The institution of the library is an embodiment of Madison’s statement. It provides free access to books and other forms of information that citizens can use to better themselves, and thereby, society. The public can use the knowledge found within a library to guide decisions made during self-government. Instead of a king making decisions, Madison saw a wise, educated public guiding America.

It has been said that the library is the poor man’s university. For a library, just like a university, is a promoter of knowledge. If one wanted, and had the will, one could obtain the same knowledge gleaned in a university by studying the stacks. Granted, a diploma does not accompany such endeavors, but knowledge will have been gained, nonetheless. It is this principle that Andrew Carnegie promoted: the idea that knowledge should be free to all. Andrew Carnegie’s ideals helped to form the modern public library into what it is today.¹

Today’s public libraries are incorporating advances to technology into their paradigms, making computers, e-readers, 3D printing, internet access, laser cutters, and much more available to the public. The public library has evolved beyond a bastion of democratic sustenance to include remedies to social justice issues. The services that modern public libraries provide not only encompass the distribution of knowledge that Madison imagined, but access to services and programs that fill the void in many urban and rural communities. Not all families are able to afford access to the internet. This is an especially prevalent issue in rural communities where internet can be scarce.

With the importance of libraries for a successfully functioning democracy plain to see, why then is the IMLS being threatened once again? For those that do not know, the Institute of Museum and Library Services provides federal assistance to America’s public libraries. The current administration tried in the 2018 budget to dismantle the IMLS, but Congress, thankfully, rejected the proposal.² The White House is attempting again in the 2019 budget to dismantle the IMLS and thereby defund beneficial IMLS-funded programs. The IMLS is only 0.006 percent of the federal budget but does so much for public libraries and for the strengthening of democratic society. ³ To see a full listing of IMLS grant funded programs, visit the IMLS grant search database. https://www.imls.gov/grants/awarded-grants

We will have to wait and see how Congress votes for the 2019 budget. But, in the meantime, let’s do our part to encourage our representatives in Congress to support the IMLS, and to remind them of the importance of public libraries in a society.

References

[i] https://www.thenation.com/article/libraries-are-a-space-where-everyone-belongs/

[ii] Ibid.

[iii] Ibid.

The post Libraries Are For Everyone first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

A service offering that libraries should consider adding is a free legal clinic. This may seem like a complicated thing to start, but do not fear, it is simple. Access to legal services should be a basic right that every American should enjoy, but sadly, it is not (at least, not until it is too late). Having access to a lawyer is dependent upon having the ability to pay for one. Access to the courts is a social justice issue that librarians should be interested in helping correct. Legal advice should not be available only to those who can afford it.

Common legal inquiries that patrons might have:

• Creating a will;
• Researching patents;
• Starting a business;
• Filing for copyright;
• Legality of a certain action;
• Whether someone can be sued;
• How to file paperwork with the courts;
• Divorce;
• Adoption;
• Eviction.

Hosting a legal clinic can be as simple as making volunteer lawyers in the community available for certain days and times during the week to the public. Just devoting space a few hours a week can make a difference. Getting volunteers should not be difficult. Attorneys are encouraged by the American Bar Association to perform so many hours of pro bono services a year[i]. Contacting the local bar association and letting them know that your library is looking for volunteers might be a good idea. Advertising for volunteers on social media and in the library, is also another way to raise awareness.

The first step a library should take before trying to obtain volunteer lawyers, is to create a policy for the legal clinic. This should set the hours and expectations of the clinic. The policy should be created in conjunction with the library’s legal team. A library needs to decide whether services will be on a first-come basis, or via a predetermined appointment.

All librarians, not just those managing legal clinics, need to learn how to interact with those who are conducting legal research. Every librarian is asked at some point a question that can only be answered by an attorney. A librarian should tell the patron that they are not an attorney, and cannot answer their question, but can point them in the direction of someone who can, or towards information resources that the patron can use to arrive at their own conclusion.

