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Donna Seaman writes: “For Rebecca F. Kuang, academia is more than a fictional setting.
Her fourth book, the historical dark-academia fantasy Babel: An Arcane History, was followed by Yellowface, a lacerating critique of racism in modern publishing.
Kuang returns to both fantasy and higher education in Katabasis (August, HarperCollins), a tale of two students in Cambridge’s Department of Analytical Magick who journey to hell in search of their famed, feared, and abruptly deceased advisor, Professor Grimes.
American Libraries spoke with Kuang about academia, the afterlife, and the beauty of libraries.”...
American Libraries Trend, Sept./Oct.
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Cass Balzer writes: “Ransomware attacks and cybersecurity incidents are no longer rare, with more than 15 million cyberattacks worldwide annually since 2020, and public institutions have become frequent targets.
These attacks often shut down core systems, compromise personal information of patrons and library employees, and leave communities without access to certain services, all while demanding substantial resources to repair the damage.
For libraries that have faced cyberattacks, recovery was often long, complicated, and costly, but their experiences offer lessons in how libraries can respond and rebuild.”...
American Libraries Online, Sept.
15
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Phil Morehart writes: “ALA is seeking website and podcast contributions from ALA members as it celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2026. We want stories from members that reflect their experiences with ALA, its legacy, and its history to be featured at
ala150.org and for an ALA oral-history audio series that will be broadcast on ALA’s
How I Library podcast. These should be stories about the people, policies, and pivotal moments that shaped the Association, its core values (Access, Equity, Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, Public Good, and Sustainability), and our country’s libraries.”...
ala150.org, Sept. 10
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Robin Camille Davis writes: “Back in our college days, we millennials suffered article after article that tried desperately to understand who we were as a generation.
They were full of generalizations, inaccuracies, and manic attempts to explain an apparent obsession with avocado toast—pandering content that was misguided at best and highly irritating at worst.
But on my campus, North Carolina State University, I often run user research studies for the libraries.
Here are my observations about the behavior of Gen Z students on my campus regarding library experiences.”...
Choice 360: LibTech Insights, Sept.
15
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ALA invites applications for the fourth and final round of funding of the
Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant. This round of funding will offer up to 300 grants of $10,000 and $20,000 to libraries serving populations under 25,000 to increase the accessibility of facilities, services, and programs to better serve people with disabilities.
Library workers may
apply for funding through December 11. Previous awardees are eligible to apply, although applicants not previously awarded will be prioritized.
A free
pre-application webinar will be held October 1....
ALA Public Programs Office, Sept.
11
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Nick Potkalitsky writes: “Almost three years after ChatGPT’s public debut, American schools find themselves caught in a familiar pattern: endless preparation cycles that defer the very learning they claim to enable.
The readiness trap reveals a deeper misunderstanding: Artificial intelligence (AI) literacy isn’t a knowledge domain to be conquered but an ongoing interpretive practice.
It’s not about achieving comprehensive understanding of AI training processes or settling ethical paradoxes.
It’s about developing capacities for critical engagement with evolving textual and ideological systems.”...
Educating AI, Sept. 14
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Emma Keates writes: “If you’re looking to cozy up with a juicy new read this fall, the National Book Foundation has just the list (or lists) for you. The foundation rolled out its longlists for the 2025 National Book Awards the week of September 8. The National Book Awards ‘celebrate the best literature published in the United States, expand its audience, and ensure that books have a prominent place in our culture.’” The National Book Awards recognize books in five categories: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translated literature, and young people’s literature. Each longlist includes ten titles....
The A.V. Club, Sept. 12
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Jim Milliot writes: “For the fourth time in less than 10 years, Baker & Taylor is about to get a new owner.
In a letter sent to publishers, ReaderLink CEO Dennis Abboud wrote that the two parties have signed a letter of intent under which ReaderLink will acquire the business and substantially all of the assets of Baker & Taylor, including Baker & Taylor Distribution Services.
The acquisition is expected to close on September 26.”...
Publishers Weekly, Sept.
11
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Antonia Bruno writes: “A trauma-informed approach acknowledges the frequency and intensity of clients experiencing adverse experiences that result in trauma.
The trauma an individual experiences usually harms their worldview and sense of belonging with others.
Applying a trauma-informed approach when interacting with clients can mitigate the negative impact of trauma on an individual and help them gain a sense of agency over their lives.
Essentially, frontline workers can serve individuals with a lens that prevents retraumatization by having a holistic view of their experiences and amplifying their voices in the treatment process.”...
New York State Library Blog, Sept.
12
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Blake Brittain writes: “A Washington-based federal appeals court on September 10 blocked President Donald Trump from firing US Copyright Office Director Shira Perlmutter while she appeals a lower court's ruling against her attempt to stop the administration from terminating her.
In a 2–1 decision, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit granted Perlmutter's request to reinstate her to the position temporarily and said Trump's move to terminate her was likely unlawful.”...
Reuters, Sept. 11
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Chifundo Kasiya writes: “When writing formulas in Excel, SUM and VLOOKUP are staples for beginners. But since Excel has over 400 functions, it's helpful to know more of the extremely useful ones, especially when looking to become an intermediate user and beyond. Let me help you discover functions that will further streamline your Excel workflow.”...
MakeUseOf, Sept. 11
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