We asked the American Library Association’s social media followers and newsletter subscribers for their stories about deciding to become a librarian. Here are a few of our favorites: “My mother was a school librarian and I can remember the countless days we spent as kids in her school library after school and during the summer, […]
8 People Share Why They Became Librarians Read More »
by Twanna Hodge Equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values of librarianship, but we’re still a long way from library staff reflecting the demographics of their communities: more than three quarters of librarians are white, and just 6.8% are Black. The American Library Association’s Spectrum Scholarship program is one program working to change this, offering
On Being Black in Librarianship Read More »
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, people everywhere are living through historic, challenging times. With that in mind, Virginia’s Arlington Public Library (APL) launched a “quaranzine” to provide a creative outlet for local residents. Since early April, APL has published weekly online issues of the Quaranzine, spotlighting multidisciplinary contributions from community members of all ages; submissions
Library “Quaranzine” Finds Beauty in Social Distancing Read More »
Libraries are hubs for their communities—while most libraries have had to close to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic, many are working hard to keep people connected while maintaining social distancing. Park Ridge Public Library (PRPL) in Illinois has found a creative way to engage and entertain locals: the Library Line, a phone number anyone
Dial This Number to Hear a Singing Librarian Read More »
For centuries, librarians have served as keepers of knowledge, helping people access the information they need to learn and create. Some of history’s greatest thinkers also served as librarians themselves, from award-winning authors to the inventor of calculus. Here are a few famous people you might not know were librarians: Audre Lorde The legendary poet,
9 People You Might Not Know Were Librarians Read More »
April is School Library Month—a time to recognize school libraries and librarians as information and technology experts in their schools and communities. Schools across the country are closed to slow the spread of COVID-19, but teaching and learning continues. School librarians are meeting the challenge in innovative ways, keeping their learners and fellow teachers connected
School Librarians Take the Lead During the Pandemic Read More »
Libraries have long advocated for everyone’s freedom to read and access information—but a pending bill in the Tennessee legislature would bring widespread censorship to the state’s public libraries. HB 2721/SB 2896, also known as the Parental Oversight of Public Libraries Act, would establish a five-person review board for every public library in Tennessee. These oversight
Proposed Tennessee Bill Threatens Librarians with Fines or Jail Time Read More »
As Parks and Recreation fans know, the usually-upbeat government official Leslie Knope (played by Amy Poehler) has one big sore spot: libraries. As she explains in one episode, library workers are “mean, conniving, rude, and extremely well-read, which makes them very dangerous.” We have to disagree—and apparently, Poehler does too. “Libraries were a big deal
Unlike Leslie Knope, Amy Poehler Loves Libraries Read More »
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