Librarians cannot do the following:

• Answer legal questions directly or indirectly;
• Tell someone which legal forms to use;
• Advise on whether a patron should go to court;
• Interpret legal statues or code.

What librarians can do:

• Show patrons the legal research services that the library offers;
• Point patrons towards valid legal information sources;
• Offer legal clinics staffed by licensed attorneys.

Recommended items for a legal reference collection:

• NOLO legal guides (as many as your library can afford);
• A legal dictionary;
• A legal database, such as LexisNexis/Westlaw;
• State legal directory;
• Rules of local and federal courts;
• Book of template legal forms.

References

[i] https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_6_1_voluntary_pro_bono_publico_service.html

The post Lawyers in the Library first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Fans of the Harry Potter franchise should take note: the exhibit is not about magic found in the Harry Potter novels, per se. The goal of the British Library is to both showcase the folklore and historical figures that influenced J. K. Rowling’s novels, and to connect library patrons with the British Library’s collection of magical artifacts and information resources. For example, part of the exhibit includes the tombstone of the actual Nicholas Flamel, a fifteenth century alchemist. Other magical artifacts include the Ripley Scroll, which purportedly instructs readers on how to create the Philosopher’s Stone, oracle bones, and the famous Battersea Cauldron.

Perhaps the items of greatest significance to visiting witches and wizards are the Harry Potter artifacts donated from J. K. Rowling’s personal collection. These include hand drawn maps of Hogwarts, teacher rosters, and unpublished drafts of the novels. Joanna Norledge, one of the exhibit’s curators, said the British Library strived to showcase not only the world of Harry Potter, but the world of magic at large. She said that the library wanted to offer “a new angle” and to display the “historical traditions of magic.”

In addition to the exhibit, Bloomsbury and Scholastic published two books to commemorate the twentieth anniversary. The first is Harry Potter: A Journey Through a History of Magic, and the second is Harry Potter: A History of Magic. Both are beautifully illustrated and connect the Harry Potter universe with its historical and mythological counterparts.

The post British Library Celebrates Sorcerer’s Stone Anniversary first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

I first heard of this tradition last year when a friend visited Iceland. In Iceland, books are only published at the end of the year.[ii] Icelandic publishing companies put together a catalog of books, which is perused by shoppers, and is the de facto source of Jólabókaflóð merchandise and gifting inspiration.[iii]

The practice of Jólabókaflóð came into being during WWII. During this time, paper imported from other countries had fewer restrictions than other materials, which led to books becoming a gifting staple.[iv] Jólabókaflóð has since cemented itself in Icelandic culture, and is slowly gaining attention in other countries for its peculiar and awesome message.

The tradition is perfect for those who do not practice a mainstream holiday and can be used for library outreach services. A Jólabókaflóð display featuring recommended end of the year reads, and possibly a historical handout, will surely generate buzz around your library, and inspire others to adopt Jólabókaflóð as a new yearly tradition.

References

[i] https://www.tor.com/2017/11/30/jolabokaflod-iceland-book-flood-christmas-tradition/

[ii] Ibid.

[iii] Ibid.

[iv] Ibid.

The post A Holiday Dedicated to Books first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Promotion of the event usually starts in August/September in most libraries, so now is the time when libraries are hosting prep events and finalizing plans to be Come Write In (CWI) spaces. Last year, NaNoWriMo had almost 400,000 participants and close to 1,200 participating libraries and bookstores.[i]

NaNoWriMo is not just for adults. NaNoWriMo’s Young Writers Program[ii] is like the main program, but specifically geared for teen/young students. Young writers have the flexibility to set their own word quota and do not have to adhere to the daunting 50,000 words in one month goal. Young Writers are given motivation to keep their quotas by earning badges for accomplishing certain writing goals. Another cool feature for young writers is the Dare Machine, which populates story ideas/twists to encourage creativity and challenges into the writing process.

