the current president of the Public Library Association for the 2022-2023 term. Dr. McCauley is also the director of the Cambridge Public Library in Massachusetts. - [PLA, Google Tackle Misinformation with New Information Literacy Effort](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/04/pla-google-tackle-misinformation-with-new-information-literacy-effort/) - Combating misinformation will take strong partnerships and collaboration, education that meets people where they are, community empowerment, and ensuring equity and access are considered at every turn. As trusted spaces for community conversations and learning, libraries are critical players in the work to fight mis- and disinformation. - [Computational Thinking is the New Literacy of the 21st Century—Are Students Prepared?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/04/computational-thinking-is-the-new-literacy-of-the-21st-century-are-students-prepared/) - CT is critical in today's digital age. It enables individuals to solve complex problems, identify patterns, focus on essential information, and develop efficient solutions. Learning CT can start at a young age and some concepts can be taught without a computer. - [Sowing Seeds for Community Impact](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/04/sowing-seeds-for-community-impact/) - Patrons will soon be on the hunt for gardening supplies and information. Some libraries will be able to provide much more than that. - [Desegregation of Public Libraries in Winchester & Richmond, Virginia](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/03/desegregation-of-public-libraries-in-winchester-richmond-virginia/) - Progress in library integration didn’t happen simply because time passed, or even because Brown v. Board ruled separate but equal unconstitutional. It happened because of the efforts of citizens like Henry Brooks and Charles Harper in Winchester and members of the Business and Professional Men's Council in Richmond. These and other heroic library rights activists deserve to be recognized today for their achievements. - [Adele Bertei On Entering The Battle Zones Of Her Youth](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/03/bertei/) - Adele Bertei is perhaps best known for her work with the Bloods, the first out, queer, all-women-rock band, and her collaborations with artists like Matthew Sweet, Culture Club, and Sandra Bernhard. With her new memoir Twist: An American Girl, Bertei adopts the persona of young Maddie Twist and guides the reader through the turbulent events of her adolescence in Cleveland, Ohio in the late 60s and early 70s. Bertei depicts her relationship with her brilliant mother, who was schizophrenic, with uncommon empathy and grace. When social services intervene and place Maddie in foster care, Maddie must develop a newfound resilience and belief in herself, due in large part to the transformative power literature and music play in her life. Equally parts raucous and harrowing, Twist gives the reader a glimpse of the formation of a singular, uncompromising artist. In its starred review, Kirkus called Twist “a powerful look at survival and redemption despite extremely challenging obstacles,” while Mary Gaitskill called it ”strong and strange poetry; while reading it you may hear music in your head—I did.” - [Get to Know the 2023 PLA Election Candidates](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/03/get-to-know-the-2023-pla-election-candidates/) - The Public Library Association asked the candidates standing for the 2023 election to answer three questions developed by the PLA Membership Advisory Committee. The two presidential candidates, Jessica Dorr and Michael Lambert, responded to these questions on Tuesday, March 21 during the virtual 2023 PLA Presidential Candidates Forum. The on-demand recording of the forum may - [Simple Steps to Starting a Seed Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2015/01/simple-steps-to-starting-a-seed-library/) - The MVPL Seed Library launched in April 2013 with a plant exchange. Patrons were invited to bring culls, clippings, and spare seedlings to trade with their neighbors. A blurb on the flyer let people know that we were also accepting donations for our new seed library. Over the course of three hours on a Saturday, more than 120 patrons exchanged over 400 plants, and we received enough seeds to start our library. - [Community Centered: 23 Reasons Why Your Library Is the Most Important Place in Town](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2013/04/community-centered-23-reasons-why-your-library-is-the-most-important-place-in-town/) - As librarians, we know the value of our community services, and our patrons appreciate their importance as well. But in an increasingly digital world, we see the role of libraries as community and cultural centers at times undervalued, and occasionally under fire. When shrinking municipal budgets combine with the nonstop technological revolution, public library services that focus on building community face-to-face, inspiring and educating patrons about art, literature, and music, and helping patrons engage in civil discourse can seem quaint. But it is precisely those shrinking budgets and the onslaught of technologically mediated life that make public libraries’ cultural and community offerings more important than ever. - [FYI Podcast: Cultural Proficiencies for Racial Equity Framework](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/01/fyi-podcast-cultural-proficiencies-for-racial-equity-framework/) - In this episode we discuss the Cultural Proficiencies for Racial Equity Framework, which was approved by the boards of directors of the four partner organizations, the American Library Association (ALA), Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL), Association of Research Libraries (ARL), and Public Library Association (PLA), during summer of 2022. Our guests for this - [FYI Podcast - Public Libraries and Digital Literacy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/01/new-fyi-podcast-available-public-libraries-and-digital-literacy/) - In this episode we discuss Public Libraries and Digital Literacy, including PLA’s DigitalLearn and how a recent grant from AT & T of over one million dollars, has enabled PLA to empower more libraries to reach more people around the country with Digital Literacy training. - [Cultivating the Entrepreneurial Mindset: Pitch Your Business Service Idea and Win Cash Prizes!](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/03/cultivating-the-entrepreneurial-mindset-pitch-your-business-service-idea-and-win-cash-prizes/) - ALA’s Libraries Build Business and EBSCO are teaming up to co-sponsor the third annual ELC Pitch Competition, with $10,000 in prizes up for grabs! - [Tara Ison On Finding The Emotional Logic Beneath Her Characters](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/02/ison/) - In the stunning At The Hour Between Dog and Wolf, Tara Ison dives into the psyche of an unforgettable character, immersing the reader in the everyday lives of French citizens in World War II. When Danielle Marton’s father is killed during the early days of the German occupation, her mother flees Paris and drops Danielle off with a family in a rural village near Limoges. Here, the twelve-year-old becomes a “hidden child,” shedding her past life and adopting the persona of Marie-Jeanne, an orphan living with relatives. For the next few years, Danielle must navigate the challenges of adolescence and also her dual identity, where the slightest mistake could place her and her adoptive family’s lives in peril. As the Nazi occupation takes hold of France, the teenage Danielle/Marie-Jeanne loses hold of her original values, embracing the antisemitic ideology that is becoming increasingly more popular in her new hometown. Through it all, Ison’s masterful control of character and tone plunges the reader into the young woman’s life, as Danielle/Marie-Jeanne must confront the cost of her new beliefs. The result is a compassionate depiction of hope amid seemingly hopeless circumstances. Critics have showered At The Hour Between Dog and Wolf with praise. In its starred review, Kirkus stated, “Ison is unflinching in her depiction of the self-inflicted corruption that replaces the character's moral core with a twisted version of Christianity,” while Publishers Weekly called it “a chilling psychological portrait…This challenging work stands out among historical fiction of the period.” - [Francesca T. Royster On The Joys of Chosen Family](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/02/royster/) - When Francesca T. Royster, a professor at DePaul University, and her wife, Annie, decided to adopt a baby and extend their family, the adoption process sparked a process of self-reflection that caused Royster to examine the concepts of home, motherhood, and building a queer and multiracial family. In her new memoir, Choosing Family: A Memoir of Queer Motherhood and Black Resistance, Royster dives into these topics, and the result is a joyous tribute to the matriarchs in her family, examining how the lives of different women shaped her thinking around queer family, as well as an illuminating examination of the adoption process from a Black, queer, and feminist perspective. Choosing Family has received enormous praise from critics, with Publishers Weekly stating, “insightful and reflective, this is a moving tribute to the power of chosen family” and Kirkus Reviews hailing it as “a potent love letter to community in all its forms.” - [FYI Podcast: Hosting an Expungement Clinic at the Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/09/new-fyi-podcast-hosting-an-expungement-clinic-at-the-public-library/) - Job seekers with a criminal record face an enormous barrier to employment. While legal service providers can assist with the expungement process, often at little or no cost, they are predominantly located in urban centers, making access difficult for those in rural areas. In this episode Elena Coelho, Adult Program Manager, Worcester County (MD) Library; - [FYI Podcast: Workforce Development in Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/01/new-fyi-podcast-workforce-development-in-public-libraries/) - In this episode our guests, Larra Clark, Deputy Director Public Library Association & ALA Public Policy & Advocacy and Natalie Ruppert, Manager, Career & Job Services Division at Kenton County (KY) Public Library, discuss PLA initiatives around workforce development including the concept of career navigators and new research examining the role U.S. public libraries play in supporting workforce and small business development. The research, conducted by Measures that Matter, an initiative of COSLA in cooperation with IMLS, provides an increased understanding of current library practices and how they intersect with existing workforce systems and identifies challenges to data collection and outcome measurement. - [FYI Podcast: The Free Library of Philadelphia Culinary Literacy Center](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/08/new-podcast-the-free-library-of-philadelphia-culinary-literacy-center/) - Our guest is Elizabeth Fitzgerald, director of the Culinary Literacy Center at the Free Library of Philadelphia. The Culinary Literacy Center is the first kitchen classroom in a public library in the United States. Here we discuss the Culinary Literacy Center, why culinary literacy is important, how libraries can offer this type of programming, and more. - [FYI Podcast: Libraries Connecting You to Coverage](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/05/new-podcast-libraries-connecting-you-to-coverage/) - We talk with Rachelle Brandel, Adult Services Librarian at the Ferguson (MO) Public Library about PLA's 'Libraries Connecting You to Coverage' initiative and the Ferguson Library's efforts to help their community members enroll in health insurance during the Affordable Care Act's open enrollment period. - [FYI Podcast: eBooks for All!](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/12/new-podcast-ebooks-for-all/) - PLA/ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Deputy Director Larra Clark and Emily Wagner, Public Policy and Advocacy Deputy Director discuss the publisher changes to library ebooks and the publisher embargo which led to ALA's "eBooks for All Campaign." Clark and Wagner further discuss how public libraries are taking action, the online petition, and detail how you - [FYI Podcast: A Discussion of Imposter Syndrome](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/02/new-fyi-podcast-a-discussion-of-imposter-syndrome/) - How often do you catch yourself feeling like you are in ‘over your head’ at work? Imposter syndrome – the sense that you are inadequate for the task in front of you despite past proof of your ability – can wreak havoc on your career and keep you from taking on new challenges. It can - [FYI Podcast: Hosting Digital Author Events](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/06/new-fyi-podcast-hosting-digital-author-events/) - In this episode, Stesha Brandon, Literature and Humanities Program Manager at the Seattle Public Library (SPL) shares how SPLA successfully moved author programming to a digital format during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tune in for tips and great ideas on creating or improving your library's digital author programming. - [FYI Podcast: PLA Benchmark & Library Staff Diversity Survey](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/12/new-fyi-podcast-episode-pla-benchmark-library-staff-diversity-survey/) - Sara Goek, Program Manager at the Public Library Association and Linda Hofschire, Director of the Research Institute for Public Libraries (RIPL) discuss the 2021 Public Library Staff & Diversity Survey and "Benchmark: Library Metrics and Trends," the latest evolution in PLA’s data-driven initiatives and tools for libraries. - [FYI Podcast: Public Library Anti-Hate Statements](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/01/new-fyi-podcast-episode-public-library-anti-hate-statements-an-inclusive-way-to-support-community-members/) - Editor's Note: This podcast is based on a presentation that was scheduled to occur at the 2022 PLA Conference. Unfortunately, the presentation was canceled and will not/did not take place. However, the podcast episode still offers a ton of information on library anti-hate statements. In this episode we talk with Cindy Khatri, Public Relations Manager, - [FYI Podcast: Subscription Book Boxes for Teens](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/11/fyi-podcast-subscription-book-boxes-for-teens/) - Discover the impact this program can have—particularly on book desert communities—and imagine a new way to cultivate relationships with underserved populations. - [I've Written a Book. I'm a Machine, and Taught Myself How to Write.](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2023/01/ive-written-a-book-im-a-machine-and-taught-myself-how-to-write/) - Librarians have heard about AI (Automatic Intelligence) but you and I as librarians may not know how it will be affecting our profession and jobs. - [Family Place Libraries™ Making Its Way Across the Nation](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/12/family-place-libraries-making-its-way-across-the-nation/) - Family Place Libraries™ is an initiative created by the Middle Country Public Library in Centereach, New York, with the goal of turning libraries into community centers for literacy, early childhood development, parent education and engagement, family support, and community information. - [A Message from PLA President Maria McCauley Regarding Recent Library Threats](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/09/a-message-from-pla-president-maria-mccauley-regarding-recent-library-threats/) - Responding to threats to my library or my colleagues is something that I never expected to need to prepare for in my role as a library director. Unfortunately, these incidents seem to be coming up more often, and most recently colleagues in five cities have worked with local authorities to address bomb or shooting threats - [FYI Podcast: Public Library Association Surveys](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/10/fyi-podcast-public-library-association-surveys/) - In this episode we discuss the results of the Public Library Association's 2021 Public Library Staff and Diversity Survey and the current 2022 Public Library Services for Strong Communities Survey. Our guests are: Sara Goek: Project Manager, Data and Research, at PLA; Dan Hensley: Co-chair of PLA’s Measurement, Evaluation, and Assessment Committee (aka MEAC) and Coordinator of Adult Learning at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh; and Katina Jones: Program Manager, Evaluation and Assessment, at PLA and former member of MEAC - [Revolting Librarians: Fifty Years Later](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/11/revolting-librarians-fifty-years-later/) - Fifty years ago, a group of self-described radical librarians published a manifesto: Revolting Librarians. Edited by Celeste West, Elizabeth Katz, and Anne Osborn, it’s described by the popular reader’s website Goodreads as “…one of the lasting monuments of the library underground.” - [Native American Heritage Month at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/11/native-american-heritage-month-at-the-library/) - How is your library celebrating Native American Heritage Month? - [Librarian Turned Game Designer](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/12/librarian-turned-game-designer/) - I’ve always been a gamer my entire life, but I never knew how to get into the gaming industry. Iended up becoming a librarian instead. - [Sonali Dev On Bollywood Cinema, Writing Complicated Relationships, And The Scenes That Still Make Her Laugh Out Loud](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/12/dev/) - In Sonali Dev’s The Vibrant Years, readers are treated to a compassionate examination of the very complicated relationships among three generations of women. Bindu Desai is a glamorous grandmother living an orderly life in Florida with her former daughter-in-law, the tightly wound Ali. When Bindu unexpectedly inherits a million dollars from a mysterious figure from her past, it upends her serene existence. Bindu impulsively buys a luxury condo in Naples, and she and Ali are forced to confront living on their own for the first time in years. Ali has been stuck in a holding pattern at the news station where she works, and uses her newfound independence as a chance to finally pursue the promotion that’s forever been dangled in front of her. Meanwhile, Ali’s daughter Cullie, a tech wunderkind, must deliver a new app for her investors. When they buy her half-baked pitch for a dating app, the romantically challenged mother enlists the help of her conveniently single mother and grandmother to test-drive her new invention. What follows is a hilarious comedy of manners, as the three women grapple with hilariously horrendous first dates, reappearing exes, and long-buried secrets. Critics have heaped praise on Dev’s latest book. Publishers Weekly raved, “This effervescent tale is sure to please the author’s fans and win her new ones” and Kirkus Reviews hailed it as “an intergenerational tale of self-discovery and the relationships that matter most.” - [Fodor's Eleven Most Beautiful Libraries in the US](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/12/fodors-eleven-most-beautiful-libraries-in-the-us/) - A few of the libraries are not surprising – Seattle Central and Los Angeles Central were on the Fodor's World’s Most Stunning Libraries list in 2017 as well. - [Bruce Davis Takes Readers Behind The Scenes On The Early Days of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/11/davis-2/) - Perhaps there’s no person better equipped to write a book exploring the tumultuous early days of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science’s existence than Bruce Davis. Davis worked at the Academy for three decades, and was its executive director for over twenty years. With The Academy and The Award, Davis has combined meticulous research with a dynamic narrative to reveal the compelling personalities of the actors, writers, directors, and filmmakers who comprised the Academy during its formative era. Along the way, Davis debunks some long held myths of Academy lore, including the true origins of the Oscar’s name and the actual events of Bette Davis’ supposedly tempestuous term as the Academy’s President. An erudite and witty look at the Academy’s history, The Academy and The Award is a vital chronicle of film history that will be sought after by American history aficionados and film fanatics alike. Critics have lavished praise on the book, with U.S. News and World Report stating, “Film historians and others digging for a deeper vein of Oscar knowledge than mere trivia will turn up many nuggets in The Academy and the Award, which focuses on the initial three decades in the corporate life of the sword-wielding statuette. Oscar would be lucky to have as keen and even-handed a historian as Davis to explore its next era.” Davis spoke with us about his extensive research, television’s influence on the Academy’s prospects, and how a chance remark by Gregory Peck caused Davis to change his office décor. - ["The Movement is Already Out There" - David Moscow on Investigating Our Planet’s Interconnected Food Supply](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/10/moscow/) - For over four years, David Moscow has traveled the world, investigating the communities who produce our food sources on his acclaimed series “From Scratch.” Now the actor and producer has teamed up with his father, Joe Moscow, to write From Scratch: Adventures in Harvesting, Hunting, Fishing, and Foraging on a Fragile Planet. The book dives - [Ned Bachus On Chosen Family, Unlikely Friendships, And His Debut Novel's Thirty-Six Year Journey To The Page](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/10/bachus/) - In Ned Bachus' debut novel, Mortal Things, three disparate characters find themselves in an unexpected family unit, providing support through some of life's darkest moments. Reeling from the recent deaths of his wife and infant son, Mike Flannagan returns to the small neighborhood in Philadelphia where he grew up. Eventually he finds himself in a promising relationship with the vibrant and intelligent Sarah, a professor at a local college. Yet even though he cares for her, Mike retreats whenever things get too serious. After a disastrous social outing with Sarah’s friends, Mike comes across Domenic, an elderly barber who has recently been mugged. The two men, both widowers, soon establish an unlikely friendship. When Sarah reaches out to Domenic for advice about her flailing relationship with Mike, she discovers a kinship with the old man as well. When a series of surprising events threaten the delicate social structure the three have created, each person is pushed to their edge as they confront the lengths they’ll go to protect the ones they love. Ned Bachus’ debut novel Mortal Things is a rich and tender examination of community, chosen family, and loyalty. He spoke with us about finding the layers of his characters, the struggle to fit in, and why writing the book took thirty-six years. - [Barbara Graham On The Joy Of "Not Knowing" In Crafting Her Compassionate and Suspenseful Debut Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/09/graham/) - When musician Henry Bird disappears shortly before the birth of his daughter, local police initially chalk it up to a fear of impending fatherhood. Yet his mother, Helen, instinctively fears the worst and sets out to uncover what happened. As Helen pursues her investigation, Lucie and Matt Pressman, two young Manhattanites who frequently vacation in Henry’s hometown of Aurora Falls, New York, welcome the arrival of their son, Jonah. When the Pressmans return to Aurora Falls the summer their son Jonah is seven, Helen and Lucie find their lives inexplicably connected. Jonah, who has long referenced his “other mom and dog,” rattles off memories that only could have been known by Henry, who remains missing. The two mothers, unnerved by this improbability, form a cautious friendship as they seek to understand the link between their sons and uncover what happened to Henry all those years before. Barbara Graham’s What Jonah Knew is a compassionate examination of grief, a celebration of friendships and unexpected communities, and a deeply gripping mystical thriller. Graham spoke to us about her extensive research, unlocking the different voices of her characters, and the joy of “not knowing” in writing. - [Brave Voices, Brave Choices: A look into Howard County Library System's racial equity initiative](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/08/brave-voices-brave-choices/) - The Public Library Association’s (PLA) July webinar highlighting Howard County Library System’s (HCLS) Brave Voices, Brave Choices (BVBC) initiative was an energizing introduction to one public library system’s approach to advancing racial equity within its community. While Howard County in Maryland is acclaimed for its diversity, its Black residents increasingly have the worst outcomes across - [Uso del diseño colaborativo como método para atender mejor e involucrar a las comunidades Latinx de bajos ingresos](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/07/uso-del-diseno-colaborativo-como-metodo-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](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/07/chang-2/) - 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](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/07/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](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/06/scott/) - 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](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/06/public-libraries-across-the-country-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](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/06/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. - [Brave Communities - A Conversation with Lessa Kanani'opua Pelayo-Lozada](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/06/brave-communities-a-conversation-with-lessa-kananiopua-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 - ["Whatever Job You Give Me, I'll Learn" — Natalie Jacobson Reflects on Her Illustrious Career in Television News](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/05/jacobson/) - 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](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/05/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](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/05/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. - [FYI Podcast: The White Allies Handbook: 4 Weeks to Join the Racial Justice Fight for Black Women](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/04/new-fyi-podcast-the-white-allies-handbook-4-weeks-to-join-the-racial-justice-fight-for-black-women/) - In this episode our guest is Lecia Michelle. Lecia is a long-time librarian, activist, and author. Her forthcoming book “THE WHITE ALLIES HANDBOOK: 4 Weeks to Join the Racial Justice Fight for Black Women” (published by Kensington Books) will be on sale July 26, 2022. The book is a practical, actionable, explicit guide for people looking to not just "start a conversation" but to take concrete steps toward equality. - [Jennifer Close on How Politics, Pasta, and 90's Cover Bands Informed Her Hilarious New Novel About a Family in Crisis](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/04/close/) - For nearly thirty years, the Sullivan cousins—Teddy, Jane, and Gretchen—have found solace in their family restaurant, JP Sullivans, a cozy establishment in Oak Park, Illinois. But in the fall of 2016, the cousins find themselves unmoored when their grandfather unexpectedly dies, their beloved Cubs finally win the World Series, and Donald Trump is elected President. Jane suddenly questions whether her husband’s newfound obsession with CrossFit is just an innocent hobby or an indicator that something is amiss in her once-stable marriage. Her younger sister, Gretchen, is unsure whether her popular 90’s cover band, Donna Martin Graduates, still has a chance at rock and roll stardom when the majority of their income comes from playing wedding receptions. Their cousin, Teddy, struggles to get his aunts and uncles to take him seriously as the new manager of JP Sullivans, all the while trying to figure out why his snobbish ex-boyfriend is suddenly frequenting the restaurant so much. What follows is a delightful comedy of manners as the three Sullivans navigate the unexpected twists of life, fortified by family and the restaurant’s phenomenal grilled cheese sandwiches. As she has done in her previous books, Jennifer Close depicts the complex of family and romantic relationships with a graceful charm and easy wit. Critics have raved about Marrying the Ketchups, with The New York Times singling out Close’s “merry sense of humor…[and] the knack she has of inventing story lines that have the feel of extremely good gossip told across a hightop table over a beer with an old friend.” - ["I'm Always Writing in Extremity of My Life" — Sara Baume on Her Gorgeous and Poetic New Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/04/baume/) - Sigh and Bell, drawn to each other by their similarly distrustful views of society, are relatively early in their relationship when they decide to ditch their dead-end jobs in Dublin and move to a cottage in the countryside. Over the next seven years, the two lovers, along with the dogs each person brought into the relationship, adapt to the steady rhythm of the natural world, shedding their past relationships and committing to a parsed-down life. The one constant in their life is the mountain that looms over them, a watchful presence that serves as the touchstone of their lives. Sara Baume's Seven Steeples charts this unique love story—not only between the two lovers but also with each individual and their lush environment—with a graceful force that accumulates as the novel progresses. In spare and evocative prose, Baume pays tribute to living life on one's own terms and forging a deeper connection to the natural world. Baume spoke with us about writing in extremity of her life and how her background as a visual artist impacts her writing. - [HOW TO Flip Your Library's Collections – Visiting Project Chaos](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/04/how-to-flip-your-librarys-collections-visiting-project-chaos/) - This was a daunting project with multiple moving parts. Staff flipped our entire adult collections and ended up moving 71,701 items. - [HOW TO -- National Voter Registration Day Initiatives](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/04/national-voter-registration-day-initiatives/) - At PLA 2022 we (Lynda & Lauren) presented about hosting a National Voter Registration Day statewide initiative. - [HOW TO Initiate and Pilot a Social Work Practicum at Your Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/04/how-to-initiate-and-pilot-a-social-work-practicum-at-your-library/) - Originally presented at the How-To Stage during PLA 2022. HOW TO Initiate and Pilot a Social Work Practicum in Your LibraryProgram Description: Public libraries across North America are adding social work students to try to meet patron and staff needs, yet many are “reinventing the wheel” due to lack of consistent guidance about how to - [HOW TO How to Think About, Talk About, and Be About Allyship](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/04/how-to-how-to-think-about-talk-about-and-be-about-allyship/) - What does allyship mean to you? It’s a simple enough question, but often, aspiring white allies get the answer wrong. - [Azar Nafisi on How Reading Is Crucial To Our Survival](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/03/nafisi/) - Read Dangerously: The Subversive Power of Literature in Troubled Times is Azar Nafisi’s exhilarating examination of the role literature plays in understanding political systems and those who uphold opposing beliefs. Structured as letters to her deceased father, a compassionate man who instilled a profound respect for the art of storytelling in his children, Nafisi writes about authors who have engaged with the darkest aspects of their societies. In celebrating and studying these disparate writers, Nafisi notes how they created humane works that not only deepens the reader’s understanding of their own world, but also makes them more empathetic in the process. Nafisi also reflects on her family’s fascinating history in the letters, including her father’s imprisonment in Iran for political reasons, her own experience as a young professor living in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and her observations living in the United States for over two decades. - ["To Make Meaningful Long-Term Change We Have to Take a Systemic Approach To It"—Ruchika Tulshyan on Creating a More Inclusive Workplace](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/03/tulshyan/) - Ruchika Tulshyan combines her years of expertise as a DEI consultant for global companies along with her journalist’s acumen to write Inclusion on Purpose: An Intersectional Approach to Creating a Culture of Belonging at Work, a ground-breaking and user-friendly guide to making workplaces more inclusive environments. Tulshyan articulates that inclusion must be a practiced habit rather than an acknowledged theory, and gives leaders the tools to transform their companies into more inclusive spaces. Tulshyan’s meticulously researched management book also serves as a workbook for leaders, ending each chapter with prompts for writing and reflecting on how the issues covered in the chapter show up in the reader’s life. Tulshyan might be familiar to readers for her appearance on Brené Brown’s podcast as well as her frequent essays for The New York Times. Her previous book, The Diversity Advantage: Fixing Gender Inequality in the Workplace, focused on leadership strategies to advance women at work. - [Jane Pek on Subverting Genre Tropes and the "What If" Scenario at the Heart of Her Ingenious New Mystery](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/02/pek/) - Twenty-something Claudia Lin spends her days biking around New York City, working for a very unusual (and exclusive) detective agency. Lovelorn New Yorkers hire Claudia’s company to investigate their potential romantic partners, and Claudia must determine if the online persona on the partner’s dating profiles matches up to their real life identity. When one of Claudia’s clients dies under mysterious circumstances, the lifelong lover of detective fiction immediately suspects foul play. Despite strict instructions to the contrary from her boss, Claudia launches her own investigation. In the midst of tracking down a potential murderer, Claudia must also fend off her mother’s prying questions about her dating life, keep her job secret from her high-achieving siblings, and navigate the confusing waters of New York’s dating scene. Jane Pek’s witty and incisive The Verifiers is a love letter to the Golden Age of mystery, and with Claudia, Pek has created a brilliant and endearing detective for the current age. Critics have heaped praise on The Verifiers. Buzzfeed hailed it as an “astute, page-turning debut [that] sheds light on the necessities and limitations of interpersonal interaction, the role technology plays in its evolution (and de-evolution), and what it means to be human and looking for love in the 21st century,” while Poets & Writers wrote, “Through Claudia’s perceptive and entertaining narration, The Verifiers underscores the pitfalls and absurdities of modern technology. The novel is also an intimate portrait of a young, queer Chinese American person forging her own path.” - [Advancing Digital Equity by Expanding Tribal Library Access to E-Rate](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/02/advancing-digital-equity-by-expanding-tribal-library-access-to-e-rate/) - Since the federal E-Rate program was established in 1996, public libraries across the nation have saved close to $2 billion in telecommunications and internet access costs. However, the program has largely failed to reach communities with some of the worst broadband access in the nation. Nearly 7 in every 10 residents on rural tribal lands remain without access to high-capacity broadband, and yet only about 12 percent of tribal libraries report receiving E-Rate funds. - [Ravi Shankar on His Revelatory Memoir and The Embrace of The Totality of The Experience](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/01/shankar/) - Ravi Shankar is a Pushcart Prize-winning poet and editor of more than fifteen books and chapbooks of poetry, whose work has been featured in the New York Times, NPR, and PBS NewsHour. In 2008, he had a thriving career in academia when he was pulled over by a New York City police officer for a supposed traffic violation. The police officer promptly arrested Shankar, who is of South Indian descent and weighs 200 pounds, on a warrant for a 150-pound white man. A judge eventually dismissed the case, but not before Shankar had to spend seventy-two hours in jail. That experience (which also involved the arresting officer using racist language) understandably traumatized Shankar. Shankar had a later run-in with the law a few years later when he received a DUI after having some celebratory beers with members of his soccer team. In 2013, he violated his probation for his DUI by driving with a suspended license. This infraction caused him to be sentenced to a 90-day pretrial detention at Hartford Correctional Center, a level four facility for adult males. While incarcerated, Shankar was promoted to full professor, an event that the local media sensationalized in their coverage and politicians used to score points during a contentious election. Shankar ultimately chose to resign amidst the media and political pressure placed upon him, and his marriage ended during this experience as well. In his elegantly wrought and emotionally transparent memoir, Correctional, Shankar recounts his own experience with the criminal justice system, exploring how race, class, and privilege shaped his time in the correctional facility. - [Giving Thanks for the Activists Who Integrated Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/10/giving-thanks-for-the-activists-who-integrated-public-libraries/) - Through the 1950s, and even into the 60s, many public libraries remained whites-only until Black citizens protested and/or sued to rectify the situation. - [Renée Branum on Buster Keaton, Giving Herself More Freedom, and Her Secret Shelf at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/01/branum/) - At the beginning of Renée Branum's sly and perceptive Defenestrate, Marta finds herself confronting an almost unfathomable loss: her beloved twin brother Nick lies in the hospital after falling out a window, seemingly a victim of their family's longstanding curse. Years ago, their Czech great-great grandfather pushed a stonemason off a window ledge to his death. Since then, the family has been beset by unusual (and sometimes fatal) falls. As Nick begins his precarious recovery, Marta reflects on not only her family's unusual history, but also on her own fraught relationship with her mother, who stopped speaking to Nick when he came out. In her debut novel, Branum casts a compassionate and generous gaze upon her deeply relatable characters, dissecting the intricacies of family relationships with luminous prose. Critics have raved about Defenestration. The New York Times Book Review listed it as one of their Editor's Choice selections, and The Washing Post raved "in a feat of literary archery, Branum’s lyrical prose hits its mark again and again, rich but never overly ripe, delicate but with a tautness that propels the narrative." - [We Can Do Better -- Best (And Worst) Practices for Managers Responding to Sexual Harassment Claims](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2022/01/we-can-do-better-best-and-worst-practices-for-managers-responding-to-sexual-harassment-claims/) - Sexual harassment from patrons has long been a significant issue for library employees, but front-line staff are often the ones who bear the burden of enacting change, while having the least amount of power in the workplace. It’s time to place the responsibility for enacting meaningful change where it belongs: with managers and administrators. This article looks at some of the best (and worst) practices for managers when it comes to supporting staff and addressing sexual harassment claims. - ["Memoir is a Strange Word When you Don’t Remember a Whole Lot" - Tim O'Brien on How Memory, History, and Literature Inform his Joyous New Book](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/12/obrien-2/) - Tim O’Brien’s vividly wrought Dad’s Maybe Book is equal parts a love letter to his children, a thoughtful analysis on war’s lifelong effect on those who serve, and a joyful celebration of the written life. Told in thoughtfully crafted letters to his young sons, O’Brien ruminates on becoming a father later in life, American history, his relationship with his own father, and his approach to writing. The result is an incredibly moving summation of a life, one where O’Brien brilliantly articulates his well-considered philosophy on a variety of subjects. O’Brien is perhaps best known for his story collection Things They Carried, and his other books include the National Book Award -winning Going After Cacciato and In the Lake of the Woods. Critics have been equally enthusiastic about Dad’s Maybe Book as O'Brien's earlier work, with Time Magazine hailing it as “a work that’s the spiritual inheritor of John Steinbeck’s Travels With Charley and Kurt Vonnegut’s A Man Without a Country.” - [2021 Public Library Staff & Diversity Survey](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/12/2021-public-library-staff-diversity-survey/) - PLA invites all US public libraries to complete the 2021 Public Library Staff & Diversity Survey! The deadline has been extended to January 14, 2022. - [TikTok as a Primary Source](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/11/tiktok-as-a-primary-source/) - Social media is making a big impact on history and historical events, so why aren’t we thinking of using TikTok as a vehicle to document said historical events? - [“Anything That Strikes You As Very Different From Now Is A Very Good Place to Start” – Lynne Truss On Creating The Delightfully Funny World Of Constable Twitten](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/11/psycho/) - In Psycho By The Sea, the fourth installment of Lynn Truss’ hilarious Constable Twitten series, the Brighton detective squad squares off against their most confounding case yet. A renowned American sociologist is found murdered in the music section of Brighton’s high-end department store at the same time a local criminal (and valued police station informant) disappears from his local spot. To top it off, a serial killer intent on beheading police detectives has recently escaped from Broadmoor Hospital and is rumored to be heading to Brighton. As always, Truss nimbly balances an intricately plotted crime story with the comic workings of the officers’ personal lives. Inspector Steine contends with his newfound fame (and over-efficient secretary) after his success in a previous high-profile case, Officer Brunswick agonizes over a budding romance, and the redoubtable Constable Twitten continues his struggle for power with Mrs. Groynes, the police station’s charwoman whose true identity as Brighton’s criminal mastermind is only known to Twitten. Critics have raved over the series, with Publisher’s Weekly noting, “In her ability to blend crime and farce, Truss is in a class of her own.” The latest book is no exception, having already been long-listed for the Crime Writer’s Association Historical Dagger Award. Truss talked to us about fleshing out her characters from her radio series that inspired the books, getting inspired by her research, and placing her characters in stressful situations. - ["My Process is Usually One of Necessity and Escaping Disaster" — Jeffrey Lewis On His Haunting New Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/11/lewis/) - In Jeffrey Lewis’ emotionally resonant Land of Cockaigne, an older couple find themselves unexpectedly battling their community when an outreach program based on their late son’s dream sparks an unexpected controversy in their small town. Walter and Charley Rath have taken their windfall from savvy financial investments to support a life in Sneeds Harbor, an idyllic community in coastal Maine. There they buy not only a beautiful home, but also a neglected 220-acre camp that Charley uses as studio space. Although outsiders, they have spent over two decades there, raising their son Stephen and forging deep connections with their neighbors. As they head towards late middle age, their lives are upended when Stephen dies in a random act of violence. Struggling to carve meaning out of his death, they decide to put in motion one of his last goals, to create a program where teenagers from the Bronx would be able to spend two weeks in Maine. Walter and Charley’s opening up their home, and thus Sneeds Harbor, to young people predictably provokes huge reactions from their fellow community members, resulting in a shocking act the last night of the young men’s visit. Lewis plunges the reader into the rich interior lives of his characters, including not only Walter and Charley but also Stephen's grieving girlfriend Sharon, various townspeople who oppose their action, and the visiting young men themselves. The result is an extraordinarily compassionate look at race, class, and community. - [Kevin Young on the Poets in Conversation in His Extraordinary New Anthology](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/10/young/) - Kevin Young’s African American Poetry: 250 Years of Struggle and Strong represents an extraordinary contribution to our understanding of American poetry, creating an anthology where readers can see poets in conversation with each other as well as the time in which they lived. Young, who currently serves as the Andrew W. Mellon Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, assembled the collection with extraordinary care and compassion, bringing lesser-known poets to the forefront and highlighting the critical work African American poets have played in both the country's culture and history. The result is a thrilling collection that will allow readers to discover new writers as well as celebrate beloved favorites. - [Jo Hamya on Virginia Woolf, The Worst Bits of Twitter, and The Smell of Library Hand Soap](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/09/hamya/) - Jo Hamya’s perceptive and acidic Three Rooms springs from Virginia Woolf’s observation, “A woman must have money and a room of her own,” chronicling the year in the life of an unnamed British scholar as she shuttles among three rooms while attempting to launch her career. From the room in Oxford where she finishes up her academic career, to renting space on a couch while she ekes out a precarious existence as a copywriter at a society magazine, to a room in her childhood home, Hamya charts her protagonist’s attempt at financial independence with wit, compassion, and uncompromising insight. The result is a rich exploration of a character’s inner life as well as a sharp social critique of early twenty-first century Britain. Critics have met Hamya’s debut novel with universal acclaim, with The New York Times Book Review saying it “invokes the reality of living in a world where a reasonable demand is resolutely categorized as unreasonable” and The Boston Globe calling it “an excellent evisceration of contemporary life.” She spoke to us about Woolf’s influence, treating the internet as a physical space, and how poetry helped shape her narrator’s voice. - [Elinor Lipman On How The Secret Service, An Optometrist, and Shirley Maclaine Helped Craft Her Delightful New Comedy of Manners](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/08/lipman/) - In Rachel to the Rescue, Elinor Lipman’s effervescent new novel, the astute and observant Rachel finds herself in a dead end job in the White House Office of Records Management, archiving the various paperwork President Trump rips up by painstakingly taping them back together. One night, made over-confident by too much alcohol, Rachel inadvertently sends an all-staff email eviscerating her job’s pointlessness and tediousness. The next morning, Rachel is promptly fired. Yet when she crosses the street she’s hit by a car, the driver of which is a mysterious figure en route to a clandestine meeting with the President. Recovering from her concussion, Rachel finds herself thrust into a new world, working for an inept investigative journalist, fending off overprotective parents, and navigating a new relationship with the charming proprietor of the wine store near her apartment. The result is a delightful comedy of manners that mixes political intrigue with deeply felt relationships. - [Azareen Van Der Vliet Oloomi on Intense Friendships, Memory, and the Alchemical Quality of Language](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/08/azareen2/) - As a teenager, Arezu, an Iranian American teenager, visited Marbella in an attempt to reconnect with her estranged father. Her father failed to materialize, however, instead sending Arezu money via his new wife’s nephew, Omar, a forty-year-old Lebanese man. Two decades later, Arezu still grapples with the aftershocks of her complicated relationship with Omar that summer, one which shadows every other aspect of her life. When she inherits her father's apartment, she returns to Marbella with her best friend, Ellie, an Israeli American professor. Confronted with the physical space of her most traumatic experiences, Arezu attempts to reconstruct the events of that summer from an adult perspective, in hopes that she can finally give words to a relationship that she has never been able to describe. In Savage Tongues, Azareen Van Der Vliet Oloomi plumbs the depths of a character’s psyche, while giving the reader a thrilling glimpse of the political, religious, and philosophical components of women’s friendship. Critics have heaped praise on Savage Tongues, with Vulture calling it a “a love story of the most fevered, brutal order,” and Refinery29 hailing it as “a hauntingly beautiful depiction of the way past traumas grip at our insides, threatening to tear us apart years after we've experienced them.” - [Cursed -- A Conversation with Karol Ruth Silverstein](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/07/cursed-a-conversation-with-karol-ruth-silverstein/) - Since 2004, ALA’s Schneider Family Book Award has honored an author or illustrator for a title that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences. In 2020, the “teen” category prize went to screenwriter and first-time novelist Karol Ruth Silverstein’s Cursed, published in 2019 by Charlesbridge Teen. Readers meet 14-year-old - [Local PBS Stations Help Libraries Plan for the Year Ahead](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/07/local-pbs-stations-help-libraries-plan-for-the-year-ahead/) - WQED/Pittsburgh’s Inquire Within Network offers a model for collaboration between public libraries and public television stations. Libraries should ask their local public television stations these questions and get resources to kick-start, reimagine, or build upon community-responsive programming. - [Act to Ensure Libraries Part of Infrastructure Act](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/07/act-to-ensure-libraries-part-of-infrastructure-act/) - Within the next two weeks Congress will make historic decisions about how to invest in our nation’s infrastructure. ALA is asking advocates to act to ensure libraries aren’t left out. - [Nicole Glover on Pocket Diaries, Floating Books, and Creating the Fantastical World of her Debut Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/07/glover/) - With The Conductors, Nicole Glover creates a fascinating alternate reality—a Reconstruction-era Philadelphia where magic exists and is regulated by the government—in which readers will want to get lost. Hettie Rhodes, a former conductor on the Underground Railroad, spends her days working as an in-demand seamstress and her nights as a detective, tackling the cases that the white police force ignore. Hettie is aided in her pursuits by her husband, Benjy, a former Conductor like Hettie but now a gifted blacksmith. When an acquaintance is murdered, Hettie and Benjy dive into an investigation that causes them to explore the many facets of Black Philadelphia, while also confronting dormant issues in their relationship and events from their past. In her debut novel, Glover confidently creates a complex world rooted in real-life history, as well as a gift for empathetically delving into the interior lives of her characters. She talked with us about filling in the lives of her supporting characters, her research process, and what the future holds for Hettie and Benjy. - [Public Libraries Online Weekly Newsletter Archives (2015-2017)](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2015/05/public-libraries-online-weekly-may-14-2015/) - PLOnline Weekly Newsletter Archive - The complete collection for your leisurely perusal. - [FYI Podcast: Misinformation, Disinformation, and