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Working from home? Digital and online library tools can help.

March 06, 2020

If you’re like me, you typically work remotely, even when global health concerns are not a deciding factor. Alternatively, you may be currently working from home as a safety measure precaution because of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

3 Ways Expecting and New Parents Can Make the Most of Their Library

February 25, 2020

The list of places you go with a newborn is short. Right now mine includes home, the pediatrician’s office, and my parents’ house. That’s it. Occasionally we’ll venture outside for a walk, but enclosed public spaces during flu season are just too risky for a little developing immune system. So even though there will surely be storytimes and play circles in our baby’s future, right now our local library doesn’t make the cut. And that’s okay. As a librarian in the habit of placing holds and browsing digital collections, I was in a pretty perfect position to make good use of library resources throughout my pregnancy and I plan to continue to do so during these first few secluded months. But I know that not everyone, especially expecting parents with so much on their plates, has the time to look into what may or may not be on offer from their library. So here are just a few ideas for getting started. All of these are cost-saving and most don’t even require you to leave your house! Tips for before the baby arrives:

Get Crafty at Your Local Library!

February 22, 2020

I’ll admit it: I’m an extremely crafty individual. If you open almost any drawer in my home, you’ll find ribbons, marbles, beads, and blocks of clay. It might be surprising, but becoming a librarian frequently allowed me to explore my love of arts, crafts, and creative projects. In fact, local libraries are crafting hotspots! No matter which materials you enjoy working with, or what creative skill you want to develop, your library can help. Find tools, techniques, and inspiration right at your local library.

The Most Important Government Agency You've Never Heard Of

February 22, 2020

It’s true, despite using considerably less than 1% of the federal budget, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) manages to fund distinctive projects and services that help communities all over the United States…and it’s on the chopping block yet again!IMLS is a tiny government agency with a huge impact and the complex mission "...to advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development." Fine, but what does that look like on the ground?I'm glad you asked.

Trump Cut Funding for Libraries? So what?!

February 17, 2020

Unfortunately, that's the response we hear most often because most Americans don’t know what the Institute of Museum and Library Services does. Which makes it hard to care about when it gets cut.

Libraries, Museums, and a Diverse America

February 17, 2020

Since 1996, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has supported libraries and museums across the United States, helping these organizations transform the lives of individuals and communities through grantmaking, research, and policy development.

Weather the Storm at Your Library

February 16, 2020

When a disaster or crisis hits a community, the public library often serves as a safe haven. Libraries provide a place of comfort, direction, normalcy, and resources to help guide recovery efforts for the people they serve. Library staff frequently serve at their local Emergency Operations Centers during and after a disaster. While we always hope for the best, it’s good to know that in case of a disaster, your library is a cornerstone of recovery.

Creating at the Public Library - from Art to New Careers

February 16, 2020

Everyone knows that their public library is the go-to spot for finding books, music, movies, and other forms of entertainment. But did you know that your public library isn’t just a place to access content, but also a place offering support for you and your community to create content as well?

Trump is Coming After Libraries... Again.

February 11, 2020

There are a lot of political issues about which I have opinions, but do not write about publicly, but this is the FOURTH year in a row that Donald Trump and his administration have called for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and I am sick and tired of that it!

Climb Your Family Tree at the Library

February 04, 2020

You may want or even need to find out about your ancestors for all sorts of reasons. Curiosity that has led to a hobby motivates some family tree researchers. Others want to locate something about birth parents they never knew, track down relatives for medical information if facing a heritable disease diagnosis, confirm ethnic status for scholarship eligibility, or establish past nationality ties for emigration purposes. There is an enormous amount of data online — lots of it free. In fact, there is so much and so many of these ancestry questions are so surprisingly complex that a library and a librarian can be the best first stop on the road to your family tree climb.
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