While others only host activities until the end of November, some libraries host events into spring with workshops on editing and publishing. But it doesn’t have to end there. NaNoWriMo has an option for those wanting to keep the writing love all year round. Camp NaNoWriMo hosts writing sessions in April and July. What makes these sessions special is that you set your own writing quota and join a “cabin” with nineteen other writers. Your cabinmates can share encouragement, pointers, and act as a sounding board for ideas that you are unsure of. It’s like actual camp, but online and with novelists. You can use this time of collaboration to write something new or edit a current work. If you meet your writing goals during Camp NaNoWriMo, you are eligible to win prizes.

NaNoWriMo, the Young Writers Program, and Camp NaNoWriMo serve as tools in a librarian’s kit of programming and learning for people of all ages and abilities. We need to use what is available to us, especially when the resource is free and programming costs are low. If your library is not participating next month, that does not mean that you cannot start planning for an April Camp NaNoWriMo event. Everyone has a story to tell, but some may find expressing themselves to be challenging, or need help finding inspiration. Being around other writers and being held accountable are great ways to overcome these obstacles.

References

[i] https://nanowrimo.org/press

[ii] https://ywp.nanowrimo.org/pages/for-writers

The post National Novel Writing Month Is Not Just for November first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

I will tell anyone, being a prison librarian is the hardest, most rewarding, saddest, happiest, challenging, eye-opening, frustrating, and interesting librarian position around. I would tell myself, “If you can survive this library, you can survive any library.” Prison libraries come with their fair share of challenges, but on the other hand, they present opportunities not found anywhere else in the library profession. The mission of a prison library is to provide educational and recreational resources to inmates. This can take the form of books, newspapers, magazines, movies, and library programming. The hope is that this will aid in the rehabilitation process, and, most importantly, provide a means of escape and distraction so that inmates stay out of trouble. Idle hands are the devil’s workshop in prison, and having a book in them is much better than a weapon.

A typical day for me consisted of the following: opening and shutting the library several times in the day while supervising around fifteen inmate library workers; ordering, receiving, and inventorying ILL requests; answering inmate letters to the library; visiting segregation; ordering periodicals and law books; picking up book donations; emptying book drop boxes; answering reference questions; providing notary services; IT troubleshooting; creating monthly programming; and…responding to altercations. As you can see, this is a very busy schedule, and is typical for most prison librarians. One person performs the jobs of several. This can create a lot of stress and frustration.

Perhaps one of the biggest hurdles for a prison librarian is money. Most of the time, the prison library is low on the list of the prison’s priorities and is overlooked. Book donations are a prison library’s lifeblood. Networking with local bookstores is a great way for a prison library to obtain books and replace out-of-date material clogging the shelves. When I received book donations, it was like Christmas morning in the library. The inmates appreciated my efforts at trying to provide new material, and the prison administration appreciated donations because it saved money. Keeping the collection looking full improves the image of the library for inmates and makes it appear inviting.

In a prison there’s a motto: “Security is first.” Before working in one, I had to undergo training on how to deal with dangerous situations and people. The most draining aspect of my job was monitoring the inmates visiting the library while at the same time answering reference questions, performing legal research, and assisting patrons. (As a side note, I always referred to the inmates as patrons when in the library. This made the atmosphere professional and I was told several times that it was appreciated.) I learned to look two ways at one time and to be observant of my surroundings. Every so often I would have to stop a patron explaining a question to me in order to zero in on a suspicious person. Sometimes I had to raise my voice. A few times I had to dismiss the entire library due to bad behavior. Security is first and a prison librarian has to put security above all.

Creative opportunities abound in a prison library. Workshops, book clubs, and community service projects are both welcomed and needed. One of the best things about my job was the instant gratification I experienced when I helped an inmate find the information they needed, or when inmates approached me after a workshop and told me that they learned something new that day. Providing educational, creative, and meaningful services is paramount. My goal was to find cheap solutions, which included creating slideshows and handouts on a variety of topics, including genealogy, copyright/writing, and astrobiology (my favorite). I also supervised a community service program in which inmates earned a certificate for writing letters of encouragement to soldiers overseas. The services prison librarians provide may seem insignificant, but have far reaching and lasting effects.