More](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/03/new-podcast-misinformation-disinformation-and-more/) - This episode is about misinformation, disinformation, and mal-information. Whether it is lies about the election, or COVID-19, or conspiracy theories, we have seen just how insidious the spread of misinformation can b - [Laura Blackett and Eve Gleichman on Co-Writing a Novel, Google Doc Etiquette, and Creating the Most Unexpected Relationship of the Summer](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/07/blackett-gleichman/) - Ava Simon has insulated herself from the trauma of the death of her girlfriend by throwing herself into her job at STÄDA, a minimalist Scandinavian design company in Brooklyn. Her ordered world, however, is thrown into tumult when her charismatic new boss, Mat Putnam, wiggles his way into her personal life. Overconfident and gregarious, Mat appears to be everything Ava is not, a Golden Retriever in human form. The two strike up a surprising relationship, and for the first time since her girlfriend’s death, Ava surprises herself by developing romantic feelings for another person. Yet Mat contains secrets of his own, and as Ava begins to pull at the threads of his facade she threatens to unravel her hard-won happiness. Laura Blackett and Eve Gleichman’s A Very Nice Box is a gleeful satire of relationships and start-up culture, as well as an incisive examination of grief and male entitlement, one that has earned plaudits from critics. The New York Times Book Review raved about the book, stating "the book's authors, Laura Blackett and Eve Gleichman, are linguistic magicians, and their sparkling debut manages to expose the hollowness of well-being jargon while exploring, with tender care and precision, how we dare to move on after unspeakable loss." Blackett and Gleichman talked to us about their unconventional writing process, creating the richly detailed world of their novel, and creating one of the most unanticipated relationships of the summer. - [Michael Blanding on Researching the Fascinating Mystery Behind Shakespeare's Plays](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/06/blanding/) - When Dennis McCarthy approached Michael Blanding after an author event for Blanding’s last book, the journalist little knew that he was about to embark on a research project that would take him all over Britain and Italy in pursuit of an unconventional theory about the source material for Shakespeare’s plays. McCarthy, a charismatic independent Shakespearean scholar, was eager to investigate the life of Thomas North, a sixteenth century courtier and scholar who McCarthy believed wrote a series of plays that Shakespeare later used as the basis for his own work. An initially reluctant Blanding was persuaded to follow McCarthy when part of McCarthy’s prodigious research was published in a book he co-wrote with Shakespearean scholar June Schlueter. Blanding and McCarthy found themselves in England and Italy, retracing different trips North took that McCarthy believed influenced the plays he wrote and investigating firsthand documents in libraries. The resulting book, North by Shakespeare: A Rogue Scholar’s Quest for the Truth Behind the Bard’s Work, is a wildly entertaining read that illuminates a forgotten figure in British history and brings the political intrigue of sixteenth century England to rip-roaring life. Critics have been equally enthusiastic over North by Shakespeare as they were with Blanding’s last book, the NPR Book of the Year The Map Thief: The Gripping Story of an Esteemed Rare-Map Dealer Who Made Millions Stealing Priceless Maps. The Christian Science Monitor raved, “The book likewise does a virtuoso job of evoking both the realities of Shakespeare’s world and the twists and turns of the whole Shakespeare question” and Publishers Weekly praised it, saying, “Shakespeare fans and readers who enjoy the thrill of a good bibliographic treasure hunt will want to check this out.” - [Norman Ohler on the Forgotten Members of the Resistance Movement in World War II](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/04/norman-ohler-on-the-forgotten-members-of-the-resistance-movement-in-world-war-ii/) - Norman Ohler’s The Bohemians: The Lovers Who Led Germany’s Resistance Against the Nazis brings to light two fascinating figures in Germany’s anti-Nazi resistance movement, Harro Schulze-Boysen and Libertas Haas-Heye. The two lovers began a passionate courtship in 1934 that soon led to a very unconventional marriage. As a student activist, Harro had long been a vocal critic of the Nazi party, and his outspoken dissent had caused him to be imprisoned and tortured by the Nazis for a brief time. Undeterred by his horrific treatment, he resolved to bring the Nazi Party down. As a member of Germany’s Air Force ministry, he funneled air strike plans to the Allies, and later was a key source of information surrounding Nazi atrocities to the Allies. He and Libertas quickly became key figures in the resistance movement, strategizing methods of amplifying the message of the resistance movement and bolstering support among their myriad networks, chiefly in the Bohemian community. Ohler’s The Bohemians is a rigorously researched account of Harro and Libetras’ dazzling lifestyle, transporting the reader from glittering cocktail parties in Berlin to clandestine Resistance meetings. Ohler’s work has been showered with praise, with The New York Times Book Review calling The Bohemians “a detailed and meticulously researched tale… that reads like a thriller.” - [Jonathan Parks-Ramage on Subverting the Expectations of Genre and the ‘Fever Dream’ of His New Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/05/parks-ramage/) - Jonathan Parks-Ramage’s debut novel Yes, Daddy is an unnerving examination of the relationship between Jonah, a young writer struggling in New York City, and Richard, an incredibly wealthy, much-lauded middle-aged playwright. Jonah, who is barely able to make ends meet working at a restaurant for an abusive boss, is initially swept away by Richard’s lavish lifestyle and career full of accolades. Their idyllic romance turns dark, however, when Richard invites Jonah to his opulent compound in the Hamptons. Jonah, awed by the cultural glitterati who pop by for Richard’s wild weekend parties, overlooks several ominous signs, including the compound’s forbidding iron gates and the bruises that appear on the bodies of the handsome young men who serve as Richard’s staff. Yet after a fallout with Richard, Jonah finds himself plunged into a terrifying situation, one that forces him to confront some of the darkest moments from his past. In Yes, Daddy, Parks-Ramage deftly hops among multiple genres to spin an unsettling tale of abuse, betrayal, and atonement, crafting a story that will enthrall critics and readers alike. - [Brian Broome on Gwendolyn Brooks, Giving Everybody the Benefit of the Doubt, and Why He Loves Writing on the Bus](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/05/broome/) - Brian Broome’s triumphant memoir Punch Me Up to the Gods heralds the arrival of an extraordinary new writer. In essays of searing wit and compassion, Broome leads the reader through growing up Black and gay in rural Ohio, examining his relationship with his pragmatic mother and defeated father. As a young adult, he moves to Pittsburgh. The city affords him the community he had long sought growing up, but also causes him to confront his issues with addiction and past traumas. In every essay, Broome’s joyful empathy shines through, as he unflinchingly recollects the darkest moments of his life with sensitivity and good humor. Broome’s book has been met with glowing praise by fellow writers and critics. The New York Times Book Review stated, “Punch Me Up to the Gods feels like a gift,” and Kiese Laymon said, “Punch Me Up to the Gods obliterates what we thought were the limitations of not just the American memoir, but the possibilities of the American paragraph. I’m not sure a book has ever had me sobbing, punching the air, dying of laughter, and needing to write as much as Brian Broome’s staggering debut.” - [Define & Design: The Bookstore Model of Customer Service](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/05/define-design-the-bookstore-model-of-customer-service/) - We have often looked to retail to borrow marketing, merchandising, and materials arrangement ideas, but few of us have considered the other bookstore model—the deliberate design of customer service transactions—for inspiration in understanding how the consumer environment has changed around us. Strengthening the interpersonal components of user experience is something every library can and should do, especially in these most uncertain of times. - [Urge Congress to #BuildLibraries During United for Infrastructure Week](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/05/urge-congress-to-buildlibraries-during-united-for-infrastructure-week/) - This year, May 10-14, 2021 marks United for Infrastructure Week. This week presents a wonderful opportunity for libraries to position themselves as critical infrastructure, and to advocate for the Build America’s Libraries Act to support that role. The Build America’s Libraries Act, introduced in the Senate and House by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), and Representatives Andy Levin (D-MI) and - [Learning From Our Statistics](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/05/learning-from-our-statistics/) - To utilize statistics effectively, librarians need to have an understanding of the underlying principles. An oft-neglected area of study in librarianship, statistical fundamentals are approached here in a simple rules format with examples. The purpose is to help librarians gather and use statistical information in new and better ways. This is of particular concern at this point in time when traditional library statistics like circulation and visitation are dropping nationwide due, in part, to the proliferation of convenient digital information sources - [Online Training: Libraries as Community Hubs for Citizen Science](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/05/online-training-libraries-as-community-hubs-for-citizen-science/) - With support from the National Library of Medicine, SciStarter, a popular citizen science platform, assembled a team with expertise in instructional design, education, libraries, inclusive practices, digital design, micro accreditation, and, of course, citizen science to produce a free series of self-guided tutorials, trainings, and accompanying modules to help people from all walks of life discover and engage in authentic science. - [Five Kitchen Sink Science Experiments to Try at Home](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/04/five-kitchen-sink-science-experiments-to-try-at-home/) - It’s April: Citizen Science Month! There are hundreds of online events and ways to engage, including many opportunities from libraries around the world. Looking to do some projects inside, where you live? Check out the below projects. Then, discover additional events and opportunities on CitizenScienceMonth.org. - [Calling All Gamers: How a Day of Online Gaming Can Help Advance Health Research](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/04/calling-all-gamers-how-a-day-of-online-gaming-can-help-advance-health-research/) - Love video games? Put your gaming skills toward a great cause and join SciStarter, the Network of the National Library of Medicine All of Us Research Program, libraries around the world and other passionate volunteers — citizen scientists like you — for Gaming 4 Science Day during Citizen Science Month! - [What is Citizen Science Month?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/03/what-is-citizen-science-month/) - This April, explore over 100 events planned around everything from measuring light pollution to counting caterpillars. - [“I Want Ordinary Americans to Feel Like They Have a Stake in How the Constitution is Interpreted and Developed” – Jamal Greene on the Role Rights Play in the U.S. Legal System](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/03/greene/) - Rights have always been an integral part of the American identity. In his compelling new book, How Rights Went Wrong: Why Our Obsession with Rights Is Tearing America Apart, legal scholar Jamal Greene examines the evolving role rights have played in U.S. legal history. Commencing with how the Framers of the Constitution originally viewed the role of rights in the judicial process, Greene guides the reader through key moments in U.S. legal history to study the increasingly divisive status rights have assumed over time. In considering key cases and historical figures, Greene studies the polarizing effect rights have had on the country’s culture, and posits the changes necessary in order to move away from the current binary definition of rights. Greene, the Dwight Professor of Law at Columbia University's Law School, has earned high praise for his first book. Of How Rights Went Wrong, Publishers Weekly raved, “Greene delves deeply into the legal, cultural, and political matters behind rights conflicts, and laces his account with feisty legal opinions and colorful character sketches” and past president of the ACLU Nadine Strossen hailed it as "fastidiously researched and immensely readable." - [Hala Alyan on the Quiet Moments that Comprise Her Devastating New Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/03/alyan/) - At first glance, the fiercely loving family at the heart of Hala Alyan’s extraordinary The Arsonists’ City has it all. The parents, Idris and Mazna, lead a life of upper-class comfort in California, while their three children pursue seemingly glamorous careers in Brooklyn, Austin, and Beirut. Yet the family is thrown into disarray when Idris impulsively decides to sell his family home in Beirut following the death of his father. Mazna, a former actress in her native Syria, uses her formidable charm and political skills to summon all three children to the family man for one last visit to the ancestral manse. Yet once reunited, long held family secrets erupt, threatening to upend the fragile peace among family members and causing everyone to reckon with uncomfortable truths in their own personal lives. - [Build America's Libraries Act: Advocate for Critical Infrastructure](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/03/build-americas-libraries-act-advocate-for-critical-infrastructure/) - The Build America’s Libraries Act would provide $5 billion for upgrades to the nation’s library infrastructure to address challenges such as natural disasters, COVID-19, broadband capacity, environmental hazards, and accessibility barriers - [Amy Gentry on Toxic Workplaces, How to Construct the Perfect Plot Twist, and Why Grad School is the Perfect Place to Become a Villain](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/02/gentry/) - Amy Gentry’s engrossing Bad Habits digs into the dark recesses of academia, pulling apart the long lasting aftershocks of a toxic relationship among a dynamic professor and the two star students in her graduate program. When we first meet Mac, she’s living a seemingly glamorous life in academia, headlining conferences and on the verge of interviewing for her dream job. Yet she’s brought up short when she unexpectedly runs into her former best friend Gwen at a hotel bar. The two haven’t spoken since Gwen left their graduate program nearly a decade earlier, and the reunion stirs up dark memories of the past that Mac has long since suppressed. As high school students, they formed an intense bond over their shared appreciation of beauty and art, despite coming from wildly different backgrounds. Mac’s childhood was marked by her mother’s struggles with addiction and financial issues, while Gwen came from a world of near unimaginable wealth. Later as doctoral students in an elite graduate program, they fell under the thrall of a brilliant professor, Bethany, whose iron-like grip on her students’ lives shapes the ultimate fates of both Gwen and Mac. With spiky humor and exquisite plotting, Gentry crafts a twisty tale that explores the surprising and brutal ways a person’s past may bump against their present life. - [Health Hazards of Librarianship: Not Just Paper Cuts](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/02/health-hazards-of-librarianship-not-just-paper-cuts/) - One of my colleagues used to say: “We get to work in the candy store.” Indeed, many outside the profession may read the title of this article and joke: Health hazards of librarianship? Like what, paper cuts or falling off book ladders? However, as the COVID-19 pandemic brought to light, there are health risks entailed by all front line workers, as well as some more specific to library employees. - [Te-Ping Chen on the Land of Oz, Writing as a Secret Self, and the Stray Wonderings that Inspire Her Stories](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/02/chen/) - Each of the stories in Te-Ping Chen’s phenomenal debut collection, Land of Big Numbers, plunge the reader into the often fantastical lives of her memorable characters. With wit, grace, and compassion, Chen brings each character fully to life, from a lovestruck flower vender who accidentally comes into possession of an expensive fountain pen to an - [Mateo Askaripour on Mob Movies, James Baldwin, and the Book that Gave Him Permission to Not Hold Back](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2021/01/askaripour/) - Four years after graduating as valedictorian from Bronx High School of Science, Darren Vender coasts through life as manager of a Starbucks in the lobby of a New York skyscraper. He spends his free time hanging out with his childhood sweetheart, Soraya, and best friend, Jason, while evading his mother’s persistent questions about his future. An unexpected career path opens up for him, however, when he impulsively up-sells one of the high profile executives who frequent his store. Soon Darren finds himself thrust into the high-pressure (and very white) start-up world, scrambling to learn a new skill set as a member of their elite sales team while dodging his racist co-workers’ attempts to sabotage him. Darren’s considerable sales acumen quickly vaults him into a world of unimaginable opulence, one that pushes him farther away from his family, friends, and neighborhood. When a tragic event upends Darren’s life, Darren finds unexpected purpose by launching an underground plot to recruit and train a more diverse sales force. With his debut novel Black Buck, Mateo Askaripour has crafted a riotously funny dissection of race, corporate culture, and the American Dream that is also one of the most anticipated books of 2021. The Washington Post called it “an irresistible comic novel about the tenacity of racism in corporate America” and Entertainment Weekly hailed it as "a combination of character study, searing indictment of all the problematics of white corporate culture, and some good old-fashioned enjoyable sarcasm.” - [Esther Wojcicki on Parenting, Teaching, and Why It's Okay to Smile Before Christmas](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/05/woj/) - In How to Raise Successful People: Simple Lessons for Radical Results, Esther Wojcicki distills the techniques she’s developed for over fifty years as an educator and parent to help readers raise self-reliant children. Combining research and reflection, Wojcicki’s outlines how her method, TRICK (for Trust, Respect, Independence, Collaboration, and Kindness), empowers children to develop skills to be resilient members of society. Wojcicki is the founder of the Media Arts programs at Palo Alto High School as well as the CEO of Global Moonshots in Education, a non-profit which aims to instruct teachers and business leaders in the TRICK methodology. - [Gerard Koeppel on the Clash of Cultures that Turned Deadly on the High Seas](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/06/koeppel/) - In Gerard Koeppel’s engrossing Not a Gentleman’s Work: The Untold Story of a Gruesome Murder at Sea and the Long Road to Truth, Koeppel investigates a murder trial that captured the attention of the late nineteenth century but is now largely forgotten. In 1896, six days into a twelve-week voyage to Buenos Aires, crew members - [Job Searching During a Pandemic: Flexibility is Key](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/12/job-searching-during-a-pandemic-flexibility-is-key/) - The COVID-19 pandemic has turned the recruitment process upside down for both job seekers and employers. Here’s how to cope. - [Deborah Reed on Creative Pilgrimages, Earthquakes, and Being Surrounded By Stories](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/12/reed/) - Violet Swan, the luminous centerpiece of Deborah Reed’s Pale Morning Light With Violet Swan, finds herself at age ninety-three closing down on life, still active as a renowned abstract artist and doted on by her son, Francisco, and his wife, Penny. Yet when an earthquake upends her idyllic community in coastal Oregon, Violet and her family are forced to confront some complicated truths that have long been ignored. Matters are further complicated with the arrival of Violet’s grandson, Daniel, who brings with him his own secrets that force Violet to reckon with traumatic events of her past, the details of which her family is unaware. Through it all, Reed charts the ever-shifting family relationships with wit and compassion, nimbly jumping between past to present, and constructing one of 2020’s most memorable characters with the enigmatic and ethereal Violet. Critics and authors alike have praised Pale Morning Light with Violet Swan. Booklist hailed it as “a poised, multilayered portrait of a complex life,” and Margaret Renkl called it “a beautiful, shimmering, heart-lifting testament to the power of memory and love and art.” - [Darin Strauss on Merging Memoir and Fiction in his Incredible New Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/11/strauss/) - Darin Strauss’ The Queen of Tuesday offers a captivating take on one of the most iconic figures of the twentieth century, Lucille Ball, peeling back the layers to show a Lucy only a privileged few would have been able to witness during her lifetime. Beginning with Ball on the brink of her phenomenal television success, - [Naming the Elephant](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/11/naming-the-elephant/) - I am public library social worker. This may be the first time you’ve heard of such a position, but helping professionals like me are now working within roughly three dozen library systems around the United States. As our institutions continue to serve the public during a global pandemic and other stressors, I am very concerned about burnout and staff mental health. - [Open to Change: Libraries Pivot to Serve Small Businesses](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/11/open-to-change-libraries-pivot-to-serve-small-businesses/) - Libraries, as critical local infrastructure, are always tuned into the emerging needs of their communities and are ready to respond with timely and relevant resources and services. This includes support for the local business community. Existing and aspiring small business owners and entrepreneurs can leverage library resources and programming to bolster their businesses. - [Todd Snyder on the Poet Laureate of Muhammad Ali’s Corner](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/10/todd-snyder/) - Most sports fans are familiar with Drew “Bundini” Brown as the charismatic, rhyme-spouting, larger-than-life figure in the background of Muhammad Ali. In the rousing Bundini: Don't Believe The Hype, Todd Snyder crafts a loving, three-dimensional portrait of this seminal figure on boxing history, showcasing not only Bundini’s linguistic genius and acute boxing strategy, but also the darker moments that haunted Bundini’s extraordinary life. Through rigorous research, as well as unprecedented access to Bundini’s family and friends, Snyder dives into the key moments of Bundini's life: his childhood in Florida; his service (as a teenager) in the Merchant Marines; his complicated love story with his wife, an Orthodox Jewish woman from Brooklyn; his work with Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali; as well as his post-boxing life, which included a foray in Hollywood with the Shaft films and an appearance in The Color Purple. Critics have lavished praise on Don’t Believe the Hype. The Wall Street Journal stated, “Mr. Snyder writes lyrically, and his research appears to be impeccable: It’s hard to imagine that anyone has slipped through his interview net,” and Foreword Reviews called it, “authoritative and entertaining, Bundini comes through for boxing fans and for those interested in Black American culture.” - [Wildfires Damage Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/10/wildfires-damage-libraries/) - “We are open regular hours- except of course the branch that burned to the ground.” - [Be Like RBG - Lessons from a Life](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/09/be-like-rbg-lessons-from-a-life/) - Like countless others, I admired the Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG), Supreme Court Justice and human rights icon. In 2017 I painted her portrait as part of a series on human rights leaders. I had a quality art print made from the original and mailed it with a letter of appreciation. To my delight, I - [Anne Helen Peterson on Structural Solutions to Tackle Millennial Burnout](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/09/peterson/) - Anne Helen Peterson has been a welcome voice for readers of Buzzfeed for years, covering a range of topics from the history of cool girls to refugee resettlement. When she turned her attention to millennial burnout in 2019, the topic struck a nerve, resulting in over seven million views. Now Peterson has expanded the scope of her article with her new book, Can’t Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation. Here, Peterson employs her rigorous academic background to dissect the common misconceptions about this generation and focus on how burnout has uniquely affected the ways they work, parent, and socialize. The result is a fascinating look at history, economics, and culture that will profoundly transform the way readers think of this generation. - [Bookmobile Conference Goes Virtual](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/09/bookmobile-conference-goes-virtual/) - For the first time in its history, the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services’ annual conference will be conducted virtually this year. Learn more about this organization and the benefits of outreach professionals swapping trade secrets. - ["This is a Tour of My Brain and My Heart" — Meredith Hall on her Magnificent New Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/09/hall/) - In Meredith Hall’s Beneficence, readers are immersed in the lives of the Senter family, dairy farmers in the fictional town of Alstead, Maine, as their lives are upended by an unimaginable crisis. In the early 1930s, Tup and Doris are devoted parents to their three children: the charismatic Sonny, introspective Dodie, and fiercely loyal Beston. Over the next two decades, they pour their hearts into restoring the neglected farm and the family remains a compact, devoted unit. When tragedy befalls, each member is rocked in a different way. With lyrical precision, Hall dissects how grief reshapes each member and pushes them into newfound territory. The result is a profoundly moving family saga that provides an engrossing reading experience. - [A Pandemic Side Effect: Low Morale in Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/09/a-pandemic-side-effect-low-morale-in-public-libraries/) - Employee morale takes another hit in the age of COVID. - [Nancy Pearl on How Reading Informs the Person That You Are](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/09/pearl/) - Whether it’s through her beloved Book Lust series, her frequent appearances on NPR’s Morning Edition, or her own critically acclaimed novel, George and Lizzie, Nancy Pearl has been providing readers with impeccable reading options for many years. With The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives, Pearl has taken it one step further. She and her collaborator, playwright Jeff Schwager, interviewed a wide-ranging group of twenty-three American authors about the books that made them who they are today. From Susan Choi on The Borrowers to Amor Towles on The Honorable Schoolboy, the result is a series of illuminating conversations that reveal your favorite writers in surprising and intimate ways. - [Voices are Power](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/09/voices-are-power/) - The insights gained from a library visit in Nashville, have put into motion events that will certainly change lives and create a new future for many libraries in Africa. We are on the threshold of making history as we seek to transform lives by empowering African voices to tell their stories. - [Magdalena Newman on Kindness Momentums and Her Aha Moment](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/08/newman/) - Magdalena Newman’s Normal: One Kid’s Extraordinary Journey, beautifully details her oldest son Nathaniel’s experience with Treacher Collins syndrome, a congenital disorder that causes craniofacial deformities. At birth, Nathaniel’s ears, eyes, cheekbones, and jawbone were not properly formed, necessitating hearing aids, a gastrointestinal tube, a tracheostomy tube to assist breathing, and over sixty surgeries the first fifteen years of his life. Newman, who had been a professional concert pianist in her native Poland, was totally unprepared to care for a baby with such enormous medical needs, Yet she immediately rose to the challenge, becoming laser focused on ensuring Nathaniel could lead a normal life. Magdalena and her husband Russel’s fierce advocacy serve as a guiding light for their family and community, navigating through Nathaniel’s complicated medical procedures (as well her own bouts with both non-Hodgkins and Hodgkins lymphoma diagnoses) with grace and dignity. Newman charts her family’s journey with raw honesty, while Nathaniel’s perspective pops up throughout the memoir, emerging as a clever and funny teenager with his wry commentary. Magdalena and Nathaniel’s journey take them to unexpected places, including a friendship with R.J. Palacio, who saw a picture of Nathaniel while doing research for Wonder. - [Collections May Be Low Risk but Public Spaces are Not](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/08/collections-may-be-low-risk-but-public-spaces-are-not/) - Public libraries are caught in a Catch-22 where their services are low risk for individuals who are able to access the internet from home, but increase the risk for marginalized patrons, who rely on shared public space. - ["I Had Grown Too Big to Shrink": Tiffany D. Cross on her Journey from the Control Room to the Green Room](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/08/cross/) - Tiffany D. Cross has been a major player in the news media for nearly two decades, first working as an Associate Producer for CNN, then founding the influential newsletter The Beat DC, to her current appearances as an on-air political analyst on MSNBC. In her new book, Say It Louder: Black Voters, White Narratives, and Saving Our Democracy, Cross digs into the current landscape of the news media, exploring how a lack of diversity in newsrooms shapes not only what stories are covered but also how they are reported, and then examining the resultant effect on day-to-day life in the United States. Through comprehensive data analysis as well as exploring key moments in U.S. history, Cross investigates the critical role Black voters have played in past elections, and how that role has been misunderstood and under-reported by the media. The result is an illuminating look at the current political moment that profoundly shapes how readers consume and examine news media. - [Relationship as a Resource](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/08/relationship-as-a-resource/) - These are tough times, and we’ve got questions. What are we supposed to do? We face so much communal and individual pain—pain that is fueled by a global pandemic and systematized racial injustice—pain that existed long before 2020 but has been ignited, amplified, and now refuses to be ignored. What are we supposed to do now? - [David Nicholls on the Fond Embarrassment of First Love and Community Theater](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/08/nicholls/) - In David Nicholl’s hilarious and tender Sweet Sorrow, the impending marriage of thirty-eight year-old Charlie causes him to look back on his formative first relationship, a summer romance with the ebullient Fran, a fellow cast member in a community theater production of Romeo and Juliet over twenty years earlier. As the present-day Charlie recalls the highs of falling in love and the many embarrassments of his first foray into acting, he also recounts the darker moments of that summer: the loneliness of being left behind as his school friends prepared to leave for university and his recently divorced dad grappling with the collapse of his beloved record shop. The result is an emotionally rich look at a man reckoning with his past and the relationships that guided him to his present, one that stands proudly alongside Nicholls’ previous books, which include the beloved One Day and Starter for Ten. - [Libraries Launch BLM Book Clubs](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/08/libraries-launch-blm-book-clubs/) - As indicated by the ALA’s response to the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, libraries have an obligation to act on behalf of racial justice with genuine systemic change, not just statements or book lists. - [Encouraging Computational Thinking for Young Children and Families From a Distance](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/07/encouraging-computational-thinking-for-young-children-and-families-from-a-distance/) - Development of computational thinking skills can begin in very early childhood, helping to foster creative problem solvers capable of solving 21st century challenges. By intentionally incorporating, modeling, and making computational thinking skills accessible in your programs and services during this time and beyond, you can empower and support families in this realm. - [Rising to the Challenges](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/07/rising-to-the-challenges/) - Like many of you I am struggling to adapt to the new world in which our branches are empty and quiet. - [Public Library Association Call to Action for Public Library Workers to Address Racism](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/07/public-library-association-call-to-action-for-public-library-workers-to-address-racism/) - The Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), calls on public library workers to commit to structural change and to taking action to end systemic racism and injustice. - [Fostering Resilience via Libraries/Library Work](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/07/fostering-resilience-via-libraries-library-work/) - As I continue to report to work during shelter in place, I have witnessed people linger at the front gates of the San Francisco Public Library anxiously asking when the library will open again. - [Sameer Pandya on Digging into the Everyday Lives of Characters and Opening Up the Campus Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/07/pandya/) - Sameer Pandya’s Members Only charts a calamitous week in the life of Raj Bhatt, a charming middle-aged anthropology professor at a South Californian university. As part of his tennis club’s membership committee, Raj has long sought to diversify the club’s lily white makeup. He’s thus delighted to meet Bill Brown, a charismatic Black doctor who is applying to the club. Yet during Bill’s membership meeting, Raj makes a racist joke in a disastrous attempt to bond with Bill and his wife. From there, Raj’s week only gets worse. His white colleagues at the club demand to dictate the terms in which Raj should apologize (while blithely ignoring their own past racist comments), while a cohort of Raj’s white students rise up to protest his “reverse racism” in the classroom. Through it all, Pandya navigates Raj’s world with insight and grace, making Raj’s miserable week very, very funny in the process. - [Diane Cardwell on Surfing, Falling Over and Over Again, and the Danger of Saving Yourself for a Future that Never Comes](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/07/cardwell/) - Diane Cardwell was in her mid-forties when a chance visit to Rockaway Beach altered the trajectory of her life. A successful journalist for The New York Times, Cardwell was at Rockaway for a story, but found herself transfixed by the surfers on the beach. That fortuitous encounter caused her to sign up for a surf lesson, and soon Cardwell was spending every spare moment at the beach, forging friendships with other surfers, and eventually buying a home there so she could more seriously pursue her newfound passion. Her memoir, Rockaway: Surfing Headlong into a New Life, charts Cardwell’s journey of self-transformation through surfing, providing not only a bighearted exploration of Rockaway, but also exquisite sports writing that plants the readers on top of the surfboard. - [Ivy Pochoda on Emotionally Resonant Endings and the Character Who Broke Her Book Open](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/06/pochoda-2/) - Ivy Pochoda’s extraordinary These Women dives into the inner lives of disparate women in the West Adams neighborhood of Southern Los Angeles, whose worlds are upended by a shocking murder in their community. Dorian runs a local restaurant, mired in grief over her daughter’s horrific murder over a decade earlier, while Julianna spends her nights working at a club and her days exploring her newfound passion in photography. As Dorian fights for justice not only for her own daughter but the two most recent victims, unexpected connections emerge among the women, hurtling the reader to a devastating and unexpected conclusion. - [Reader [R]evolution](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/05/reader-revolution/) - I’m going to propose what some may see as a radical departure from current library culture, while others may scoff at it as old-fashioned: The most important part of your library is your readers, both on your staff and in your patron base. The symbiotic relationship between the building that provides storage for a host of knowledge and entertainment and the librarians in charge of that building has been lost. - [A Covid-19 Digital Archive](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/06/a-covid-19-digital-archive/) - Participatory digital archives allow libraries to collect community responses to the pandemic in real time. - [Bookmobiles Navigate New Terrain](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/06/bookmobiles-navigate-new-terrain/) - Amid a public health crisis and a host of new safety considerations, mobile libraries are finding creative solutions to continue bringing services to communities that need it most.  - [Rethinking Summer Reading Rewards](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/06/rethinking-summer-reading-rewards/) - If we sincerely want to encourage reading, then we should look at the evidence. Data supporting the use of SRP incentives to increase reading performance is sorely lacking. However, there is ample evidence to demonstrate the detrimental effects of rewards on just about every endeavor. When rewards are involved, people tend to do the bare minimum to obtain the prize, do it poorly, and enjoy it less. - [Prioritizing Staff Mental Health When Reopening](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/06/prioritizing-staff-mental-health-when-reopening/) - Now more than ever, our libraries must prioritize not only the physical safety of our staff members but also their mental health. I see this as both compassionate workplace policy and a customer service issue. As libraries and our community partners attempt to do more with less, as stability in our lives decreases, we must do what we can to take care of one another so that our libraries may then take care of our patrons. - [Even in the Worst-Case Scenario](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/05/even-in-the-worst-case-scenario/) - What are public libraries meant to do for their communities? How does the changing nature of our community also change our mission? And when crisis strikes, disrupting the assumptions, routines, and procedures of "business as usual," what is the impact on the social role of our institution? - [A Chorus of Voices Doing Important Work](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/05/a-chorus-of-voices-doing-important-work/) - As the PLA EDISJ symposium "Social Justice and Public Libraries: Equity Starts with Us" enters its second year, we focus on the program and its presenters, offering a chance to discover what they are learning as they help move the field toward resistance and solidarity. In December 2019, we engaged with nine of the symposium's presenters, who were eager to share their insights and experiences. - [The Movement Toward Equity](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/05/the-movement-toward-equity/) - As PLA's Task Force on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (EDISJ) begins its fourth year, Public Libraries is please to debut a new column on EDISJ topics. - [Hire EDISJ](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/05/hire-edisj/) - One of the most significant shifts that we’ve seen in the development of public library roles is the creation of positions with a targeted focus on supporting and moving forward equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice (EDISJ). The development of EDISJ-specific positions provides powerful signaling that centering this work is a priority—a critical and necessary step towards truly embodying the idea that everyone is welcome at the library. - ["Exploring Innocence in its Many Forms" — A Conversation with Steph Cha](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/05/cha/) - In Steph Cha's compassionate and devastating Your House Will Pay, a shocking crime uproots the lives of two very different Californians. Grace Park exists in a world of ordered routine, living with her parents in the Valley and working in their family-owned pharmacy. In nearby Palmdale, Shawn Matthews' quiet life of family contentment is forever - [Digital Access during Covid-19](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/05/digital-access-during-covid-19/) - While library buildings are closed, staff work to extend broadband and Wi-Fi access. - [Libraries Contemplate Re-Opening](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/04/libraries-contemplate-re-opening/) - Months into the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic that has cost thousands of lives and brought the world to a halt, public libraries are doing what we do best: looking toward the future we hope to build together. - [The Little Library That Lent a Hand: Ferguson Municipal Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2015/02/the-little-library-that-lent-a-hand-ferguson-municipal-public-library/) - If anyone doubt that libraries respond to their communities in times of emergencies, the Ferguson Municipal Public Library remained the one calming and stable constant in this Missouri town’s tumultuous life as schools, businesses, and other government agencies closed after the shooting death of teenager Michael Brown. - [Understanding the Community as a Librarian and a Neighbor](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/04/understanding-the-community-as-a-librarian-and-a-neighbor/) - Food insecurity, a concern faced by many communities, has intensified in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. - [Implementing a Trauma-Informed Approach](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/04/implementing-a-trauma-informed-approach/) - According to the US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), individual trauma results from an event, a series of events, or a set of circumstances experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual's functioning mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being. - [Serving Patrons In Your Makerspace Who Are Experiencing Homelessness](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/04/serving-patrons-in-your-makerspace-who-are-experiencing-homelessness/) - Does your library offer makerspace programming? Do the offerings extend to adults? If no, why not? Libraries are better positioned than commercial or nonprofit spaces to give all adults access to technology like 3D printing and advanced design software. Your makerspace will serve the population that has the most time and desire to be there: mobile workers, the unemployed, and people experiencing homelessness, for example. - [Welcome to the United States - Naturalization Ceremonies at Your Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/04/welcome-to-the-united-states-naturalization-ceremonies-at-your-public-library-2/) - In the past four years, HPL has hosted two naturalization ceremonies and found them to be a natural outgrowth of our service and a stellar opportunity to partner positively with the federal government. - [Mindfulness in Times of Extreme Stress](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/04/mindfulness-in-times-of-extreme-stress/) - The benefits of regular mindfulness practice are relevant personally and professionally as we continue to live in the upheaval wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are enduring a collective trauma. What does this mean for us physically, physiologically, and mentally? - [Engaging with Patrons via Social Media](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/04/engaging-with-patrons-via-social-media/) - We’re learning how to connect with patrons on the fly. Here are a few ways my library is keeping our patrons informed and entertained on social media. - [Veronica Roth on Reluctant Heroes and Doing What the Book Demands](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/04/roth/) - Sloane Andrews was one of “The Chosen Ones,” five teenagers who used their magical powers to save the world from the Dark Lord. Ten years later, she's a husk of her teenage self, battling PTSD and apathetic about what direction her life should take. When one of the Chosen Ones unexpectedly dies shortly after the ten-year anniversary of the Dark Lord’s defeat, Sloane finds herself pulled into yet another battle to save the world, one that will call into question everything she has experienced before. Veronica Roth, who surged to success with her Divergent series, has here conjured another arresting world, filled with world-weary heroes making bold, adult choices. Chosen Ones is one of the most eagerly awaited titles of the spring, and has already been labeled a Best Book of April from Time, Entertainment Weekly, and Literary Hub. - [COVID-19: The Impact on Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/03/covid-19-its-impact-on-public-libraries/) - Public libraries hustle to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.  - [Collaborative Resource Sharing in Difficult Times](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/04/collaborative-resource-sharing-in-difficult-times/) - As libraries shutter their doors and send staff to work from home during this crisis, many are scrambling to still offer content, virtually, to their communities. These tips will help you find high-quality and engaging content to share, as we all shelter this storm. - [Ibram Kendi on Transforming Oneself to Transform Society](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/03/kendi/) - National Book Award winner Ibram Kendi’s How to Be An Antiracist is a valuable (and highly readable) resource for readers looking to dismantle the racist structures in their lives and communities. Kendi rigorously examines the many ways racism is interwoven into the fabric of our daily existence, and then leads readers through his personal journey of deconstructing the racism present in his own life. An invigorating memoir as well as a fascinating exploration of our country’s history, How Ro Be An Antiracist has been showered with praise by critics. The New York Times Book Review named it one of the Best Books of 2019, and Publishers Weekly hailed it as “a boldly articulated, historically informed explanation of what exactly racist ideas and thinking are.” - [New Podcast! EDISJ with Jessica Bratt](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/03/new-podcast-edisj-with-jessica-bratt/) - Our guest is Jessica Bratt, Youth Services Manager at the Grand Rapids (Michigan) Public Library. Jessica began the DigiBridge partnership with Grand Rapids Public Schools, and received national recognition as a Library Journal Mover & Shaker. She writes reviews for library trade publications, serves on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Library Association, and on the ALA 2019 Coretta Scott - [Resisting "Vocational Awe" During the Pandemic](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/03/resisting-vocational-awe-during-the-pandemic/) - In the wake of COVID-19, it’s time to reexamine questions: Is vocational awe harming us? Is it harming the profession? Is it harming the public? - [Building a More Empathetic Library Culture](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/03/building-a-more-empathetic-library-culture/) - In these times of great uncertainty, anxiety, and fear, empathy is a valuable skill in libraries. No matter our position or job title, we all have opportunities to lead, and can utilize this crisis to build more empathetic cultures within our organizations. - [Combating Stress During Times of Crisis](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/03/combating-stress-during-times-of-crisis/) - The same vocational awe that leads us to a career of tirelessly connecting people with free and equal access to information, resources, and each other, can lead to inevitable burnout under normal circumstances. In times of crisis, when environmental stressors abound, we must be especially careful not to forget that in order to take care of others, we must first take care of ourselves. - [Work Really Hard and Be Kind](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/03/work-really-hard-and-be-kind/) - To find a job when I was done earning my degree, I knew I would have to go above and beyond - I had to work really hard, and be kind. And spoiler alert: it worked. - [Voting at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/03/voting-at-the-library/) - Registering voters and serving as a polling place is one way libraries “live the mission." Although state and local voting laws vary, many areas allow and even require public libraries to serve as voter registration sites and polling locations. Madison Public Library in Wisconsin is among them. “All 9 of our library locations serve as - [The Census Starts in Two Weeks](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/03/the-census-starts-in-two-weeks/) - Are You Ready for Patron Questions? On March 12, millions of American households will begin receiving mailings inviting them to respond to the 2020 Census. To get an accurate count, everyone has to respond – if they don’t, our libraries and communities will lose needed funding. As the mailings arrive, and especially with the new - [Kent Garrett on Meeting Malcolm X and His Eye-Opening Time at Harvard](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/03/garrett/) - In 1959, Kent Garrett was one of eighteen Black students recruited for Harvard’s incoming freshman class, a varied group that included a future New York Times journalist, a research scientist, and experimental jazz musician. Nearly fifty years later, after an award winning career at both CBS and NBC news, Garrett, along with his partner Jeanne Ellsworth, embarked on a project to place his classmates' experiences at Harvard into a historical context. The resulting book, The Last Negroes at Harvard: The Class of 1863 and the 18 Young Men Who Changed Harvard Forever, is a remarkable investigation of how these young men forged their identities during a pivotal point in American history. - ["I Believe the Proverbial Arc is Bending Towards Justice; It’s Just Going to Need a Lot of Support"—Mimi Lemay on her Memoir](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/02/lemay/) - From the time he was two-and-a-half, Mimi Lemay’s son, Jacob, born “Em,” asserted that he was a boy. As Lemay listened to her middle child reckon with his gender identity, it called to mind how as a young woman she struggled against the expectations of the ultra-Orthodox community in which she was raised. In her extraordinary memoir, What We Will Become: A Mother, a Son, and a Journey of Transformation, Lemay skillfully interweaves how her own experience breaking away from her religious community helped inform how she was able to support Jacob’s recognition of his authentic gender identity. The result is a compassionate memoir about family and faith. Library Journal hailed it as “a vital and engrossing book about how to live an authentic life” and Publisher’s Weekly called it “a fascinating, heart-wrenching memoir [that] offers invaluable insights into issues of gender identity.” - [Dogs and Libraries: A Paw-Fect Match](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/02/dogs-and-libraries-a-paw-fect-match/) - A growing number of libraries are offering programs inviting therapy dogs to sit and listen as young patrons practice reading aloud inspiring a new generation of readers. - [Election Year at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/02/election-year-at-the-library/) - From voting booths for kids to speed-dating candidates, libraries are encouraging all community members to participate in democracy. - [Denver Public Library Narcan Procedures](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/02/denver-public-library-narcan-procedures/) - See the Denver Public Library Narcan Procedures here: http://publiclibrariesonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DPL-Narcan-Use-Procedures-4-12-18.pdf - [Karen McManus on Thorny Sibling Relationships, Gender Stereotypes, and Teenagers with Main Character Potential](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/01/mcmanus/) - Karen McManus’ twisty One Of Us Is Next kicks off a year and a half after the events of her bestseller thriller One Of Us Is Lying. Bayview High School is recovering from the havoc unleashed by Simon Kelleher’s gossip app when an unknown student launches a phone-based game of Truth or Dare. Yet what begins as harmless teenage fun soon grows more sinister. The mysterious person behind the game reveals dark secrets about its players, and the dares grow increasingly dangerous. When the game targets Maeve Rojas, who played an integral part in solving the mystery of One Of Us Is Lying, she teams up with her best friend, Knox, and the game’s first victim, Phoebe, to unmask the anonymous game master before things turn deadly. - [Shannon Pufahl on Luck, the Social Avant-Garde, and the "Interesting Fictional Problem" at the Heart of Her New Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/01/pufahl/) - In Shannon Pufahl's luminous On Swift Horses, newlywed Muriel whiles away her days at the local diner where she waitresses. There, she becomes a careful student of the horse trainers and jockeys who eat there, learning the intricacies of the horse racing world by eavesdropping on their conversations. When this newfound knowledge yields an unexpected windfall at the track, Muriel finds herself at a crossroads, tentatively exploring this newfound financial freedom and its impact on her marriage. Meanwhile, her beloved brother-in-law Julius has found work at a Las Vegas Casino, where he has fallen deeply in love with his co-worker (and card cheat), Henry. Both Muriel and Julius soon find themselves on unexpected quests, and Pufahl masterfully tracks their journeys through Tijuana and the queer spaces of mid-century San Diego. - [New Podcast! The 2020 Census and Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/01/new-podcast-the-2020-census-and-public-libraries/) - In this episode, Larra Clark, PLA and ALA Washington Office Public Policy and Advocacy Deputy Director, and Michelle Perera, Director of the Pasadena (California) Public Library discuss the 2020 census. With billions in federal funding at stake over the next ten years, it is crucial for libraries that an accurate count is taken. Clark and - [Graves Lost or Found? There's an App for That!](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/01/graves-lost-or-found-theres-an-app-for-that/) - Most library reference questions regarding cemetery data aren’t quite as urgent as this one, but libraries do often receive requests for such information from genealogists and historians. Thanks to new technology, including crowdsourcing via apps and websites, such information is becoming more accessible. - [Is Your Library Hiring?