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One Hundred Years of Fortitude

July 28, 2025

These days, the writer Theodore Dreiser and his magnum opus, An American Tragedy, are little known outside literature seminars. Yet he “dominated the American literary scene” in the first half of the twentieth century. Literary critic Irving Howe said of Dreiser that he was “among the American giants, one of the very few American giants we have had,” while the great journalist H. L. Mencken called Dreiser “a great artist” and wrote that “no other American of his generation left so wide and handsome a mark upon the national letters.”

At the Movies: 5 Iconic Library-Based Flicks for Summer Viewing

July 25, 2025

Ah, the dog days of summer — that time of year when school is out and many of us find ourselves recovering from our fun in the sun by retreating into the safe confines of our home movie theatres, revisiting some of the classics. Libraries, by their nature of being accessible, are community spaces and often historical landmarks that lend themselves naturally as film backdrops. Here are a few recommended summer viewing films that take place inside a library — either fictional or real — that sparked my imagination as a child and into adulthood. Can’t find them streaming, but have a DVD player? Use your library card to borrow them!

10 Famous Libraries Around the World

July 24, 2025

It’s summer vacation time again! When planning your itinerary, no matter where you’re going, keep this in mind: There are famous libraries well worth visiting all over the world, each distinct in terms of architecture, history, and collections. A stop at any of these would enhance any traveler’s itinerary. Not traveling? No problem—if a staycation is in your future, one of these might be in your backyard. Without further ado, here are ten famous libraries around the world:

A Day in the Life of a Solo Medical Librarian

July 22, 2025

What Does a Solo Medical Librarian Do? I am the solo on-site librarian for a regional campus of the flagship medical school in my state. While I am alone physically, I am supported by a robust team of librarians at the main campus about three hours away.

How 5 Library Systems Celebrated Pride Month This Year

July 21, 2025

Libraries have a long-standing relationship with the LGBTQIA+ community. On July 1, 1970, a little more than a year after the Stonewall Uprising, the American Library Association (ALA) held its annual conference in Detroit, and the Task Force on Gay Liberation (TFGL) met for the first time. The goal of the meeting was to address the lack of LGBTQ+ representation in library collections and services.

Want Safer Neighborhoods? Invest in Libraries

July 18, 2025

A recent study published in the Journal of Cultural Economics examined what happened when a new library branch opened in Kansas City, Missouri. The city had twelve library branches for many years. In 2013, they added the thirteenth branch, known as the Woodneath Public Library Branch. This study focuses on the Woodneath branch.

Academic Libraries and Scientific Research

July 17, 2025

“Collectively,” writes the Institute for Scientific Information’s Dmytro Filchenko in a recent report, “U.S. universities are by far the largest source of research cited by inventors worldwide.”

Unearthing History: 8 Fascinating Treasures at the National Archives and Records Administration

July 15, 2025

Have you ever wondered where important historic documents like the Declaration of Independence or the Emancipation Proclamation are kept? The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is in charge of keeping and preserving the significant documents of the United States federal government. Described as the “nation’s record keeper,” NARA holds not only the major foundational documents of the United States but also public records of ordinary citizens, such as military records, census rolls, and naturalization records.

Love Interlibrary Loans? If IMLS Is Defunded, Your Library May Have to Cut This Service

July 14, 2025

Ever tracked down a rare book, niche journal article, or out-of-print novel through your library, even though it wasn't on their shelves? You have the magic of interlibrary loan (ILL) to thank. This powerful service connects libraries across the nation, so you can get what you need. But sadly, it could soon be gone.

What’s Going on with Administrative Law?

July 11, 2025

As a librarian who works and lives in the state of North Carolina, I pay employment taxes to both the Internal Revenue Service and the North Carolina Department of Revenue. My office building has elevators inspected annually by the North Carolina Department of Labor.
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