For the most part, inmates who visit the library do so in order to get out of their cells and experience a change in scenery. The library provides a meeting place for inmates to talk and meet those who share common interests. It was not uncommon for patrons to explain their life stories to me; how they arrived at their current situation and their hopes for the future. In those times I offered advice in the form of book recommendations that matched their situation and life circumstances.

During a prison librarian’s daily duties, they will be asked to request a variety of interlibrary loan books. Most of the requests are benign, but some materials are not allowed per prison policy. Censorship is a harsh reality for prison librarians and counterintuitive to the librarian profession. However, security is paramount, and in prison, some rights have been stripped, including the right to some forms of reading material.

If you have an interest in partnering with your local prison library, don’t be afraid to reach out to them and offer assistance. Believe me, prison librarians welcome any and all help that they can get. Prison libraries are not dungeons like I described at the beginning of the article, but places of learning, recreation, and rehabilitation. A book can literally change a life in prison, I’ve seen it! Consider partnering with your state’s prison system and help change the world outside by changing lives inside.

Here are some observations from my time as a prison librarian:

Popular Authors: James Patterson, Louis L’Amour, Patricia Cornwell, J.K. Rowling, David Baldacci, William Johnstone, Jim Butcher, Stephen King, Dan Brown, Dean Koontz.

Popular Topics: Anything Naruto, small/tiny houses, business plans, self-help, cooking, crochet, languages, superheroes.

Most Common Question: Can you help me get a sample business plan for XYZ?

Craziest Reference Question: What is the gestation time for a field mouse (pretty sure someone had a pet mouse)?

Favorite Moment: Being told that a poem I had hanging at the reference desk, and had copied for a patron, helped them not get into a fight with their cellmate.

Weirdest ILL Request: A book on eel farming.

Biggest Pet Peeve: People stealing pens, even though they were tied to the desk in a glue and tape cocoon.

For more on this topic check out PLA’s latest Quick Reads book “Get Inside: Responsible Jail and Prison Library Service.’

The post A Day in the Life of a Prison Librarian first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Public libraries have a tremendous opportunity to supplement STEM programming with the event before and after. Possible classes/workshops include viewing eclipses safely, the history of NASA, how stars form, how to operate a telescope, and how to identify constellations and other celestial bodies. Inviting local astronomers and university professors to talk to the community is also a great way to engage a library’s community and network for possible future collaborations.

Kenton County Public Library (KY) is using the opportunity to engage its community by distributing free eclipse viewing glasses obtained through STAR_Net. According to STAR_Net, they have distributed over 2 million free pairs of glasses and more than4,000 education kits to 7,000 U.S. libraries. The Erlanger Branch of the Kenton County Library began offering programs at the end of July, and will continue through August 15^th. The first of three classes was geared toward children and included space themed art, discussion, and book resources. The second and last classes are for general audiences and include history of eclipses, crafts, games, and distribution of free safety glasses.

What about libraries who are not able to participate in next week’s eclipse activities? There are still opportunities to use the eclipse and the publicity it’s been getting to benefit your library. You don’t need a large budget or access to free safety glasses. Resources for the eclipse and STEM activities are available on the STAR_Net website. In addition, your library can host post-eclipse discussions with local astronomers, and offer astronomy themed crafts and programming with normal STEM activities.