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/01/is-your-library-hiring/) - Plan To Have a Presence at the PLA 2020 Career FairIs your library hiring? On Wednesday afternoon of the PLA 2020 conference (February 26) from 3:30-6:30pm, PLA will host a Career Fair at the Career Center in the Exhibits Hall. If your library would like to host a table and connect with job seekers at - [Cooking at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2020/01/cooking-at-the-library/) - Hosting programs around cooking increases financial and/or health literacy and offers wonderful tie-ins such as cultural aspects of cooking or cookbooks. From small rural libraries with heat plates to multi-branch libraries with own culinary learning centers, public libraries have embraced food-based programs. - ["The World Looks More Fragile Than It Did When I Was Younger"—A Conversation with Paul Theroux](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/12/theroux/) - For over fifty years, Paul Theroux has set the gold standard for travel writing. Now in his seventies, he remains as curious and fearless as ever, as evidenced in his new book, On the Plain of Snakes: A Mexican Journey. The book is an extraordinary chronicle of a hugely ambitious trip Theroux undertook, where he drove the entire length of the US-Mexican border, and then deeper into Oaxaca and Chiapas. Along the way, Theroux spends time with Zapotec mill workers, attends a Zapatista party meeting, and teaches a creative writing class in Mexico City. Through it all, Theroux lends his formidable powers of observation to these areas of Mexico rarely visited by its northern neighbors. - ["Birds are the Messengers for Me"—A Conversation with Julie Zickefoose](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/12/zickefoose/) - When wildlife expert Julie Zickefoose received a photo of a dehydrated blue jay, she had no idea the profound effect the bird, who Zickefoose named Jemima, would quickly have on her life. What followed was a herculean effort on the part of Zickefoose and her family, where they nursed Jemima back to health, released it back into the wild, and then strategized how to give Jemima medical attention when the bird came down with a dangerous disease. Zickefoose’s memoir about this human-avian relationship, Saving Jemima: Life and Love with a Hard-Luck Jay, serves as both love letter to this resilient blue jay as well as a fascinating long term analysis of a species that rarely permits itself to be studied. Zickefoose, who might be familiar to readers from her frequent appearances on National Public Radio, is the author of numerous books, including Baby Birds: An Artist Looks into the Nest and The Bluebird Effect: Uncommon Bonds with Common Birds. Of her latest book, Booklist stated, “Zickefoose has produced another hard-to-put-down winner” while Library Journal hailed it as “a heartwarming account for all interested in natural history, especially birds, animal behavior, and wildlife rehabilitation.” - [FYI Podcast: Teaching Early Literacy to Teen Parents](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/01/fyi-podcast-teaching-early-literacy-to-teen-parents/) - The United States has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the western industrialized world and studies show that children of teen parents are less prepared for school, perform less well, and have a higher dropout rate than other children. As many librarians know, it is challenging enough to get teens into the library - [FYI Podcast: A Look at Graphic Medicine](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/new-podcast-a-look-at-graphic-medicine/) - In this podcast, we discuss Graphic Medicine, which can be defined as the use of comics (graphic narratives) in health sciences education and patient care. Our guests are Susan Squier and Ellen Forney. Susan Squier is Professor Emerita of English and Women's Studies at Penn State University, where she taught graphic narratives (comics!) to graduate students. She is now Visiting Fellow at the Freie Universität, Berlin (the Free University, that is) where she is part of a collaboration called the PathoGraphics project, a study of the relations between illness narratives (also called pathographies) and comics about medicine, illness, disability and caregiving. She is a co-editor of the Graphic Medicine book series at Penn State Press, which publishes long form graphic narratives, graphic narratives for classroom use, and scholarly studies of works of graphic medicine. Ellen Forney is the author of the New York Times bestseller "Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and Me," a graphic memoir about her bipolar disorder. Her new book, the follow-up to Marbles, is a self-help guide to maintaining stability with a mood disorder. It’s called "Rock Steady: Brilliant Advice from My Bipolar Life," and will be out this May. She teaches comics at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. - [FYI Podcast -- Guests include Library LoveFest and Author Juliet Grames](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/01/new-podcast-guests-include-library-lovefest-and-author-juliet-grames/) - PLA's Brendan Dowling hosts a conversation with Lainey Mays and Christopher Connolly of the HarperCollins Library LoveFest team, and an interview with Juliet Grames, whose first novel, "The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna," will be released in the Spring. - [FYI Podcast: Social Worker at the DC Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/01/social-workers-dc-public-library/) - Our guest is social worker Jean Badalamenti, the Health and Human Services Assistant Manager at the Washington, D.C. Public Library. In her role with the library, she leads system-wide initiatives in a variety of areas. Since 2014, she has been developing programs, creating partnerships, and training DCPL staff to support customers experiencing homelessness. She also - [FYI Podcast: Embedded Librarianship](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/04/new-podcast-embedded-librarianship/) - We talk with Sarah Garbis, Service Manager, Community Embedded Library Service (CELS) at Hennepin County Library. This program pairs librarians with Community Liaisons to shape library practices and extend programs and services for communities that experience the greatest barriers to library access. - [FYI Podcast: REFORMA's Children in Crisis Task Force](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/06/new-podcast-reformas-children-in-crisis-task-force/) - We talk with Oralia Garza de Cortés, Coordinator for REFORMA's Children in Crisis and Patrick Sullivan, Emeritus Librarian at San Diego State University, about the organization's efforts to provide books and storytime materials to children detained at the southern border. Resources for this Podcast: REFORMA's Children In Crisis Project Website Librarians Respond to Humanitarian Crisis - [FYI Podcast: Social Services at Hennepin County](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/06/new-podcast-social-services-at-hennepin-county/) - We talk with Kate Coleman, Outreach Coordinator at the Hennepin County (MN) Library about the library's social services offerings, outreach, and more. Resources for this Podcast: Hennepin County (MN) Library Finding Solutions to Homelessness at Hennepin County Library Peer Navigators Demystify Social Service System - [FYI Podcast: Whole Person Librarianship](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/02/new-podcast-whole-person-librarianship/) - Our guest for this episode is Sara Zettervall. Sara is the founding consultant and trainer for Whole Person Librarianship, which applies social work concepts to library practice. She also works at Hennepin County Library as the community engagement librarian for East African refugees in Minneapolis. - [Helping Patrons Navigate Online Banking](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/12/helping-patrons-navigate-online-banking/) - In the old days, doing just about anything with your money—getting cash, looking up an old statement, depositing a check—meant visiting a brick-and-mortar bank. These days, cash mostly comes from ATMs, looking up a statement is as easy as logging onto the computer, and anyone who can take a photo with a mobile phone can deposit a check. But as efficient as they are, some of these technological advances have left some populations behind: people who are older, don’t have bank accounts, are less educated, or earn less money are likely to lack the necessary computer skills to use mobile banking. - [Tackling Meta-Illiteracy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/11/tackling-meta-illiteracy/) - In my last post, I discussed reasons why librarians should not handle patrons’ personal devices. As a continuation, I want to look at how much help a librarian can provide for a patron with multiple illiteracies and how this affects said patrons. - [The Post-Truth Archive](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/11/the-post-truth-archive/) - Fake News, Propaganda and Extremist Literature: Some Considerations for Public Libraries with Local History Archives It’s been said that we live in a post-truth society, one in which appeals to emotion and beliefs are more influential in shaping opinions than facts and reason. While skepticism is nothing new, it seems particularly in vogue in the - ["Just Incredible Chutzpah"—Eric Lichtblau on the Real-Life Hero at the Heart of His New Book](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/11/lichtblau/) - In Return to the Reich, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Eric Lichtblau tells the incredible story of Freddy Mayer, a Jewish refugee who escaped Nazi Germany as a teenager only to venture into Nazi-occupied Austria years later as an OSS agent. Mayer’s mission was to go undercover as a Nazi officer in Innsbrook, Austria, where he was able to gather intelligence that proved invaluable to the Allies in the waning days of World War II. Mayer’s exploits read like scenes from an Ian Fleming novel—from secretly skiing down an ice-covered mountain in the middle of the night to brazenly posing as a Nazi officer in an officer’s club—made all the more thrilling because it actually happened. - [Social Justice Symposium for Teens](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/social-justice-symposium-for-teens/) - If you’ve worked with young people for just about any length of time, a teenager has likely shared something painful with you and you may have felt momentarily powerless to help them. I experienced a moment like that on an afternoon when I heard a small group of young teens in my library branch discussing police brutality. I sat down with the teens that day and I listened. They were furious, frustrated, and sad. Absorbing their words and their feelings, I felt those same emotions. I also felt helpless. Their pain was so large and I felt so small in that moment. - [The #LibrariesResist Movement](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/02/the-librariesresist-movement/) - The #LibrariesResist movement allows you to be involved in activism in the way that best suits you. - [The National Book Festival: Takeaways for Programming Librarians](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/11/the-national-book-festival-takeaways-for-programming-librarians/) - Since 2001, the Library of Congress has hosted an annual author event of epic proportions. The 2019 National Book Festival, held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., drew hundreds of thousands of attendees and featured over 100 authors. Librarians who plan programs of all sizes – from a scantly-attended book club - [Fine Policies and Lost Item Policies](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/11/fine-policies-and-lost-item-policies/) - I have recently been contacted by several reporters in reference to an article I wrote in 2017 in which I disagree with the elimination of fines and learned that I was quoted in other venues. As this topic has gained more interest and political attention the issue is no longer one limited to libraries. However, - [Handling Patrons' Personal Property](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/11/handling-patrons-personal-property/) - The three main issues I see with librarians handling patrons’ personal property are how it makes the patron feel, how it makes the professional feel, and liability. - ["All of our Childhoods are Normal to Us"—Adrienne Brodeur on her Powerful Memoir](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/10/brodeur/) - When Adrienne Brodeur was fourteen, her mother, Malabar, woke her up from a sound sleep to confide that she had just kissed Ben, the best friend of Adrienne’s stepfather. That small moment would ultimately send shockwaves through the lives of both families, as Malabar and Ben embarked on a secret relationship and enlisted Adrienne’s assistance in hiding it from their spouses. In Wild Game: My Mother, Her Lover, and Me, Brodeur reflects on her complicated relationship with her mother with unflinching pose and bracing wit. What results is a compassionate examination of knotty family ties and an incisive portrayal of how one woman was able to end her family’s cycle of deception. - ["Every Ghost Has its Own Particular Way of Haunting"—Mamta Chaudhry on her Spectacular Debut Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/10/mamta-chaudhry/) - In Mamta Chaudhry's stunning Haunting Paris, Sylvie, a musician mourning the recent death of her beloved Julien, listlessly prepares for Paris' bicentennial as she opens her home to vacationing American academics. Yet Sylvie is hurled out of her routine when she chances upon a mysterious letter in Julien's desk. This discovery sparks a thrilling investigation, as Sylvie plunges into Julien's family's heretofore unknown experiences during World War II. While Sylvie races through the streets of Paris, the ghost of Julien watches on, providing a panoramic view of the city's tumultuous history and revealing the painful moments from his past he could not share during their life together. - [Kanawha County Public Library Seeks Director](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/10/kanawha-county-public-library-seeks-director/) - The Board of Directors of the Kanawha County Public Library seeks an experienced, collaborative, innovative, dedicated leader to serve as Library Director. The Kanawha County Public Library is more than a building. It is a topnotch library system with an exceptional reputation of vibrancy and trust among the public, local and state government, schools and hospitals, and businesses and community organizations. - [Nashville Public Library's Votes for Women Project](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/10/nashville-public-librarys-votes-for-women-project/) - The Votes For Women Project is an interactive exploration of the power of women and girls, the power of voting, and the power of power itself. It’s set to open at the Main Library in downtown Nashville March 8, 2020. (Don’t worry, we’re working on a sneak peek for PLA2020 conference attendees.) - ["The Whole World that’s Interesting to Me in One Book"—Jami Attenberg on her Incredible New Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/10/allthis/) - In Jami Attenberg’s dynamic family saga All This Could Be Yours, amoral businessman Victor Tuchman lies dying in a hospital bed in New Orleans, leaving his family to reckon with how his monstrous behavior has shaped their lives. While his wife Barbra restlessly paces the halls of the hospital, alert to her Fitbit’s mounting stepcount, - [Reaching the Uninsured @ Your Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/10/reaching-the-uninsured-your-library/) - In recognition of Health Literacy Month in October, the Public Library Association (PLA) is offering public libraries, especially those in states that utilize the Federally-Facilitated Marketplace, healthcare.gov, a suite of free tools and resources. - [Providing Social Service Resources in a Library Setting](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/01/providing-social-service-resources-in-a-library-setting/) - When people discover I am a social worker at the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) Main Library, the first question I often hear is, "Really? Why provide social services at the library?!" I understand this response, but in truth, many patrons experiencing homelessness access the library for refuge and assistance for basic needs. And that is where I enter the picture. - [Incident Report Writing: A Person-in-Incident Approach](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/04/incident-report-writing-a-person-in-incident-approach/) - Incident report writing can be intimidating. Something big has happened at the library, and now you have to document it so that staff across your entire system can access the report. And someday your report might even be pulled in a records request for use in court? Talk about pressure! - [The Public Library as a Protective Factor](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/12/the-public-library-as-a-protective-factor/) - Fundamentally, I see the goal of public libraries as the empowerment of the citizenry. Historically, libraries have empowered individuals primarily through the distribution of information. However, we offer so much more than that. I encourage you to consider the ways in which your library functions as a protective factor for the members of your community and to build upon those strengths so that all our patrons, both privileged and vulnerable, are empowered to reach their full potential. - [Supporting Autonomy while Setting Clear Boundaries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/02/supporting-autonomy-while-setting-clear-boundaries/) - As library social workers, we are often asked how to address behaviors in the public library setting. Sometimes this is framed in the question, "How do we address homelessness (insert other social issues) in our libraries?" Despite the fact that people would like an easy answer to that question, there isn't one, because wrapped up in the question itself are human beings -- individuals, people with personal histories they've brought to the place they are now, inside your public library. - [Peers -- In Their Own Words](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/08/peers-in-their-own-words/) - Over the past ten years public libraries around the country have been bringing in social workers to connect with and assist customers experiencing life challenges. Some library systems have added social workers to the staff while other systems partner with government agencies and nonprofit organizations that detail a social worker to the library. From Alaska - [Embargoed: Libraries Struggle with Ebook Purchasing](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/10/embargoed-libraries-struggle-with-ebook-purchasing/) - Recent publisher embargoes make it more difficult for libraries to purchase e-content. - [Evolving Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/09/evolving-public-libraries/) - When our public libraries are asked to defend their relevance, we often rise to the bait, drowning our detractors in the myriad of services, programs, and events we offer. But what if we took a step back and considered whether we’re telling the right story? - [Personal Identifiable Information, Parental Consent, and Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/10/personal-identifiable-information-parental-consent-and-public-libraries/) - In the wake of FTC’s recent ruling fining Google and its subsidiary, YouTube, to pay a record $170 million, libraries are reminded of the huge responsibility they shoulder in protecting user’s privacy. - [Creating a Whole New World](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/09/creating-a-whole-new-world/) - Her Daughter’s Mother, a gripping psychological thriller, tells the story of two women and the connection between them – a connection that stems from their obsession with each other, their search for family, and need for redemption. - [Equity Beyond Access](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/09/equity-beyond-access/) - But even the most well-designed building or website can remain beyond reach of people in long-term care facilities, many of whom are unable to travel to library buildings and also lack access to private telephones, online services, or internet-enabled devices. - [Paul Tough on College Admissions, Social Mobility, and the Common Sense Solutions to Current Inequities in Higher Education](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/09/tough/) - Paul Tough’s The Years That Matter Most: How College Makes or Breaks Us builds on the extraordinary journalism of his earlier work, How Children Succeed, and dissects the current state of higher education. Tough dives into the the various components of the college world, introducing the reader to high-priced SAT tutors, admissions directors striving to achieve the perfect balance with incoming freshman classes, and College Board officials facing uncomfortable truths about who the SAT actually benefits. Yet the heart of the book belongs to the students Tough profiles, intelligent and resilient teenagers who courageously navigate the ever-changing college landscape. By combining rigorous research with compelling personal narratives, Tough crafts a work that is not only a status report on the changing world of higher education, but also a revelatory look at how social mobility works in America. - [Checking Our Political Differences at the Door](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/09/checking-our-political-difference-at-the-door/) - Providing Bipartisan Service in the 2020 Election Year A few weeks ago, a patron approached the reference desk to request that we buy a book titled Unfreedom of the Press by Mark R. Levin. My first reaction was to recoil. Should we be buying a book that fills patrons’ heads with this kind of nonsense, - [Understanding Trauma-Informed Approaches in Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/08/understanding-trauma-informed-approaches-in-public-libraries/) - In this webinar presenters will clarify the concept of trauma-informed approaches; detail what this looks like in a public library environment; and preview how understanding and beginning to implement this approach can aid your community and your library. - [Age as a Factor in Programming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/08/age-as-a-factor-in-programming/) - I had many parents and caregivers call in and ask what the recommended age for the program was. I find this question difficult to answer because children develop at their own rate. Compatibility is not a question of age, but of interest and focus. - [¿Como Puedo Ayudarle? How Can I Help You?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/08/como-puedo-ayudarle-how-can-i-help-you/) - We gladly assisted wherever we could and not once did we ever inquire about their “legal” status. They came in, asked for assistance, and we provided that assistance to them. - [The Census Needs to Hire Half a Million People - Here's How Libraries Can Help](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/08/the-census-needs-to-hire-half-a-million-people-heres-how-libraries-can-help/) - Public libraries can play a central role in helping community members learn about and apply for these jobs, and a new tip sheet from the ALA can help. - [Mike Wallace Is Here, A Review](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/08/mike-wallace-is-here-a-review/) - This documentary succeeds in part because of Director Avi Belkin’s skillful use of archival footage to show us how Wallace interacted with public figures ranging from Richard Nixon and Vladimir Putin to Malcolm X and Barbara Streisand. - [Performance Evaluations: What Not to Do](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/08/performance-evaluations-what-not-to-do/) - Managers, avoid these common pitfalls, and stop stressing over employee reviews. - [Andrea Pitzer on Concentration Camps, Library Neutrality, and Combating Misinformation](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/08/andrea-pitzer-on-concentration-camps-library-neutrality-and-combating-misinformation/) - The author of One Long Night: A Global History of Concentration Camps talks with Public Libraries Online about Concentration Camps and the Challenges of Combating Misinformation - [Library's 3D Printer Makes a Difference](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/08/librarys-3d-printer-makes-a-difference/) - As the presence of 3-D printers grows in public libraries across the nation, patrons utilize them for custom orders and librarians continue to question and discover new ways for their usage to be incorporated into library programming and the overall mission of building community. - [FEATURE | Civil Rights Training at Nashville Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/01/feature-civil-rights-training-at-nashville-public-library/) - In light of recent and continuing conflicts between citizens and police across the nation, the Nashville (TN) Public Li­brary (NPL) has partnered with the Nashville Police Depart­ment on a groundbreaking diversity education initiative that aims to improve understanding and communication between police forces and citizens. The program, Civil Rights and a Civil Society, uses NPL’s - [Issues That Matter: Forums Build Civic Engagement](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/08/issues-that-matter-forums-build-civic-engagement/) - Sno-Isle Libraries (SIL) debuted Issues That Matter forums in 2010 as a series of community discussions and debates. These forums convene residents from communities across the entire two-county library service area (Snohomish County and Island County, WA) to engage in important community conversations on relevant, high-profile topics. Through these events, the library extends its neutral stance to enable civil, open discussion on controversial topics with the guidance of several panelists and a program moderator. Sessions are recorded and streamed live on Facebook. The forums connect citizens in the communities we serve with local experts, stakeholders, and community leaders. - [The Importance of Civic Engagement](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/08/the-importance-of-civic-engagement/) - As I was reflecting on the message for this column, I was reminded of a recent anniversary celebration at a branch library in San Antonio that clearly illustrated how public libraries impact so many lives on a daily basis. To celebrate such a milestone—fifty years—members of the community were invited to join the program that kicked off the celebration. I know the experience in San Antonio reflects what other public libraries throughout the country are doing to advance civic engagement; but it served as a good segue to this column. - [Introducing Virtual Reality to Your Community](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/08/introducing-virtual-reality-to-your-community/) - Once viewed as a bleeding-edge technology, virtual reality (VR) has seen explosive growth. A three-billion-dollar industry in 2017, virtual reality is currently forecast to surpass $50 billion in market value by 2023, driven by commercial VR headsets.1 Despite the increasing availability of VR technology, the cost can still present a barrier to access for many library patrons. Additionally, as with all emerging technologies, there can be a hesitancy to try something new. With this in mind, how can libraries work to introduce VR technology to our communities? - [A Civic Initiative About Information: The Civic Lab At Skokie Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/08/a-civic-initiative-about-information-the-civic-lab-at-skokie-public-library/) - Since its inception in summer 2016, the Civic Lab has offered information and thought-provoking activities to support dialogue and engagement on issues that affect our community. At its heart, the Civic Lab—a team of library staff members from a variety of departments, working in a variety of positions—is about connecting community members of all ages with the information and resources they need to first understand issues that they care about and that are impacting the community, and then, with that foundation of understanding based on reputable information, make up their own minds about how they feel about an issue, and whether and how they want to act as a result. - [Welcome to the United States: Naturalization Ceremonies at Your Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/08/welcome-to-the-united-states-naturalization-ceremonies-at-your-public-library/) - The Hillsboro (OR) Public Library (HPL) has spent the past five years rebranding itself as a community center, a welcoming place for all. As inspired by HPL’s new mission statement (For Everyone, Para Todos), the staff have embraced and implemented a service model in which the library is a place where the entire community gathers, connects, and explores. As part of this new service model, we strive to create relationships with, and within, our community, as well as to provide an environment where our patrons may have significant interactions and experiences with HPL staff and with each other. And what better way to have a significant experience in one’s life than to take the new citizen’s oath of allegiance at the public library! - [Creative Learning @ Your Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/07/creative-learning-your-library/) - The Public Library Innovation Exchange Fosters Creativity and STEAM Programming Central to the mission of public libraries is the facilitation of self-directed learning for all members of the community. Now more than ever, learning includes not just the ability to consume information in the form of text, but the ability to create and share information - ["You Don’t Know How Unique Your Own Mother is Until You’re Out in the World" — Bridgett M. Davis on Her Heartwarming Memoir](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/07/davis/) - In The World According to Frannie Davis: My Mother's Life in the Detroit Numbers, Bridgett M. Davis traces the extraordinary life of her mother, a glamorous businesswoman who ran a thriving Numbers enterprise in Detroit for over thirty years. Frannie Davis arrived in Detroit in 1958 as a young mother with little prospects to support a growing family. She quickly transformed a $100 loan from her brother into a prosperous Numbers venture, serving as a de facto banker, bookie, and counselor for her neighborhood. With luminous prose, Davis delves into her mother's life, providing an insider's look at the Numbers world and a sweeping look at Detroit's evolving landscape in the sixties and seventies. - [Measuring Civic Impact a Theme of Knight Public Spaces Forum](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/07/measuring-civic-impact-a-theme-of-knight-public-spaces-forum/) - Just before the 2019 ALA Annual Conference, it was my pleasure to participate in the first-ever Knight Public Spaces Forum in Philadelphia. More than 250 people from across the country, including staff from parks, community foundations, libraries, and arts organizations, joined Knight Foundation staff and government leaders to discuss our civic commons and efforts to - [Unlikely Mentors and Cultural Malaise: Maureen Stanton on her Powerful Memoir](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/07/stanton/) - Maureen Stanton probes her dark teenage years with compassion and insight in her new memoir, Body Leaping Backwards: Memoir of A Delinquent Girlhood. Stanton grew up in a boisterous family in 1970s Walpole, Massachusetts, a working-class community where the local prison loomed large in each citizen’s life. Yet when her parents divorce, Maureen and her family find themselves reeling not only from the seismic shifts in their personal lives, but from the political and cultural changes in the country as well. Maureen’s mother, a devout woman who puts herself through college as a single mother, soon finds herself resorting to shoplifting in order to put food on the table. Maureen, meanwhile, experiments with angel dust and dabbles in delinquency, skipping school and breaking into nearby homes. Stanton combines rigorous historical research with acute perception, crafting a memoir that takes a clear-eyed look at adolescence. - [Casey McQuiston on Nora Ephron, History Nerds, and Full Circle Moments at her Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/07/mcquiston/) - Casey McQuiston's Red, White & Royal Blue spins an irresistible premise— what if the son of the U.S. President fell in love with the Prince of Wales— into one of the summer's most pleasurable reads. Alex Claremont-Davis breezes through life as the son of the United States' first female President, but he's brought up short by a contentious relationship with the straight-laced Prince Henry. After a disastrous run-in involving a Royal wedding cake, both men must pose as friends in order to rehabilitate their images. This false friendship soon uncovers very real feelings, and the two men unexpectedly find themselves falling in love. What follows is equal parts swoony romance and adept political comedy that has delighted critics and readers alike. - [Flatter, Focused, and Community Led - Public Library Staffing Continues to Evolve](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/07/flatter-focused-and-community-led-public-library-staffing-continues-to-evolve/) - 21st century public libraries are adapting their internal structures to serve their patrons and communities in new ways. An informal look at public library structures from around the country shows they are becoming flatter organizations. Middle management or “deputy director” positions are not common. Directors often have more than five direct reports. Many support functions, - [Do's & Don'ts of Supervising Library Volunteers](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/07/__trashed/) - Volunteer workers make the library world go ‘round, and it is important for supervisors to cultivate good relationships with volunteers and to ensure that volunteers are adequately prepared to perform their job duties. Here are some tips for making the most of your volunteer workforce for the benefit of staff, volunteers, and patrons alike. - [Media Literacy Ideas](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/07/media-literacy-ideas/) - In this post-truth age of fake news and filter bubbles, what are public libraries across the U.S. doing to help community members become more discerning users of media information? - [Staying Social: Why Your Library Needs Social Media Policies](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/06/staying-social-why-your-library-needs-social-media-policies/) - Social media is relatively easy to publish to and free or low-cost, making it genuinely accessible to any type of organization. This ease, however, can come at a price -- more and more often we hear stories of businesses dealing with fallout from a poorly thought out post. - [Heidi Diehl on How History and Krautrock Shaped Her Beautiful New Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/06/diehl/) - Heidi Diehl’s Lifelines tells the story of the brilliant Louise, bouncing between her life as a burgeoning art student fresh out of college to 2008, when she is in her late fifties with two grown children. In 1971, Louise moved to Germany to pursue her career as an artist. In short order, she fell in love with Dieter, a brooding musician, and had a baby with him. In 2008, Louise lives in Oregon, married to an unassuming professor of urban design, and has been unexpectedly retired from her job as an art teacher. When Dieter’s mother dies, Louise’s now-grown daughter, Elke, asks her to return to Germany for the funeral. Louise reluctantly agrees, reasoning that it will give her a chance to see her other daughter, Elke’s half-sister Margot, who’s touring Europe with her band. From there, Diehl orchestrates a marvelous family comedy as the different members are forced to confront long-buried secrets and unexamined facets of their relationships. - [Go For It! Advice From Library Directors](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/06/go-for-it-advice-from-library-directors/) - WHAT DO LIBRARY DIRECTORS DO? The answer to this question may seem self-evident, but it is actually a lot more complicated than it first appears. - [A Woman’s Place is in the House (And Senate!)](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/06/a-womans-place-is-in-the-house-and-senate/) - “Knock Down the House,” a new Netflix documentary about four female challengers who ran for congress in 2018, won two audience awards at the Sundance Film Festival. - [The 24/7 Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/06/the-24-7-library/) - Revisiting the 24/7 library idea. - [500 Year-Old Library Catalog Found in University Collection](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/06/500-year-old-library-catalog-found-in-university-collection/) - What one could call “the holy grail of books” has been found in the Arnamagnæan Collection at the University of Copenhagen. “The Libro de los Epítomes manuscript, which is more than a foot thick, contains more than 2,000 pages and summaries from the library of Hernando Colón, the illegitimate son of Christopher Columbus. - [How to Attend a Conference](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/06/how-to-attend-a-conference/) - So yes, attending professional conferences is an excellent way to meet your peers, learn new techniques, and network, and these are all wonderful reasons to attend. The question is not really should you attend (of course you should!) but how? - [Providing Healthcare Information Services in Small and Rural Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/05/providing-healthcare-information-services-in-small-and-rural-libraries/) - by Jacqueline F. Rammer, Library Director, Lakeview Community LibraryRandom Lake, WI -- jrammer@monarchlibraries.org As librarians working in rural and oftentimes small libraries, our days consist of so many things. From being the town warm-up center during a frigid snowstorm to hosting a never-ending number of bake sales, our plates are full. So, when it comes - [A Fresh Approach to Job Rotation](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/05/a-fresh-approach-to-job-rotation/) - Whose library practices job rotation? Anybody? Job rotation, or “the systematic movement of employees from one job to another,” is more common in corporate or academic settings than in public libraries. But a discussion at our library opened the door just enough for the idea to slip in while our branch managers were wrestling with issues of burnout and job satisfaction. - [PLA Leadership Development Programs Offer Lessons for a Lifetime](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/05/pla-leadership-development-programs-offer-lessons-for-a-lifetime/) - About the Authors MARY ANNE BOWMAN is Deputy Director, St. Mary’s County (MD) Library. RENEE DI PILATO is Deputy Director, Alexandria (VA) Library. KIMBERLY B. KNIGHT is Central Area Manager, Prince George’s County (MD) Memorial Library. DENISE LYONS is Deputy Director of Statewide Development, South Carolina State Library. DONNA WALKER is Executive Director, Jefferson County - [Gordon Chang on the Amazing Accomplishments of the Ghosts of Gold Mountain](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/05/chang/) - Gordon H. Chang’s Ghosts of Gold Mountain: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad is a phenomenal work of historical research, giving readers an unprecedented look at the daily lives of the Chinese workers whose ingenuity and perseverance led to the construction of the transcontinental railroad. Chang dives into the workers’ lives both in China and in the U.S., providing insight into what motivated the workers to move across the ocean as well as the unimaginable working conditions they faced once in the States. Critics have heaped praise on Chang, with The Wall Street Journal stating that “he has written a remarkably rich, human and compelling story of the railroad Chinese” and Publisher’s Weekly calling his work “vibrating and passionate.” - [We Are All Welcome in Libraries - A Conversation with Eric Klinenberg](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/05/we-are-all-welcome-in-libraries-a-conversation-with-eric-klinenberg/) - By BRENDAN DOWLING, freelance writer living in LosAngeles. Contact Brendan at brendowl@gmail.com.Brendan is currently reading Middlemarch byGeorge Eliot. Sociologist Eric Klinenberg’s Palaces for The People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life (2018) persuasively and forcefully argues that the strength ofcommunities is in direct proportion to the strength - [If You Want to Figure Out What America Is Go To a Library - An Interview with Jose Antonio Vargas](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/05/if-you-want-to-figure-out-what-america-is-go-to-a-library-an-interview-with-jose-antonio-vargas/) - By BRENDAN DOWLING, Assistant Editor of PublicLibraries Online. Contact Brendan at brendowl@gmail.com.Brendan is currently reading The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen. Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas made headlines when he came out as an undocumented U.S. citizen in 2011. In his recent memoir, Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen (HarperCollins, 2018), he details - [Librarians Respond to Humanitarian Crisis at the Border](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/05/librarians-respond-to-humanitarian-crisis-at-the-border/) - By Patrick Sullivan, Emeritus Librarian at San Diego State University. Contact Patrick at sullivan@sdsu.edu. Patrick is currently reading Ellos Nos Cuidan by Omar Delgado. Librarians Oralia Garza de Cortés and Lucía González first raised their voices at the 2014 REFORMA meeting held during the American Library Association’s (ALA) Annual Conference in Las Vegas, challenging fellow - [ALA Annual Conference: Welcome to Washington, DC!](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/05/ala-annual-conference-welcome-to-washington-dc/) - What does the Washington, DC location add to the 2019 ALA Annual Conference? Here are a few opportunities to consider. - [Mean Girls](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/05/mean-girls/) - The movie Mean Girls turns 15 this year. For those who might not be familiar, the plot tells of a homeschooled teen entering a public high school to interact with peers for the first time. Being the nerdy newbie she is treated poorly until she infiltrates the ‘in-group’ with the intent of turning the tables. In doing - [Go Make Something Great Happen: Jason Barron on How Doodling Helped Get His MBA](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/05/barron/) - Jason Barron combined entrepreneurial skills with artistic panache to create The Visual MBA: Two Years of Business School Packed into One Priceless Book of Pure Awesomeness. Barron used sketchnotes, a visual note-taking process, to retain information in his MBA program at Brigham Young University. The result turned to be so popular with professors and students alike that Barron turned the notes into a book, first through an incredibly successful Kickstarter campaign and then through a publisher. The book is designed for anyone with a passing interest in the business world, and Barron’s lively illustrations make the most complex principle accessible to the lay person. - [Readers' Advisory Survey Now Open](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/05/readers-advisory-survey-now-open/) - As part of its ongoing work to measure the impact of libraries on author/title discovery and book sales, the Panorama Project has launched a new survey focused on collecting data on readers' advisory services. The survey (available here) is open to all U.S. public libraries and public library staff and takes 15 to 20 minutes - [Rage Programming: Anger as Program Inspiration](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/05/rage-programming-anger-as-program-inspiration/) - One day, the sidewalks were empty. The next day, they were everywhere. The scooters. Dockless electric scooters, to be exact. They had suddenly appeared on the sidewalks of the DC metro area, where I live and work. They were scattered haphazardly: some on front lawns, some in driveways, some blocking wheelchair ramps. Some were standing upright, some lying on their sides like roadkill. And those were just the dormant ones. When in use, they were ridden in the streets, in and out of bike lanes, and on the sidewalk. Often, I saw children who were obviously below the minimum age for riders (18 years) riding two at a time. It was absolute chaos, and it made me livid. - [5 Tips for Teaching Tech to Seniors](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/04/5-tips-for-teaching-tech-to-seniors/) - Social media platforms and electronic devices coupled with online forms, shopping websites, streaming media services, and a host of other items native to Millennial and Gen Z patrons can be daunting to those who grew up without computers and smartphones. - [Making Changes as a New Library Employee](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/04/making-changes-as-a-new-library-employee/) - We aren't saying you have to make a ton of changes in a new job immediately but we believe it is not necessary to wait until your first anniversary to enact some changes. - [Summer Lunch: Partnering with Community Agencies](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/08/summer-lunch-partnering-with-community-agencies/) - There are plenty of libraries around the country who are fortunate to be able to provide food to children in need during the summer. However, if your library that isn't able to, it doesn't mean you can't be part of feeding children's minds while someone else fills their stomachs! - [Embedded Librarianship: From Laundromats to Zumba Class](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/04/embedded-librarianship-from-laundromats-to-zumba-class/) - I first learned about embedded librarianship in public libraries at the PLA 2014 conference in Indianapolis. There at the program “Creative Community Connections,” librarians from Colorado and Ohio shared their story of embedding library staff in community institutions outside of the library. The panelists defined embedded librarians as those who “attend meetings and events hosted - [Winter Reading Programs For Adults](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/04/winter-reading-programs-for-adults/) - Winter reading programming for adults can be a fun way to help your community beat the winter doldrums, encourage reading habits, improve relationships with patrons and further familiarize them with the library and its resources. - [The Cost of Museum Passes](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/04/the-cost-of-museum-passes/) - Without museum passes at the public library, how many economically-challenged individuals will not get to experience a museum’s collection and the knowledge it brings them? - [Defining the "Relevance Narrative" in Library Media Coverage](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/04/defining-the-relevance-narrative-in-library-media-coverage/) - When we validate the premise that libraries and librarians must immediately do something different (presumably, something "new") to avoid disappearing, we are effectively starting from a point of diminished value. - [Lori Gottlieb on Our Relationship to Happiness](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/04/gottlieb/) - Perhaps you know Lori Gottlieb from her popular "Ask a Therapist" column in The Atlantic, or her previous bestsellers Marry Him and Stick Figure. In her compassionate and emotionally generous new book, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, Gottlieb reveals a new side of herself when she pulls back the curtain of a therapist's world. Part memoir and part case study, the book shifts between Gottlieb's sessions with five different patients as well as her own work with her therapist, prompted by an unexpected crisis that upended her life. The result is a humane and empathetic exploration of six disparate characters struggling to take control of their lives as they journey back to happiness. - [Basic Literacy a Crucial Aspect of Public Library Service](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/04/basic-literacy-a-crucial-aspect-of-public-library-service/) - Can public libraries really claim that they are informing and enriching individuals by supporting the development of literacy and lifelong learning if our citizens keep failing to meet basic literacy levels? - [By the Book - Muslims in Story](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/03/by-the-book-muslims-in-story/) - Our book is a must-have for librarians whose communities do not have any Muslim children. It will help them learn more about Muslims and educate the communities they serve as well. For example, many of the books curated in our "Muslim Kids as Heroes" booklist showcase universal stories that anyone can relate to. Books and resources listed in our book would help all children to empathize and find common ground with Muslims. - [Tips for Teaching and Troubleshooting Technology](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/03/tips-for-teaching-and-troubleshooting-technology/) - “That’s okay, we’re all learning. Let’s see if we can figure this out together.” Starting with this message creates a safe space for the patron, and helps to manage their expectations. Moreover, it shows that it’s okay not to know everything—technology is an arena in which we all need