This September, Roadtrip Nation is sending three people across the U.S. in a green RV to meet librarians, community leaders, and innovators who’ve built careers helping others access knowledge and opportunity. Along the way, they will gain real-world insights, career inspiration, and invaluable mentorship—all while being filmed the Roadtrip Nation television series on PBS. And you can be part of it.
The Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) rolled into town April 11-13 and proved—once again—to be a haven for library lovers.
A library in Connecticut has become one of the most rockin’ places in the United States. Dubbed “the hippest damn library in the country” by Talking Heads drummer Chris Franz and “the coolest damn library, ever” by The Doors drummer John Densmore, Westport Library has embraced rock ‘n’ roll, hip hop, and contemporary music to create vibrant programming.
Idina Menzel starred as the green-hued witch Elphaba in the original Broadway production of the musical, “Wicked,” which is now a smash film. Along with her sister, author and educator Cara Mentzel, she served as honorary chair of Library Card Sign-up Month in 2022. “Let your imagination sing at the library,” said Idina.
It’s Library Card Sign-up Month, and TRANSFORMERS’ Optimus Prime is helping libraries everywhere celebrate by showing off his very own Cybertron Public Library library card. But did you know that before he was the hero we know today, Optimus was a librarian named Orion Pax?
Every May 4, the world turns its gaze to a time long ago in a galaxy far, far away to celebrate one of the most iconic franchises in history: Star Wars. Not surprisingly, libraries and librarians across the US are enthusiastic supporters of Star Wars Day, hosting events both in-person and virtually.
The Library of Congress has added 25 recordings to the National Recording Registry, enshrining them as audio treasures worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical, or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.
Elton John has earned Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards—the famed EGOT—for his work as a songwriter and entertainer, but an honor announced this week has us here at I Love Libraries particularly excited: the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, which John will share with his longtime songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin.
It’s Halloween! And if you’re not out and about trick-or-treating, hitting up costume parties, visiting haunted houses, or engaging in the wide variety of spooky fun that comes with the season this evening (or if you need something to do afterwards), you’re most likely watching horror movies. We know we will be. And some of our favorites involve libraries, of course. It’s the perfect locale for some scares.
2023 is the year of Barbie. Director Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster film—which just passed $1 billion in worldwide ticket sales—has been ubiquitous since its late-July release, infusing everything it touches with an effervescent, pink glow. Libraries have been getting in on the action, too, curating collections and displays both onsite and online devoted to the doll/pop culture icon that changed the world.
American Library Association • 225 N Michigan Ave, Suite 1300 • Chicago, IL 60601
