1. Home
  2. News and Articles

Community Gardens and Libraries: A Perfect Pairing

April 14, 2022

Libraries are often lucky enough to have a free plot of land to bring garden programming to their community. We will explore what it takes for a library to begin a community garden and some examples of successful community gardens already in place.

A Brief History of Children's Books

April 01, 2022

April 2 is International Children’s Book Day. Created by the International Board for Books for Young People which was founded in Switzerland in 1953, an international organization dedicated to promoting children’s literature worldwide. They chose this date to honor their countryman, and children’s book author Hans Christian Anderson’s, birthday. A relatively new event, it began in 1967, it honors an equally new genre whose history reflects our growing understanding of childhood as well as its place in an increasingly complex world.

The Sims Library of Poetry and Other Collections for Lovers of Verse

April 01, 2022

There are nearly countless forms of library archives and collections (for example, food and cookbook collections). But it might surprise some to know that there are libraries devoted to the centuries-old art of poetry. Even though the art form itself dates back to ancient times, recent years have seen a resurgence of interest in both reading and writing it (as The Atlantic and USA Today recently reported).

“Here in this community, we’re going to be conservative.”

March 25, 2022

In early January, a day before students returned from winter break, Jeremy Glenn, the superintendent of the Granbury Independent School District in North Texas, told a group of librarians he’d summoned to a district meeting room that he needed to speak from his heart.

2022 Omnibus Budget Passed with Increases to L.A.M

March 11, 2022

Yesterday, Congress has passed the FY 2022 omnibus budget bill with level-funding for LSTA, the program that funds grants to state libraries. IMLS overall saw an increase for museums and that should be celebrated. Congress knows IMLS is libraries and museums, not or.

The Joy of Lifelong Learning

March 09, 2022

As the name implies, lifelong learning refers to the act of educating yourself. This can include anything from college courses to self-taught skills and hobbies. Reading can be considered a lifelong learning opportunity. Books teach us about the world around us and the life skills needed to succeed. Even so, when it comes to libraries, the joys of lifelong learning expand beyond reading. Libraries provide public education, extra-curricular activities, and tools for research.

Looking to Change Your Habits? The Library Can Help

March 07, 2022

If you’ve been interested in trying something new, your local public library may be able to help. As a vital community service, many libraries offer their services with little to no fees. These include books, classes, expensive technology like computers, ways to improve your health and wellbeing, and resources to learn new skills. Libraries are always about making basic life needs as accessible as possible. If you’ve been looking for a change, try visiting your local library to see what they do to help.

Library Services for Blind and Low Vision Users

March 04, 2022

Libraries are one of the most accessible community services for a reason. Not only are most library resources completely free, but they’re designed for all people to engage with the written word. If you’re a person who is blind or living with low vision, you don’t need to worry about a lack of accessibility at your local library. Many provide bestselling books transcribed in Braille or converted to audiobooks. If you’ve been searching for accessible reading materials, visit your local library!

Library Services for People with Developmental Disabilities

March 02, 2022

Libraries have always found a way to reach all kinds of populations in their communities, from those that are homeless, to seniors, to toddlers. They offer resources so that everyone feels like they can go to the library for whatever they need. And, when the library finds that there are people that aren’t being equally served, they make the effort to change that by finding new ideas and training their staff.

Here's How Librarians Choose What Goes on the Shelves

February 28, 2022

Book banning is in the air again as self-important busybodies around the United States rail against parental choice, the expertise of teachers, and the professional duties of librarians. The spittle in the air is thick with ignorance and self-righteousness as the misinformed maraud against the freedom to read. Perhaps it’s once again time for a national read-around of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451? 
More Posts