to explore and problem-solve. - [Alex Kotlowitz on Underestimating the Effects of Violence and the Stories that Knocked Him Off Balance](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/03/kotlowitz/) - Alex Kotlowitz's An American Summer focuses on the effects of gun violence on the lives of different Chicago residents in the summer of 2013. Kotlowitz spent four years following various inhabitants of the city's South Side, using his prodigious research skills to examine the insidious and long-lasting reach that violence has on these people's lives. The result is an unblinking look at the trauma enacted by gun violence, as well as a testament to the tenacity and courage of the Chicago's most vulnerable citizens. An American Summer adds to Kotlowitz's already impressive roster of works of journalism, including The Other Side of the River and There Are No Children Here, which was listed by The New York Public Library as one of the 150 most important books of the twentieth century. The New York Times Book Review called An American Summer "a powerful indictment of a city and a nation that have failed to protect their most vulnerable residents," while NPR.org hailed it as "a painful chronicle about an extremely violent city based on the narratives of those who managed to survive its streets." - [Health Literacy: The Librarians’ Tool to Address Health Disparities](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/03/health-literacy-the-librarians-tool-to-address-health-disparities/) - Implicit bias contributes to health disparities within minority populations and thus affects individual as well as community health. Libraries can be part of the solution by increasing their community’s health literacy, a proven, effective tool in addressing health disparities for vulnerable communities. - [Family Literacy - A Holistic Approach to Lifelong Learning and Student Success](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/03/family-literacy-a-holistic-approach-to-lifelong-learning-and-student-success/) - It can be tough to plan programs to engage the whole family. Research shows parent involvement means better learning outcomes for our kids. And the public library is an ideal community space for these types of programs. - [Upcycling Program Meets the Needs of Two Community Groups](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/03/upcycling-program-meets-the-needs-of-two-community-groups/) - "Helping Hands: Upcycling with Dual Purposes" is an arts and crafts program at the Miami-Dade Public Library System's (MDPLS) Country Walk Branch Library. This program works to meet the needs of two communities — older adults and homeless populations — at the same time. Patrons socialize at the library while they make sleeping mats from - [PLA Seeks Columnists for Public Libraries Magazine](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/03/pla-seeks-columnists-for-public-libraries-magazine/) - The Public Library Association (PLA) is seeking persons interested in serving as regular column editors for the association's official magazine. - [Keeping Things Found](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/03/keeping-things-found/) - Why is it we always find what we are looking for in the last place we look? - ["My Imagination and I Have Been Through A Lot" - Sofia Lundberg on Her Heartwarming New Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/02/lundberg/) - Doris, the vibrant nonagenarian at the heart of Sofia Lundberg’s The Red Address Book, lives by herself in her Stockholm apartment, sustained by the weekly Skype sessions with her beloved grand-niece Jenny. Her thick address book stands as a testament to her rollercoaster life, which include stints as a housekeeper for a famous artist in Sweden and a fashion model in 1930’s Paris. Filled with the names of people long passed away, the address book soon becomes a vehicle for Doris to tell Jenny not only the stories of her daring past but also to fill in the gaps of their family’s painful history. What follows is a beautifully rendered love story between great aunt and grand-niece that stretches across continents. The Red Address Book was a hit in its native Sweden, and now readers in the States can fall in love with the book that The New York Times calls “the sort of easy-reading tale that will inspire readers to pull up a comfy chair to the fire, grab a mug of cocoa and a box of tissues and get hygge with it.” - [Story Time at the Laundromat](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/02/story-time-at-the-laundromat/) - My sisters and I were yearning for entertainment that was anything other than staring at our laundry spinning in circles over and over again. Occasionally we had books to read but we would have benefited from (and enjoyed!) a story time program put on by local librarians. The Chicago Public Library has done just that for families who spend plenty of their time at laundromats like my family did. - [Margaret Verble on the Irresistible Main Character at the Heart of her New Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/02/verble/) - In Cherokee America, Margaret Verble crafts a thrilling saga of threatened familial bonds, all centered around an unforgettable character, Cherokee America Singer, also known as "Check." Ten years after the Civil War has wrecked havoc on the Cherokee Nation West, Check struggles to care for a dying husband while running her family farm. Tensions in her community escalate when a fabled stash of gold goes missing, and Check soon finds herself forced to make nearly impossible decisions to keep her splintering family together. Margaret Verble's first novel, Maud's Line, was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, and Cherokee America seems poised to reap similar acclaim, with Publisher's Weekly hailing it as a "rich, propulsive novel." - [The Drawbacks of Two-Factor Authentication](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/02/the-drawbacks-of-two-factor-authentication/) - John Doe wanted an email address so that he could get a job. According to DMR Business statistics, as of October 26, 2018 there were 1.5 billion Gmail accounts, making Gmail one of the most utilized free email services available. In order to create the Gmail account, he needed to enable two-factor authentication. He borrowed his girlfriend's cellphone to set this up. - [Eugenia Kim on Capturing the Emotional Impact of Family Stories](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/02/eugenia-kim/) - Eugenia Kim’s The Kinship of Secrets chronicles the complex and moving story of the Chos, a South Korean family who emigrate to the United States in 1948. Deeming their infant daughter too young for journey, they leave her in the care of family members. Yet when the Korean War breaks out, what was supposed to be a temporary separation unexpectedly stretches into one of many years. Kim traces the journey of the two Cho sisters—Miran in the United States and Inja in South Korea—through the years, gracefully exploring the intricate ties of family and culture. The Kinship of Secrets has been widely praised by critics, with the The Washington Post hailing the book as one that “beautifully illuminate[s] Korea’s past in ways that inform our present.” - [PLA 2019 Early Literacy Activities Calendar](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/02/pla-2019-early-literacy-activities-calendar/) - Based on the Every Child Ready to Read practices of reading, writing, singing, talking, playing (and now counting), each download contains twelve months of learning activities, book lists, nursery rhymes, and more. - [Navigating the Struggles of Life Admin With Elizabeth Emens](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/01/emens/) - Elizabeth Emens' Life Admin exposes the hidden administrative tasks that consume our daily lives and offers strategies to complete them effectively. Emens interviewed hundreds of people and conducted strategy sessions to probe our relationship to these tasks: who does (or doesn’t) do them, why we rarely talk about them, and how they affect our lives. Her resulting book is a lively exploration on this often stressful topic, providing insight into how we handle these tasks and how best to implement them into our lives. - [Libraries Lead with Digital Skills](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/02/libraries-lead-with-digital-skills/) - ALA and Grow with Google launched a national tour of public libraries this week as part of a new partnership to expand resources and services promoting economic opportunity in cities and towns across the country. - [Figuring It Out](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/01/figuring-it-out/) - I’m good with teens and I know why. I listen to them and I don’t talk down to them. I treat them as whole people with complex emotions. I like to joke around with them and I enjoy making them feel like someone is listening. But how do I do this with children? How do I share library space with them in a way that is authentic and in a way that recognizes them as a whole person - even for those who don’t have language yet. - [To Engage or Not to Engage? Social Media in Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2019/01/to-engage-or-not-to-engage-social-media-in-public-libraries/) - Many see social media as a panacea - connecting libraries with the people we serve. However, social media done right takes time, effort, strategy and planning. Social media in libraries done right can reach users in new ways. Maintaining social media accounts for an organization takes a level of expertise often underestimated or taken for granted. - [New Quick Reads - Teaching Early Literacy to Teen Parents](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/12/new-quick-reads-teaching-early-literacy-to-teen-parents/) - Using Every Child Ready to Read principles and programming tips from San Antonio Public Library’s “Little Read Wagon,” this guide will show you how to create a program that meets the needs of your community’s teen parents. - [Expect the Unexpected at Library Programs](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/12/expect-the-unexpected-at-library-programs/) - After three decades as a librarian, I've learned that the unexpected is to be expected during most library programs. Like libraries across the country, the Miami-Dade Public Library System caters to all ages. Any topic can be a potential program. Success can be anything from impacting a few grateful ESOL students at a Conversation Circle to a full-on children’s festival for thousands. However, our best intentions about a dream program can emerge into a difficult to predict reality. Thus, my staff has learned “on the fly” to be flexible for whatever comes. Here are a few examples: - [Never Shut Up About the Awesome Programs at the Library!](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/12/never-shut-up-about-the-awesome-programs-at-the-library/) - In every conversation that I had with event attendees, they all said the same thing, “I didn’t know that the library had/did that!” In fact, if I had had a dollar for every time I heard it, I would have made more money than the breakfast cost to put on. Libraries are integral to their community and provide a wide array of services, so why are so many patrons in the dark? - [FYI Podcast - Valerie Gross](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2015/12/fyi-002-valerie-gross/) - Kathleen Hughes talks to Valerie Gross, President and CEO of the Howard County Library System (Maryland) about the principles of two library initiatives, Libraries = Education and Choose Civility in this PLOnline Podcast. [soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/238818410" params="auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="450" iframe="true" /] Resources Related to this Podcast: Valerie J. Gross website – http://www.valeriegross.com (More about Valerie Goss - [FYI Podcast - The Bed Bug Guide for Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2016/02/fyi-the-public-libraries-podcast-episode-003-sarah-kittrell/) - We talk to Sarah Kittrell, author of the new PLA book, "The Bed Bug Guide for Public Libraries" Kittrell, collection development division manager of the Wichita Public Library, has served as her library’s pest management coordinator since 2012 and has amassed a lot of experience in the arena. In this podcast, we go over how - [FYI Podcast - Amy Koester on Unprogramming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2016/03/fyi-the-public-libraries-podcast-episode-004-amy-koester/) - Kathleen Hughes (Editor, PL and PLOnline)talks to Amy Koester, Youth and Family Coordinator at the Skokie (Illinois) Public Library about the concept of unprogramming (creating and offering programs that are at once highly engaging and collection driven without requiring large amounts of planning, funds, and staff time). Amy also is a blogger, you can check out her blog at showmelibrarian.blogspot.com. - [FYI Podcast - Kari Chapin on Improving Productivity and Managing Time](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2016/04/kari-chapin-live-from-pla-2016-podcast-episode-005/) - We talk to PLA 2016 conference "Make It Extraordinary" guest speaker Kari Chapin. Kari Chapin is a best-selling author, teacher, marketing mentor, and consultant. She is a guru in the handmade industry, with her bestseller “The Handmade Marketplace” and her website (karichapin.com) propelling a multitude of small business-owners to success. In addition, her other books, “The Brilliant Ideas Launch Pad” and “Make It Happen – A Workbooks & Productivity Tracker” (to name a few), help readers generate and capture their best ideas, as well as improve productivity and manage their time. Tune in to hear some great tips and find out what Kari is up to next! - [FYI Podcast - How To Keep Your Library's Facebook Page From Getting Hacked](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2016/04/how-to-keep-your-librarys-facebook-page-from-getting-hacked-podcast-episode-006/) - Live from the PLA 2016 conference, we talk to Erica Jesonis, Chief Librarian for Information Management, Cecil County (Md.) Public Library, about How To Keep Your Library’s Facebook Page from Getting Hacked. What would you do if your library’s Facebook page got hacked and unwanted or even (gasp!) scandalous posts started to appear? Would you be forced to wait in agony for Facebook to hand back control? Don’t let it get that far! Learn easy and effective ways you can protect your organization and yourself so your account is less likely to get compromised in the first place. Jason's share tips you can implement now to improve security for your organization and for yourself. - [FYI Podcast - The BOOMbox at Skokie Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2016/04/the-boombox-at-skokie-public-library/) - The BOOMbox is an experimental space designed to facilitate STEAM learning for all ages. Every few months the theme of the room changes. Programming includes events, classes, micro-workshops, movies, books, resources lists, and more. At the PLA 2016 conference, we talked to Amy Holcomb, Experiential Learning Coordinator and Mikael Jacobson, Learning Experiences Manager at Skokie (Illinois) Public Library, about The Boombox. - [FYI Podcast - Disasters Bring Out the Best in Us - Providing Community Support](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2016/04/disasters-bring-out-the-best-in-us-providing-community-support-podcast-episode-008/) - Dan Wilson, Associate Director for Collections & Library Services at the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, University of Virginia Health System, and Siobhan Champ-Blackwell, Librarian at the National Library of Medicine, presented “Disasters Bring Out the Best in Us: Providing Community Support When it is Needed Most” at PLA 2016. Here, they discuss, with PLA's Brendan Dowling, how librarians and libraries are vital resources for the community during disasters, as they are in the best position to verify and disseminate correct information to the community. They provide tips on building partnerships with local agencies so that your library has a plan in place when disaster strikes. Listen here and also find more information at disasterinfo.nlm.nih.gov. - [FYI Podcast - Where the Black and Brown Boys Aren't (and Why)](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2016/04/where-the-black-and-brown-boys-arent-and-why-with-nichole-shabazz-and-phyllis-c-hunter-podcast-episode-nine/) - Nichole Shabazz, Youth Outreach and Programming Coordinator at the Cleveland Public Library and Phyllis Hunter, Reading and Literacy Expert, Phyllis C. Hunter Consulting, Inc., presented "Where the Black and Brown Boys Aren’t (and Why) at PLA 2016." Here they talk with PLA's Brendan Dowling about closing the achievement gap, increasing representation, and finding entry points to engage this demographic. Follow Nicole at @BEattheLIBRARY and Phyllis Hunter at .@phyllischunter - [FYI Podcast - Engaged and Inclusive: Institutional Approaches to Racial Equity and Social Justice](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2016/04/engaged-and-inclusive-institutional-approaches-to-racial-equity-and-social-justice-podcast-episode-010/) - In Episode 10, we talk to Sarah Lawton, Neighborhood Library Supervisor, Madison (WI) Public Library and Tariq Saqqaf, Neighborhood Resource Coordinator, City of Madison, Office of the Mayor, about how libraries can address racial disparities and create more inclusive public spaces. The Madison (Wis.) Public Library is working with local government to establish racial equity and social justice as core principles in all decisions, policies, and services. We discuss this model which focuses on dismantling structural barriers to equity through both an “equity impact tool” and participation on Neighborhood Resource Teams (action groups that support communities in identifying and addressing community needs). Recorded live at PLA2016 Conference in Denver. - [FYI Podcast - Weeding Library Collections](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2016/08/weeding-library-collection-fyi-podcast-episode-13/) - Kathleen Hughes, PLA Manager Publications, talks to Holly Hibner and Mary Kelly about weeding library collections, awful library books they've discovered, and more. Holly and Mary have recently released a book in PLA’s Quick Reads series, entitled “Weeding Manual.” In addition, they are cofounders of the popular blog Awful Library Book (awfullibrarybooks.com) and co-authors of the book “Making Your Collection Count: A Holistic Approach to Library Collection Management.” Holly Hibner is adult services coordinator at Plymouth District Library in Plymouth, Michigan and Mary Kelly is youth services librarian at the Lyons Township Library in Michigan. - [FYI Podcast - Pew Research Center Report: Digital Readiness Gaps](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2016/10/pew-research-center-report-digital-readiness-gaps-fyi-podcast-episode-14/) - PLA Deputy Executive Director Larra Clark talks with John B. Horrigan of the Pew Research Center about his report, "Digital Readiness Gaps," which finds that just over half of American adults have low levels of readiness to use digital tools as they pursue lifelong learning. - [FYI Podcast - Building and Operating a Digital Media Lab](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2016/10/building-and-operating-a-digital-media-lab-with-jeffrey-fisher-fyi-podcast-episode-15/) - We talk with Jeffrey P. Fisher, author of the latest book in PLA's 'Quick Reads' Series "Building and Operating a Digital Media Lab," about planning your media lab--including creating a vision, selling the concept, budgets, staffing, programming, and more. https://soundcloud.com/publiclibrariesonline/episode-15-building-a-digital-media-lab-with-jeffrey-fisher Resources For This Podcast: The Fountaindale Public Library's Studio 300 Quick Reads for Busy Librarians - [FYI Podcast - Teen Social Justice Symposium](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2016/12/teen-social-justice-symposium-with-erin-hoopes-fyi-podcast-016/) - In the latest episode of PLA's FYI Podcast, we talk with Erin Hoopes. Erin is head of the Free Library of Philadelphia's Philadelphia City Institute Branch. Here we discuss an initiative she spearheaded at the Free Library, a Teen Social Justice Symposium. - [FYI Podcast - Libraries Ready to Code](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/02/fyi-podcast-libraries-ready-to-code/) - Larra Clark Deputy Director for the Public Library Association and the American Library Association's (ALA) Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP), talks with Marijke Visser, Associate Director at OITP, about ‘Ready to Code” a new ALA initiative in partnership with Google, that aims to investigate the current nature of coding activities in public and school libraries for youth and broaden the reach and scope of this work. - [FYI Podcast - Project Outcome](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/03/fyi-podcast-18-project-outcome/) - PLA's Project Outcome (PO) is a free online toolkit consisting of surveys, a survey portal, and an interactive data dashboard that helps librarians measure the outcomes of their programs and services. Join us as we discuss this project with Emily Plagman, PO's Project Manager and Samantha Lopez, Project Coordinator. - [FYI Podcast - A Conversation with Author Yoojin Grace Wuertz](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/05/fyi-019-a-conversation-with-author-yoojin-grace-wuertz/) - PL's Brendan Dowling talks with author Yoojin Grace Wuertz about her recently released novel "Everything Belongs to Us." - [FYI Podcast - Brendan Dowling Talks with Author Michael Callahan](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/05/fyi-020-brendan-dowling-talks-with-author-michael-callahan/) - PL Assistant Editor Brendan Dowling talks with author Michael Callahan, author of 2015’s “Searching for Grace Kelly.” Michael is also a contributing editor at Vanity Fair and a former deputy editor at Town and Country and Marie Claire. His new book, “The Night She Became Miss America” was released in April, 2017. - [FYI Podcast– A New Model for Library Service to Business](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/06/fyi-021-a-new-model-for-library-service-to-business/) - We talk with Gillian Robbins and Caitlin Seifritz librarians in the Business Resource & Innovation Center (BRIC) at the Free Library of Philadelphia about the BRIC and new ideas for updating the library model of providing services to business, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits. - [FYI Podcast - Serving Children of Incarcerated Parents](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/07/new-pla-podcast-fyi-022-serving-children-of-incarcerated-parents/) - We talk to Megan Sullivan, writer and college professor (Boston University) about her book, "Clarissa's Disappointment: And Resources for Families, Teachers and Counselors of Children of Incarcerated Parents" about how to best serve this group, the author's own experience with parental incarceration, and more. - [FYI Podcast - Aspen Institute's Eric Motley](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/pla-podcast-aspen-institutes-eric-motley-author-of-madison-park-a-place-of-hope/) - PLA's Brendan Dowling Talks with Eric Motley, Executive Vice President, The Aspen Institute about his new book, "Madison Park: A Place of Hope." Motley shares stories from his childhood and about the place he was raised, an African-American community established by freed slaves, and elaborates on how those experiences shaped his journey all the way to the Bush White House. - [FYI Podcast: Public Service Loan Forgiveness with Kyra Hahn](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/new-podcast-public-service-loan-forgiveness-with-kyra-hahn/) - Librarian Kyra Hahn shares her experiences navigating the intense bureaucracy of the Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program and provides tips, advice, and explanations that can make the process easier for applicants. - [FYI Podcast -Serving All Families in a Queer and Genderqueer Way](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/07/new-podcast-serving-all-families-in-a-queer-and-genderqueer-way/) - In this episode we discuss providing the best library service for your LGBTQ community with our guest Joel A. Nichols. Joel is the author of the winner in this year's "Public Libraries" magazine feature article contest, for the article "Serving All Families in a Queer and Genderqueer Way." He is an administrator for data strategy - [FYI Podcast - Nicholas Higgins on Library Service to Jails and Prisons](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/new-podcast-fyi-024-nicholas-higgins-on-library-service-to-jails-and-prisons/) - We talk with Nicholas Higgins, director of Outreach Services at the Brooklyn (NY) Public Library. Higgins, author of the latest book in the PLA Quick Reads series, shares wisdom gleaned from his years of experience providing library service to incarcerated persons; provides a thoughtful perspective on the American criminal justice system and shows how to provide the absolute best service to this group and the families they have left behind. - [FYI Podcast - Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/07/equity-diversity-and-inclusion-new-pla-podcast/) - This episode focuses on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, EDI for short and features three guest who've been working tirelessly in this arena. Amita Lonial leads our conversation. Amita, (she/her/hers) is currently the Principal Librarian for Learning, Marketing, and Engagement at San Diego County Library. She also currently serves as the co-chair for the PLA Equity, - [FYI Podcast - Serving Homeless Patrons with John Spears](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/new-podcast-serving-homeless-patrons-with-john-spears/) - We talk with John Spears, Director of the Pikes Peak (Colorado) Public Library about challenges and opportunities in serving homeless patrons at the public library, educating the public, tensions in the community, efforts to expand initiatives, and more. - [FYI Podcast: Social Workers in Public Libraries - Serving Persons Experiencing Homelessness](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/08/new-podcast-social-workers-in-public-libraries-serving-persons-experiencing-homelessness/) - We talk with Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Community Resource Manager at the Denver Public Library, Elissa Hardy about the emerging trend of employing social workers in public libraries, serving persons experiencing homelessness at the library, making the library an inclusive space, training library staff, and related issues. - [Quick Reads Series -- PLA 2018: Ten Essential Programs](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/10/new-in-quick-reads-series-pla-2018-ten-essential-programs/) - PLA 2018: Ten Essential Programs consists of ten articles highlighting educational programs that took place at the PLA 2018 Conference. Filled with instruction, advice, and knowledge from some of the field's more innovative thinkers, the publication covers everything from serving persons experiencing homelessness in your makerspace to reaching children with barriers to access to anti-racist librarianship and more. - [Why I Am Still Not Decorating My Library For Christmas](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/12/why-i-am-still-not-decorating-my-library-for-christmas/) - After much thought, I find myself in the same place. I will not decorate my library for Christmas, because Christmas is not a secular holiday. I will not decorate my library for any religious holiday. I feel that this is alienating for those who do not celebrate these particular faiths. - [Library on the Border Acts as Haven for Immigrant Families](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/12/library-on-the-u-s-border-safe-haven-for-immigrants/) - One public library offers a safe space for immigrant families to gather. The Haskell Free Library and Opera House, which straddles the U.S. – Canada border, has become a safe haven and a commons for immigrants. - [Public Libraries Help Support Resolutions to Get Healthy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/12/public-libraries-help-support-resolutions-to-get-healthy/) - For the sixth year, Devon Libraries in the United Kingdom offers Active Life, Active Mind programming series. This year features over 250 events across the county. Their slogan is “take a step in the right direction and try a new activity this January at your local library.” Meanwhile, here in the U.S., dozens of libraries planning “New Year, New You” programs - [Taking Teen Services to the Teens](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/11/taking-teen-services-to-the-teens/) - Why not opt to get out of the library and meet the teens where they are already at? - [What Are Hiring Managers Really Looking For?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/10/what-are-hiring-managers-really-looking-for/) - Whether you are looking for your first library job or your next library job there are certain details that, if left unattended, can derail your job hunt even before you get called in for the interview. What is it that hiring managers look for in an applicant? How can you be that perfect candidate? Read on to find out! - [There’s Going to be Enough Splendor to Dazzle You: A Conversation with Sy Montgomery](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/11/montgomery/) - Sy Montgomery’s books crack open the interior lives of animals and provoke readers to look at their world from a new perspective, whether it’s The Good, Good Pig, a loving tribute to her pet pig Christopher Harwood, or The Soul of an Octopus, where she immersed herself into the world of octopi to explore their emotional intelligence. With her latest book, How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals, she turns that remarkable focus onto herself. In wide-ranging essays marked by her matter-of-fact candor, she examines her relationship with thirteen very different animals and the myriad lessons they taught her. Publishers Weekly praised the book, stating, “Montgomery’s lyrical storytelling and resonant lessons on how animals can enhance our humanity result in a tender, intelligent literary memoir,” while Nick Jans raved that it “stands as a vivid reminder of the deep and necessary connection we share with all living things.” - [Breaking Down Barriers to Library Service-Going Fine Free](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/11/breaking-down-barriers-to-library-service-going-fine-free/) - As community driven institutions, libraries should focus on removing all possible barriers to achieve equality of access for every member of our communities. - [Finding Answers - Unexpected Reference Sources](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/11/finding-answers-unexpected-reference-sources/) - The issue of Lapham's Quarterly that I saw on my friend's table was about music and it is a treasure trove of information for general readers and researchers alike. - [Library of Congress Digitizes Vast Teddy Roosevelt Collection](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/11/library-of-congress-digitizes-vast-teddy-roosevelt-collection/) - The Roosevelt collection is the largest presidential archival collection held by the LOC, at 276,000 documents, which have been scanned into 461,000 images. The bulk of the collection was a personal gift from President Roosevelt to Herbert Putnam (Librarian of Congress 1899-1939). - [Lynne Truss on Not Giving Everything Away, Big Characters, and Being the Cleverest Person in the Room](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/11/truss/) - Lynne Truss is perhaps best known in the U.S. for her lauded book on grammar, Eats, Shoots, and Leaves, but with A Shot in the Dark she establishes herself as a gifted comic mystery writer, mixing equal parts Christie with Wodehouse. Based on characters Truss originally created for a series of successful radio dramas, A Shot in the Dark takes place in the seemingly idyllic resort town of Brighton. When a fatuous theater critic is murdered on opening night of a touring theatrical troupe’s play, the idealistic Constable Twitten finds himself embroiled in a crime that stretches back to an infamous bank robbery decades prior. Joined by his lovestruck colleague, Sergeant Brunswick, and the station’s sagacious charlady, Mrs. Groynes, Twitten uses his wits to solve not only the murder, but also ferret out a criminal mastermind who has been hiding in plain sight for years. A darkly comic romp, A Shot in the Dark has been widely met with praise. The Guardian raved, “with plenty of brightly coloured bucket-and-spadery, including ghost trains and Punch and Judy and variety acts, this clever, tongue-in-cheek escapade is a perfect summer read.” - [Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah on Redemption, Unlearning Things, and the Patience of Working Retail](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/10/adjeibrenyah/) - Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah's Friday Black is sure to be one of 2018's most significant books. This stunning collection of short stories thrusts the reader into bizarre and frightening territories, from an all-too-real theme park that commercializes racism to a big box superstore in the throes of Black Friday madness. In each story, Adjei-Brenyah compassionately examines his characters' plights, fully exploring their humanity with wit and precision. Friday Black has already been longlisted for the Carnegie Medal of Excellence in Fiction, and The New York Times Book Review hailed it as "an unbelievable debut, one that announces a new and necessary American voice." - [Reframe Advocacy to Highlight Library's Essential Services](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/11/reframe-advocacy-to-highlight-librarys-essential-services/) - By not specifically highlighting how the work of public libraries impacts disadvantaged populations we’re simultaneously selling ourselves short, reinforcing the idea that libraries are for some and not all, and slowly but surely digging our own grave. Our advocacy must start getting real about who is using our libraries and for what reasons. A public building is intended for public use, and not just the version of the public that people feel comfortable being around. Our facilities, services, programming and materials should be able to be used by even the most marginalized in our societies. Otherwise we’re not doing our job and assisting in its demise. - [Picture Book Discussion Group at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/11/picture-book-discussion-group-at-the-library/) - Why not host an adult book club focused on picture books? - [Constructive Confrontation: Being Decisive Rather than Nice](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/11/constructive-confrontation-being-decisive-rather-than-nice/) - After a training presentation on dealing with challenging patrons, a young woman who works in our youth services department asked me, “How should I respond when a man says to me, ‘I’m glad I brought my library card today because I’m checking you out?’” Interesting question: I suppose it depends on the context. If she didn’t mind the comment, then fine. If, however, she found the situation frightening or she felt offended, I suggested that she tell him how what he said made her feel. She needn’t smile or worry about hurting his feelings. Being nice about it will only get her more of the same sort of comments. - [Ransomware at the Library: Time to Boost Your Cybersecurity](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/11/ransomware-at-the-library-time-to-boost-your-cybersecurity/) - Your computer has been locked! Computer blocked! Your personal files are encrypted! Oops your personal files are encrypted! These are the nightmare ransomware messages libraries, hospitals, and communities are seeing across the country. Whole municipalities and major state departments are seeing attacks. Mecklenburg County in Charlotte (NC), the city of Atlanta, and the Colorado Department of Transportation are recent victims. Public libraries in Spartanburg County (SC), St. Louis (MO), and Brownsburg (IN) have also fallen prey. - [Reaching for Memories: Expanding Services and Programming to Patrons Living with Alzheimer’s Disease](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/11/reaching-for-memories-expanding-services-and-programming-to-patrons-living-with-alzheimers-disease/) - Alzheimer’s disease has personally affected millions of Americans and their families. Someone you know has likely suffered from Alzheimer’s disease or will in the future. Whether having served as a caretaker, provided monetary support, or offered comfort and guidance to those in need, your life will be touched by Alzheimer’s. Libraries are uniquely able to provide essential support and services to patrons living with memory loss and their caretakers. - [Successful Beginnings](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/11/successful-beginnings/) - When I was asked to stand for election as PLA president, I remarked that I had never served on the PLA board and maybe that would be a barrier to serving. The nominating committee representative reminded me that I had served on other boards and certainly knew what might be expected. Had I ever led a meeting? Well, yes, many. Then there will be no problem, was the answer. Having served on PLA committees, I understood the organization, which should be helpful. So I ran. I appreciate being elected—thank you all who voted for me. Little did I know that I would be joining a group of some of the finest library superheroes I have ever known and would be dedicating my time, this new start, to a wonderful team experience. - [Many Hands Make for Better Work: Enhancing the Library with Entry-Level Workers](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/11/many-hands-make-for-better-work-enhancing-the-library-with-entry-level-workers/) - My first library job was working as a page in a mid-sized public library. At that time pages had three main duties- check books in, shelve them, and shelf-read the shelves. There were odd jobs we’d occasionally do, but by-and-large those three tasks comprised the job. Years later, now with a master’s degree and in my first professional librarian position, I found myself in an academic library with a similar structure. Now called student aides, this entry level position had a core set of duties though this time they also included staffing the circulation desk and performing other additional duties. However, over the past three years, the Fulton Library at Utah Valley University has expanded the way it uses student workers with great success. Originally working almost entirely in the Circulation department, the student aides’ jobs were expanded first to include Technical Services, and following that success, to other departments as well. Looking back to my time at a public library, I believe many public libraries could profit from a similar expansion. How this evolved at Fulton Library may help you to integrate entry-level positions to new locations in your own library. - [Journey to a Makerspace](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/11/journey-to-a-makerspace/) - When the primary focus of our school districts became reading and math scores, art and STEM classes were the first to get cut from the daily curriculum. My library saw this as an opportunity to provide supplemental programming to fill this gap. In fall 2016, the Zion-Benton (IL) Library District (ZBLD) opened the Sandbox makerspace for patrons of all ages to create masterpieces, explore new things, and do something amazing. ZBLD is comprised of three communities in the Northeast corner of Illinois. We serve a diverse working-class population. Our mission is simply to broaden horizons and expose patrons to the universe of knowledge and ideas for discovery, enrichment, and lifelong learning. - [Bullet Journaling: Putting Pen to Paper](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/11/bullet-journaling-putting-pen-to-paper/) - To-do lists that don’t get done. Perfect planners that go untouched for days or months at a time. Important information jotted on scraps of paper and promptly misplaced. Notes-to-self that are incomprehensible. If that describes your current organization system, it might be time for you to try Bullet Journaling. This latest trend in organization and planning is an immersive experience that combines productivity and mindfulness to help you discover the optimum system that works best for you. The best thing about it? Anyone can pick up a pen and paper and get started right away. - [Innovation Revolution at Gwinnett County Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/11/innovation-revolution-at-gwinnett-county-library/) - Getting out into the community, participating and partnering with other organizations and institutions, requires considerable staff time. As you’ll read later in this article, the reward is most definitely worth the effort. But finding that staff time is not easy, and some libraries will need to get inventive in order to allocate scarce staff resources efficiently. - [Cool Tech I Didn’t Hear About at PLA](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/11/cool-tech-i-didnt-hear-about-at-pla/) - A few months back, while planning for the next few issues of this column, I penciled in the topic “Cool Things I Heard About at PLA.” Then a snowstorm, a full day in the Houston airport (I started in Chicago), and no PLA conference for me. Instead of things I heard, here are some tech trends that I imagine would have come up in conversation. - [Telling Our Story](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/11/telling-our-story/) - One of my responsibilities as PLA president is to represent public libraries when we receive inquiries from the press. To be the voice for 25,000 libraries can be a bit daunting. However, as the year has progressed, it has turned out to be one of my favorite responsibilities. It is a privilege and a joy to represent this beloved, essential institution. - [Library Book Clubs Can Change Lives](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/11/library-book-clubs-can-change-lives/) - The simplicity behind gathering to talk about a shared story softens feelings of self-doubt. The book and its storyline are the vehicle allowing club members to listen, and be listened to. It is meant to expose feelings through difficult ideas and opposing viewpoints. While talking about fictional characters, real experiences bubble up to the surface. There’s an opening to relate first to the story and then to each other. There is no better way to spread great ideas then when people meet face-to-face. A bookclub is neutral ground, which makes it subtly powerful and influential. - [Leaving Dewey for BISAC](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/11/leaving-dewey-for-bisac/) - Four years ago we wrote about our library converting to a BISAC (Book Industry Standards and Communications) organizational structure. We thought it was time to detail what we learned about the experience, especially as we receive plenty of emails asking how it went or would we do it again if we had the opportunity to do everything over. - [Turn the Tables: L.A. County’s DJ Training Program](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/10/turn-the-tables-l-a-countys-dj-training-program/) - The DJ training program is nine weeks long and it “teaches teens not just how to remix a song and scratch a record, but also how to market themselves and navigate the business world. Reflecting both today’s changing job market and the interests of teens, the library is beginning to offer more courses around S.T.E.M. — science, technology, engineering, math — and the arts. - [Public Libraries Celebrate the Democratic Ideal](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/10/public-libraries-celebrate-the-democratic-ideal/) - Public libraries face the challenge of providing information and resources about the upcoming election this November but they also engage their communities in civic opportunities and experiences throughout the year. - [Yarn-Bombing the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/10/yarn-bombing-the-library/) - What better way to showcase Barnett’s picture book, our knitting program, and Project Literacy than to “yarn bomb” the library—especially the trees? - [Managing Your Workplace Relationships](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/10/managing-your-workplace-relationships/) - Is it ever okay to treat your colleagues like family? - [New York Public Library: Serving Looks and Books          ](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/10/new-york-public-library-serving-looks-and-books/) - The Riverside Branch of the New York Public Library has added professional fashion accessories to its circulating materials options. - [Ling Ma on Mob Mentalities, Boring Typography, and the Apocalypse](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/10/ma/) - Candace Chen is a dedicated office drone in the publicity department of a big-time publishing house, deftly negotiating contracts for the novelty Bibles her company churns out year after year. Only when a society-erasing plague, a mysterious fever that rends its victims into a zombie-like existence, wipes out most of her co-workers does Candace reluctantly - [Banning Books Silences Stories](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/10/banning-books-silences-stories/) - Bob Woodward's Fear caused a censorship controversy for a WV library; Banned Books Week 2018 reminds us that "Banning Books Silences Stories." - [Seattle Public Library Offers Free Telephone Service](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/10/seattle-public-library-offers-free-telephone-service/) - Visitors to the Seattle Public Library’s Downtown Library don’t have to worry about running out of minutes – the library will provide 10 free ones on their newly-installed free public phones - [Library's Business Center Leads to Success with Community, Government, and Business](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/09/librarys-business-center-leads-to-success-with-community-government-and-business/) - Indeed, embedded librarianship and partnerships have led to much success for the business center, citizens, and city government. It is important to meet with as many different business organizations as possible in order to publicize what libraries can do for the community. - [Shout It From the Rooftops: Reading Is Fundamental!](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/09/shout-it-from-the-rooftops-reading-is-fundamental/) - Reading for pleasure is at an all-time low in America. Librarians need to extol the merits of reading wherever we go. We need to champion the importance of reading to turn the tide on declines. - [Neal Bascomb on the Incredible Escape from Holzminden Prison](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/09/bascomb/) - Neal Bascomb brings the harrowing escape from Holzminden prison to thrilling life in The Escape Artists: A Band of Daredevil Pilots and the Greatest Prison Break of the Great War. Holzminden prison was Gemany’s seemingly inescapable POW prison, run by the tyrannical commandant Karl Niemeyer. Yet through meticulous planning and ingenious subterfuge, nearly a dozen - [2018 NJLibsGrowBiz Summit: Building Business Outreach and Services](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/09/2018-njlibsgrowbiz-summit-building-business-outreach-and-services/) - The New Jersey State Library has prioritized business outreach and services throughout the state for over a decade. Through contracts for statewide database access to business resources and a dedicated consultant to work with public libraries, the State Library has leveraged its assets to support New Jersey’s business community and has attempted to communicate this to key business stakeholders. - [Religion Versus Theology in Library Programming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/09/religion-versus-theology-in-library-programming/) - While the series is on the topic of religion, we are not engaging in religious programming, but theological programming. That is, we are pursuing an academic discourse on the nature of belief in the divine and the various rituals that might display this belief for particular groups. - [The Opioid Crisis and Administering Narcan in Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/09/the-opioid-crisis-and-administering-narcan-in-libraries/) - The opioid crisis in our country is no longer confined to dark alleys or areas beneath bridges and overpasses. This unfortunate tragedy has found its way into public libraries and many public librarians across the country are now trained to administer Naloxone, “a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose.” Make no mistake about it, the library staff at the McPherson library is saving lives and they are proud of their lifesaving work and dedication to their community. - [Women's Liberation Movement Archives and More at The Feminist Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/09/womens-liberation-movement-archives-and-more-at-the-feminist-library/) - The Feminist Library wants to be a force for good, a living breathing space with a growing collection of work that reflects the diversity of the movement we serve. We want feminists to support the library, and use it, thereby contributing to a movement as determined as ever to bring about total liberation from the forces of oppression, exploitation and hierarchy. We want feminists to send us their work so that ideas can be shared freely with the whole movement; and to use our space. We need feminists to rally behind the library and actively support us, so that together we can ensure that the Feminist Library continues to thrive, and so that we can preserve a vibrant network of feminist publishing and activism long into the future. - ["I Didn't Expect to See That at the Library" - Fun Palace Engages Community](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/09/i-didnt-expect-to-see-that-at-the-library-fun-palace-engages-community/) - On October 7, 2017, the Huntington City-Township Public Library became the first public library in the United States to host a Fun Palace. During the weekend, the library was filled with activities led by community members. At different stations inside and outside the library building, you could learn how to start your family tree, paint like Jackson Pollock, discover Dungeons & Dragons, ballet, ride a bike, cross-stritch, hula dance, stretch your body, decorate cakes, paint rocks, and much, much more. According to Devon Henderson, the library “ended up with 68 volunteers, 24 unique activity stations and over 500 in attendance.” - [How to Write a Monthly Report That Stakeholders Will Actually Read](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/09/how-to-write-a-monthly-report-that-stakeholders-will-actually-read/) - The idea of monthly reports may conjure an image of long blocks of dry text and enough numbers to make your head spin. Equally boring for both the reader and the writer, these serious, lengthy reports often do little to convey your organization’s successes; the more dense they are, the less trustees and other stakeholders are likely to read them. If no one is reading them, is your library’s story really being told? - [Community Connections and Creating a Library of Things](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/09/community-connections-and-creating-a-library-of-things/) - The idea is to lend things that people need, so they won’t have to buy them. A Library of Things helps to reduce consumption and waste while providing access to many items people may not be able to purchase. - [Andrea Kleine on Epic Quests, Coping Strategies, and Dismantling the Traditional Narrative of the Artist](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/08/kleine/) - When Hope and Eden’s father forgets to pick them up for one of their weekend custody visits, the two teenagers accept a ride from a stranger who soon proves to be far more dangerous than he appears. Twenty years later, Hope is an adrift playwright in New York when she finds out that her abductor is up for parole. Hope sets off to find the now estranged Eden in hopes of convincing her to testify against him, and the resulting quest not only exposes painful truths from her past, but also uncovers insights into her present. Andrea Kleine’s Eden is a riveting character study that has been met with rave reviews. Vanity Fair stated “the mystery of Eden unfolds across America with humor and some clever detective work, combining a page-turner with a moving meditation on the limitations of family amidst trauma” and NYLON hailed it as “a devastating, revelatory examination of trauma, memory, creation, and the ways in which we define ourselves according to our experiences.” - [Keith O'Brien on the Radical Lives of Five Incredible Pilots](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/08/obrien/) - Keith O’Brien’s Fly Girls uncovers an overlooked period of aviation, exploring the lives of five disparate female pilots from the 1920s and 30s. Through exhaustive research and sweeping prose, O’Brien brings these remarkable stories to life, recounting the risks these women faced on and off