Bud Barton on Bringing Library of Congress IT Up to Date
By Matt Enis
When Bernard “Bud” Barton was hired as the Chief Information Officer for the Library of Congress in September 2015 he was faced with the Government Accountability Office’s list of 31 recommendations to overhaul and modernize the library’s IT infrastructure. Five years later, those recommendations have been implemented. LJ caught up with Barton to discuss his team's work, and what’s ahead as the Library of Congress continues to modernize its IT.

Chattanooga Public Library Employee Fired for Improperly Removing Books Seen Burned on His Instagram
By Lisa Peet
A former Chattanooga Public Library employee, Cameron “C-Grimey” Williams, was fired after removing weeded library books by conservative authors in early December 2020. A video of the books being burned was posted on Williams’s Instagram account, though the post has since been taken down. Williams stated that his supervisor told him that he could take the books in question, and that he was never informed of library policy to the contrary. However, a hearing on February 5 determined that Williams “violated City and Library policies by improperly removing items from the Library’s collections.”

SPONSORED BY INDIE AUTHOR PROJECT

Promoting Literacy and Diversity Through Local Libraries

This project celebrates local authors while promoting libraries as an essential literary and civic hub. In 2020, the collaboration’s inaugural Communities Create Award went to Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute, led by Dr. Artika Tyner, for the novel Justice Makes A Difference.

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During COVID, Libraries Prioritized Electronic Resources, Fiction | SLJ 2021 Spending Survey
By Melanie Kletter
The pandemic has significantly impacted school library budgets and spending this year. Here's what has changed.

The Red Book by James Patterson & David Ellis Tops Holds Lists | Book Pulse
By Kate Merlene
The Red Book by James Patterson and David Ellis tops this week's holds list. Two LibraryReads selections arrive this week along with three Indie Next selections. Festival Days by Jo Ann Beard is People's 'Pick of the Week.'  Tributes pour in for Beverly Cleary and Larry McMurtry. George R.R. Martin signs a massive deal with HBO. 

Strong Women: New Novels from Rachel Cusk, Diane Johnson & Others
By Barbara Hoffert
Veteran authors and newcomers deliver exemplary new fiction about the lives of women.

Hamnet Wins National Book Critics Circle Award | Book Pulse
By Anita Mechler and Kate Merlene
The National Book Critics Circle Awards are announced. Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell wins for fiction. Island on Fire: The Revolt That Ended Slavery in the British Empire by Tom Zoellner wins for nonfiction. The Dublin Literary Award 2021 Shortlist is announced as is the shortlist for The Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize.

Beverly Cleary: A Legend, and Librarian, Remembered
By Kara Yorio
She was 104, but her death was still a blow to her fans and admirers. The publishing world—and well beyond—spent the weekend remembering Beverly Cleary, the favorite books, her way of making them feel seen, giving them joy in reading, and inspiring them to write.

 Reviews

WEB-FIRST REVIEWS OF BOOKS AND MEDIA

Emily Henry's People We Meet on Vacation is one of this week's starred romance titles. "Henry’s latest will appeal to readers who are drawn to stories with emotion, poetic language, and a strong sense of place, like Kate Clayborn’s Love Lettering." Also in romance Hana Khan Carries On, by Uzma Jalaluddin, is another starred selection. "Readers won’t be able to put this Own Voices Muslim romance down. Highly recommended for most public library collections." Joanna Lowell's The Duke Undone is another starred romance. "Impeccably researched, Lowell’s latest emphasizes justice. This love story tackles weighty issues but remains suspenseful and spellbinding." A Short History of Humanity: A New History of Old Europe, by Johannes Krause & Thomas Trappe is this week's starred sciences selection. "Scientific yet accessible, this original book offers much insight to readers of European history." And in performing arts, Gavin Larsen's Being a Ballerina: The Power and Perfection of a Dancing Life is this week's starred title. "In this memoir Larsen is writing 'full out,' and we are the lucky audience of her performance. Balletomanes, dance students, and aspiring dancers will applaud this absorbing account."

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JOB OF THE WEEK
San Mateo County Libraries (CA) seeks a Librarian I/II