|
Lisa Varga writes: “After the threats to federal library funding in the past year, the fiscal year 2026 appropriations bills signed by President Trump on February 3 included an increase in federal funding for libraries.
Less than a year ago, an
executive order threatened to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the only source of federal funding dedicated to libraries.
Thanks to advocates, IMLS still exists today, and Congress just passed a $1.4 million increase for library programs run by IMLS through the Library Services and Technology Act.”...
American Libraries Online, Feb.
6; Mar. 19, 2025
| |
|
Amelia Bryne and Megan Janicki write: “The 30th anniversary of the E-Rate program is a time to both celebrate what it has achieved for libraries and focus our work to preserve its future.
About 73% of all public libraries and more than 96% of public schools in the United States receive E-Rate discounts on internet and telecommunications services and equipment, totaling more than $2 billion per year. But the Federal Communications Commission’s Universal Service Fund, which includes E-Rate and three other communications programs, is facing challenges, in part because of how it is funded.”...
American Libraries Online, Feb.
6
| |
|
Rosie Newmark writes: “Hands flew, timers ticked, and tensions ran high.
In 33 minutes and 23 seconds, team Piece Out triumphed in the inaugural speed puzzling tournament at Mid-Columbia Libraries in southeastern Washington last January.
Speed puzzling, or the practice of assembling a jigsaw puzzle as fast as possible, has become an unlikely hit at public libraries.
What began as a social media curiosity and niche hobby has turned into a low-cost way to engage patrons of all ages—especially during colder months.”...
American Libraries Trend, Jan./Feb.
| |
|
|
|
Brett Bonfield writes: “As my colleagues and I offer guidance on ALA’s more than $60 million in investments, some of the questions that arise are the same ones you may consider when managing a personal retirement account.
How much to take out of the account each year as a distribution is significant, because it affects how long the money will last and continue to grow, and it’s the one I will discuss in this column.”...
American Libraries Online, Feb.
9
| |
|
ALA Council has elected Lesliediana Jones, director of the Arthur Neef Law Library at Wayne State University Library System and assistant professor at Wayne State University Law School in Detroit, and Shauntee Burns-Simpson, director of youth and family services at DC Public Library, to serve on the ALA Executive Board. Their three-year terms will begin in July 2026 and conclude in June 2029. The
ALA Executive Board provides the strategic and fiduciary oversight of the Association....
ALA Communications and Media Relations Office, Feb. 3
| |
|
Violet Fox writes: “To be unexpectedly unemployed in the US is to be in a state of desperation.
If you haven’t been out of work lately, it’s a particularly challenging time.
The labor market is cooling, and people are struggling to find work, especially younger workers and people of color.
There has been a sharp increase in the number of ‘ghost jobs,’ job listings that never result in a hiring.
The job search is inherently demoralizing and difficult; consider making changes in your workplace processes that make it less dehumanizing.”...
ACRLog, Feb. 5
| |
|
|
|
Amanda Galliton writes: “When people talk about leadership in schools, the focus often lands on titles: principals, administrators, and department heads.
Yet some of the most impactful leadership happens without a formal title.
For school librarians, leadership frequently begins with self-leadership: the ability to intentionally guide our own actions, mindset, and professional growth in service of students and the school community.
For school librarians, self-leadership is not optional.
Without strong self-leadership, it is easy to become reactive rather than intentional.”...
Knowledge Quest, Feb.
3
| |
|
Matthew Carey writes: “The Librarians premiered on PBS February 9, after a robust theatrical and festival run that saw Kim A.
Snyder’s documentary earn awards across the country.
The film examines the coordinated effort by conservative groups like Moms for Liberty to ban a wide range of books at public schools and public libraries nationwide, and the abuse librarians have received for defending the right of children to access reading material, including books with antiracist or LGBTQ themes.”
The film is streaming free on the PBS website until May 9....
Deadline, Feb. 4
| |
|
Jaimie Seaton writes: “The Institute of Museum and Library Services is now accepting applications for its 2026 grant cycle. But this time, it has unusually specific criteria.
In
cover letters accompanying the applications, the institute said it ‘particularly welcomes’ projects that align with President Donald Trump’s vision for America.
The solicitation marks a stark departure for the agency, whose guidelines were previously apolitical and focused on merit.
Former agency leaders from both political parties, as well as those of library, historical, and museum associations, expressed concern that funded projects could encourage a more constrained or distorted view of American history.”...
ProPublica, Feb. 6
| |
|
|
|
Maya Marchel Hoff writes: “Iowa public and charter schools would not be able to enter into agreements with public libraries providing students with access to books and other materials, under a bill advanced by Iowa lawmakers February 4. The legislation,
House Study Bill 636, was advanced by the Iowa House Education Committee, 14–9. It is the latest effort by Republicans in the legislature to limit children's access to content and materials they view as obscene.” ALA President Sam Helmick and 10 other people testified against the bill, while two spoke in support....
The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), Feb. 4
| |
|
Martin Holland writes: “The Central Intelligence Agency has taken The World Factbook, one of the oldest and most well-known sites on the internet, offline. Old pages are still accessible via the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine. The World Factbook has been around for more than 60 years and went online in 1994.” The Trump administration has discontinued collection of or cut off access to an
estimated 3,000 data sets....
Heise Online, Feb. 5; NOTUS, Feb. 2
| |
|
Dominic Bayley writes: “I used to be clunky in Microsoft Excel, not knowing the most efficient way to do things. That was before I learned some helpful shortcuts. Now I move around my tables super quickly and efficiently. Here are some Excel shortcuts every user should know.”...
PCWorld, Feb. 9
| | |
|
|
|
American Libraries Direct is a free electronic newsletter emailed every Wednesday to personal members of ALA.
Editor, AL Direct: Greg Landgraf
Direct ad inquiries to: Melissa Carr
Send news and feedback: 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 FAQ.
American Libraries 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 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 and the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation of 2018. Read the ALA privacy policy.
To manage your American Libraries email preferences, click here.
To unsubscribe from all ALA emails, click here.
American Library Association | 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1300 | Chicago, IL 60601
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.jpg){kind=spacer}