the airfield. Critics have heaped praise upon the book, with The New York Times noting that “O’Brien’s prose reverberates with fiery crashes, then stings with the tragedy of lives lost in the cockpit and sometimes, equally heartbreaking, on the ground” and The Wall Street Journal stating that "O'Brien has recovered a fascinating chapter not just in feminism and aviation but in 20th-century American history." - [Serving Your LGBT Teen Patrons](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2015/09/serving-your-lgbt-teen-patrons/) - The teenage years are not easy for anyone, but for many LGBT teens, the struggle to understand themselves and find acceptance from their peers and community can be even more difficult. The public library can be a wonderful resource for LGBT teens looking for answers or for those just needing a safe, welcoming space to gather with friends. If you want to begin to make a connection with your LGBT teen patrons, there are a few easy steps you can take to get started improving service to this often underserved community. - [Preparing for Transitions at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/08/preparing-for-transitions-at-the-library/) - Our Friends president was very good. She gave us a year’s notice and immediately started setting up meetings and making lists. But it has still been a difficult transition and one from which I have taken several lessons, not only about future Friends, but things to aid in what will inevitably be my own transition. - [Congressman Crist Experiences Clearwater Library’s Maker Power](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/07/congressman-crist-experiences-clearwater-librarys-maker-power/) - The zipping and whirling of a 3D printer welcomed U.S. Representative Charlie Crist to the Clearwater (Fla.) Public Library’s Maker Studios in mid-July. The bright blue plastic filament was steadily building the 700th print job submitted by patrons at the Innovation Studio – one of five makerspaces at the Main Library. During Rep. Crist’s visit, the Clearwater Maker Studios showcased some of the ways libraries around the country are adapting to the growing technology, business, and creative needs of their communities through the creation of makerspaces. - [Melissa Stephenson on the Daunting Task of Getting the Story Down](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/07/stephenson/) - Melissa Stephenson's powerful memoir, Driven: A White-Knuckled Ride To Heartbreak and Back, traces her relationship with her beloved brother, who died by suicide, by cataloging the various cars from her life. With extreme compassion and biting humor, Stephenson recounts her various relationships with family members, as well as the wanderlust that launched her from her small hometown in Indiana. - [Great Books about Strong Girls and Women -A Short List](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/07/great-books-about-strong-girls-and-women-a-short-list/) - There are many great books featuring strong female main characters. Here we've selected a few, though we'd love to hear your selections too. Please share your favorite in the comments. - [John Lingan on Patsy Cline, Her Hometown, and the Groundbreaking Generation of Country Music Entrepreneurs](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/07/lingan/) - When John Lingan was sent to Winchester, Virginia, to write an article about Patsy Cline's hometown, a quick visit turned into multiple return trips. The resulting book, Homeplace, is an exhaustively researched and compassionate account of Winchester and the nearby resort town, Berkeley Spring, West Virginia. The reader's tour guide through the area is Jim McCoy, a former radio DJ famous for discovering Patsy Cline when she was a teenager, who later owned and operated a local honkytonk, The Troubador, that serves as a place for the community to drink, listen to music, and have a good time. - [PLA at National Association of Counties Conference](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/07/pla-at-national-association-of-counties-conference/) - PLA staff and members brought the voice of public libraries to the Smarter Counties Summit: Technology Driving Innovation and broader 2018 National Association of Counties (NACo) conference in Nashville July 12-16. Following the theme of NACo President Charles Brooks, the event focused on issues related to serving the underserved. The summit and conference provided a great opportunity to talk about the value of public libraries, to hear from technology experts, and to network for the future. - [Memory Minders: Meaningful Engagement for those Impacted by Dementia](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/07/memory-minders-meaningful-engagement-for-those-impacted-by-dementia/) - Ramsey County Library worked with a local health organization to create Memory Minders: A Kit for Caregivers. These circulating kits share library resources that will help create positive engagement and meaningful interactions between individuals with dementia or cognitive impairments and their caregivers. - [The Relevance of Bookmobiles and Mobile Libraries in 2018](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/07/the-relevance-of-bookmobiles-and-mobile-libraries-in-2018/) - As a valued part of any library’s arsenal, bookmobiles today help to disseminate information, erase barriers, and equalize opportunity for all patrons—much like in the past, only in different guises today. - [Racial Diversity in the Romance Fiction Industry](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/07/racial-diversity-in-the-romance-fiction-industry/) - Historically, the romance fiction industry has been overwhelmingly white in both authorship and subject. However, a new generation of romance writers has set out to change the status quo, thanks in large part to Kensington Publishing. - [The Right To Be Apolitical](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/07/the-right-to-be-apolitical/) - With the current political milieu, many of us have found ourselves thinking more about social justice, activism, and our personal as well as professional roles in politics. We have questioned the role of library staff and libraries in this context. - [Jessica Long on Turning Obstacles into Opportunities](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/07/long/) - Jessica Long was born in Siberia with fibular hemimelia, a medical condition that required the amputation of both legs below the knee. She was adopted by a family in Maryland, and quickly developed her spectacular gift for swimming. At age twelve, she was the youngest member of the U.S. Paralympic team, winning three gold medals. Over the past four Paralympic games, she's won twenty-three medals, and is currently training to compete in her fifth games in Tokyo in 2020. With her sister Hannah, Long has written a photo-illustrated memoir, Unsinkable, which details not only her triumphs in the pool, but also the more personal moments of her journey, such as reconnecting with her birth family in 2012. Booklist gave Unsinkable a starred review, calling it "inspirational on so many levels, . . .a great addition for middle school collections." - [Taking Care of Business in the 21st Century - A New Library Service Model](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/07/taking-care-of-business-in-the-21st-century-a-new-library-service-model/) - Taking Care of Business in the 21st Century focuses on library service to entrepreneurs and “solopreneurs” — individuals who operate a business completely on their own. Caity Rietzen, Gillian Robbins, and Caitlin Seifritz, librarians in the Business Resource and Innovation Center at the Free Library of Philadelphia, authored the publication. - [Summer Feeding Can Mean Summer Reading](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/07/summer-feeding-can-mean-summer-reading/) - If kids are hungry, they can’t read. This summer, millions of kids do not have a reliable food source to replace school lunch. Getting a tchotchke as an incentive for reading is pretty worthless if you’re too hungry to read. - [Get Your High School Diploma at Your Local Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/07/get-your-high-school-diploma-at-your-local-library/) - Libraries have long helped students study for their GED, and now a program allows adults seeking a high school education an alternate path to their diploma. - [Comics at the Library of Congress](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/07/comics-at-the-library-of-congress/) - Recently, the Library of Congress received its largest donation of comic books and pop-culture memorabilia. - [Communication and Conflict Resolution at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/07/communication-and-conflict-resolution-at-the-library/) - About a month ago, I attended a conflict resolution workshop hosted by the National Conflict Resolution Center. I went in with the idea that I would learn skills that would help me deal with difficult customers. I mean, who else would I have conflicts with? Little did I know that the workshop would prove valuable in every aspect of my life, professional and personal. - [New York Public Library's #ReadingIsLit Campaign](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/07/new-york-public-librarys-readingislit-campaign/) - The New York Public Library (NYPL) is taking advantage of summer reading to push their #ReadingIsLit campaign with HBO. The partnership celebrates the written word and encourages people to “read, talk about, and enjoy all things literary.” In a time when TV shows based on books are seeing great popularity, the timing couldn’t be better. - [New Expectations for Search Functionality Bring Challenges](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/06/new-expectations-for-search-functionality-bring-challenges/) - In the past few weeks I’ve come across two articles that predict the imminent rise of voice-searching as the preferred method to seek information. My immediate reaction was a sinking feeling of discouragement when I consider how clunky searching for library materials already feels, let alone how it would feel if this new expectation comes - [Meghan Flaherty on Dancing Back and Writing Herself Back into Tango](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/06/flaherty/) - Megan Flaherty's heartfelt Tango Lessons details how a passing interest in tango turned into a full-fledged passion for the author when she was in her early twenties. With levity and grace, Flaherty guides the reader through the history of the dance, as well as the world of nightly prácticas and ballroom dance competitions. Flaherty also writes candidly about how the dance helped her confront face traumatic events from her childhood and issues in her relationships. Tango Lessons has been highly praised by the literary community, with Kirkus Reviews calling it "a vibrantly intelligent reading pleasure" and Pulitzer Prize-winner Margo Jefferson hailing Flaherty as "entertaining, thoughtful, and trustworthy because her self-examination—doubts, insecurities, grief—is never self-indulgent." - [Educating Tweens/Teens about Substance Use](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/06/educating-tweens-teens-about-substance-use/) - By: Lydia N. Collins, Consumer Health Coordinator, NNLM Middle Atlantic Region, University of Pittsburgh, Health Sciences Library System, Pittsburgh, PA Historically, public libraries exist within communities and work to support, improve and sustain the individuals who live in their neighborhoods. The ultimate goal of all public libraries is to help build capacity for individuals in - [Feeding the Body and the Mind - Library Summer Feeding Programs](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/06/feeding-the-body-and-the-mind-library-summer-feeding-programs/) - What was once a fledgling experiment taking place in a few public libraries across the country has now become a mainstream success. Through summer feeding programs, public libraries are finding new ways to serve and engage their communities, while also contributing to the fight to end food insecurity, and pulling new audiences into their libraries. - [Rare Book Thefts Among Us](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/06/rare-book-thefts-among-us/) - So, while investigations are quietly underway for recent thefts, what about unsolved book mysteries from 20, 30, 40 or 80 years ago? We can only speculate what public treasures are waiting to be discovered in hidden safes, basements, trunks and cardboard boxes around the world. - [Winner Selected in PL Readers' Choice Contest](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/06/winner-selected-in-pl-readers-choice-contest/) - The winner of the Readers Choice vote for the Honorable Mention award is Kyra Hahn, for her article, "Public Service Loan Forgiveness - The Struggle to Qualify is Real." - [Five Recommended Pop-Culture Podcasts](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/06/five-recommended-pop-culture-podcasts/) - I am surprised how much I like podcasts. I was never a fan of audiobooks, and therefore thought I would never get into podcasts either. And, if you are anything like me, constantly short on time, podcasts will keep you up to date and informed, all on your schedule. - [Net Neutrality is Dead. For Now.](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/06/net-neutrality-is-dead-for-now/) - While this is a huge change that could endanger equal access to the internet, the American Library Association (and other organizations) continue to press for a restoration of Net Neutrality laws. - [GDPR and American Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/06/gdpr-and-american-public-libraries/) - You may be asking yourself, “What in the world does this have to do with me, isn’t this just a EU regulation?” Well, yes and no. GDPR effects any business that handles the personal data of someone living in the EU. As we all know, the internet is worldwide. Many businesses have customers living not only in Europe, but the United States, Australia, Brazil, etc. GDPR requires companies to change how they collect, store, and share customers’ information. - [Hannah Pittard on the Complexity and Messiness of Life](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/06/pittard/) - Hannah Pittard's sweeping Visible Empire focuses on the aftermath of a real-life plane crash in 1961, which claimed the lives of over 100 Atlantans traveling home after an extended art tour of Paris. Pittard employs her formidable skills to focus on how the crash affects four Atlantans: Robert Tucker, a middle-aged newspaper editor whose mistress was on the plane; his wife, Lily, who is eight months pregnant with their first child; Piedmont Dobbs, a teenager who was recently denied the chance of being one of the first African-American students to integrate Atlanta's Public Schools; and Anastasia Rivers, a calculating grifter who uses the crash as a springboard to a better life. - [Kenneth Bonert on Finding the Right Tone to Make the Story Come Alive](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/05/kenneth-bonert-on-finding-the-right-tone-to-make-the-story-come-alive/) - Kenneth Bonert's The Mandela Plot is a propulsive literary thriller set in late 80's Johannesburg, when eighteen year-old Martin Helger's life is upended upon the arrival of Annie, an intriguing American college student. Annie quickly proves to have a bevy of secrets, and Martin is soon exposed to a world far different than his sheltered working class - [Courage to Evolve](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/05/courage-to-evolve/) - Recently, we hosted visitors from a public library in Texas. The library director, the mayor, and their finance officer toured several of our libraries and spent time talking with our team members. After asking us some thoughtful, probing questions about the philosophical underpinnings of our services, the mayor noted, “You need to come up with a new noun. My image of what a traditional library looks like has just been challenged, and what you are doing here is not a library—it is something else. It is intriguing and challenging, and I want to spend time here, but what you are doing needs a new name.” I challenged him to help us invent a better descriptor. - [Teaching Technology](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/05/teaching-technology/) - Public libraries are approaching the digital divide using different strategies. Aside from providing access to computers and internet, the most common digital divide–bridging mechanism is group classes on technology. The public affirms this focus for libraries: 94 percent of Americans believe public libraries should “offer programs to teach people, including kids and senior citizens, how to use digital tools such as computers, smartphones and apps.” - [Librarians, Meet Your Motherboard](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/05/librarians-meet-your-motherboard/) - Motherboards, CPUs, and RAM, oh my! In the twenty-first century, libraries are dependent on these easily confused or misidentified hardware components and terminologies. Modern information systems—ranging from library OPACs to electronic research databases—all require machines that have a motherboard beneath their shiny plastic hoods. Library skills, including Boolean searching and complex taxonomic classification, also rely on computer technology. Librarians regularly make expensive decisions about the hardware in their facilities, but it is easy to get tongue-tied by the acronyms and technical names for the hardware in these machines. A basic grasp of hardware components has the potential to greatly enhance our awareness of our information systems. Libraries can also save money by making informed technology decisions. It’s time we met our motherboards. - [Observation, Orientation, Decision, Action Applying the OODA Loop Concept to Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/05/observation-orientation-decision-action-applying-the-ooda-loop-concept-to-libraries/) - As we know, technology continues to redefine how we perceive the communities in which we participate. The perils and promises of machine learning shape our world around us in knowable ways. Social media allows us to participate at arm’s length as never before. It has transformed how we form and nurture our affinity groups so that we experience increasingly more closed systems that reluctantly absorb outside information. The world has become more entropic and arguably less connected to traditional institutions because of social media’s absorbing and disruptive influences. It has become hard for public institutions such as libraries to build upon traditional patron allegiances and support, and more perilous to depend solely on them. Moreover, in our attempts to nurture these allegiances, we struggle to comprehend the directions of change in our environment. Is it any wonder our pursuits often seem an endless cycle of chasing new purpose and self-justification while lurching toward new ideas that sometimes seem ill suited to our core principles? - [Ready, Set, Negotiate! Preparing for Successful Contract Talks](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/05/ready-set-negotiate-preparing-for-successful-contract-talks/) - The first day of contract negotiations is approaching and members of both teams are getting a little nervous. Will talks be smooth or disagreeable? Do both sides know what’s coming or are surprises in store? What is the best way to prepare for successful negotiations? Both sides can do plenty to come to the table prepared to create a contract that meets everyone’s needs. - [Article on RA Services to the Grieving Wins First Place in PL Contest](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/05/article-on-ra-services-to-the-grieving-wins-first-place-in-pl-contest/) - Congratulations to our first place winner ($500) Nicolette Warisse Sosulski, for her article "Excuse Me, Is There a Loss Section?-Readers Advisory to the Grieving and Bereaved." - [The General Data Protection Regulation and U.S. Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/05/the-general-data-protection-regulation-and-u-s-public-libraries/) - The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a European-Union (EU) wide regulation that unifies European data privacy laws and also codifies the personal data protection rights of residents. It was enacted to provide European citizens with full control over the data that is collected and stored about them. - [New Job? New Library? What Do You Wish You Knew?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/05/new-job-new-library-what-do-you-wish-you-knew/) - Reading a job description and researching a library doesn't tell you everything you need to know when you begin a first job. What do you wish you knew? - [In Practice: Civility](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/05/in-practice-civility/) - In other blog posts I have expressed my beliefs that especially in today’s world, civility is imperative. I have also expressed a belief that librarians have a responsibility to lead tolerance. In response to these expressed beliefs some have challenged civility is a silencing tool of oppression and that tolerance is an unacceptable dodge of acceptance. I believe these responses indicate experiences in which civility or tolerance have not been practiced. - [Jeff Bercovici on Fitness, Freshness, and Redefining "Peak Age"](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/05/bercovici/) - Jeff Bercovici's Play On: The New Science of Elite Performance at Any Age is an in-depth exploration of how elite athletes have managed to prolong their careers in recent years, transforming how our culture views fitness in the process. Through interviews with numerous sports scientists and athletes, Bercovici guides the reader through the latest scientific breakthroughs and training strategies that enable older athletes to not only maintain their competitive edge, but in many instances tower over their competitors. - [Caleb Roehrig on Representation, Stealing Books From His Mom, and Writing Unlikeable Characters](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/05/roehrig/) - Caleb Roehrig's twisty White Rabbit centers around high school sophomore Rufus Holt, who's thrust into the role of amateur detective when his hard-partying half-sister awakes next to the corpse of her boyfriend and enlists Rufus to clear her name. Complicating matters is that Rufus' ex-boyfriend, Sebastien, has chosen the exact same night to try to reconcile after their tumultuous break-up a month earlier. For the next several hours, Rufus and Sebastien attempt to get to the bottom of the murder, bumping up against vicious classmates, tyrannous drug dealers, and an insidious new designer drug wrecking havoc on the community. - [Cubsessions: Famous Fans of Chicago's North Side Baseball Team & Their Stories of Pain, Loyalty, Hope and (Finally) Joy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/05/review-cubsessions-famous-fans-of-chicagos-north-side-baseball-team-their-stories-of-pain-loyalty-hope-and-finally-joy-by-becky-sarwate-and-randy-richardson/) - It is perhaps the biggest sports story in American history: The Chicago Cubs. After 108 years without a championship and decades as our pop culture symbol of futility, the Cubs won the World Series in 2016. From the many years of frustration to the joy of finally winning it all, there are many remarkable stories of Cubs fandom. - [Libraries Are For Everyone](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/05/libraries-are-for-everyone/) - The library is a cornerstone and sustainer of democracy. - [We Are Never Not Changing](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/05/we-are-never-not-changing/) - As soon as we give up on change, we run the risk of falling behind. Therefore, instead of change management we should embrace change readiness. - [Recipe Club: The Most Delicious Library Group](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/05/recipe-club-the-most-delicious-library-group/) - Once a month, twice a month, or weekly, you can have a group that loves to talk about food! What could be better? - [Sacramento Library Workers Learn Mental Health First Aid](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/05/sacramento-library-workers-learn-mental-health-first-aid/) - Sacramento library employees are going through training courses to be able to properly provide assistance to customers who are suffering from a mental illness. - [Digital Literacy Support in Libraries: More than Just Your Computer Classes](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/05/digital-literacy-support-in-libraries-more-than-just-your-computer-classes/) - Digital literacy initiatives within local libraries are imperative to helping our patrons create and upload resumes, sign up and use email to communicate with friends and family, download an app to get a ride to the airport, create and edit a presentation to share at work, search for a new doctor online, create a movie to complete a school project, communicate with a computer technician when their device has issues, and so much more. - [Shifting Expectations for Staff in a 21st Century Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/05/shifting-expectations-for-staff-in-a-21st-century-library/) - To stay competitive in the today’s attention economy, it’s imperative that we pay attention. - [Importance of a Collection’s Inclusivity](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/05/importance-of-a-collections-inclusivity/) - Wanting to have certain items labeled in a manner that excludes them from the importance of the overall collection is marginalizing, at best, and, more likely the case, insidious, at worst. - [The Dangers of Micromanagement](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/04/the-dangers-of-micromanagement/) - If you’ve worked in a library for any considerable amount of time, chances are you’ve experienced micromanagement on some level. - [People Don’t Care About Privacy ](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/04/people-dont-care-about-privacy/) - When user data is king, libraries get left behind. - [The Youth Opportunity Design Approach (YODA)](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/04/the-youth-opportunity-design-approach-yoda/) - Did the word “YODA” catch your eye too? Anything involving a little green, gruff voiced Star Wars icon would get anyone’s attention, right? Well that and anything involving “Youth” jumps out at me too. I attended PLA’s “The Youth Opportunity Design Approach” and got more than I anticipated! - [Preserving Local African American History at the Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/04/preserving-local-african-american-history-at-the-public-library/) - While working for Athens Regional Library System (ARLS), archivist Angela Stanley realized that the rich history of African Americans in her community wasn’t well-reflected in the library’s archival collection. So, with the help of the National Endowment for the Humanities’ “Match-Your-Project” tool, she was able to find and apply for a Common Heritage grant, which was developed to help small to mid-size organizations digitize archival materials and perform community outreach about preservation. - [(Re)Building Latina/o Outreach: Steps to Engaging Your Community](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/04/rebuilding-latina-o-outreach-steps-to-engaging-your-community/) - By Andrea Castillo, andrea.castillo101@gmail.com. Partnerships between libraries and local Latino/a communities begin with relationship-building, both within and outside of the library’s walls, according to Miguel Ruiz, Latino engagement librarian for the Evanston Public Library, which serves a community of about 75,000 in suburban Chicago. As the Latino engagement librarian, Ruiz’s work focuses on outreach (going into - [Providing Immigration Services and Rebuilding Latinx Outreach](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/04/providing-immigration-services-and-rebuilding-latinx-outreach/) - While attending the 2018 PLA conference in Philadelphia, I was thrilled to see a number of sessions that discussed the many issues that are affecting public libraries and their communities. Working at a public library in a densely populated Latinx neighborhood, I was hoping to attend sessions that would introduce me to resources and strategies to better serve this community. Now, perhaps more than ever, it is vital for libraries to support their Latina/o population. Two sessions that were the most impactful and beneficial to this cause, were “Providing Immigration Services in Public Libraries: Making It Possible is Not Impossible” and “(Re)Building Latina/o Outreach: Steps to Engaging Your Community. - [Reflecting Community: The Importance of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Library Staffing](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/04/reflecting-community-the-importance-of-equity-diversity-and-inclusion-in-library-staffing/) - By Rachel Masilamani, rachel.masilamani@gmail.com. PLA2018 offered several excellent programs related to serving diverse communities, and improving institutional equity and inclusion. As a beneficiary of ALA's Spectrum Scholarship Program, I have been personally and professionally engaged with these needs in libraries for my entire career. I believe that a crucial component of any public library’s success in - [Building Meaningful Relationships through Community Engagement](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/04/building-meaningful-relationships-through-community-engagement/) - At the 2018 PLA Conference, Maggie Killman, Youth Community Engagement Librarian, and Gabriel Venditti, Community Engagement Librarian, gave a presentation called Building Meaningful Relationships through Community Engagement, in which they discussed the importance of increasing community engagement by creating more adaptive public services. - [Drawing Millennials into the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/04/drawing-millennials-into-the-library/) - “Millennials Take Over the Library” was a must-see session at PLA 2018. Presenter Jackie Flowers from the Calgary (Alberta, Canada) Public Library showed how her library has implemented user-centered design to draw in this often misunderstood generation of people. She sought to answer how libraries can successfully market to the millennial generation, when business and large corporations are having such a hard time drawing them in. As part of the millennial generation and working in a community with a large millennial community, this session interested me because I wanted to know how to draw in a greater millennial group into the library for more than just books or wifi. Flowers tackled this session with humor and a message that has stuck with me since. - [Applying an Equity Lens: Shifting Resources to Reach Low Income Audiences](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/04/applying-an-equity-lens-shifting-resources-to-reach-low-income-audiences/) - “Equity” is a word that seems to be on everyone’s lips. As a resident and public librarian in a region undergoing rapid economic changes, including the displacement of long-standing communities of color and lower-income neighborhoods, “equity” has certainly been on my mind and heart. - [Serendipity: Seemingly Random Events, Insignificant Decisions, and Accidental Discoveries that Altered History](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/04/review-serendipity-seemingly-random-events-insignificant-decisions-and-accidental-discoveries-that-altered-history-by-thomas-thorson/) - To achieve fame and success requires a lot of hard work and determination. Yet it often requires some good fortune as well. Thomas Thorson tells many of these stories in his book, Serendipity: Seemingly Random Events, Insignificant Decisions, and Accidental Discoveries that Altered History. - [A Prescription for Graphic Medicine](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/04/a-prescription-for-graphic-medicine/) - Graphic medicine is a rapidly growing area of creation, research and teaching that brings together the visual/textual language of comics with stories of illness and health care. - [Health and Wellness at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/04/health-and-wellness-at-the-library/) - From California to Singapore, new public library buildings are co-locating with spaces for exercise and health. Learn about this trend and try something new in your library. - [San Diego's Craft Brewing Archive](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/04/san-diegos-craft-brewing-archive/) - Need a cold, refreshing look at brewing history? Look no farther than CSU San Marcos's new Brewchive. - [Anti-Slavery Collection at Boston Public Library Gets a Digital Makeover](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/04/anti-slavery-collection-at-boston-public-library-gets-a-digital-makeover/) - Library launches crowd-sourced transcription project to make 12,000 pieces of abolitionist correspondence searchable. - [Barbara Lipska on Deciphering and Destigmatizing Mental Illness](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/04/lipska/) - In January 2015, doctors informed Barbara Lipska that her melanoma had spread to her brain. With her frontal lobe compromised by tumors, Lipska soon began exhibiting schizophrenia and dementia-like symptoms. The subsequent eight weeks were a harrowing ordeal for Lipska, who was unaware of the affects her illness had on her brain, and her family. Yet two months after she was diagnosed, the experimental immunotherapy doctors prescribed had successful results. With her mental health restored, Lipska applied her skills as a neuroscientist to dissect the physical affects on her brain. Her resulting memoir, The Neuroscientist Who Lost Her Mind: My Tale of Madness and Recovery, co-written with Elaine McArdle, is a moving account of her illness plus an accessible exploration of the relationship between the brain and behavior. - [Books Vs. Cigarettes](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/04/books-vs-cigarettes/) - Although George Orwell is perhaps better known for his scathing attack on totalitarian Stalinist communism in "Animal Farm," and his dystopian futuristic novel "1984," he also wrote an engaging short piece in 1947 called “Books vs. Cigarettes." In this brief essay Orwell discusses a reluctance among many people to purchase books because of their perceived expense. Orwell challenges this general prejudice through an examination of the relative cost of book buying compared to the cost of other items and pursuits. - [Ending Sexual Harassment at the Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/timesup-on-harassment-at-the-library/) - Sexual harassment has taken center stage recently, and it’s reached epidemic proportions in public libraries. - [Finding Facts at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/finding-facts-at-the-library/) - What part will libraries play in 2018? Many people believe libraries will continue to serve as the place for responsible information and fact-finding about the world we live in. After 2017 and the spread of fake news, libraries may in fact supply the instruction and truthful guidance we are looking for. - [Cris Beam on Empathy's Ability to be Both Personal and Exemplary](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/beam/) - In Cris Beam's I Feel You: The Surprising Power of Extreme Empathy, Beam brings her formidable skills as a journalist to unpack how empathy is deployed in the 21st century, examine its origins in popular culture, and understand its fluid definitions. Along the way she shows the reader the role empathy has played from the - [Adult Programming: How to Have Cooking Demos Without Cooking](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/adult-programming-how-to-have-cooking-demos-without-cooking/) - How can you have a cooking class without cooking in the library? Easy. There are many options that you can do that involves food prep without heat. - [Lawyers in the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/lawyers-in-the-library/) - As we all know, public libraries are bastions of knowledge, and are information citadels for the communities in which they reside. Libraries transform, and libraries lead. - [Bike Check-Out: Coming Soon to a Library Near You?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/bike-check-out-coming-soon-to-a-library-near-you/) - More and more public libraries now include bicycles in their circulating collections. Find out why they do it and how it works. - [Easy Crafting for Your Library: Rag Wreaths](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/easy-crafting-for-your-library-rag-wreaths/) - Saint Patrick's Day doesn't always generate a ton of ideas as far as craft projects, but one craft we've done that can be changed to fit into any holiday is a rag wreath. The first time we did it, this craft had a green theme, perfect for St Patrick’s day and the coming of spring. You will need three things; wire hangers, sharp scissors-preferably those used for cutting fabric, and fabric. For this class, I bought 1/4 yard strips of different kinds of fabric, either green or patterned fabric that had green in it. I also had scraps of yellows and pinks just to give a nice contrasting color. Instead of buying a 1/4 yard of fabrics, you can now buy what quilters call fat quarters, which are usually remnant fabrics, cut into small quarters of fabric. - [How to Avoid Becoming a Ransomware Hostage](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/how-to-avoid-becoming-a-ransomware-hostage/) - Ransomware took down service at another public library system in January. The world of cybersecurity grows more complex each day. Staying informed about the risks is a step everyone should take to build a wall of defense. - [Mario Giordano on Sicily, the Two Fs, and his Glamorous New Detective](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/mario/) - Mario Giordano's Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions introduces an indelible new detective to mystery lovers in the form of the hard-drinking, charismatic Poldi, a Bavarian transplant who has moved to Sicily to drink herself to death. Her end-of-life plans, however, get interrupted when her handsome handyman is discovered murdered. Poldi soon finds herself thrust - [Diane Barth on How Noticing the Small Details Enrich Friendships](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/barth/) - Diane Barth's I Know How You Feel: The Joy and Heartbreak of Friendship in Women’s Lives draws on Barth's extensive experience as a psychotherapist to examine the complexities of female friendship. Barth interviewed a broad range of women about their relationships, discussing how their need for friendship transforms over time and common problems they encounter. The result - [Creating Opportunities](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/creating-opportunities/) - Because our culture is so divided now, the role of public libraries as an anchor in our communities is even more important. Libraries are not only the center of our communities. They help us stay grounded. Public libraries are safe zones, places where all people are welcome and included. Places where it is safe to explore different cultures, food, and religions. Places to be introduced to ideas that might be different. Places where it is safe to have conversations with people you might not know and who you might disagree with. Places of civic discourse. - [Towards a Framework for Digital Justice in Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/towards-a-framework-for-digital-justice-in-public-libraries/) - In the wake of the net neutrality repeal, now more than ever, public libraries need to rise to the challenge of engaging in digital justice work. As librarians, we know that the repeal of net neutrality hurts all of us. However, in a climate of increasing inequality and opportunity gaps, marginalized communities, especially people of color, low-income households, and rural communities, are primed to be most negatively impacted by the FCC’s egregious party-line decision. - [Civic Engagement through Community-Led Programming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/civic-engagement-through-community-led-programming/) - In 2017, Seattle Public Library (SPL) staff spent the year exploring the social impact of mass incarceration in our city and country. This project marked the second year that a civic topic was selected to explore through a series designed to empower and center communities throughout Seattle.1 The Criminal Justice Series leveraged traditional engagement techniques that reflect libraries’ “bread and butter” work of information sharing, awareness raising, and enrichment, including public programs, a social media campaign, art exhibit, and related booklists. What made it noteworthy as an instrument of civic engagement was that it relied on a community-led process that placed individuals who are directly affected by criminal justice at the center of program development while library staff played a supporting role. - [Reflections on Gender Oppression and Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/reflections-on-gender-oppression-and-libraries/) - During the past year, the public discourse on sexual harassment and gender-based abuse of power has shifted. Women’s marches, the social media #MeToo movement, and the public condemnation of high-profile individuals accused of sexual misconduct have disrupted the nation’s previously accepted complacency and led to demands for accountability. While the national focus on sexual harassment represents an elevated platform and increased visibility for (primarily white) women speaking out against gender oppression, it has yet to translate into a mass movement for pay equity, improved workplace conditions, increased access to childcare, reproductive freedom, and an end to violence against and exploitation of women. This is a case where the individual actions are receiving a lot of attention, but we are in danger of missing the deeper institutional and structural drivers of persistent and entrenched gender inequity. - [Quiet Rebels at Brooklyn Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/quiet-rebels-at-brooklyn-public-library/) - This winter, Brooklyn Public Library partnered with Bard College to invite students who have faced multiple barriers to higher education to enroll in free, credit-bearing classes taught by Bard faculty at our Central Library. Recently, some of us got a chance to meet the new cohort of seventeen students over lunch. It was the students’ second day of classes. The students were excited or nervous (or both) and were talkative and appreciative of the library and how welcoming it was. They all seemed to share a readiness to jump into reading, discussing, and learning about new ideas, and developing and expanding upon their own. This is a group, like other groups of college students, where lifelong friendships are bound to form. - [Fostering a Contemplative Culture](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/fostering-a-contemplative-culture/) - Before we get started, I’d like to settle us on some terms. We hear words such as mindfulness, contemplation, contemplative practice, reflection, and space-making floating around the workplace, and for some they mean very specific things. Reflection may be a specified process one goes through to review past actions. Mindfulness may be an Eastern philosophy or simply a way to be especially thoughtful. For this column, I’d like to flatten them all into the following common definition: “awareness of the present moment.” So, for example, “I’m contemplating,” means, “I’m aware of the present moment.” (As opposed to thinking deeply or ruminating about the past or imagining the future.) For me, these words all point to a way of being instead of doing. And I’m especially interested in how librarians can be more, instead of do more. - [Efficient Librarianship - A New Path for the Profession](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/01/efficient-librarianship-a-new-path-for-the-profession/) - Author shares productivity and efficiency practices and explores how utilizing these ideas can positively impact librarianship. - [Visual Merchandising - Applying Bookstore Insights to Public Library Collections](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/01/visual-merchandising-applying-bookstore-insights-to-public-library-collections/) - Looks at bookstore display ideas that can be implemented in libraries. - [Closing the Books](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/closing-the-books/) - I struggled with a fitting topic for this final column and tossed aside many ideas that didn’t seem to impart a sense of closure. So I’m going to leave you with a few of my current favorite things and some items that are never off my radar. - [Community Values](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/community-values/) - PAM SMITH is Director of Anythink Libraries in Thornton (CO). Contact Pam at psmith@anythink libraries.org. Pam is currently reading Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit by Chris Matthews. This has been the year of strategic planning at Anythink Libraries, where I work. The Anythink Board of Trustees challenged our team to reinvent the library once again, - [Project Outcome Results in Action](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/project-outcome-results-in-action/) - PLA commissioned ORS Impact to interview participating libraries and community stakeholders to create five success case studies for its performance measurement initiative, Project Outcome (PO). PO is a free online toolkit designed to help public libraries understand and share the impact of essential library programs and services by providing simple surveys and an easy-to-use process for measuring and analyzing outcomes. What PLA learned from the case studies is that, even with limited survey responses, libraries are able to leverage their outcome data into actionable results. By using Project Outcome surveys, libraries are tracking their impact across time; improving and expanding programs and services to meet community needs; supporting new and deepen- ing existing partnerships; and increasing library championship. - [How Azareen Van der Vliet Oloomi Walked Her Novel Before She Wrote It](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/azareen/) - Azareen Van der Vliet Oloomi's stunning Z is For Zebra introduces an unforgettable character with Zebra, a 22-year-old literary prodigy from Iran. When Zebra's father dies, she decides to retrace her family's journey from Iran to New York. She soon finds herself in Catalonia, where she becomes entangled with Ludo, a hapless philologist who challenges Zebra's more intellectually insular existence. Steeped in literature, Zebra confidently holds forth on topics such as displacement, war, and sexuality in a manner that is sure to captivate readers. Van der Vliet Oloomi's was named one of the National Book Award's "35 Under 35," and Z is for Zebra was named by a Most Anticipated Title of 2018 by the Boston Globe, Nylon, Book Riot, and The Millions. - [Library of Congress Slims Down Twitter Archive](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/library-of-congress-slims-down-twitter-archive/) - The Library of Congress announced in December 2017 that it would no longer collect every stray thought, joke, announcement, or governmental policy change posted to Twitter. - [Review - Be Brave: A Wife's Journey Through Caregiving by Florrie Munat](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/03/review-be-brave-a-wifes-journey-through-caregiving-by-florrie-munat/) - Losing a spouse or a close family member is one of the most painful experiences any of us can face. - [Maurene Goo on Writing Relatable Characters and her Enduring Love of K Dramas](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/02/goo/) - Maurene Goo's effervescent I Believe In A Thing Called Love centers around Desi, a phenomenally talented high school senior whose one weakness is her disastrous interactions with the opposite sex. Determined to have a romantic relationship before she graduates high school, Desi turns to her beloved K Dramas for inspiration. Armed with a list of K Drama tropes to serve as guidance, Desi sets her sights on Luca, the dreamy new transfer student with a mysterious past. What follows is both a hilarious romantic comedy but also a sweet tribute to the powerful bonds high school students have with their friends and parents. I Believe in a Thing Called Love earned starred reviews from both Publisher's Weekly and Kirkus Reviews, and was named one of The Best Books for Teens 2017 by the New York Public Library. - [Behind the Scenes at the Library Gallery](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/02/behind-the-scenes-at-the-library-gallery/) - Our gallery space has now completed three cycles. My library board and the public love the space; they are thrilled to see original art work in the library. However, I am now learning that I was not as prepared as I believed. - [The Architecture of Libraries in Contemporary Times](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/02/the-architecture-of-libraries-in-contemporary-times/) - Ask baby boomers to describe their mental picture of a library, and ask a millennial to do the same and see how the answers differ. The library of yesteryear was more of a knowledge and information center that catered to the academic and the studious, and now libraries are designed to be places to hang out with friends or to host programming similar to community centers. With 82 building projects, completed between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2017, academic and public institutions are seen as places where the community can gather and collaborate. - [Our North Star: Finding Our Way Back To What We Love](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/02/our-north-star-finding-our-way-back-to-what-we-love/) - Gaining access to the magic enthusiasm fosters is a key strategy to building effective teams and sustainable libraries. The good news is that its not hard to replicate once you’ve found it. I encourage you to go and do just that. - [Weeding -- Love It or Hate It](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/02/weeding-love-it-or-hate-it/) - Whether a library employee has taken a collection development class or not, most people working in a library have either heard of the CREW method of weeding materials or use the acronym MUSTIE when removing items from the collection. However, judging by the number of pictures posted to Facebook (of outlandish items still found on library shelves), it seems that not as much weeding is being done in libraries as should be. The question is, why are some of these items still on shelves and does a lack of weeding mean something more than it appears on the surface? - [Wisconsin Adds Additional Libraries to Memory Cafe Program](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/02/wisconsin-adds-additional-libraries-to-memory-cafe-program/) - The Oconomowoc (Wisconsin) Public Library will become part of a growing initiative to support people who have been affected by Alzheimer's, dementia, or other mild cognitive impairments. - [Share, Write, Publish](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/02/share-write-publish/) - It is both a blessing and a curse of public library librarians that we are busy. Whatever our title or job description, most of us wear many hats and juggle multiple and diverse responsibilities. For many, we consider ourselves lucky when we find time to go to a conference, read a list exchange, or even visit pages such as this. Unlike our academic counterparts, most of us have no direct mandate to share our experiences, to present, or to publish. - [Every Single One of Us has a Role to Play in Solving this Crisis: Dr. Nadine Burke Harris on Childhood Adversity](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/02/harris/) - When Dr. Nadine Burke Harris opened her pediatric practice in San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point, she soon noticed a correlation between patients who had experienced some sort of trauma early in life and their physical health. Her resulting research, which built upon the Adverse Childhood Experiences study performed in the 1990s, led to her groundbreaking The Deepest - [The Public Spotlights Public Libraries and Homelessness](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/02/the-public-spotlights-public-libraries-and-homelessness/) - Emilio Estevez’ The Public, an earnest film about an eventful two days in the life of a public librarian, had its world premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Tuesday night. The film centers around Stuart Goodson, a city librarian whose pragmatic and equitable approach to his job is seen from the film’s beginning. He diffuses a dispute involving a mentally ill patron with the same patience that he uses to mentor a colleague through a career transition. In these early scenes, Estevez captures the day-to-day actions in a library with an almost documentary-like quality. We see librarians interact with an array of patrons in a variety of ways, and a montage of absurd reference questions serves as a way to illustrate the breadth of services librarians offer as well as provide some comic relief. - [More Than Just A Page](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/01/more-than-just-a-page/) - A customer calls on the phone to ask if her requested items have arrived yet. I ask for her name and place her on hold. A brisk walk over to the far wall, slip down to the ‘P’s and there is Mrs. Peterson’s books. Exactly where they should be! I’m able to do my job well because our library pages do their job well. So why do I still hear my coworkers saying, “Oh, I’m just a Page”? - [Review - Housing Projects, Mansions & Schools: An Educator's Odyssey by Roger Prosise](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/01/review-housing-projects-mansions-schools-an-educators-odyssey-by-roger-prosise/) - Our history is filled with examples of people who rose from difficult circumstances to achieve remarkable things. We often hear about them in politics, sports, and entertainment. We don't hear about them as often in other areas of life, but perhaps we should. This is why I found Roger Prosise's book, Housing Projects, Mansions & Schools: An Educator's Odyssey to be an interesting read. - [Our Noble Cause: Reflecting On All We Do Right](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/01/our-noble-cause-reflecting-on-all-we-do-right/) - The existence of public libraries is not guaranteed. In fact, public libraries continue to operate against a mountain of odds that would suffocate a lesser field. Doors continue to open each day due to the hard scrabble administrators, local officials, front line staff, and librarians who are driven by a sense of mission far greater than paychecks or pensions. - [Health Resolution: Getting to Know Your Community to Improve Health Information Services](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/01/health-resolution-getting-to-know-your-community-to-improve-health-information-services/) - It’s January, a time when everyone seems to be motivated to improve their health and start making healthier choices. Your library can make a healthy resolution, too! It’s always a good time for librarians to consider new programs and ways to improve health information services … but where do you start? - [Artificial Intelligence Used to Search Handwritten Manuscripts](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/01/artificial-intelligence-used-to-search-handwritten-manuscripts/) - Adam Matthew Digital is a UK company that digitizes unique primary sources including periodicals, correspondences, photographs, and even handwritten manuscripts in archives around the world. They share their collections ranging from Medieval Travel Writings, World War Propaganda, and Eighteenth Century Journals with researchers, universities, and libraries. Last month, the company announced the launch of Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR), an artificial intelligence (AI) technology that searches the full-text of their handwritten manuscript collections. - [L.A. Teen Advocate Wins I Love My Librarian! 