Resources

https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-prepares-for-aug-21-total-solar-eclipse-with-live-coverage-safety-information

https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety

https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-prepares-for-aug-21-total-solar-eclipse-with-live-coverage-safety-information

http://www.fox19.com/story/35906498/local-libraries-offering-free-glasses-to-view-the-solar-eclipse

http://spacescience.org/software/libraries/map.php

http://www.kentonlibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/meowmeow-page-001.jpg

The post Get Your Library In On the Eclipse Action first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Perhaps the most provocative book in the exhibit is the Book of Magical Charms, which has generated some buzz on social media. The spell book includes instructions for not only contacting spirits but also curing toothaches and making magical keys. The second book, the Commonplace Book was a work in progress from the sixteenth century until the nineteenth, added to little by little. The book contains commentary on a variety of subjects, many magical. Its table of contents lists the following sections: Animata, Things not Brooked, Forgery, Mechanica, Phisick, and Wonders, among others. The last text is titled Cases of Conscience Concerning Evil Spirits by Increase Mather. The author was a minister and Harvard president who took part in the Salem Witch Trials.

If you would like to add your magical touch to this translation project, please visit the project web page.

The post Newberry Library’s Bewitching Project first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Traditionally, libraries have self-published “…bibliographies, facsimiles, and catalogs…”[2] However, it is only recently that public libraries have begun to extend self-publishing workshops, software, and resources for patrons, specifically targeting community involvement in the publishing process. I believe the makerspace movement has really helped open the door by bringing awareness to the library’s mission to service patrons through a variety of means, not just information acquisition, curation, and distribution. Modern libraries are helping patrons create and produce original works (i.e. makerspaces). One of those things should be books.

In the book/library world, self-published books carry a stigma; that they are not as good as traditionally published books as far as content, editing, design, and etc.  But that does not mean we cannot have a self-published book section in our libraries?  A self-published book section that is clearly defined and labeled as such, including its own acquisition policy. Who said the library must purchase them, anyway? Petition indie authors in the community for donated copies of their work. Have an indie author open house, where in exchange for a book donation, they can take part in an author Q&A session. This will not only draw people into the library, but will provide the library with new material and help dispel myths about self-publishing.

As librarians, we must ask ourselves: who do we serve? We serve the people of our communities, and it should be our mission to allow the community to express themselves through our resources. For example, take makerspaces. These areas usually include 3D printers, laser cutters/engravers, vinyl cutters, media conversion labs, sewing machines, etc. These items are there for patrons to produce. Why not encourage patrons to produce books? We can do this by teaching patrons how to use software and online resources to produce quality material. There are many places where patrons can self-publish their books for free. Lulu.com and Amazon CreateSpace are two such places. Yes, they have the option to pay for design assistance, but the entire process can be free if they choose to do so. Print books and eBooks can be made this way. Or, if your library is big enough, a print on demand (POD) book machine might be something to consider. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County (OH) has done just that by making available a POD Espresso Book Machine.

Ideas to bring self-publishing to your library:

• Combine NaNoWriMo programming with concurrent or post-event self-publishing workshops.
• Create a locally self-published author book display and shelving area.
• Invite local indie authors to speak about their projects and the steps they took to self-publish.
• Demonstrate how to use appropriate software to create content.
• Hold workshops that compare traditional and self-publishing, with tips for succeeding with each.

References

[1] http://quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jep/3336451.0020.106?view=text;rgn=main

[2] Ibid.

The post Self-Publishing, Indie Authors, and Libraries first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

I have seen some innovative things in libraries such as seed lending, tie lending, RFID tags, and 3D printing, but I have yet to see anything like this.  While it resembles a car wash, it does not use soap or water, but rather spinning brushes and air to wipe away dust and debris that have made a home on a book’s surface. A book is placed at one end of the machine and is gently pulled through a maze of whirling parts. Potential allergens and opaque, grimy dust is whisked away, and soon after the book emerges from the other end clean and refreshed. I had my doubts, but there is a noticeable difference between a cleaned book and one that has not been cleaned.

So, why would anyone want to regularly dust books in a library’s collection? Dusting books can help alleviate allergy symptoms for sensitive patrons and staff, and can also help increase the life of the book. Recently I read an article on cleaning books with disinfectant wipes as they are returned to the library. The idea was to prevent patrons from contacting unwanted animal dander and other allergens carried over from the previous borrower. For libraries currently using this technique, a book-cleaning machine might be something to consider (if you can afford the hefty price tag).

