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Megan Perrero writes: “Every day the library has the opportunity to impact young lives, from a child learning to use a keyboard or enjoy a storytime. And now, with makerspaces and new technology, a child has received a prosthetic limb via her library. Five-year-old Katelyn (right) was born without a fully formed left hand. Her parents were on the search to find a prosthetic arm for her when they discovered the e-NABLE Community and the Clear Lake City-County Freeman Branch Library in Harris County.”...
AL: The Scoop, Aug. 9 |
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A new report, Public Libraries: A Vital Space for Family Engagement, released by Harvard Family Research Project and the Public Library Association, issues a call to action for libraries to strengthen their efforts to engage families in children’s learning. The report highlights five promising ways that libraries engage families in children’s learning from early childhood and throughout the school years. The report and related resources can be accessed on the PLA website....
PLA, Aug. 9 |
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On August 21, 2017, the US will experience its first total solar eclipse in nearly 40 years. The STAR Library Education Network (STAR_Net) is working with libraries to participate in this national event. Once you register your library on their site, the STAR_Net team will let you know how to access promotional resources, newsletters, tips on safe viewing methods, multimedia for programming, and 50 free Solar Shades for your patrons to watch the eclipse....
STAR_Net |
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A free webinar from the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) includes more than 50 ways to celebrate this year’s Banned Books Week (Sept. 25–Oct. 1). Hosted by OIF Assistant Director (and former librarian) Kristin Pekoll, the webinar offers programming ideas from libraries across the country, from family-friendly fare to banned books beer outings and not-safe-for-work trivia contests....
Intellectual Freedom Blog, Aug. 11 |
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In an effort to better support library’s assessment needs, the Public Library Association’s Project Outcome has partnered with the Urban Libraries Council’s Edge Initiative and the University of Washington’s Impact Survey to host a webinar, “Measurement Matters: Using Edge, Project Outcome, and the Impact Survey to Assess and Improve Community Outcomes,” on September 8, 1:00–2:00 PM Central. This webinar is free and will demonstrate how all three tools can help libraries implement a comprehensive assessment strategy to better their data and share their community impact....
Public Library Association, Aug. 10 |
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Mary Knowlton (right), 73, a former public school librarian in Minnesota and member of the Friends of Punta Gorda (Fla.) Library, was shot and killed August 9 while participating in a Citizens Academy exercise at Punta Gorda police headquarters. Police chief Tom Lewis says Knowlton was hit with a live round in a “horrible accident” after she and another volunteer were randomly chosen for a “shoot–don’t shoot” role-playing exercise that involves decisions about when to use lethal force. The incident is under investigation....
Minneapolis Star Tribune, Aug. 11 |
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Librarians trying to stop budget cuts came to the Burlington (Vt.) School Board meeting August 9 with letters from the American Library Association, the Vermont Library Association, and the American Association of School Librarians, plus a petition with more than 300 signatures. If passed, the cuts could mean three librarians at the Integrated Arts Academy and the Sustainability Academy, both elementary schools, and at Burlington High School could have their positions reduced from full to half time, and elementary schools would have a shared librarian and library para-educators....
Burlington (Vt.) Free Press, Aug. 9 |
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September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, a time when the nation’s public libraries highlight the value of a library card. Once again, this year's honorary chair is Snoopy, the world-famous beagle featured in the Peanuts comic strip, calling attention to the supportive role libraries and library professionals play in the education, academic achievement, and development of children. Information about Library Card Sign-Up Month and downloadable Snoopy artwork are available at ala.org....
ALA Public Awareness Office, Aug. 10 |
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The Arizona State Library, Archives, and Public Records has launched the Arizona State Knowledge Center (ASK), a public-facing catalog that allows users to explore the archival material housed at the State Archives. Secretary of State Michele Reagan says ASK is an efficient way to explore the collections—whether the inquest is about Wyatt Earp or state, county, and local records....
Arizona State Library, Archives, and Public Records |
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Karen Pundsack writes: “As a public library system director, I’ve been a part of interview panels and helped to design interview processes. The goal is to find the right person to fill the library’s needs. In other words, you need to tell us why you are the person we’re looking for.” She provides expert tips for getting to the interview stage....
Public Libraries Online, Aug. 4
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Recently the Internet Archive and Mozilla announced “No More 404s,” an experiment to help you to see archived versions of dead web pages in your Firefox browser. Using the “No More 404s” Firefox add-on, you are given the option to retrieve archived versions of web pages from the Internet Archive’s 20-year store of more than 490 billion web captures available via the Wayback Machine....
Internet Archive Blogs, Aug. 9
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George R. R. Martin published A Game of Thrones, the first in his bestselling series of fantasy novels, A Song of Fire and Ice, in August 1996. A 20-year-old book in 20 questions—can you slay this quiz? Warning: Watching the TV show may not help you....
The Guardian (UK), Aug. 6
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