2017 Award](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/01/l-a-teen-advocate-wins-i-love-my-librarian-2017-award/) - Annie Cipolla is a Master Gardener and the Young Adult Librarian at the Pacific Palisades Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library. Before becoming a librarian, she worked in television as a broadcast journalist, editor, and producer in Baltimore, San Francisco, New York City and Los Angeles. In recognition of how she weaves together her skills to enrich the lives of teenagers and their families, she is also one of ten librarians from throughout the United States awarded the I Love My Librarian! Award in 2017. - [Using Infographics to Enhance Reader’s Advisory](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/01/using-infographics-to-enhance-readers-advisory/) - Barnes & Noble’s list of reads for the biggest travel day of the year wins big. - [Open All Night](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2015/01/open-all-night/) - Open all night - [The Story of the Home Cafe](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2015/01/the-story-of-the-home-cafe/) - the story of the home cafe jan feb 09 public libraries - [November/December 2011 Perspectives Column - Serving the Homeless](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2015/01/13245/) - November December 2011 Perspectives on Serving Homeless - [Nigerian Public Libraries Helping Job Seekers](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/01/nigerian-public-libraries-helping-job-seekers/) - More than 100 people received employment and keyed in into business opportunities recently through the help of Nigerian public libraries who had participated in the Beyond Access/IREX project in Nigeria. - [Like Oil and Water: Infused Flavors Craft Class](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/01/like-oil-and-water-infused-flavors-craft-class/) - Infused oils and waters are popular right now, with so many books and websites dedicated to this new delicious trend. And they couldn’t be easier to make and teach. - [Easy Craft Programs for Your Library: Bleach Shirts](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/01/easy-craft-programs-for-your-library-bleach-shirts/) - In this second in a series of posts about crafting at the library, I will detail how to make Bleach Shirts. This is one of the easiest crafts you can do in the library. You will need a sink, so as long as you have a water source, you, too, can teach this class. It doesn’t take long, about an hour is all you need. - [National Library of China Makes Audiobooks Available to Beijing's Subway Riders](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/01/national-library-of-china-makes-audiobooks-available-to-beijings-subway-riders/) - The NLC is hoping this will promote reading and library use. This initiative was launched in 2017, with the NLC working in tandem with the subway operator Beijing MTR. - [Some Libraries Raising Their Minimum Wage](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/01/some-libraries-raising-their-minimum-wage/) - In an effort to stay ahead of the curve, some libraries are proactively raising their minimum wage. - [The MLS Catch-22](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/01/the-mls-catch-22/) - In library-land we’re aware that the MLS is the key to professional achievements. It is rare that anyone can attain leadership positions within libraries if they don’t carry this key designation. Over the past few years however, a combination of student loan debt, low salaries, and the actual job requirements of these positions make pursuing an MLS a little less desirable. Is there a future for the profession if we begin to accept a Bachelor’s Degree in Library Science as sufficient training? Or perhaps rather than an MLS, we begin to require a Master’s of Public Administration for those pursuing a Public Library leadership position. Is our commitment to the MLS an example of an industry struggling to adapt to change? - [Dare I Ask? Consumer Health in a Rural Library Setting](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/dare-i-ask-consumer-health-in-a-rural-library-setting/) - An elderly woman comes to the desk and asks for books about diabetes. I politely look the subject up in our catalog and let her know the section in which she can find the many books we have on the topic. A while later, I see the same woman, leaving the library empty-handed. As I rush over to her I’m thinking. “Where did I go wrong?” - [Supporting Workforce Development with Libraries Work](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2018/01/supporting-workforce-development-with-libraries-work/) - Formed in January 2017, Libraries Work is a national networking group among state library agencies. Inspired, in part, by the American Library Association’s 2016 white paper, “The People’s Incubator: Libraries Propel Entrepreneurship” by Charlie Wapner, Libraries Work focuses on supporting workforce development and has a broad range that includes: serving youth and adults; supporting not only tech hire and STEM skills, but the full college and career-ready learning standards and skills (including Liberal Arts); connecting public libraries to WIOA (Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act) and other national and state initiatives for career/work prep; and taking a proactive stance on getting libraries at the workforce and business development table in each community. - [Bento Box Searching](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/bento-box-searching/) - So it seems libraries, at least a few academic libraries and public libraries, have caught up with this single search process, known also as federated search, (rather than searching fields in the library catalog,) as a way to introduce the researcher to articles, books, and resources valued enough to show up in the search. - [British Library Celebrates Sorcerer's Stone Anniversary](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/british-library-celebrates-sorcerers-stone-anniversary/) - The exhibit was created to coincide with the twentieth anniversary release of the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s (U.K./U.S.) Stone, the first novel in the series. - [To Fine or Not To Fine](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/to-fine-or-not-to-fine/) - Fines are a tangible reminder of the patron’s responsibility, the library’s importance, and the consideration of others. - [A Holiday Dedicated to Books](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/a-holiday-dedicated-to-books/) - The tradition is perfect for those who do not practice a mainstream holiday and can be used for library outreach services. - [Google Now Directs Users to Library Ebooks](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/google-now-directs-users-to-library-ebooks/) - New Partnership between Overdrive and Google Promotes Library E-book Collections - [The Future Looks Bright for Librarianship](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/the-future-looks-bright-for-librarianship/) - A recent report highlights growing demand for “librarians, curators, and archivists,” despite articles proclaiming the end of the profession. Communicating our value is required to abolish these stereotypical ideas about the end of libraries. - [Reading Confidence with Tail Waggin’ Tutors](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/reading-confidence-with-tail-waggin-tutors/) - Children who participate in canine-assisted reading programs are likely to develop confidence in their reading skills and find reading to be more enjoyable. While there has not yet been an extensive amount of data to be found to prove the effectiveness of children reading to therapy dogs at drop-in library programs, a research study conducted by the Davis Veterinary Medicine Extension at the University of California found that school children who read to therapy dogs on a regular basis improve their reading fluency by 12 percent. Studies that are available on canine-assisted library reading programs have found results for improvements in oral reading fluency and accuracy, along with significant increases in engaged reading time and significant improvements in reading skills, such as the ability to explain, describe, analyze, and infer. - [Readers for Social Justice](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/readers-for-social-justice/) - With great book groups comes great responsibility—to be open to tough conversations. Since the 2016 presidential election, many of Kansas City (MO) Public Library’s book clubs have been asking for reading that exposes them to different viewpoints. They want fiction that humanizes the news accounts they read; they want nonfiction that helps explain the issues. - [Accessing Digital Information](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/accessing-digital-information/) - For the past three years, the Queens (NY) Library has embarked on a project to radically improve the way library customers discover and access digital content and information resources (which from this point will be referred to as “digital information”). Queens Library invests with a variety of providers to license a rich array of digital information for our customers, but like most libraries, has been forced to rely on a complex set of proprietary interfaces to navigate and deliver them. Only the savviest customers are able to keep track of a large number of separate usernames, passwords, and website URLs. Even when this barrier is crossed, accessing this digital information (or even finding out what is available) requires them to follow links out of the library’s system and over to the digital in- formation provider’s system. - [“Excuse Me, Is There a Loss Section?” Readers’ Advisory to the Grieving and Bereaved](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/excuse-me-is-there-a-loss-section-readers-advisory-to-the-grieving-and-bereaved/) - They come up to the desk and, for the most part, they do not look particularly sad. Most of them look tired–very tired. I look over or approach and ask if I can help them, and as they edge closer to the desk, sometimes dropping their voices at the same time, they ask: “Do you have books for when somebody has died?” - [The Power of Community Outreach Meeting the Demands of the Growing Senior Population](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/the-power-of-community-outreach-meeting-the-demands-of-the-growing-senior-population/) - What exactly does the term “outreach” mean in the library eld? Outreach represents different services libraries might offer— programming, homebound deliveries, bookmobiles, volunteering, community events—as well as collaboration with schools, Spanish speakers, the homeless, the LGBT community, hospitals, senior facilities, and correctional facilities. When I accepted the position of outreach services librarian at the St. Charles (IL) Public Library District (SCPLD) in February 2015, I did not grasp what outreach fully meant or truly appreciate what an exciting field of librarianship I was entering. Not all libraries have dedicated outreach librarians or departments. So why should libraries become more aware of outreach services? - [The Library as Scholarly Publisher An Informal History of the Bulletin of the New York Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/the-library-as-scholarly-publisher-an-informal-history-of-the-bulletin-of-the-new-york-public-library/) - Several initiatives to develop, support, and enhance the library-as-publisher have emerged in the last few years. As digital information continues to transform libraries, it is useful to look back at the history of the library’s role as scholarly publisher. Understanding the history and significance of the Bulletin of the New York Public Library, one of the exemplars of this role, is particularly illuminating. As libraries increasingly emphasize content and access to unique local collections, this publication serves as an illustrative encouragement and historical guidepost for the future of scholarly publishing by libraries. - [Supporting Strategic Planning with Project and Data Management](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/supporting-strategic-planning-with-project-and-data-management/) - No matter the size of the library or the population it serves, all public libraries are working toward a common goal—providing relevant and impactful services in areas most important to patrons. As we strive to be a data-driven organization at Sno-Isle Libraries in Snohomish and Island Counties, WA, it is our job to make sure our programs are allocating the right amount of resources to our highest priority services and addressing the needs and interests of our communities. And we need the data to show it. - [Being Loved Is Not Enough](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/13099/) - I’d like to reveal an important lesson that all librarians need to understand by telling a story that opened my eyes to the power of libraries and of librarians. There are a number of lessons to be learned from this story, but most important may be the realization that we can’t keep underestimating our community’s respect and love for what we provide them. - [Seeking Essays on the Social Justice Implications of Net Neutrality](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/seeking-essays-on-the-social-justice-implications-of-net-neutrality/) - We are currently seeking 3-5 essays (no more than 1,500 words) for inclusion in the Perspectives column in the January/February issue of PUBLIC LIBRARIES. - [Review - War, Spies, & Bobby Sox: Stories About World War II at Home by Libby Hellmann](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/review-war-spies-bobby-sox-stories-about-world-war-ii-at-home-by-libby-hellmann/) - This book features three short fictional stories of WWII on the American homefront, an angle on the conflict that hasn't received as much attention in our popular culture as other aspects of the war have. - [Diversity in Public Libraries Strategies for Achieving a More Representative Workforce](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/diversity-in-public-libraries-strategies-for-achieving-a-more-representative-workforce/) - This lack of diversity has been lamented as a problem for decades, yet in spite of efforts to increase the diversity of the library workforce, there has been minimal progress. Much has been written about how to increase diversity in libraries, including suggestions for improving every step of the process from library and information science education, to hiring and retaining a more diverse workforce, to developing diverse collections and library programs. Libraries are not the only work setting that faces a problem with diversity. However, given that the public library is a forum that serves a variety of communities and interests, it is critical to develop a public library workforce that more accurately reflects the diverse backgrounds that public libraries serve. - [Rebranding Reference](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/rebranding-reference/) - No matter what you may hear, reference isn't dead. It sure looks a whole lot different than it did ten, twenty or fifty years ago but I assure you it is alive and well. Next to material circulation, I believe reference help is the most popular library service. If you don't believe me it's because - [Antifragile Management and the End of the Annual Performance Review](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/antifragile-management-and-the-end-of-the-annual-performance-review/) - MARY JO FINCH is Director and AUTUMN SOLOMON is Associate Director of Westbank Community Library District in Austin (TX). Contact Mary Jo at maryjo@westbanklibrary.com. Contact Autumn at autumn@westbanklibrary.com. Mary Jo is currently reading The Sweet Spot: How to Find Your Groove at Home and Work by Christine Carter. Autumn is currently reading Ungifted: Intelligence Redefined - [Opportunities for Libraries with Apple’s Latest Operating System](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/opportunities-for-libraries-with-apples-latest-operating-system/) - With Apple devices widely used by our public and staff, libraries are invariably affected when changes occur. What might Apple's latest operating system release mean for public libraries? - [Managing Library Millennials](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/13073/) - When I think of my grandmother, I remember the food she always had in her pantry: Honey Nut Cheerios, Ritz Crackers, Folgers coffee, Joy ice cream cones, and Tang. When I think of my own cupboards, I rarely have one consistent item. Sometimes I will purchase brand names and other times I will get the dollar store version. I like to try out different items, different brands, or buy whatever is on sale. This is not what companies like to hear. Millennials’ fickle trends, popular diets, and adventurous exploring do not provide a dependable customer base. - [Tech 2 Go](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/tech-2-go/) - I was once giving a presentation on circulating nontraditional items. When one librarian stood up and casually mentioned that her library circulated bicycles, I nearly fell over. Others told me that their libraries circulate cake pans, power tools, musical instruments, paintings, and more. I once heard, and I half hope this is not real and half want to hear the assuredly amazing stories, of a library that was circulating costumes. - [My Kind of Town](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/my-kind-of-town/) - Chicago was more than ready for the merriment that thousands of librarians brought to the American Library Association’s 2017 Annual Conference. Keep the spirit of Chicago alive this summer with some of these books, films, podcasts, and cultural touchstones. - [The Transformation Will Not be Televised](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/the-transformation-will-not-be-televised-2/) - Now transformation may seem like a strong word, but PLA is clearly transforming the way it serves its members and the way it represents public libraries as an industry. As the PLA spokesperson, I try not to be the hyperbolic salesman, but I’ve had the good fortune of presenting our new initiatives and services for the past year to library staff at all levels. - [The Power of Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/13055/) - The Anythink Libraries bookmobile was part of the Memorial Day parade in one of our local communities. I was surprised at how people responded with such admiration and affection as the bookmobile closed the parade. Onlookers cheered, applauded, and shouted out, “We love our library!” I know that moments like this occur for public libraries everywhere. This sense of pride and heartfelt connection brings to mind the respect that public libraries garner in our communities. Public libraries are among the most trusted institutions in the United States. With this trust, I realize that libraries have earned the responsibility—and even the power—to help create sustainable communities. - [Blind Them With Science](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/blind-them-with-science/) - Science is having a parsec. It’s one of the most popular trending topics in popular non fiction. Let’s give some credit to Adam and Jamie of the television show Mythbusters (2003–16) for showing us all how to blow stuff up safely, and to Bill Nye for inspiring millions of science fair projects that weren’t boring. It didn’t take long for compelling science non fiction to make its way to print, screen, and airwaves. Science is cool, trending, fun, and interesting. And, no surprise here, infinitesimal. Here is a mere sampling of some new, quirky, fascinating books, movies, podcasts, and more to recommend to patrons seeking an instant chemical reaction. - [Fantasy Football, Information Literacy, and the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/09/fantasy-football-information-literacy-and-the-library/) - In August 2015, I invited Evan Silva, fantasy football author/podcaster/expert, to speak to an audience at the Skokie (IL) Public Library (SPL). Silva, though well known in the fantasy football world, had never spoken at a library or similar educational institution and wasn’t sure why I would contact him. To me, the connection was obvious. Librarians help and teach our patrons to find the best information possible in order to make the best decisions possible. - [Engaging Patrons with Library Podcasts](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/10/engaging-patrons-with-library-podcasts/) - As podcasts have further embedded themselves into popular culture, public libraries have become active producers of podcast content, through both workshops for patrons and library-hosted programs. At their base level, podcasts are an effective way of archiving library programs and making them accessible to patrons who are unable to attend. Yet many public libraries are pushing beyond merely recording author talks by producing shows that supplement existing programs, reflect the communities they serve, and engage patrons in a unique way. The following is just a sample of the many innovative ways public libraries employ podcasts. - [The Importance of Teaching Adult Services Librarians to Teach](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/the-importance-of-teaching-adult-services-librarians-to-teach/) - "But, librarians aren’t teachers.” This was one of the first (and most common) comments I encountered when I began my research. “Degree-wise, yes. But,” I asked, “are they instructors?” Do most libraries (read this as librarians) have to walk someone through a process, whether it be how to download and use an app, reserve a book or a room, or access and use library databases? What about programs and classes? Most libraries today are offering a variety of choices to their adult communities: help with résumés, genealogy, technology. Name a topic, and some library in the United States is probably offering a class or program. Do these all count as teaching? Of course they do. - [Public Service Loan: Forgiveness The Struggle to Qualify is Real](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/10/public-service-loan-forgiveness-the-struggle-to-qualify-is-real/) - I often call public libraries the “people’s university” because as an institution, we serve anyone who comes through our doors with an interest in learning. The public library is a welcoming community space for people of all ages to gather, connect with one another, tinker and try new things, and cultivate new ideas. Whether people come to visit for business networking meetings, looking for research materials for school projects, grabbing popular movies, or learning how to download or stream digital media content, it’s hard to walk out of a library without learning something new. - [We Gotta Get Out of This Place](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/we-gotta-get-out-of-this-place/) - Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s ten-part documentary film, The Vietnam War (2017), will be the centerpiece for many conversations this fall for veterans, protestors, historians, and others seeking answers to the what, why, and how questions. - [The 2017 Public Library Data Service Report: Characteristics and Trends](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/12/the-2017-public-library-data-service-report-characteristics-and-trends/) - The Public Library Data Service (PLDS) annual survey is conducted by Counting Opinions (SQUIRE) Ltd. (CO) on behalf of the Public Library Association (PLA). This 2017 survey of public libraries from the United States and Canada captured fiscal year 2016 (FY2016) data on finances, resources, service usage, and technology. Each year PLDS includes a special section. This year the supplemental questions focused on young adult services. - [A Community Collaboration Rekindles Interest in Classic Literature](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/a-community-collaboration-rekindles-interest-in-classic-literature/) - Once per month, from September to May, program participants discuss literary powerhouses like Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales and Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude. The program is a collaboration between PRPLD, the English department at Colorado State University (CSU), and a local Fort Collins (CO) business, Wolverine Farm Letterpress & Publick House. Graduate students and faculty from the English department are our expert guides, providing background on the author, historical period, significance of the work, and thoughtful prompts for discussion. The program is drop-in and open to all community members. - [Beer-Themed Programming at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/beer-themed-programming-at-the-library/) - Partnerships with breweries and other local businesses can help public libraries engage with Millennial patrons - [Public Libraries Encourage Patrons to Get Moving](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/public-libraries-encourage-patrons-to-get-moving/) - Movement is an important part of keeping patrons healthy which has become a main focus for public libraries. By creating an atmosphere that promotes well-being and motivates users to move their bodies, libraries are making a positive contribution to their communities welfare. - [Diversifying Librarianship](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/diversifying-librarianship/) - The library workforce fails to reflect the increasing diversity of our communities. It’s time for effective change. - [Navigating ACA Open Enrollment at Your Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/navigating-aca-open-enrollment-at-your-library/) - Federal legislation and executive leadership have added confusion to this year’s open enrollment period for insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Here are a few suggestions to make a potentially stressful task easier for both library workers and patrons. - [Finding and Partnering with Trainers for Tech Programs](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/finding-and-partnering-with-trainers-for-tech-programs/) - Community access and technology training are crucial components of public library services. The American Library Association’s (ALA) 2015 Digital Inclusion Survey found that “those who receive formal digital literacy training were significantly more likely to use the Internet to pursue economic opportunities and cultivate social ties.”1 In this context, at Forest Park (IL) Public Library (FPPL) we decided in 2016 to revamp our programming efforts to serve our suburban population of 15,000. Helping patrons effectively use technology to achieve educational, economic, and social goals became our shiny new objective. We were eager to launch a new lineup of programs. However, beyond the many questions and dilemmas inherent in launching a new initiative, I wondered who in the world would facilitate the workshops? - [A New Perspective](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/a-new-perspective/) - During a recent Lyft ride to the airport, I was greeted by a driver who turned to me with a huge smile asking about my travel plans. It was quite early for an intense discussion, but with my mind full of thoughts on my upcoming work, and the current state of the world, I carefully asked her a question: “With all the divisiveness in our country, do you think that libraries have the power to affect positive change and bring people together?” - [A Different Kind of Proposal: Weddings in the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/a-different-kind-of-proposal-weddings-in-the-library/) - Liverpool Central Library proposes weddings as a new revenue stream. - [Check out Seeds at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/check-out-seeds-at-the-library/) - Recent research shows that many public libraries now manage seed libraries. This unique kind of “library of things” has many benefits for libraries and for the communities they serve. - [A.J. Baime on Truman's "Completely Different Avenue of the American Dream"](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/a-j-baime/) - A.J. Baime's "The Accidental President: Harry S. Truman and the Four Months that Changed the World" dives deep into the tumultuous first four months of Truman's presidency. Tracing Truman's rise from failed farmer to leader of the free world, Baime constructs a compelling argument that no other President has ever faced such a fraught entrance into the office. - [EasyJet Brings Children’s Books to the Sky](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/easyjet-brings-childrens-books-to-the-sky/) - Over the last summer EasyJet unveiled their “flybraries” or flying libraries, hoping to encourage young passengers to read more. - [Jessica Yu on Gladys Kalibbala and the Value of the Small Act](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/jessica-yu/) - Jessica Yu's "Garden of the Lost and Abandoned" tracks the work of Gladys Kalibbala, a Ugandan reporter whose weekly column on missing children works to reunite her subjects with their families. Equal parts detective, social worker, and child advocate, Kalibbala hunts down the origin of each child's story, working tirelessly to find a solution for each child's predicament. Yu brings her skills as a documentary filmmaker (she won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short for "Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O’Brien") to bring Kalibballa's story to life. While "Garden of Lost and Abandoned" is her first book, it has been met with rapturous praise. Kirkus Reviews called it "an eloquent affirmation of the vast capacity of the human heart," while Amazon selected it as one of its Best Books of the Month: Nonfiction. Yu spoke to Brendan Dowling via telephone on November 6th, 2017. - [Writer-in-Residence Project at Québec Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/writer-in-residence-project-in-quebec/) - During the visit of the first floor, I noticed a study room with glass walls. Inside a man sat, concentrated, in front of a notebook and a large, colorful candy jar which immediately caught my attention. Our guide explained that he was Mathieu Blais, the current "writer-in-residence" - [The Library Needs Laughter](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/the-library-need-laughter/) - As library leaders, we need to do better, be funnier, and use humor liberally especially when times are tough and things are hard. Your staff, and ultimately your patrons, will thank you for it. - [Phil Harrison on Finding the Joy in the Darkness of his New Novel](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/phil-harrison-on-finding-the-joy-in-the-darkness-of-his-new-novel/) - Phil Harrison's novel The First Day spans decades in tracing the fallout caused by a tumultuous love affair in Belfast. When Beckett scholar Anna meets local pastor Orr in 2012, they embark on a passionate relationship despite their profound differences, thus permanently altering their families' lives. Thirty years later, their son Sam must deal with the aftershocks of their relationship as he navigates his carefully isolated life in New York City. Publishers Weekly noted "Harrison’s remarkable writing elevates a story that is all the more powerful for its eschewing of easy answers and resolution," while Kirkus raved that "Harrison's elegant prose and deeply felt characters create a novel with a fiercely beating heart.” - [Making Social Change: Promote Civility](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/making-social-change-promote-civility/) - The public library by our mission and place within communities across the country is in a position to help facilitate positive social change. - [Anyone Can Make Homemade Pickles: Teaching Canning at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/11/anyone-can-make-homemade-pickles-teaching-canning-at-the-library/) - As the homesteading and sustainability movement grows larger every year, a basic class in Canning and Preserving is just what your community library needs. Besides Raising Your Chickens and How to Live Off the Grid classes, canning and preserving is a hobby anyone can do in their home, with a minimal amount of cost. - [The Best Meeting Ever](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/10/the-best-meeting-ever/) - Have you ever asked your colleagues about the best meetings they’ve ever attended? While most of us have probably told war stories about mediocre to downright awful meetings, stopping to think about the very best meetings you’ve attended can be instructive. - [Hurricane Harvey Did Not Spare Texas Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/10/hurricane-harvey-did-not-spare-texas-libraries/) - Hurricane Harvey caused record-breaking rainfall to the Houston-Galveston area the last week of August 2017, as tens of thousands of Texas residents evacuated their homes for the crowded emergency shelters. - [Review - Called Out: A Novel of Base Ball and America in 1908 by Floyd Sullivan](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/10/review-called-out-a-novel-of-base-ball-and-america-in-1908-by-floyd-sullivan/) - Today, professional baseball is a multi-billion dollar industry. But back in 1908, it was still experiencing growing pains. As the young game exploded in popularity, it was also rife with scandal, while unruly behavior from fans often gave baseball a bad name. - [Gathering Space: Meeting Room Policies in the Age of Charlottesville](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/10/gathering-space-meeting-room-policies-in-the-age-of-charlottesville/) - If the library of the future is a gathering space, who will be allowed to gather? - [National Novel Writing Month Is Not Just for November](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/10/national-novel-writing-month-is-not-just-for-november/) - The goal is to write 50,000 words in one month. Writers register at NaNoWriMo.org and keep a running tally of their progress, and share their novel’s current word count and synopsis. - [You Have To Do It On Your Own: An Interview with Tova Mirvis](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/10/you-have-to-do-it-on-your-own-an-interview-with-tova-mirvis/) - Tova Mirvis' memoir The Book of Separation chronicles how questioning her faith sparked monumental changes in her life, including the dissolution of her marriage. Through clear-hearted prose, Mirvis wrestles with her Orthodox Jewish upbringing, her evolving faith, and the courage it takes to step away from one's community to forge one's own path. Mirvis' previous novels - [Promoting Healthy Communities: Connecting Public Libraries with Health Information](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/10/promoting-healthy-communities-connecting-public-libraries-with-health-information/) - Whether they’re searching the Internet, watching television, or browsing social media, Americans are bombarded with information related to their health, but the messages they’re receiving may not be understandable, reliable, or even credible. Faced with confusing medical terminology, conflicting reports, and a constantly changing healthcare system, people are looking to their local public libraries for guidance. That’s why the National Networks of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) is partnering with the Public Library Association (PLA): to help libraries meet the challenges of keeping up with evidence-based health resources and producing successful health programming. - [The Power of Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/09/the-power-of-public-libraries/) - The Anythink Libraries bookmobile was part of the Memorial Day parade in one of our local communities. I was surprised at how people responded with such admiration and affection as the bookmobile closed the parade. Onlookers cheered, applauded, and shouted out, “We love our library!” I know that moments like this occur for public libraries everywhere. This sense of pride and heartfelt connection brings to mind the respect that public libraries garner in our communities. Public libraries are among the most trusted institutions in the United States. With this trust, I realize that libraries have earned the responsibility—and even the power—to help create sustainable communities. - [Libraries as Vibrant Community Hubs: A Report From the ARSL Conference](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/10/libraries-as-vibrant-community-hubs-a-report-from-the-arsl-conference/) - The Association for Rural and Small Libraries recently held their tenth annual conference. More than 550 librarians gathered to discuss issues and concerns unique to libraries in sparsely populated areas. Next year’s conference will be in Springfield, Illinois. - [A Day in the Life of a Prison Librarian](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/10/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-prison-librarian/) - When someone mentions a prison library, some might picture a small, dark room in the bowels of a prison, a weary librarian toiling among old and outdated material, prisoners creeping among the stacks, guards alert for any sign of trouble. At least, that is how I pictured a prison library. That was before I worked in one for two years. - [Library Program Ideas for Media Literacy Week 2017](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/10/library-program-ideas-for-media-literacy-week-2017/) - As trusted institutions that are accessible to all ages, public libraries are uniquely positioned to provide media literacy education through many programming options. The third annual U.S. Media Literacy Week will be November 6-10, 2017. - [We Can't Be Complacent Anymore - PL Talks With Patrick Sweeney](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/10/we-cant-be-complacent-anymore-pl-talks-with-patrick-sweeney/) - Patrick “PC” Sweeney is the Political Director of EveryLibrary, and coauthor of Winning Elections and Influencing Politicians for Library Funding, published by ALA Neal-Schuman. - [Be Real Always: A Conversation with Ken Baker](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/10/be-real-always-a-conversation-with-ken-baker/) - Spirituality and Hollywood are two words many people may not use in the same sentence but in The Ken Commandments journalist and author Ken Baker explores the various practices of the rich and famous while redefining his own beliefs. - [Participatory Culture in a Candy Shell](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/10/participatory-culture-in-a-candy-shell/) - The term "participatory culture" had no meaning to me until recently. It is a term that has been around for at least a decade, and it is an idea that Henry Jenkins, a provost professor at the University of Southern California School of Communication, has been working with for more than two decades. There is a relationship between participatory culture and libraries; in some cases, the would would not exist without the other. It behooves us, as librarians, to be aware of the relationship, and to promote collection development with participatory culture in mind. - [Public Libraries and the Solar Eclipse](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/10/public-libraries-and-the-solar-eclipse/) - It is finally all over! The 2017 solar eclipse craze has come to an end and public libraries all across the country managed to weather the storm. A plethora of public libraries across the country submitted applications through STAR_Net, a network of the Space Science Institute. STAR_Net distributed more than 2.1 million eclipse glasses to participating libraries. - [Rural Libraries Participate in STEM to Read Program](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/10/rural-libraries-participate-in-stem-to-read-program/) - Four Rio Arriba (New Mexico) Independent Libraries have been participating in the STEM to Read Program for the last three years. STEM to Read is preliteracy pilot program that focuses on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, as well as modeling skills that will help caregivers continue STEM and preliteracy education at home. The program was created by Explora! Museum and funded through a grant from the New Mexico Library Foundation and United Way of Northern New Mexico. The grant funding has run out, but three of the four libraries that participated in the pilot program are going to continue offering STEM activities. - [Don’t Panic, Print Books Aren’t Going Anywhere](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/10/dont-panic-print-books-arent-going-anywhere/) - Our world is inundated with digital technology: mobile phones, laptops, iPads, smart cars, smart homes… The entirety of human knowledge is at our fingertips. The Internet revolutionized how we access information. It wasn’t long before people began to predict that the elimination of print was on the horizon. After all, when the Amazon Kindle was - [Nigerian Public Libraries Step Up To Help Street Children](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/10/nigerian-public-libraries-step-up-to-help-street-children/) - Public libraries in Nigeria are stepping up to assist out-of-school children in the country to be literate. Little or non-existent opportunities for learning out of school and non-recognition of the fact that children have individual learning styles are some of the risk factors for the increase in out of school children. - [Stories Need to be Told](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/10/stories-need-to-be-told/) - I’m reminded of stories for many reasons, not just because libraries hold mountains of story books, both true and fiction, but because I run into stories every day with people I meet, which need to be told. - [Lessons from Banksy Booked](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/10/lessons-from-banksy-booked/) - Haight Street Rat, an oversized piece of street art by the internationally known Banksy, is currently at the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library in Kokomo, Indiana. - [Chattanooga Public Library Offers Professional Recording Studio](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/10/chattanooga-public-library-offers-professional-recording-studio/) - Teens gain recording experience in a professional setting at Chattanooga Public Library's The Studio. - [Tattoos are the Newest Form of Algorithm at Denver Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/10/tattoos-are-the-newest-form-of-algorithm-at-denver-public-library/) - The idea was to have its librarians see if they could recommend titles to patrons solely based on a person's tattoos and the back-story of why they got that particular tattoo. - [Food Center: Meeting Food Insecure Patrons Outside the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/09/food-center-meeting-food-insecure-patrons-outside-the-library/) - As a library, we have been long time supporters of our local food center. However, it wasn't until the past few years that we actively began to provide programming at the center. It started as one of many places we were looking to try to share information about what the library had to offer, but it turned into something different over time. - [Library Directors Group Enables Collaboration and Learning](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/09/library-directors-group-enables-collaboration-and-learning/) - The support from the community of library directors is one that I value greatly and am thankful to have. - [Pop-Up Libraries: Meeting Patrons Where They Are](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/09/pop-up-libraries-meeting-patrons-where-they-are/) - The Wichita, Kansas, Public Library has a great idea: if the people won’t come to you, go to the people. Similar in concept to cities that are providing libraries in housing developments, the idea is a simple one. Readers may have forgotten how much they like to read, and just need to be reminded. So twice a month during the summer, a librarian takes a vintage trunk filled with a couple of dozen books down to the Pop-Up Urban Park (downtown Wichita) at lunchtime and offers literature to go with the food truck cuisine. - [We Are The Second Responders](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/09/we-are-the-second-responders/) - In my view, librarians are second responders; a later role that is much needed and of significant importance. We are the group that enters the picture during the second wave of disaster relief, when many others have forgotten or grown weary of hearing of the situation. - [Millennials Love Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/09/millennials-love-public-libraries/) - Pew Research Center finds Millennials most likely to use public libraries. - [Read & Reward: Kids Read Books to Pay Off Fines](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/09/read-reward-kids-read-books-to-pay-off-fines/) - Paying off fines can be as easy as reading a book or attending a library program for kids in Northern Illinois. - [Library Rebuilding Begins at University of Mosul](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/09/library-rebuilding-begins-at-university-of-mosul/) - Mosul Eye has said they have amassed about 10,000 books so far but still have a long way to go. The hope is that one day the library will revert to its status as a “beacon for knowledge and arts where young, curious minds in Mosul can come to learn about the city and the world's history. - [I Love Change: So Why Does It Still Scare Me?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/09/i-love-change-so-why-does-it-still-scare-me/) - Examining the personal and environmental effects of change to better understand it. - [Quick Reads for Busy Librarians - Weeding Manual](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2016/09/quick-reads-for-busy-librarians-weeding-manual/) - Weeding Manual by Holly Hibner and Mary Kelly 71 pages ISBN: 978-0-8389-8829-9 Weeding is an important step in collection management, and one that must be handled sensibly. Under-weeded collections can quickly look messy, old, and unappealing. Overweeded collections become irrelevant, lacking materials that patrons want and need. This manual will help library workers weed smartly. - [Vanessa Grigoriadis On How Shoe-Leather Reporting Shaped Her Latest Book](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/09/grigoriadis/) - Vanessa Grigoriadis' Blurred Lines: Rethinking Sex, Power and Consent on Campus is a thoughtful overview of sexual assault on today's college campuses. Interviewing over a hundred students, parents, and university officials, Grigoriadis combines meticulous research with beautiful writing to produce a panoptic view of today's college campus. A sensitive look at a painful topic, Blurred Lines is a must-read for parents of college-age children. - [Amy Stewart On Solving The Problems Of Her Characters' Everyday Life](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2017/09/amy-stewart-on-solving-the-problems-of-her-characters-everyday-life/) - Amy Stewart's Miss Kopp's Midnight Confessions marks the third in the acclaimed Kopp Sisters' series, which kicked off with 2015's Girl Waits With Gun. Here, eldest sister Constance, now a deputy sheriff, bucks against a system where local women are being jailed under flimsy (yet legal) pretenses. As she fights to bring justice to two recently arrested women, her youngest sister Fleurette contemplates pursuing her theatrical ambitions, threatening to disrupt the close-knit family dynamic. With Confessions, Stewart mines an often overlooked period of American history, yielding rewarding results while providing a captivating legal thriller. Fans of historical fiction will be eager to see how the three Kopp sisters—the steadfast Constance, flinty Norma, and starry-eyed Fleurette—continue to surprise as they navigate their sharply changing world. Amy Stewart spoke to Brendan Dowling via telephone on August 4th, 2017. ## Pages - [New Report: News Access and Media Literacy in Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/news-access-and-media-literacy-in-public-libraries/) - Discover how public libraries are supporting news access and media literacy in an increasingly complex information landscape. News Access and Media Literacy in Public Libraries—developed by the Public Library Association (PLA) and sponsored by PressReader—shares insights from a national survey of more than 900 library workers. The report highlights key trends, challenges, and practical examples - [Expanding Possibilities: Public Libraries and Adult Learning White Paper](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/white-paper/) - Discover how libraries are expanding opportunities for adult learners. Expanding Possibilities: Public Libraries and Adult Learning—developed by the Public Library Association (PLA) and sponsored by Gale, part of Cengage Group—shares insights from a national study of public libraries across the U.S. The white paper highlights key trends, challenges, and real-world examples of how libraries are - [About PL Online](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/about/) - Practical ideas and timely insights for public library professionals. Public Libraries Online (PL Online) is the official digital companion to Public Libraries, the bimonthly publication of the Public Library Association (PLA). It serves as a dynamic platform for sharing timely, practical insights that support the evolving work of public libraries and library staff. The site - [Advertise to Reach Public Librarians](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/advertise/) - Thank you for your interest in Public Libraries and publiclibrariesonline.org (PLonline). If you are trying to reach public librarians with your product or service, then you are in the right place. PL and PLonline are the only industry publications focused entirely on public libraries and public librarians. Advertising in either the print or online publications is the best way - [No Access](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/no-access/) - [Write for Us](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/write-for-us/) - [The Store](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/the-store/) - Quick Reads Digital Downloads All Quick Reads books published after Sept. 1, 2016 are free to PLA members! Digital downloads in the PLA Quick Reads series are all about helping you make the best use of your time by covering important topics in public librarianship in a quick, practical, and direct way. The goal is - [Magazine](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/magazine/) - Issues after 2017 available at https://www.ala.org/pla/membercenter. 