The American Library Association (ALA) announced on October 5 that Tracie D. Hall will be leaving her role as the association’s executive director, effective October 6. Hall—a librarian, author, and advocate, among other roles—was appointed as ALA’s first female African American executive director in January 2020 after a nationwide search, succeeding Mary W. Ghikas, and stepped into the position on February 24—only days before libraries across the country shut their doors to accommodate COVID-19 safety measures.
With the sharp uptick in challenges to books with LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC subjects and authors, this year’s Banned Books Week (October 1–7) resonates strongly with library staff and users alike. Public, academic, and school libraries have launched local anticensorship campaigns this week—and some are providing access to removed or restricted books nationally. One such initiative, the Digital Public Library of America’s (DPLA) Banned Book Club, has been providing challenged books to readers across the country, via the free Palace e-reader app, since its launch in July.
The 2023 IMF Annual Report is available in nine languages and highlights the IMF’s work on challenges, including Russia’s war on Ukraine, inflation, debt vulnerabilities, inequality, food insecurity, geoeconomic fragmentation, climate change, and digitalization.
In 2022, librarians at Utah State University collected 58 survey responses and conducted 10 interviews with high school librarians and teachers in Utah to better understand information literacy instruction happening within our high schools. Along with investigating the skills being prioritized, our study looked at how teachers and librarians are collaborating as fellow educators.
EveryLibrary has joined the School Library Journal Blog Network. Covering legislation, censorship, funding, and advocacy, “Politics in Practice” will encompass the full beat of the nonprofit organization, which solicits support for libraries—K–12, public, and academic—nationwide.
A two-pronged survey from the perspective of both academic librarians and faculty reveals how campus libraries contribute to student success, what the barriers are, and what could be done to further the impact of the library. Access to detailed data tables is available at the end of the report.
In recognition of Banned Books Week 2023, Library Journal has compiled a sampling of reviews from our archive for titles that frequently appear on banned book lists. The reviews span the past several decades and reflect LJ’s take on the titles at the time of publication.
“One of the main reasons we took this on is because, overwhelmingly, these books that have been banned are silencing Black and brown voices and queer voices, LGBTQ perspectives. And we really believe in digital as a tool to—in this case—do an end run around that censorship.”
The LJ editors are seeking nominations for the 35th annual Library Journal Librarian of the Year Award, sponsored by Baker & Taylor, to honor a professional librarian for outstanding achievement and accomplishments reflecting the loftiest service goals of the library profession.
Students learn invaluable skills they can apply in a variety of settings and applications. Across the nation, there has been renewed debate over the value of humanities degree programs as campus leaders look to overcome steep budget challenges.
Distinguished research, featuring the over 1,900-page FBI report, media accounts, and interviews with family members, coworkers, and historians, propels this excellent biography that captures Chaplin, both the person and his work.
Nostalgic for some, revelatory for others, this account demonstrates how film evaluators can influence popular culture as much as the films themselves did.
Lopate’s essays set an example for bloggers who want to provide quality posts. Recommended for journalism and writing students, and bloggers who want to polish their entries so they shine.
The editors of Library Journal need your help in identifying emerging talents in the library world—both great leaders and behind-the-scenes contributors who are providing inspiration and model programs for others. Our 22nd annual round of Movers & Shakers will profile up-and-coming individuals from around the world who are innovative, creative, and making a difference fighting against censorship, and helping improve their workplace. From librarians and non-degreed library workers to publishers, vendors, coders, entrepreneurs, reviewers, and others who impact the library field—Movers & Shakers 2024 will celebrate those people who are moving all types of libraries ahead! Please let us know about anybody you think we should be aware of.
We already recognize the profound impact of pandemic learning loss: student performance in math and reading has hit its lowest levels in decades. What’s more, students demonstrated slower than average growth in the last school year, meaning learning gaps aren’t closing—in some cases, they’re growing. That’s where libraries can step in.
Time names the 100 best mystery and thriller books of all time. The 2023 T.S. Eliot Prize shortlist is announced. Catharina Coenen wins the Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing.
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JOB OF THE WEEK The Austin Public Library is seeking a Library Division Manager.
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