The Boston Public Library has commented that it does not use its book car wash to clean rare materials; it is mainly used for books without dustjackets. I can see where cleaning rare books with brittle and chipped binding could be problematic. Spinning brushes are not a good thing to have near fragile, delicate objects. The Boston Public Library also said that books are cleaned when they are loaned or copied. This makes sense, especially for digitization preparation. When making a copy of material, you want to make sure that its condition is optimal. Removing dust from a volume allows the library to make a more quality copy than one that is obscured by a coating of dust.

See the library’s video of the machine here.

The post Boston Public Library’s Book Wash Machine first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Photo Courtesy of Jenny Adams Perinovic.

Jenny Adams Perinovic is taking public library outreach services to another level at the Free Library of Philadelphia. As the outreach coordinator for The Field Family Teen Author Series[1], she has the enviable job of working closely with trending authors and students of Pennsylvania’s school system. The program works by bringing authors into a school for a face-to-face discussion with students. Participants are given free copies of the author’s book, and get to ask the author questions. After attending a Teen Author Series session, many students discover a love for reading. The inspiring Teen Author Series is a rarity in the public library world. Outreach programs are fossilizing and bookmobiles are rusting. Perinovic’s work helps to reach kids who may have never had the opportunity to visit a library, let alone a chance to speak with an author about his or her book.

Perinovic is a recent graduate of Drexel University’s Master of Library & Information Science degree program. In addition to her role as an outreach coordinator since September 2015, she is an accomplished YA author. She published her debut novel A Magic Dark and Bright in 2015. Recently, it was an Amazon #1 bestseller for Teen Sci-Fi & Fantasy/Horror. Below is an interview Andrew Hart did for Public Libraries Online via email with Perinovic on April 8^th, 2017.

PL: What is The Field Family Teen Author Series, and how long has it been in operation?

JP: The Field Family Teen Author Series is an invite-only program at the Free Library of Philadelphia intended to connect 7^th-12^th grade students in Philadelphia public, magnet, private, and charter schools with authors of books for young adults. We’ve existed system-wide since 2002, and we’ve been funded by Joseph and Marie Field the entire time. In addition to having the opportunity to meet an author, every single student who attends one of our programs receives a copy of the author’s book, which is theirs to keep. Our events are generally an hour and a half long (including an author talk, a Q&A, and a book signing!), and take place during the school day. There is no cost to participating classes besides their transportation to and from the library.

This is my second year as outreach coordinator, and in that time, we’ve hosted over 4,000 students and an amazing and diverse array of authors, including Becky Albertalli, Angie Thomas, John Lewis, Ta’Nehisi Coats, Matthew Quick, Colum McCann, Andrea Davis Pinkney, and Daniel Jose Older.

PL: What are the goals of the program?

JP: Our goal is to promote a lifelong love of reading by enabling a connection between students and authors. We also want the students who participate to become familiar with the Free Library of Philadelphia as a system, and we try to spread our events out across our 53 neighborhood libraries.

Another unique aspect of the Teen Author Series is our school outreach. A few weeks before every event, I visit each of our participating classrooms. During my visit, I introduce the book with a short booktalk, start a discussion about the book’s topic, and answer any preliminary questions they might have about the author or the event. These visits are probably my favorite part of my job – I get to know the students and build a relationship with them.

PL: What sorts of challenges do you face as the program’s coordinator, and how do you overcome them?

JP: In the beginning, the biggest challenge was trying to figure out how to schedule all of my events, classroom visits, and deliveries without driving myself crazy. Our events generally include between 100-400 students, which can be anywhere from three to twenty classes. I visit every single one of them, and depending on the discussion we have, they can take anywhere from twenty minutes to the entire class period!