2017 2016 2015 NOV/DEC 2017 VOL. 56 NO. 6 NOV/DEC 2016 VOL. 55 NO. 6 NOV/DEC 2015 VOL. 54 NO. 6 SEP/OCT 2017 VOL. 56 NO. 5 SEP/OCT 2016 VOL. 55 NO. 5 SEP/OCT 2015 VOL. 54 NO. 5 JUL/AUG 2017 VOL. 56 NO. 4 JUL/AUG 2016 VOL. 55 - [Terms & Policies](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/legal/) - ALA web copyright statement and release © Copyright American Library Association. The American Library Association is providing information and services on the web in furtherance of its non-profit and tax-exempt status. Permission to use, copy and distribute documents delivered from this web site and related graphics is hereby granted for private, non-commercial and education purposes - [Public Libraries Magazine Archives](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/public-libraries-magazine-archives/) - 2014 2013 2012 NOV/DEC 2014 VOL. 53 NO. 6 NOV/DEC 2013 VOL. 52 NO. 6 NOV/DEC 2012 VOL. 51 NO. 6 SEP/OCT 2014 VOL. 53 NO. 5 SEP/OCT 2013 VOL. 52 NO. 5 SEP/OCT 2012 VOL. 51 NO. 5 JULY/AUG 2014 VOL. 53 NO. 4 JULY/AUG 2013 VOL. 52 NO. 4 JULY/AUG 2012 VOL. 51 ## Downloads - [News Access and Media Literacy in Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/?post_type=dlm_download&p=28523) - [Expanding Possibilities: Public Libraries and Adult Learning White Paper](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/?post_type=dlm_download&p=21411) - Discover how libraries are expanding opportunities for adult learners. Expanding Possibilities: Public Libraries and Adult Learning—developed by the Public Library Association (PLA) and sponsored by Gale, part of Cengage Group—shares insights from a national study of public libraries across the U.S. The white paper highlights key trends, challenges, and real-world examples of how libraries are helping adults gain skills, connect to resources, and achieve their goals. ## Categories - [News & Opinion](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/news-opinion/) - [Magazine Feature](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/magazine-feature/) - [From the President](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/from-the-president/) - [Book Talk](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/book-talk/) - [New Product News](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/new-product-news/) - [PLA News](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/pla-news/) - [Perspectives](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/perspectives/) - [Bringing In The Money](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/bringing-in-the-money/) - [Passing Notes](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/passing-notes/) - [By the Book](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/by-the-book/) - [Under the Radar](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/under-the-radar/) - [The Wired Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/the-wired-library/) - [Books](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/books/) - [Interviews](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/books/interviews/) - [Indie and Self-Published E-book Reviews](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/books/e-book-reviews/) - Reviews of independently published and self-published e-books. Check back often to see what we’ve uncovered! Interested in reviewing? Contact us at publiclibrariesonline@gmail.com. - [PLOnline E-Newsletter Archive](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/books/e-newsletter-archive/) - [Media](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/media/) - [Podcast](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/media/podcast/) - [The Store](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/the-store/) - [Social Workers in Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/news-opinion/social-workers-in-public-libraries/) - [Administration & Leadership](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/administration-leadership/) - [Cataloging & Technical Services](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/cataloging-technical-services/) - [Collection Management](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/collection-management/) - [Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Social Justice](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/equity-diversity-inclusion-social-justice/) - [Information Literacy & Library Instruction](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/information-literacy-library-instruction/) - [Intellectual Freedom & Copyright](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/intellectual-freedom-copyright/) - [Marketing & Engagement](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/marketing-engagement/) - [Self-Care](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/self-care/) - [Technology](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/technology/) - [Programs & Services](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/programs-services/) - [Library Buildings](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/library-buildings/) - [Library Security](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/library-security/) - [Early Childhood LIteracy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/early-childhood-literacy/) - [Career and Job Services](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/career-and-job-services/) - [Data](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/data/) - [data](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/data/data-data/) - [Food at the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/food-at-the-library/) - [Teen Services](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/teen-services/) - [AI Artificial Intelligence](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/ai-artificial-intelligence/) - [Services to Business and Entrepreneurs](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/services-to-business-and-entrepreneurs/) - [Library History](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/library-history/) - [Literacy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/literacy/) - [Sponsored Posts](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/sponsored-posts/) - [Podcast](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/podcast-2/) - [Intellectual Freedom](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/intellectual-freedom/) - [Health Information at the Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/health-information-at-the-library/) - [Library policies](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/library-policies/) - [practices](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/practices/) - [procedures](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/procedures/) - [library practices](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/library-practices/) - [policies](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/policies/) - [Leadership](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/leadership/) - [Advertorial](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/advertorial/) - [climate change](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/climate-change/) - [PLA Conference](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/pla-conference/) - [digital literacy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/digital-literacy/) - [LGBTQIA+](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/lgbtqia/) - [readers' advisory](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/readers-advisory/) - [Neurodiversity](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/neurodiversity/) - [social services](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/social-services/) - [workplace wellness](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/workplace-wellness/) - [Public Libraries magazine](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/public-libraries-magazine/) - [Library Conferences](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/library-conferences/) - [Your Library Career](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/your-library-career/) - [Civic Engagement](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/civic-engagement/) - [serving immigrants](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/serving-immigrants/) - [Seniors](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/seniors/) - [Advocacy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/advocacy/) - [Misinformation](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/misinformation/) - [Sustainable Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/sustainable-libraries/) - [workforce development](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/workforce-development/) - [makerspace](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/makerspace/) - [ebooks](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/category/ebooks/) ## Tags - [Voter ID](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/voter-id/) - [Google](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/google/) - [digitization](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/digitization/) - [unique library collections](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/unique-library-collections/) - [unique circulating collections](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/unique-circulating-collections/) - [public library collection development](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/public-library-collection-development/) - [media overload](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/media-overload/) - [information overload](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/information-overload/) - [book discussion groups for staff](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/book-discussion-groups-for-staff/) - [romance readers and the public library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/romance-readers-and-the-public-library/) - [harnessing change at the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/harnessing-change-at-the-library/) - [public libraries as resources in a disaster](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/public-libraries-as-resources-in-a-disaster/) - [working with teens at the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/working-with-teens-at-the-library/) - [types of libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/types-of-libraries/) - [fantasy fiction](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/fantasy-fiction/) - [manga](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/manga/) - [homework help](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/homework-help/) - [first aid at the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/first-aid-at-the-library/) - [iDeal Summit](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ideal-summit/) - [digital instructional tutorials](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/digital-instructional-tutorials/) - [screencasting](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/screencasting/) - [online reference guide](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/online-reference-guide/) - [mystery](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/mystery/) - [permafrost](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/permafrost/) - [romance novels](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/romance-novels/) - [ebooks](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ebooks/) - [independently published](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/independently-published/) - [unglue.it](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/unglue-it/) - [cloud computing and libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/cloud-computing-and-libraries/) - [guns in libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/guns-in-libraries/) - [comics and library collection development](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/comics-and-library-collection-development/) - [strategic marketing and libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/strategic-marketing-and-libraries/) - [library referenda](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-referenda/) - [public librarian career](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/public-librarian-career/) - [tween programming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/tween-programming/) - [apps](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/apps/) - [library book sales](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-book-sales/) - [library local history collections](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-local-history-collections/) - [Cybils](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/cybils/) - [Awards](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/awards/) - [World Book Night](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/world-book-night/) - [reluctant readers](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/reluctant-readers/) - [social justice](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/social-justice/) - [twitter and public libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/twitter-and-public-libraries/) - [lgbt youth](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/lgbt-youth/) - [e-reading](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/e-reading/) - [kindle](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/kindle/) - [The Lord of the Rings](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/the-lord-of-the-rings/) - [The Wheel of Time](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/the-wheel-of-time/) - [Mistborn](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/mistborn/) - [christmas at the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/christmas-at-the-library/) - [fines at the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/fines-at-the-library/) - [fine amnesty](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/fine-amnesty/) - [library openings](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-openings/) - [young librarians](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/young-librarians/) - [library's purpose](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/librarys-purpose/) - [planning](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/planning/) - [National Book Awards](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/national-book-awards/) - [MLIS Students](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/mlis-students/) - [Resources](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/resources/) - [Ellen Forney](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ellen-forney/) - [Book Review](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/book-review/) - [newtown](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/newtown/) - [genealogy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/genealogy/) - [VTLS](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/vtls/) - [Digital Literacy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/digital-literacy/) - [Scholastic](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/scholastic/) - [PLDS](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/plds/) - [cataloging](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/cataloging/) - [mentors](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/mentors/) - [e-books](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/e-books/) - [maps](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/maps/) - [cartography](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/cartography/) - [historical fantasy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/historical-fantasy/) - [large print](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/large-print/) - [patron behavior](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/patron-behavior/) - [pew study on mobile phone usage](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/pew-study-on-mobile-phone-usage/) - [google maps](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/google-maps/) - [Online Public Access Catalogs](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/online-public-access-catalogs/) - [paranormal](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/paranormal/) - [science fiction](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/science-fiction/) - [comic books](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/comic-books/) - [romance](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/romance/) - [street fiction](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/street-fiction/) - [blogs](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/blogs/) - [best books 2012](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/best-books-2012/) - [pinterest](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/pinterest/) - [snow days](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/snow-days/) - [library location](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-location/) - [relevance](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/relevance/) - [library data](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-data/) - [children's programming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/childrens-programming/) - [job seekers](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/job-seekers/) - [service to teens](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/service-to-teens/) - [shmoop](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/shmoop/) - [book club for teen girls](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/book-club-for-teen-girls/) - [immigrants](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/immigrants/) - [professional associations](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/professional-associations/) - [Conferences](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/conferences/) - [community engagement](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/community-engagement/) - [fundraising](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/fundraising/) - [cell phones](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/cell-phones/) - [Advance Reading Copies](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/advance-reading-copies/) - [ARCs](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/arcs/) - [fairy tales](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/fairy-tales/) - [John Green](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/john-green/) - [spatial organization](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/spatial-organization/) - [wayfinding](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/wayfinding/) - [print-free](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/print-free/) - [Charlotte County Florida Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/charlotte-county-florida-library/) - [college applications](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/college-applications/) - [financial aid](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/financial-aid/) - [privacy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/privacy/) - [identity theft](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/identity-theft/) - [community services](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/community-services/) - [going green](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/going-green/) - [leadership](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/leadership/) - [Edge benchmarks](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/edge-benchmarks/) - [special collections](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/special-collections/) - [appreciative inquiry](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/appreciative-inquiry/) - [library strengths](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-strengths/) - [toys in the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/toys-in-the-library/) - [teens](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/teens/) - [adaptive technology](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/adaptive-technology/) - [A Memory of Light](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/a-memory-of-light/) - [Robert Jordan](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/robert-jordan/) - [Stanford Encylcopedia of Philosophy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/stanford-encylcopedia-of-philosophy/) - [community partnerships](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/community-partnerships/) - [kid-friendly](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/kid-friendly/) - [library-compatible](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-compatible/) - [advocacy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/advocacy/) - [biographies](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/biographies/) - [celebrities](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/celebrities/) - [homeless shelters](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/homeless-shelters/) - [elderly](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/elderly/) - [strategic planning](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/strategic-planning/) - [DVD](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/dvd/) - [Streaming video](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/streaming-video/) - [staff training](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/staff-training/) - [audiobooks](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/audiobooks/) - [mentoring](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/mentoring/) - [ALA Midwinter 2013](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ala-midwinter-2013/) - [2013 ALA Midwinter Meeting](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/2013-ala-midwinter-meeting/) - [ebooks and libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ebooks-and-libraries/) - [bookless libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/bookless-libraries/) - [local history](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/local-history/) - [storycorps](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/storycorps/) - [jazz music](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/jazz-music/) - [strategic plan](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/strategic-plan/) - [book classifcations](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/book-classifcations/) - [evaluating econtent](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/evaluating-econtent/) - [twitter archive](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/twitter-archive/) - [Bruce Coville](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/bruce-coville/) - [pages](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/pages/) - [Wolfram Alpha](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/wolfram-alpha/) - [Internet Searching](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/internet-searching/) - [volunteers](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/volunteers/) - [quiet spaces at the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/quiet-spaces-at-the-library/) - [online education](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/online-education/) - [dark fantasy genre](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/dark-fantasy-genre/) - [horror genre](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/horror-genre/) - [innovation](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/innovation/) - [little free libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/little-free-libraries/) - [writing](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/writing/) - [publishing](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/publishing/) - [YA Books](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ya-books/) - [Virtual Spring Symposium](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/virtual-spring-symposium/) - [unattended children in the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/unattended-children-in-the-library/) - [customer service](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/customer-service/) - [Martin Luther King Jr. Library Programming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/martin-luther-king-jr-library-programming/) - [modern contemporary fantasy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/modern-contemporary-fantasy/) - [online library school](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/online-library-school/) - [social media](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/social-media/) - [financial literacy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/financial-literacy/) - [teen programming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/teen-programming/) - [intellectual freedom](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/intellectual-freedom/) - [Leaving your job gracefully](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/leaving-your-job-gracefully/) - [resigning](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/resigning/) - [military patrons](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/military-patrons/) - [books for teens](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/books-for-teens/) - [library architecture](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-architecture/) - [preservation](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/preservation/) - [history](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/history/) - [archives](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/archives/) - [press relations](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/press-relations/) - [National Library Legislative Day](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/national-library-legislative-day/) - [retirement notice](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/retirement-notice/) - [adult literacy programming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/adult-literacy-programming/) - [Hispanic populations](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/hispanic-populations/) - [library worker stress](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-worker-stress/) - [increasing activity in the workplace](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/increasing-activity-in-the-workplace/) - [strategic change](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/strategic-change/) - [digital magazines](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/digital-magazines/) - [unconferences](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/unconferences/) - [readers advisory](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/readers-advisory/) - [library snapshot day](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-snapshot-day/) - [overdrive new platform](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/overdrive-new-platform/) - [banned books week](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/banned-books-week/) - [business services at the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/business-services-at-the-library/) - [library services to incarcerated persons](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-services-to-incarcerated-persons/) - [video games in the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/video-games-in-the-library/) - [library support staff certification](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-support-staff-certification/) - [advertising in libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/advertising-in-libraries/) - [lewd behavior in the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/lewd-behavior-in-the-library/) - [The World's Strongest Librarian](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/the-worlds-strongest-librarian/) - [Josh Hanagarne](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/josh-hanagarne/) - [bookmobiles](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/bookmobiles/) - [National Bookmobile Day](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/national-bookmobile-day/) - [learning coding](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/learning-coding/) - [National Library Week](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/national-library-week/) - [virtual library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/virtual-library/) - [free library of philadelphia](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/free-library-of-philadelphia/) - [weeding](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/weeding/) - [personal digital archiving](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/personal-digital-archiving/) - [letter from birmingham jail](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/letter-from-birmingham-jail/) - [Dr. Martin Luther King](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/dr-martin-luther-king/) - [Jr.](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/jr/) - [DPLA](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/dpla/) - [Digital Public Library of America](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/digital-public-library-of-america/) - [google reader](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/google-reader/) - [school and public library collaboration](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/school-and-public-library-collaboration/) - [theater and opera programming at the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/theater-and-opera-programming-at-the-library/) - [social media policy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/social-media-policy/) - [GED Testing](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ged-testing/) - [customer surveys](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/customer-surveys/) - [QR Codes](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/qr-codes/) - [e-government](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/e-government/) - [reading dogs](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/reading-dogs/) - [managing social media](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/managing-social-media/) - [open source software](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/open-source-software/) - [author programming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/author-programming/) - [food programs at the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/food-programs-at-the-library/) - [presidential libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/presidential-libraries/) - [board of directors](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/board-of-directors/) - [fantasy readers](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/fantasy-readers/) - [JordanCon](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/jordancon/) - [prison libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/prison-libraries/) - [technology](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/technology/) - [reference interview](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/reference-interview/) - [teen craft projects](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/teen-craft-projects/) - [motivating employees](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/motivating-employees/) - [book formats](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/book-formats/) - [donations](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/donations/) - [film programming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/film-programming/) - [senior programming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/senior-programming/) - [women of fantasy fiction](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/women-of-fantasy-fiction/) - [Roku](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/roku/) - [streaming tv and movies at the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/streaming-tv-and-movies-at-the-library/) - [website usability](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/website-usability/) - [overcommitted](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/overcommitted/) - [CIA Factbook](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/cia-factbook/) - [library jobs](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-jobs/) - [employment](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/employment/) - [civil service exam](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/civil-service-exam/) - [new librarians](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/new-librarians/) - [storytelling](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/storytelling/) - [workplace conflicts](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/workplace-conflicts/) - [public librarianship](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/public-librarianship/) - [early literacy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/early-literacy/) - [imagination library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/imagination-library/) - [technology in libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/technology-in-libraries/) - [BYOD](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/byod/) - [exploring cultures](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/exploring-cultures/) - [Seanan McGuire](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/seanan-mcguire/) - [byot](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/byot/) - [Bee Ridgway](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/bee-ridgway/) - [lawyers in the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/lawyers-in-the-library/) - [retail style diplay](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/retail-style-diplay/) - [tourists](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/tourists/) - [bicycles](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/bicycles/) - [sustainability](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/sustainability/) - [seed libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/seed-libraries/) - [marketing econtent](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/marketing-econtent/) - [health programming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/health-programming/) - [data backup](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/data-backup/) - [unemployment](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/unemployment/) - [Storyville](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/storyville/) - [early literacy activities](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/early-literacy-activities/) - [religion and the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/religion-and-the-library/) - [MOOCs and public libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/moocs-and-public-libraries/) - [civic hacking](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/civic-hacking/) - [reading and play](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/reading-and-play/) - [library physical environment](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-physical-environment/) - [volunteer library brigade](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/volunteer-library-brigade/) - [public art](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/public-art/) - [coworkers](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/coworkers/) - [patron generated video](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/patron-generated-video/) - [summer reading programs](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/summer-reading-programs/) - [time management](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/time-management/) - [ann patchett](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ann-patchett/) - [visiting libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/visiting-libraries/) - [library tourism](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-tourism/) - [archiving text messages](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/archiving-text-messages/) - [content release](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/content-release/) - [managing digital collections](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/managing-digital-collections/) - [tech services](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/tech-services/) - [unfilled positions](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/unfilled-positions/) - [community assessment](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/community-assessment/) - [digital estate planning](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/digital-estate-planning/) - [3D printers](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/3d-printers/) - [makerspaces](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/makerspaces/) - [Czech Republic libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/czech-republic-libraries/) - [affordable care act](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/affordable-care-act/) - [libraries and healthcare law](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/libraries-and-healthcare-law/) - [how stuff works](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/how-stuff-works/) - [dragonslayer series](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/dragonslayer-series/) - [Resa Nelson](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/resa-nelson/) - [Chris Grabenstein](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/chris-grabenstein/) - [young adult books](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/young-adult-books/) - [internet](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/internet/) - [digital programming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/digital-programming/) - [Raspberry Pi](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/raspberry-pi/) - [community crisis center](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/community-crisis-center/) - [disaster preparedness and support](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/disaster-preparedness-and-support/) - [young adult services](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/young-adult-services/) - [local history collections](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/local-history-collections/) - [e-publishing and libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/e-publishing-and-libraries/) - [Smashwords](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/smashwords/) - [Cedar Rapids Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/cedar-rapids-public-library/) - [rebuilding library after disaster](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/rebuilding-library-after-disaster/) - [lending library passes](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/lending-library-passes/) - [adding descriptions to digital photos](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/adding-descriptions-to-digital-photos/) - [marketing print books](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/marketing-print-books/) - [summer reading programs for adults](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/summer-reading-programs-for-adults/) - [IFLA 2013](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ifla-2013/) - [Andre Norton](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/andre-norton/) - [fantasy genre](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/fantasy-genre/) - [kickstarter](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/kickstarter/) - [crowdfunding](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/crowdfunding/) - [epublishing](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/epublishing/) - [digital divide](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/digital-divide/) - [Broadband Technology Opportunities Program](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/broadband-technology-opportunities-program/) - [lending dvds](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/lending-dvds/) - [rfid](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/rfid/) - [Ivy Pochoda](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ivy-pochoda/) - [2013 Great New Writers](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/2013-great-new-writers/) - [library collaboration](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-collaboration/) - [security in the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/security-in-the-library/) - [publish with pla](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/publish-with-pla/) - [Digital Inclusion Survey](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/digital-inclusion-survey/) - [halloween](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/halloween/) - [scary movies](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/scary-movies/) - [e-content](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/e-content/) - [library design](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-design/) - [library technology buzz](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-technology-buzz/) - [Camp DEV DEV](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/camp-dev-dev/) - [online writing lab](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/online-writing-lab/) - [style manuals](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/style-manuals/) - [urban homesteading](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/urban-homesteading/) - [volunteering](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/volunteering/) - [branding](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/branding/) - [netflix for books](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/netflix-for-books/) - [Oyster book lending](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/oyster-book-lending/) - [challenged books](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/challenged-books/) - [banned books](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/banned-books/) - [Eleanor & Park](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/eleanor-park/) - [incarcerated youth](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/incarcerated-youth/) - [writing for publication](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/writing-for-publication/) - [PLA 2014 conference](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/pla-2014-conference/) - [Public Libraries magazine](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/public-libraries-magazine/) - [digital audio file embedded descriptions](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/digital-audio-file-embedded-descriptions/) - [libraryreads](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/libraryreads/) - [Anthony Marra](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/anthony-marra/) - [A Constellation of Vital Phenomena](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/a-constellation-of-vital-phenomena/) - [summer programming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/summer-programming/) - [Mordant's Need](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/mordants-need/) - [Stephen R. Donaldson](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/stephen-r-donaldson/) - [Fantasy novels](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/fantasy-novels/) - [promoting databases](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/promoting-databases/) - [cookbook collection](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/cookbook-collection/) - [Joshilyn Jackson](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/joshilyn-jackson/) - [Someone Else's Love Story](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/someone-elses-love-story/) - [cook book collection](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/cook-book-collection/) - [recommending audiobooks](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/recommending-audiobooks/) - [continuing education](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/continuing-education/) - [CLA conference](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/cla-conference/) - [social media marketing](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/social-media-marketing/) - [library levy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-levy/) - [vote library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/vote-library/) - [library ratings](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-ratings/) - [library statistics](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-statistics/) - [Embezzlement](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/embezzlement/) - [gmail](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/gmail/) - [barriers to access](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/barriers-to-access/) - [setting up email accounts](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/setting-up-email-accounts/) - [self-publishing at the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/self-publishing-at-the-library/) - [print on demand at the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/print-on-demand-at-the-library/) - [The Symington Press](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/the-symington-press/) - [Espresso Book Machine](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/espresso-book-machine/) - [Loudon County Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/loudon-county-public-library/) - [librarians](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/librarians/) - [infographics](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/infographics/) - [pew study libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/pew-study-libraries/) - [library year in review](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-year-in-review/) - [bcpl](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/bcpl/) - [baltimore county public library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/baltimore-county-public-library/) - [censorship](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/censorship/) - [tweens](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/tweens/) - [library outreach](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-outreach/) - [call centers](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/call-centers/) - [PLA conference travel grant](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/pla-conference-travel-grant/) - [PLA 2014](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/pla-2014/) - [PLA Video Contest](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/pla-video-contest/) - [Free trip to PLA 2014](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/free-trip-to-pla-2014/) - [Ruth Ozeki](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ruth-ozeki/) - [Google Glass](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/google-glass/) - [Arapahoe Library District](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/arapahoe-library-district/) - [library innovation](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-innovation/) - [writing for Public Libraries magazine](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/writing-for-public-libraries-magazine/) - [Library Friends Groups](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-friends-groups/) - [Library Fundraising](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-fundraising/) - [Fundraising 101](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/fundraising-101/) - [raise money for libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/raise-money-for-libraries/) - [libraries lending tablets](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/libraries-lending-tablets/) - [billboard advertising for libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/billboard-advertising-for-libraries/) - [library marketing](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-marketing/) - [kitchen tools lending library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/kitchen-tools-lending-library/) - [digital archiving](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/digital-archiving/) - [Edge initative](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/edge-initative/) - [self-evaluation](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/self-evaluation/) - [rethinking resource sharing initiative](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/rethinking-resource-sharing-initiative/) - [library management](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-management/) - [sports-viewing at the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/sports-viewing-at-the-library/) - [Super Bowl Sunday at the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/super-bowl-sunday-at-the-library/) - [Net Neutrality](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/net-neutrality/) - [restoring net neutrality](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/restoring-net-neutrality/) - [libraries and net neutrality](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/libraries-and-net-neutrality/) - [Amazon](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/amazon/) - [ILS Systems](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ils-systems/) - [fitness programming at the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/fitness-programming-at-the-library/) - [book cover art](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/book-cover-art/) - [high school diploma](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/high-school-diploma/) - [PLA Virtual Conference](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/pla-virtual-conference/) - [Continuing Education for Public Librarians](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/continuing-education-for-public-librarians/) - [Internet filtering](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/internet-filtering/) - [porn at the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/porn-at-the-library/) - [library service](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-service/) - [ebook sales](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ebook-sales/) - [hardcover book sales](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/hardcover-book-sales/) - [library databases](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-databases/) - [reference questions](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/reference-questions/) - [not using google](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/not-using-google/) - [yoga at the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/yoga-at-the-library/) - [library programming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-programming/) - [genealogy research](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/genealogy-research/) - [library social media presence](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-social-media-presence/) - [Every Child Ready to Read](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/every-child-ready-to-read/) - [Opening Minds Innovation Awards](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/opening-minds-innovation-awards/) - [Library Advocacy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-advocacy/) - [Daniel Handler](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/daniel-handler/) - [fitness programs at the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/fitness-programs-at-the-library/) - [award to honor librarians who have faced adversity](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/award-to-honor-librarians-who-have-faced-adversity/) - [Lemony Snicket award](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/lemony-snicket-award/) - [library display tips](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-display-tips/) - [apps in early literacy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/apps-in-early-literacy/) - [library user experience testing](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-user-experience-testing/) - [community engagement in libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/community-engagement-in-libraries/) - [hiring library staff](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/hiring-library-staff/) - [diversifying the library workforce](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/diversifying-the-library-workforce/) - [amy cuddy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/amy-cuddy/) - [big ideas](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/big-ideas/) - [teen tech week](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/teen-tech-week/) - [diy @ your library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/diy-your-library/) - [grants](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/grants/) - [national library week 2014](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/national-library-week-2014/) - [pla 2014 serving immigrants](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/pla-2014-serving-immigrants/) - [homeschool](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/homeschool/) - [book to movie adapatations](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/book-to-movie-adapatations/) - [program](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/program/) - [spark talks](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/spark-talks/) - [ILS