Libraries in Pop Culture

Stephen Colbert video screenshot

Stephen Colbert is Confounded by this Library Potato Mystery

A starchy enigma has been bedeviling staff at the Wayland Free Public Library in Massachusetts: over the past two weeks, potatoes have been inexplicably appearing on the library’s front lawn. This unexplained occurrence has managed to attract national attention, garnering a segment on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. “This is the kind of news I hope to […]

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Ethan Hawke photo

Ethan Hawke Shares Why You Should Support Your Library

In a new PSA video for the American Library Association, actor, writer, and director Ethan Hawke explains why it’s so important to support our nation’s libraries. “I’m here to talk to you about libraries, one of the most beautiful institutions that mankind has ever created,” he shares. “[Libraries are] a place where people from all backgrounds can

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Still from the animated Netflix show Hilda featuring Kaisa the librarian

The Mysterious Librarian in Netflix’s “Hilda” Finally Gets a Name

by Burkely Hermann On December 14, 2020, the second season of Hilda, the beloved British-Canadian animation, premiered on Netflix. The show’s first season introduced one of the most intriguing librarian characters in recent TV memory, and this newest batch of episodes brings even more screen time to the fan-favorite role. Hilda continues to show the

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Shrek movie screenshot

“Shrek,” “The Joy Luck Club,” and 23 Other Movies Join the National Film Registry

The Library of Congress’s National Film Registry preserves hundreds of culturally important works from our nation’s cinematic history—and this month, 25 titles from the past century have been added to the prestigious list. Movies were selected for their culture, aesthetic, or historic significance, and range from blockbusters and Oscar winners to art films and documentaries. Librarian of Congress Carla

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mike mills from REM

Why the Rock Icons from R.E.M. Love Libraries

In a new PSA video, legendary multi-instrumentalist Mike Mills shares why he and his R.E.M. bandmates have always supported libraries. “We love literacy,” he explains in the video. “Libraries provide free access to music, movies, and books.” “Libraries provide a place for people of all backgrounds to discover their creative talents and nurture those creative abilities,”

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DJ Mixing board

Turn History into Hip-Hop with the Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is home to a vast collection of archival audio and video recordings—and now, thanks to the innovative Citizen DJ project, musicians of all skill levels can remix this extensive historical material into unique beats and songs. After debuting as a demo in May, Citizen DJ is now fully launched and available to the

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Viral Sensation Curbside Larry Talks Libraries and Informercials

This summer, a promotional video for Texas’s Harris County Public Library (HCPL) took the internet by storm, thanks to an instantly legendary character named Curbside Larry. In the clip, Larry dons a cowboy hat and aviator sunglasses to sing the praises of HCPL’s new curbside pick-up services, all with the energy and bravado of a

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Jigsaw puzzle featuring REM's celebrity READ poster

Get This R.E.M. Puzzle for the Shiny Happy People in Your Life

Thirty years ago, beloved rock band R.E.M. posed for the American Library Association (ALA)’s READ campaign to promote the joy of literacy, and the resulting poster became an instant collector’s item. Now, book lovers and music fans can enjoy this iconic image as a jigsaw puzzle, with all sales supporting literacy efforts. On the poster, musicians

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Stills from the show Hilda featuring the Librarian

A Mysterious Librarian is the Breakout Star of Netflix’s “Hilda”

Two years ago, the animated series Hilda premiered on Netflix, and a minor character called “The Librarian” (voiced by Kaisa Hammurlund) quickly became a fan sensation. Although she only appears in about three minutes of the show’s first season, this feisty librarian has been mentioned in 20 fanfiction stories on Archive of Our Own and

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Still from a Census-themed read-along video featuring Auli'i Cravalho

“Moana” Star Auli’i Cravalho Encourages Everyone to Get Counted in the 2020 Census

In a new read-along video from the American Library Association, Moana star Auli’i Cravalho shares why it’s so important for all of us to get counted in the 2020 United States Census. In the video, she reads from WE COUNT! A Census Counting Book for Kids, (and the Grownups That Love Them), an interactive counting book with illustrations

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