The other challenging aspect is also related to my classroom visits. We don’t shy away from tough subjects in the Teen Author Series—one of my goals, as coordinator, is to provide our teens access to books that both accurately reflect the world we live in and make them think. This means that sometimes, during my classroom visits, we have to talk about these difficult subjects, and it’s my job to provide these students with an open, safe, and non-judgmental space to have these conversations. In the 2016-17 school year alone, I’ve held classroom discussions on topics including human trafficking and teenage prostitution (for E.R. Frank’s DIME), gentrification (Renee Watson’s THIS SIDE OF HOME), sexual assault (E.K. Johnston’s EXIT PURSUED BY A BEAR), anxiety and depression (Claire Legrand’s SOME KIND OF HAPPINESS), gender identity (Alex Gino’s GEORGE), and racism (Angie Thomas’ THE HATE U GIVE and John Lewis’ MARCH).

As uncomfortable as it can be for me to stand in front of a room of 15-year-olds and rattle off statistics about human trafficking, I’ve witnessed some incredible and thought-provoking conversations.

PL: How are authors chosen to participate in the Teen Author Series?

JP: Our team—which includes myself, two amazing teen librarians from the Youth Services and Programs department, our teen materials selector, and our Author Events staff—have two meetings a year where we sit down and talk about books we’ve loved that we think will resonate with our students. We then compile list of authors we’d love to host, and see who says yes to us!

PL: Are authors familiar with the program when they are contacted? (if that is how the process works). If not, what is their reaction when they discover the program’s mission? Is finding willing authors difficult?

JP: Our Author Events office handles booking our authors and arranging their travel. I’m not sure how it was in the beginning, but we haven’t had trouble finding willing authors since I’ve been here. The authors we’ve hosted over the last 15 years are incredible: John Lewis (twice!), Laurie Halse Anderson, Jerry Spinelli, Lois Lowry, Matthew Quick, Sharon Flake, Linda Sue Park, Kwame Alexander, the late Walter Dean Meyers, and many, many others.

PL: Are all schools in Philadelphia eligible to participate? How are schools chosen?

JP: Teachers and administrators who work with 7^th-12^th graders in public, private, charter, diocesan, and magnet schools located within the city limits of Philadelphia can join our mailing list by emailing me at teenauthors@freelibrary.org. Once they’re on my mailing list, they’re automatically invited to our upcoming season. We generally send out two registration emails per year – once in the fall, and once in the spring, as soon as our lineups are finalized. Registration is first-come, first-serve, and our events fill up quickly. Our event with Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton, for their book Rest in Power: The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin, filled up within 18 hours!

PL: What kind of responses do you get from students and teachers?

JP: It’s been overwhelmingly positive. Of course, I think it’s best to hear from the students and teachers themselves. Here are some responses collected from our surveys:

• Teacher, on the event with Angie Thomas for The Hate U Give – “It brought to light aspects of our society that are hushed and finally gave my students a character they can relate to. Angie was REAL. She spoke to my students as humans and was personable. I would love to be friends with her! I thought it was great all around. I hope to teach this book!”
• “I now know that it is okay to stand up for what is right-peacefully. And I will continue to do so for the rest of my life.” -12th grade student, after meeting John Lewis at the event for March, Book 1
• “This book portrayed the saying ‘there’s beauty in the struggle’ very well.”  -10th grade student, on Dimeby E.R. Frank.
• “Thank you for having us. I love to go get books signed and talk to the author, and I hope we come here again for another event.” -10th grade student, after the event for Becky Albertalli’s Simon Vs. The Homo Sapien’s Agenda
• “It was amazing to hear about the book and meet an author who is a grown-up LGBT person. I’m in seventh grade and LGBT, too.” – 7^th grade student, on meeting Alex Gino at the event for George

PL: What do you consider the most beneficial product of the Teen Author Series?

JP: Oh, I have a few. It’s so hard to pick just one thing!

First and foremost, I think the kids really benefit from the books themselves. There’s a lot of economic inequality in Philadelphia, and so many kids don’t come from homes that can afford things like books. So it’s really special to be able to give every single participant a book, regardless of what neighborhood they live in or what school they go to or what they can afford.

