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Diverse Books for Every American

April 20, 2021

Now more than ever, educators are putting more value on and recognizing the importance of making sure the content they teach caters to students of all backgrounds. With the population of the United States and school-aged children becoming increasingly diverse, libraries are becoming more conscious of sharing books that students can see themselves in. Diverse books are becoming more popular by the day and many people advocate for literature that reflects the experiences of all children. Building a diverse selection of books can come with many questions but there are plenty of resources to help guide those wanting to implement change into their bookshelves. Our nation’s libraries are putting equity, diversity, and inclusion on the forefront of their selection processes, encouraging everyone else to follow suit and contribute.

Want Excellent Free Images for Your Blogs and Wikis? Check out the Digital Public Library of America

April 12, 2021

The Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) is a nonprofit organization that works with a vast range of national partners to compile resources and materials from institutions into one accessible location for the public to use. The DPLA is also dedicated to helping out cultural institutions by creating a library-controlled marketplace for libraries to organize their ebooks and e-content. We want to share some of the innovations and resources that our colleagues at DPLA have had in the works. This past year, DPLA has been devoting its time towards their collaborative efforts with Wikipedia. Last spring they launched a project that would make images of the millions of cultural heritage artifacts DPLA had available to audiences through WIkimedia. Since its inception, the collaboration has produced many exciting outcomes in the digital space. The work that has been accomplished is impactful to organizations and the public.

Libraries for Tweens - Tips from the Librarian

April 09, 2021

From programs just for tweens to securing the safest databases to do research, the public or school library should be your tween's go-to spot. 

Libraries Help Military Families Answer the Challenges and Thrive

April 07, 2021

Military families face plenty of obstacles when it comes to family life, education, job searching, etc. The challenges of being in the military can add up especially when kids and family members are being relocated multiple times a year. This can drastically affect the quality of life and bring up additional challenges for them to handle. Libraries aren’t the one-stop solution for this but they can do a lot in helping families tackle the difficulties that come up.

Libraries for Toddlers — Tips from a Librarian

April 07, 2021

Bringing younger kids to the library is not always the easiest thing to accomplish. Some parents might be tempted to leave them at home while they book browse or find other activities to keep them occupied. But libraries are well equipped to handle any toddler that comes through their doors. Making a library trip with your children is beneficial to their development but can also be helpful for you. While there are worries parents have with bringing them to a place that is stereotyped as quiet and strict, librarians have seen it all when it comes to underage patrons and can help you get your family in and out with books, activities, and good experiences. Here are some tips and tricks on library visits with a toddler.

Library Cookbook Book Clubs

April 07, 2021

Books are a source of comfort and joy for many people. Cooking and eating fall into that same category. And for the center of the Venn diagram where people who love books and food, some libraries are offering a dream combo: Cookbook book clubs. What that kind of book club looks like varies from library to library, with the pandemic further altering the approaches. Debbie Estrella, the adult services librarian for the Tiverton Library in Tiverton, Rhode Island, noted that her cookbook club began in 2017 and has been a success. “It’s a great program for people who like cooking, but don’t necessarily want to read a book,” she said. “Pre-pandemic, we came together for a meal every month. It was a great way to have a community gathering and conversation.”

7 Simple Ways to Find the Best Non-Fiction Books for You

April 06, 2021

Reading non-fiction is one of the best ways to learn something new. No matter what topic you’re interested in, there is sure to be plenty of books on it. I’ve written before about how to expand your non-fiction reading, but what if you’re happy with quantity and are seeking the exact book for your current level of knowledge, and the expertise you hope to gain? First off, before you even think about selecting a book, you need to know what you’re after. Each book has a purpose and even books on the same topic can aim for different targets, so figure out what you want: A beginner’s explanation? Expert analysis? An answer to a specific question? Entertainment? All of the above…none of the above? As soon as you figure out what you need you can begin your search. Due to the fact that there are literally hundreds of books available on any topic from mollusks to Jupiter, take note of the following tips to avoid wasting your time:

Listening with Others: A Reboot for Screen-weary Eyes

March 30, 2021

In many communities, social events that take place in public continue to be curtailed. Book groups and other media fans who enjoy the social aspects of sharing their enthusiasm (and critiques) have either moved online to video chatting platforms or on furlough. Many of us experience intensified screen time — for work, to keep as close as we can to family and friends, and to find out who’s saying what about our imminent future. All this has some yearning to enjoy an experience at the same time they know others are enjoying it while also giving screen-weary eyes a rest. Here’s a new — really an old — way to do all that. AudioFile Magazine launched Audiobook Break last month. Since it’s delivered via podcast, you can catch up any time you like and on whatever podcast platform you use. It’s also available on Lit Hub Radio. The initial title that’s unfolding, in three half-hour episodes each week, is Charles Dickens’s own favorite novel, David Copperfield, with British actor Nicholas Bolton performing courtesy of Naxos AudioBooks. Dickens became the choice because hearing his novels chapter by chapter, across time and in multiple households, is how his contemporary readers experienced his stories. They first appeared in serialized form in magazines, and the installments were shared aloud by the best reader in the family, with everyone else listening together.

A Backstage Pass To Your Local Library

March 29, 2021

Public libraries are such an established institution we take them for granted, enjoying the friendly staff, entertaining and educational programming and getting any and all reference questions answered. This surface hides a more complex structure that makes the library works. Come and let’s peel back the curtain and see all the pieces that create the picture the public sees.

A Librarian Responds to Blinkist, Speed Reading, and Other Reading Shortcuts

March 26, 2021

I suspect that it’s a normal human trait to want to make hard things easier. That’s probably why there are so many Medium articles on making obscene piles of cash in no time at all, or gaining a million followers yesterday. Pick a hyperbole and someone is trying to find a way to hack it. Reading is no different; seekers of knowledge want to play with mind-bending ideas, but can’t commit to doing it the age-old way. This isn’t new, of course, people have been attempting shortcuts to reading books through speed reading courses, book summary booklets and, I don’t know, playing tapes in their sleep for time immemorial. In this context, apps like Blinkist which provides non-fiction book summaries via a series of short multi-paragraph “Blinks” or the myriad Rapid Serial Visualization Presentation (RSVP) apps which quickly flash words and phrases at you, are no surprise. So what does this librarian think? Well, my mind moves on two parallel tracks here. The first says that searching for shortcuts is neither a mindful nor a healthy way to live an intellectual life. I’m a fan of the slow information movement which is the antithesis of cometing non-stop through books and articles. Take the time, it says, to read carefully and think deeply. The second is my big eyes at libraries and bookstores and my voracious mind bouncing between multiple books, blogs, podcasts, websites on a daily basis, trying to make sense of the world. There’s so much out there and I’m curious about a lot of it. Why not feed that fascination as often and as quickly as I could?
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