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Julia Smith writes: “
Acclaimed author Pam Muñoz Ryan has been a fixture of the children’s literature scene for more than 25 years, winning the Pura Belpré Award in 2002 for Esperanza Rising, a Newbery Honor in 2016 for Echo, and the Children’s Literature Legacy Award in 2024. We spoke with Muñoz Ryan about her career and latest book,
El Niño (Scholastic Press, May), which blends the legend of an underwater kingdom with a young boy’s journey of understanding love, death, and grief after losing his sister.”...
American Libraries Trend, May
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Brea McQueen writes: “
At this point in the year, almost everyone on campus seems to be thinking about the end of the term. But this span of time doesn’t necessarily look or feel the same to everyone. Some of us who have disabilities move through time a little differently, experiencing it as particularly nebulous and abstract. The phrase crip time, coined by scholar and author
Alison Kafer, acknowledges that folks with disabilities may experience spans of time in nonlinear ways that don’t align with the normative, societal understanding of time.”...
American Libraries column, May
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Carrie Smith writes: “
In July 1925, the US was transfixed by State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes, also known as the Scopes Monkey Trial. Held in Dayton, Tennessee, the proceedings examined whether high
school teacher John T. Scopes violated the law by teaching evolution in a state-funded school. Then, as now, the trial served as a prism for societal debate around education and intellectual freedom. The Scopes trial archive at the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives at University of Tennessee, Knoxville includes transcripts, photos, and ephemera from locals and attorneys involved in the case.”...
American Libraries feature, May
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Libraries are tasked with storing and protecting their growing collections while also incorporating more flexibility into their buildings. One solution for both challenges is off-site storage. Spacesaver’
s high-bay shelving
is ideally suited to store archival boxes, books, and other materials. Utilize our American-made XTend Mobile High-Bay Storage Systems, which extend up to 34-feet high, to drastically increase capacity and create additional room to grow.
Is off-site storage the right opportunity for your library to increase capacity and become more contemporary?
Contact Spacesaver’s nationwide network of experts to begin your project.
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Rachel Rosenberg writes: “
All public library staffers must work with children and teens at some point. But for those who are newer to the profession, it can feel daunting, because youth services aren’t required
courses in library school. These six books touch on the vital aspects of working with young people, including building community engagement, creating learning environments, and planning storytimes and easy crafts. They also offer examples of how to support children in challenging situations.”...
American Libraries column, May
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While ALA
welcomed the preliminary injunction ordering the administration not to implement President Trump’
s executive order to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services, it raised alarm over the administration’s cancellation of the $2.75 billion Digital Equity Act
grant program as of May 9. The congressionally authorized program was designed to close the digital divide by establishing grants to support broadband access and digital skills training for underserved communities. ALA is collecting information regarding Digital Equity Act grant cancellations to identify the impact of this loss of funding for libraries, and urges library workers who have received grant termination notifications to
report their program cancellation and share the impact this loss of funding will have on their library....
ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office, May 15
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Ginny Monk writes: “
Ebook contracts for libraries often come with terms that mean the library has to repurchase the book after it’s been borrowed 26 times or every couple of years, whichever comes first. Connecticut Senate Bill 1234 wouldn’
t allow simultaneous restrictions on the loan period and the number of times people can borrow the book.” The Connecticut legislature gave final approval to the bill May 15, sending it to Gov. Ned Lamont for his signature. If he does sign it, the bill will only take effect if one or more other states with a total population of 7 million pass similar legislation. Connecticut library associations
celebrated the bill’s passage....
Connecticut Mirror, May 15; Connecticut Library Consortium, May 15
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Seung Min Kim writes: “
President Donald Trump’s abrupt firing of top officials at the Library of Congress has morphed into an enormous fight over the separation of powers. Republican leaders have delivered rare pushback against the president, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and other Republicans have been talking with the White House about a potential path to dé
tente.” The Associated Press reported that it is unclear whether Trump’s nominee for acting librarian of Congress, Todd Blanche, is currently in that role or if
Principal Deputy Librarian Robert Newlen is in charge. The Authors Guild has created a petition demanding the reinstatement of fired Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter, and library colleagues from around the world have
expressed their support for American librarians in facing federal and other challenges....
Associated Press, May 16, May 15; Authors Guild, May 13; ALA International Relations Office, May 20
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Cali Lichter writes: “
For five years, Lowell (Mich.) Area Schools (LAS) Library Media Director Christine Beachler says she has been the target of untruthful, personal social media attacks. After a video of Beachler during a library tour in February, posted by self-described parental rights advocate Stefanie Boone, went viral, she says it pushed it over the edge. On May 13, Beachler filed a
civil lawsuit in 17th Circuit Court, asking for damages and for Boone to take down all her posts referencing Beachler.” A
GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $25,000 to support Beachler’s legal fees....
WZZM-TV (Grand Rapids, Mich.), May 13, 14
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Melanie Robinson writes: “
As cities work to build stronger connections between children and nature, one powerful and often underutilized ally stands ready: your local library. Most residents live within a two-mile radius
of a library. These institutions have deep roots in their communities and are committed to values aligning with city leaders: lifelong learning, health, equity, and engagement. They are ideal partners in helping cities achieve bold goals, especially when giving children more access to nature. To support cities in this effort, see the new
Nature-Smart Libraries Toolkit published by
Nature Everywhere Communities.”...
National League of Cities, May 16
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Kyle McClenagan writes: “
Following the May 3 election results, Katy (Tex.) Independent School District (ISD) students and community members are asking school board members to repeal the Houston-area district’s
controversial book and gender policies. The board appointed trustee Lance Redmon as its new president Monday after Katy ISD voters ousted former president Victor Perez, who had championed the policies and campaigned on conservative principles. In August 2024, the board approved a library policy that bans books ‘
adopting, supporting, or promoting gender fluidity’ from elementary and junior high libraries in Katy ISD.”...
Houston Public Media, May 14
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Mackenzie Aucker writes: “
Shikellamy (Pa.) Area High School students in the construction trades program are giving a tour of the school’s library they’re renovating. The Shikellamy School Board supported and decided to have the construction trades students do the project—
costing around $350,000 to renovate. The high school’s old library was outdated, and so was the technology. Once the library renovation project is complete, it’ll come with many rooms and different amenities. Students hope to have the renovation project completed by the end of September.”...
WNEP-TV (Scranton, Pa.), May 16
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Michelle Gagnon writes: “
Let’s face it—sometimes you want your crime fiction shaken, not stirred, with a twist of absurdity and a garnish of gallows humor. If you prefer your murder mysteries served with sass, sarcasm, and a healthy dose of chaos, the campy and comedic thriller is where it’
s at. And personally, when I fall in love with characters, I want them to stick around for many, many books. These are stories where the danger is real—but so are the laughs.”...
Crime Reads, May 15
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