For daily ALA and library news, check the American Libraries website or subscribe to our RSS feed.
|
|
|
Michael W. Twitty (right), author of The Cooking Gene and the African-American food history blog Afroculinaria, has devoted his life to researching African-American culinary traditions and how they affect our understanding of the past and present. Twitty serves as honorary chair of Preservation Week, held April 22–28, which focuses this year on cooking and community archiving. American Libraries spoke with him about what can be learned about the past through food and about his work with Preservation Week....
American Libraries Trend, Apr. 27 |
|
A union representing University of California librarians began contract negotiations with the UC Office of the President (UCOP) on April 17, arguing for increased pay. The meeting took place in UC Berkeley’s Doe Library and was the first in a series between UCOP representatives and the University Council– American Federation of Teachers. It largely focused on librarians’ academic freedom, which is not currently specified in UC policy documents. Demands also include a right to sabbatical leave, more professional development, and housing assistance....
Daily Californian, Apr. 17; UC-AFT LIbrarians Blog, Apr. 24 |
|
|
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden and Laurence Engel, president of the Bibliothèque nationale de France, announced on April 25 a collaboration between LC and the BnF to provide digital content for a new online space for collections relating to shared French-American history. The initiative will also be supported by other US organizations, including the National Archives. During the special visit to LC, President Emmanuel Macron (right) and his wife, Brigitte, viewed a display that included treasures that will be part of the international collaboration....
Library of Congress, Apr. 25 |
|
Days after a poetry exhibit drew harsh criticism that it included an Islamophobic display encouraging violence against Muslim women, Aurora (Ill.) Public Library officials have vowed to “do better” and change how exhibits are vetted. The exhibit, on display April 2–21, featured the poem “Hijab means Jihad” by Lewis University philosophy professor George Miller superimposed over a Confederate flag. Library board President John Savage said at the April 25 board meeting, “All of us here are bruised and ashamed of how this happened.” Communications Manager Amy Roth has resigned over the incident....
Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald, Apr. 26; Aurora (Ill.) Beacon-News, Apr. 24 |
|
|
A Kansas City (Mo.) Public Library patron who was forcibly removed from a public event nearly two years ago is suing Kansas City police officials and others, saying they deprived him of his constitutional rights. Jeremy Rothe-Kushel (right), an activist and documentary filmmaker who lives in Lawrence, Kansas, was physically restrained and escorted from the event on May 9, 2016. The incident sparked outrage and drew fierce condemnation from Library Executive Director R. Crosby Kemper III....
KCUR-FM, Kansas City, Mo., Apr. 26; AL: The Scoop, Oct. 3, 2016; Kansas City Star, Apr. 26; Kansas City Public Library, Sept. 8, 2017 |
|
Florida State University will cancel its comprehensive subscription to Elsevier journals. Julia Zimmerman, dean of university libraries at Florida State, released a statement saying the decision to cancel the libraries’ “big deal” with Elsevier had been made after “long deliberation.” “FSU is being charged too much—all because of a poorly thought-out 20-year-old contract between Elsevier and the State University System,” said Zimmerman....
Inside Higher Ed, Apr. 26 |
|
Mirela Roncevic writes: “When encrypted with DRM, ebooks cannot be easily copied or printed, viewed on multiple devices, or moved from one device to another. Further, they can only be downloaded a certain number of times and blocked in certain regions. These restrictions are one reason why ebook popularity in the consumer market is stagnating. But the key issue in academic libraries revolves around the effects of various business models on budgets and libraries’ ability to build sustainable digital collections.”...
No Shelf Required, Apr. 26 |
|
|
In many cities, it’s now possible to borrow art for free. All you need is a “art lending library.” Individuals can borrow an artwork, enjoy it in their own home, and return it by a due date with little to no fee. They have a decades-long history on university campuses, but they seem to be gaining popularity among museums, public libraries, and nonprofits. Despite differences in collection sizes and objectives, these institutions share certain goals, like reaching new audiences and creating new spaces for local creative discourse....
Hyperallergic, Apr. 20 |
|
Visual artist Nemo Miller has installed a “cry closet” in a library at the University of Utah, where she is a student. The piece is designed to allow students 10-minute secluded crying sessions—a must for anyone even remotely close to taking a final. The closet comes with rules. You must knock before entering, only one person is allowed in the closet at a time, the lights must be turned off for the next person, and all social media posts about the closet must feature the hashtag #cryclosetuofu....
Mashable, Apr. 25; @TheU, Apr. 18 |
|
|
Laurie Putnam writes: “Multiple studies by Pew Research as well as studies by the Maine State Library and CILIP confirm the trusted status of librarians. When it comes to sources the public looks to with confidence, we sit near the top of the list, shoulder to shoulder with health care providers. Relatively speaking, libraries and librarians are known as credible sources, relied on by those looking for information that will make a difference in their lives. Journalists are another story.”...
Next Libraries, Apr. 24; FactTank, Aug. 30, 2017; Library Research Service, Dec. 1, 2016; CILIP, Feb. 14
|
|
Daniella Smith writes: “Last month I provided some tools that can be used for creating online tutorials and videos. This month, I am sharing my list of tips for improving videos. These tips are some things that I have learned along the way through trial and error. If you don’t currently create videos and need to start, don’t be intimidated. You will see that it gets easier over time. As usual, the professional development is available at the end of the post....
Knowledge Quest blog, Mar. 29, Apr. 26 |
|
Melissa Karnaze writes: “Your eyes are important, and staring at a monitor all day does them no favors. Eyestrain doesn’t typically lead to permanent damage of the visual system, but it’s unpleasant and can keep you from getting your work done. There are a number of preventative measures you can take to avoid eyestrain—organizing a functional workspace and modulating light exposure, for example. Let’s take a closer look.”...
How-To Geek, Apr. 27 |
AL Direct is a free electronic newsletter emailed every Tuesday and Friday to personal members of the American Library Association.
Editor, AL Direct: George M. Eberhart, geberhart@ala.org
|
Send news and feedback: aldirect@ala.org
Direct ad inquiries to: Michael Stack, mstack@ala.org
AL Direct FAQ: americanlibrariesmagazine.org/al-direct
All links outside the ALA website
are provided for informational purposes only. Questions about the
content of any external site should be addressed to the administrator of
that site.
AL Direct will not sell your email to outside parties, but your email may be shared with advertisers in this newsletter should you express interest in their products by clicking on their ads or content. If the advertisers choose to communicate with you by email, they are obligated to provide you with an opportunity to opt-out from future emails in compliance with the CAN-SPAM act of 2003. Read the ALA privacy policy.
American Libraries
50 E. Huron St.
Chicago, IL 60611
800-545-2433, ext. 4216
ISSN 1559-369X
|