migration](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ils-migration/) - [tax forms at the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/tax-forms-at-the-library/) - [book theft](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/book-theft/) - [sensory enhanced storytime](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/sensory-enhanced-storytime/) - [autism spectrum disorder](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/autism-spectrum-disorder/) - [Queens Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/queens-library/) - [Hurricane Sandy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/hurricane-sandy/) - [LEGOs](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/legos/) - [Urban Librarian's Conference](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/urban-librarians-conference/) - [Next Stop Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/next-stop-libraries/) - [Interview questions](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/interview-questions/) - [international library conference](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/international-library-conference/) - [library funding](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-funding/) - [freewriting](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/freewriting/) - [sxswi 2014](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/sxswi-2014/) - [government information](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/government-information/) - [federal depository library program](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/federal-depository-library-program/) - [public library digital content](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/public-library-digital-content/) - [Overdrive Local Content](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/overdrive-local-content/) - [library services for patrons with developmental disabilities](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-services-for-patrons-with-developmental-disabilities/) - [multitasking](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/multitasking/) - [working in a public library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/working-in-a-public-library/) - [babies](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/babies/) - [baby-friendly](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/baby-friendly/) - [Masterpiece Mystery Library Programming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/masterpiece-mystery-library-programming/) - [Agatha Christie](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/agatha-christie/) - [data-driven decision](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/data-driven-decision/) - [novelist](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/novelist/) - [bookish](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/bookish/) - [nypl](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/nypl/) - [washington county free library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/washington-county-free-library/) - [united states postal service](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/united-states-postal-service/) - [village post offices](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/village-post-offices/) - [historical context](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/historical-context/) - [copyright and movie licensing](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/copyright-and-movie-licensing/) - [career resources](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/career-resources/) - [FLA](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/fla/) - [conference planning](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/conference-planning/) - [Computer Science Education Week](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/computer-science-education-week/) - [Gluejar](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/gluejar/) - [public domain](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/public-domain/) - [creative commons license](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/creative-commons-license/) - [robotics](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/robotics/) - [staff morale](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/staff-morale/) - [Kathleen Hale](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/kathleen-hale/) - [No One Else Can Have You](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/no-one-else-can-have-you/) - [technology in story time](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/technology-in-story-time/) - [write for public libraries magazine](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/write-for-public-libraries-magazine/) - [diversity](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/diversity/) - [Children's Books](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/childrens-books/) - [social m](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/social-m/) - [reading lists](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/reading-lists/) - [gates foundation](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/gates-foundation/) - [global libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/global-libraries/) - [library techology buzz](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-techology-buzz/) - [skype-a-docent](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/skype-a-docent/) - [YA Library Spaces](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ya-library-spaces/) - [budget cuts](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/budget-cuts/) - [IMLS](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/imls/) - [library journal](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-journal/) - [salary](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/salary/) - [Hachette](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/hachette/) - [legal resources](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/legal-resources/) - [new library buidling](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/new-library-buidling/) - [workplace bullying](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/workplace-bullying/) - [library wages](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-wages/) - [adopt a library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/adopt-a-library/) - [professional development](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/professional-development/) - [state libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/state-libraries/) - [reading programs](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/reading-programs/) - [carnegie medal winners](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/carnegie-medal-winners/) - [bookclubs](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/bookclubs/) - [best books 2014](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/best-books-2014/) - [accessibility](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/accessibility/) - [disability](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/disability/) - [attitude](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/attitude/) - [programming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/programming/) - [books](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/books/) - [reading](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/reading/) - [adult programming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/adult-programming/) - [YA programming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ya-programming/) - [library facilities](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-facilities/) - [outdoors](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/outdoors/) - [mental illness](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/mental-illness/) - [word cluster](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/word-cluster/) - [library school](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-school/) - [social worker](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/social-worker/) - [homeless people](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/homeless-people/) - [incarcerated adults](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/incarcerated-adults/) - [families](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/families/) - [gaming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/gaming/) - [games](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/games/) - [seniors](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/seniors/) - [consumer information](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/consumer-information/) - [ESL](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/esl/) - [language learning](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/language-learning/) - [color coding](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/color-coding/) - [labels](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/labels/) - [colormarq](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/colormarq/) - [shelving](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/shelving/) - [coding](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/coding/) - [assessment](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/assessment/) - [bike libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/bike-libraries/) - [mobile solutions](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/mobile-solutions/) - [probationers](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/probationers/) - [parolees](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/parolees/) - [services to the developmentally disabled](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/services-to-the-developmentally-disabled/) - [demographics](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/demographics/) - [floating libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/floating-libraries/) - [traveling libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/traveling-libraries/) - [rural libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/rural-libraries/) - [small libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/small-libraries/) - [book drives](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/book-drives/) - [museums](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/museums/) - [traveling exhibits](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/traveling-exhibits/) - [exhibition](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/exhibition/) - [virtual conference](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/virtual-conference/) - [Library OnConference](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-onconference/) - [Google hangout](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/google-hangout/) - [movie recommendations](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/movie-recommendations/) - [films](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/films/) - [budgeting](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/budgeting/) - [budget planning](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/budget-planning/) - [outcome-based budgeting](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/outcome-based-budgeting/) - [priority-based budgeting](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/priority-based-budgeting/) - [multiculturalism](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/multiculturalism/) - [collection development](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/collection-development/) - [web 2.0](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/web-2-0/) - [tech tools](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/tech-tools/) - [authors](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/authors/) - [in memoriam](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/in-memoriam/) - [libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/libraries/) - [book recommendations](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/book-recommendations/) - [tax forms](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/tax-forms/) - [fan fiction](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/fan-fiction/) - [genres](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/genres/) - [zines](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/zines/) - [hobbies](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/hobbies/) - [empowerment](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/empowerment/) - [future of libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/future-of-libraries/) - [computer labs](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/computer-labs/) - [redefining libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/redefining-libraries/) - [valerie gross](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/valerie-gross/) - [ala midwinter meeting](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ala-midwinter-meeting/) - [IFLA](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ifla/) - [3-D Printing](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/3-d-printing/) - [cloud storage](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/cloud-storage/) - [action alert](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/action-alert/) - [usa patriot act](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/usa-patriot-act/) - [library security](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-security/) - [safety](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/safety/) - [crime in libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/crime-in-libraries/) - [Thanksgiving](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/thanksgiving/) - [library open house](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-open-house/) - [business librarian](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/business-librarian/) - [community action](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/community-action/) - [insurance](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/insurance/) - [library insurance](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-insurance/) - [liability](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/liability/) - [myths](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/myths/) - [library misconceptions](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-misconceptions/) - [writing residency](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/writing-residency/) - [outcomes](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/outcomes/) - [outputs](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/outputs/) - [measurements](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/measurements/) - [surveys](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/surveys/) - [Impact Survey](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/impact-survey/) - [blogging for books](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/blogging-for-books/) - [book reviews](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/book-reviews/) - [library services](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-services/) - [millennials](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/millennials/) - [physical books](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/physical-books/) - [PLA Performance Measurement Task Force](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/pla-performance-measurement-task-force/) - [new year's resolutions for libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/new-years-resolutions-for-libraries/) - [change at the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/change-at-the-library/) - [try new things at your library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/try-new-things-at-your-library/) - [thinking differently about the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/thinking-differently-about-the-library/) - [community-centered libraries and librarians](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/community-centered-libraries-and-librarians/) - [community building](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/community-building/) - [gathering community feedback](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/gathering-community-feedback/) - [hiring public librarians](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/hiring-public-librarians/) - [mental health training](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/mental-health-training/) - [interview](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/interview/) - [sharon draper](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/sharon-draper/) - [Stella by Starlight](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/stella-by-starlight/) - [Out of My Mind](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/out-of-my-mind/) - [current trends](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/current-trends/) - [book signing](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/book-signing/) - [author event](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/author-event/) - [veterans](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/veterans/) - [war](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/war/) - [tattoos](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/tattoos/) - [exhibits](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/exhibits/) - [analytics](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/analytics/) - [fiction](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/fiction/) - [partnerships](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/partnerships/) - [Aspen Institute](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/aspen-institute/) - [library outcomes](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-outcomes/) - [Matt Smith](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/matt-smith/) - [Kalamazoo Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/kalamazoo-public-library/) - [One Point of Service](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/one-point-of-service/) - [Meeting the Needs of Patrons](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/meeting-the-needs-of-patrons/) - [Code of Service](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/code-of-service/) - [Jennifer Taft](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/jennifer-taft/) - [Cynthia Olney](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/cynthia-olney/) - [Libraries Serving Military Families](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/libraries-serving-military-families/) - [Cumberland County](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/cumberland-county/) - [North Caroline Library and Information Center](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/north-caroline-library-and-information-center/) - [military communities](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/military-communities/) - [PBS](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/pbs/) - [rockstar librarians](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/rockstar-librarians/) - [famous librarians](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/famous-librarians/) - [graphic novels](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/graphic-novels/) - [non-fiction](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/non-fiction/) - [proposals](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/proposals/) - [writing proposals](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/writing-proposals/) - [funding](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/funding/) - [library board](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-board/) - [internet safety](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/internet-safety/) - [advertising](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/advertising/) - [ally condie](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ally-condie/) - [membership](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/membership/) - [ALA](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ala/) - [health literacy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/health-literacy/) - [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ursula-k-le-guin/) - [publishers](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/publishers/) - [Valentine's Day](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/valentines-day/) - [iREAD](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/iread/) - [ILA](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ila/) - [networking](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/networking/) - [startups](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/startups/) - [makerfaire](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/makerfaire/) - [Colorado](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/colorado/) - [Ferguson](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ferguson/) - [Scott Bonner](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/scott-bonner/) - [emergency situations](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/emergency-situations/) - [furniture](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/furniture/) - [renovation](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/renovation/) - [flexibility](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/flexibility/) - [modular furniture](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/modular-furniture/) - [building](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/building/) - [library hours](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-hours/) - [24/7](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/247/) - [tablets](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/tablets/) - [plds statistical report](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/plds-statistical-report/) - [health information at the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/health-information-at-the-library/) - [librarian problems](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/librarian-problems/) - [librarianship](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/librarianship/) - [gifs](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/gifs/) - [humor](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/humor/) - [funny](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/funny/) - [cheryl gould](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/cheryl-gould/) - [library customer service training](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-customer-service-training/) - [good customer service](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/good-customer-service/) - [poor customer service](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/poor-customer-service/) - [achieving excellent customer service](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/achieving-excellent-customer-service/) - [a facilitative mindset](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/a-facilitative-mindset/) - [public library customer service](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/public-library-customer-service/) - [fcc approves net neutrality](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/fcc-approves-net-neutrality/) - [open internet](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/open-internet/) - [american library association net neutrality](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/american-library-association-net-neutrality/) - [staff communication](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/staff-communication/) - [job satisfaction](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/job-satisfaction/) - [E-rate](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/e-rate/) - [broadband](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/broadband/) - [schools](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/schools/) - [FCC](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/fcc/) - [PLA](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/pla/) - [job market](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/job-market/) - [job search](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/job-search/) - [interviews](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/interviews/) - [podcasts](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/podcasts/) - [community outreach](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/community-outreach/) - [periodicals](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/periodicals/) - [magazines](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/magazines/) - [American Library Association President](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/american-library-association-president/) - [ALA Election](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ala-election/) - [2015 ALA Elections](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/2015-ala-elections/) - [Julie Todaro](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/julie-todaro/) - [James LaRue](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/james-larue/) - [Joseph Janes](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/joseph-janes/) - [ALA President](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ala-president/) - [job interview](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/job-interview/) - [candidate notification](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/candidate-notification/) - [library podcast](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-podcast/) - [ALA book award winners 2015](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ala-book-award-winners-2015/) - [David Mitchell](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/david-mitchell/) - [Jacqueline Woodson](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/jacqueline-woodson/) - [Nick Harkaway](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/nick-harkaway/) - [Christina Henriquez](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/christina-henriquez/) - [Lauren Beukes](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/lauren-beukes/) - [summer meals at the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/summer-meals-at-the-library/) - [california library association](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/california-library-association/) - [california summer meal coalition](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/california-summer-meal-coalition/) - [usda summer food program](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/usda-summer-food-program/) - [food research and action center](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/food-research-and-action-center/) - [lunch at the library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/lunch-at-the-library/) - [Salt Lake City Public Library 24/7](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/salt-lake-city-public-library-247/) - [positivity](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/positivity/) - [happy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/happy/) - [positive words](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/positive-words/) - [public libraries online](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/public-libraries-online/) - [public library writing opportunities](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/public-library-writing-opportunities/) - [plonline seeks writers](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/plonline-seeks-writers/) - [books for children](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/books-for-children/) - [television](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/television/) - [TV](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/tv/) - [pop culture](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/pop-culture/) - [circulation](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/circulation/) - [books for adults](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/books-for-adults/) - [big data](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/big-data/) - [Brooklyn Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/brooklyn-public-library/) - [Tableau](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/tableau/) - [data visualization](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/data-visualization/) - [business intelligence](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/business-intelligence/) - [metrics](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/metrics/) - [Rising to the Challenge: Re-Envisioning Public Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/rising-to-the-challenge-re-envisioning-public-libraries/) - [public libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/public-libraries/) - [New Jersey](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/new-jersey/) - [arduino](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/arduino/) - [crafts](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/crafts/) - [federal funding](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/federal-funding/) - [school libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/school-libraries/) - [Library Services and Technology Act](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-services-and-technology-act/) - [reference](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/reference/) - [archive](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/archive/) - [library of congress](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-of-congress/) - [cyberbullying](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/cyberbullying/) - [libraries and cyberbullying](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/libraries-and-cyberbullying/) - [cyberbullying action plan](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/cyberbullying-action-plan/) - [planning for 2016 e-rate](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/planning-for-2016-e-rate/) - [library broadband capacity](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-broadband-capacity/) - [best small library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/best-small-library/) - [budget](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/budget/) - [library programs](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-programs/) - [United for Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/united-for-libraries/) - [Authors for Libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/authors-for-libraries/) - [PCI DSS 3.0 Compliance](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/pci-dss-3-0-compliance/) - [payment card industry data security standard](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/payment-card-industry-data-security-standard/) - [OPACs](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/opacs/) - [hacker](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/hacker/) - [hacking](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/hacking/) - [hackerspace](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/hackerspace/) - [Ignite](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ignite/) - [discrimination](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/discrimination/) - [girls](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/girls/) - [women](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/women/) - [Library of Things](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-of-things/) - [Sacramento Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/sacramento-public-library/) - [high school students](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/high-school-students/) - [students](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/students/) - [San Francisco Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/san-francisco-public-library/) - [social services](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/social-services/) - [urban libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/urban-libraries/) - [data](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/data/) - [academic libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/academic-libraries/) - [public data librarian](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/public-data-librarian/) - [storytime](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/storytime/) - [print books](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/print-books/) - [iPads](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ipads/) - [kiosk](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/kiosk/) - [vending machine](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/vending-machine/) - [Hot Spots](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/hot-spots/) - [Library Research Service](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-research-service/) - [One Book 4 Colorado](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/one-book-4-colorado/) - [How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon?](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/how-do-dinosaurs-get-well-soon/) - [Jane Yolen](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/jane-yolen/) - [usability testing](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/usability-testing/) - [library users](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-users/) - [creating a welcoming library environment](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/creating-a-welcoming-library-environment/) - [statistics](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/statistics/) - [stereotypes](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/stereotypes/) - [inspiration](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/inspiration/) - [information technology](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/information-technology/) - [digital skills](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/digital-skills/) - [one-on-one classes](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/one-on-one-classes/) - [advice](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/advice/) - [empathy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/empathy/) - [nostalgia](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/nostalgia/) - [digital outreach](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/digital-outreach/) - [nutrition](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/nutrition/) - [summer meals](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/summer-meals/) - [The Sullivans - Book 14](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/the-sullivans-book-14/) - [Self-published e-book review](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/self-published-e-book-review/) - [Bella Andre](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/bella-andre/) - [kitchens in libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/kitchens-in-libraries/) - [cooking classes](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/cooking-classes/) - [corinthian college closure](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/corinthian-college-closure/) - [public libraries serving the college-bound](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/public-libraries-serving-the-college-bound/) - [technical schools](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/technical-schools/) - [research](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/research/) - [science](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/science/) - [ethics](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ethics/) - [Pat Wagner](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/pat-wagner/) - [ethical standards](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ethical-standards/) - [library policies](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-policies/) - [search engines](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/search-engines/) - [Mobilegeddon](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/mobilegeddon/) - [content management system](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/content-management-system/) - [LibGuides](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/libguides/) - [Wordpress](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/wordpress/) - [Drupal](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/drupal/) - [mobile](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/mobile/) - [algorithms](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/algorithms/) - [Geek Girl Camp](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/geek-girl-camp/) - [Fayetteville Free Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/fayetteville-free-library/) - [STEAM](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/steam/) - [special access browsing](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/special-access-browsing/) - [Longmont Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/longmont-public-library/) - [jail libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/jail-libraries/) - [introverts](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/introverts/) - [social change](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/social-change/) - [civic engagement](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/civic-engagement/) - [civil rights](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/civil-rights/) - [Wi-Fi hotspots](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/wi-fi-hotspots/) - [New York Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/new-york-public-library/) - [Knight Foundation](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/knight-foundation/) - [low-income families](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/low-income-families/) - [Instagram](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/instagram/) - [hashtages](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/hashtages/) - [location tagging](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/location-tagging/) - [computers](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/computers/) - [series](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/series/) - [subseries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/subseries/) - [genre](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/genre/) - [Melanie and Shawn](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/melanieandshawn/) - [Open Internet Order](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/open-internet-order/) - [librariesofinstagram](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/librariesofinstagram/) - [LGBTQIA](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/lgbtqia/) - [people with disabilities](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/people-with-disabilities/) - [Book Expo America](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/book-expo-america/) - [2015 ALA Annual Conference](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/2015-ala-annual-conference/) - [San Francisco](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/san-francisco/) - [bookstores](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/bookstores/) - [Cece Bell](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/cece-bell/) - [El Deafo](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/el-deafo/) - [How-To-Fair](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/how-to-fair/) - [listserv](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/listserv/) - [ConnectEd](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/connected/) - [White House](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/white-house/) - [Nicholas Kristof](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/nicholas-kristof/) - [Obama](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/obama/) - [Minnesota Library Association](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/minnesota-library-association/) - [Strengths Finder](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/strengths-finder/) - [certification](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/certification/) - [technology training](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/technology-training/) - [library card](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-card/) - [registration](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/registration/) - [open door policy](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/open-door-policy/) - [Library Services Technology Act](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-services-technology-act/) - [Carson City](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/carson-city/) - [STEM](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/stem/) - [writers center](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/writers-center/) - [self-e](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/self-e/) - [education](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/education/) - [digital media lab](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/digital-media-lab/) - [ecotone](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ecotone/) - [publication](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/publication/) - [Norway](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/norway/) - [PLA President](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/pla-president/) - [Larry Neal](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/larry-neal/) - [PLA members](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/pla-members/) - [career advice](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/career-advice/) - [Kids and Family Reading Report](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/kids-and-family-reading-report/) - [family programming](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/family-programming/) - [robots](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/robots/) - [Comic Con](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/comic-con/) - [Bibliobot](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/bibliobot/) - [news](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/news/) - [headlines](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/headlines/) - [perception](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/perception/) - [public awareness](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/public-awareness/) - [video](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/video/) - [music video](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/music-video/) - [Vernon Area Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/vernon-area-public-library/) - [Read to the Rhythm](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/read-to-the-rhythm/) - [News Challenge](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/news-challenge/) - [Emerging Leaders](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/emerging-leaders/) - [summertime](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/summertime/) - [burnout](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/burnout/) - [politics](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/politics/) - [library ballot initiatives](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-ballot-initiatives/) - [EveryLibrary](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/everylibrary/) - [gun control](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/gun-control/) - [open carry](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/open-carry/) - [laws](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/laws/) - [government](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/government/) - [firearms restrictions](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/firearms-restrictions/) - [YALSA](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/yalsa/) - [Boston Public Library](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/boston-public-library/) - [art](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/art/) - [library ux](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-ux/) - [ux](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/ux/) - [user experience](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/user-experience/) - [Read a Romance Month](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/read-a-romance-month/) - [romance authors](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/romance-authors/) - [management](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/management/) - [award committees](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/award-committees/) - [Bibli](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/bibli/) - [weddings](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/weddings/) - [LEED certification](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/leed-certification/) - [revenue](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/revenue/) - [library rentals](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-rentals/) - [special occasions](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/special-occasions/) - [team building](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/team-building/) - [Tumblr](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/tumblr/) - [staff](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/staff/) - [Jamie McGuire](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/jamie-mcguire/) - [Taylor Maddox](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/taylor-maddox/) - [Beautiful Sacrifice](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/beautiful-sacrifice/) - [Range app](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/range-app/) - [food banks](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/food-banks/) - [senior center](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/senior-center/) - [soon to be famous author project](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/soon-to-be-famous-author-project/) - [booktube](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/booktube/) - [youtube](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/youtube/) - [vlogging](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/vlogging/) - [artists](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/artists/) - [READ Centers](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/read-centers/) - [READ Global](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/read-global/) - [Rural Education and Development](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/rural-education-and-development/) - [Outside the Lines](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/outside-the-lines/) - [mandated reporters](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/mandated-reporters/) - [dress codes](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/dress-codes/) - [Masque](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/masque/) - [W.R. Gingell](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/w-r-gingell/) - [Create Space Independent Publishing](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/create-space-independent-publishing/) - [Vailey Oehlke](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/vailey-oehlke/) - [shifting the narrative about public libraries](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/shifting-the-narrative-about-public-libraries/) - [library relevance](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/tag/library-relevance/) ## Issues - [No Issue](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/no-issue/) - [September/October 2012](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2012-september-october/) - Volume 51, No. 5 - [July/August 2012](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2012-july-august/) - Volume 51, No. 4 - [November/December 2012](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2012-november-december/) - Volume 51, No. 6 - [January/February 2013](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2013-january-february/) - Volume 52, No. 1 - [March/April 2013](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/marchapril-2013/) - Volume 52, No. 2 - [May/June 2012](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/mayjune-2012/) - Volume 51, No. 3 - [March/April 2012](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/marchapril-2012/) - Volume 51, No. 2 - [January/February 2012](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/januaryfebruary-2012/) - Volume 51, No. 1 - [January/February 2011](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2011-january-february/) - Volume 50, No. 1 - [March/April 2011](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2011-march-april/) - Volume 50, No. 2 - [May/June 2011](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2011-may-june/) - Volume 50, No. 3 - [July/August 2011](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2011-july-august/) - Volume 51, No. 4 - [September/October 2011](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2011-september-october/) - Volume 50, No. 5 - [November/December 2011](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2011-november-december/) - Volume 50, No. 6 - [January/February 2010](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2010-january-february/) - Volume 49, No. 1 - [March/April 2010](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2010-march-april/) - Volume 49, No. 2 - [May/June 2010](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2010-may-june/) - Volume 49, No. 3 - [July/August 2010](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2010-july-august/) - Volume 49, No. 4 - [September/October 2010](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2010-september-october/) - Volume 49, No. 5 - [November/December 2010](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2010-november-december/) - Volume 49, No. 6 - [May/June 2013](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2013-may-june/) - Volume 52, No. 3 - [July/August 2013](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2013-july-august/) - Volume 52, No. 4 - [November/December 2013](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2013-november-december/) - Volume 52, No. 6 - [September/October 2013](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2013-september-october/) - Volume 52, No. 5 - [January/February 2014](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2014-january-february/) - Volume 53, No. 1 - [March/April 2014](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2014-marchapril/) - Volume 53, No. 2 - [May/June 2014](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2014-mayjune/) - Volume 53, No. 3 - [July/August 2014](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2014-july-august/) - Volume 53, No. 4 - [September/October 2014](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2014-september-october/) - Volume 53, No. 5 - [November/December 2014](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/novemberdecember-2014/) - Volume 53, No. 6 - [January/February 2015](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2015-january-february/) - Volume 54, No. 1 - [March/April 2015](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/marchapril-2015/) - Volume 54, No. 2 - [May/June 2015](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/mayjune-2015/) - Volume 54, No. 3 - [July/August 2015](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2015-july-august/) - Volume 54, No. 4 - [September/October 2015](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/septemberoctober-2015/) - Volume 54, No. 5 - [November/December 2015](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/novemberdecember-2015/) - Volume 54, No. 6 - [January/February 2016](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2016-january-february/) - Volume 55, No. 1 - [March/April 2016](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2016-march-april/) - Volume 55, No. 2 - [May/June 2016](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/mayjune-2016/) - Vol. 55, No. 3 - [July/August 2016](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2016-july-august/) - Volume 55, No. 4 - [September/October 2016](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/volume-55-no-5/) - septemberoctober-2016 - [November/December 2016](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/novemberdecember-2016/) - Volume 55, No. 6 - [January/February 2017](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2017-january-february/) - Volume 56, No. 1 - [September/October 2017](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/septemberoctober-2017/) - [July/August 2017](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2017-july-august-2017/) - Volume 56, No. 4 - [May/June 2017](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/2017-may-june/) - Volume 56, No. 3 - [March/April 2017](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/marchapril-2017/) - [November/December 2017](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/november-december-2017/) - [January/February 2018](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/january-february-2018/) - [March/April 2018](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/march-april-2018/) - [May/June 2018](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/may-june-2018/) - [July/August 2018](https://publiclibrariesonline.org/issue/july-august-2018/)