It’s really incredible to be able to enable this connection between author and reader. Hopefully, this will inspire some of our students to go on a write themselves—a lot of them already do, and I think it’s important for them to meet someone who can provide an example of how to build a creative life.

It’s also special to be able to geek out with the kids over the books, and build a relationship with some of them. It’s gotten to the point where I’ll walk into a school and I’ll hear, “Hey, do we get new books today?” or I can’t leave the classroom without being asked about other books they might like. But I think the best moment so far happened a few months ago: After a visit, a senior boy was helping me find my way back to the office. He said, “I’m going to be real with you miss, I don’t really like to read, but that book sounds pretty good.” He promised to give it a chance, and when I saw him at the actual event (for Randy Ribay’s An Infinite Number of Parallel Universes), he came up to me and said, “Miss, you were right. That book was dope.” We high-fived and I gave him a list of a few more books he might like. And when I saw him the time after that, he’d read them all and asked for more suggestions, and just like that, he was a reader.

PL: What advice would you give to libraries interested in implementing a similar program?

JP: I realize that our endowment makes us a pretty unique program, and we’re so fortunate to have the support from the Field Family that enables us to host this incredible program and provide every one of our students with free books. But I think the heart of the Teen Author Series comes from the connections it enables—both the connection between students and authors and the connection between the public library and local schools.

Start small. Talk to the teens, teachers, and booksellers in your community and see what they’re reading and who they’d like to meet. Sometimes schools host authors on their own – see if there’s an opportunity for your library to get involved.  Approach a local bookstore that hosts authors and see if there’s a way to collaborate. Reach out to local authors, or see if you can host a virtual visit via Skype, and see if your school contacts would be interested bringing a classroom of students to participate.

Jenny can be reached at jennyperinovic@gmail.com.

Reference

[1] https://libwww.freelibrary.org/programs/teen-author/

The post Promoting a Lifelong Love of Reading: PL Talks With Jenny Adams Perinovic first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

James LaRue, director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom weighed in on this issue, stating he, “…did not find anything objectionable to them.”[3] He said the tweets were only reflecting current societal topics and did not push a certain political view. LaRue said this is the first time the Office for Intellectual Freedom has come across libraries scrubbing tweets due to patron complaints.[4]

Here is the text and picture description for two tweets:

• Picture of Hillary Clinton with the words ‘I Believe in Science’: “We believe in #science too! That’s why we’re partnering with @coschoolofmines for a Girls in STEM Competition.”
• Pictorial collage of medical terms relating to reproduction: “Want more information on women’s healthcare reform? Here’s 9 books that will take you beyond the headlines.”

First, before we start analyzing whether the library’s removal of tweets was ethical, we must remember a fundamental fact: libraries are neutral places and must not be biased in any way, blatant or perceived. Biases include all things religious, political, age related, content related, gender related, and racial. Perception of bias is the key. There does not have to be a bias actually there, only the perception of one.

If we look at the tweets in question, a simple solution to the library’s problem is obvious: remove/change the pictures accompanying the text of the tweets. Tweeting about science and a partnership for STEM is not politically biased; but the picture of Hillary Clinton is. The photo of Clinton should be removed and replaced with something else. The tweet about women’s healthcare reform and the graphic itself are fine, in my opinion. Women’s healthcare reform is a current topic in today’s news. Is the topic debated in politics? Yes, but that does not mean that a tweet about library materials on the topic is a push for a certain political party. The text of the tweet is encouraging people to read books on the topic in order to go “beyond the headlines.”[5]

The decision to remove the tweets was perhaps rash. They could have been removed and then reposted with other graphics (if the graphic did indeed need replacing), seeing that for the most part, the text is unbiased. The library community needs to mull over ethics for social media and come up with a game plan for future similar incidents. For more information, ALA has a webpage concerning social media and ethics that librarians can refer to.

References

[1] Aguilar, J. (2017, February 23). Jeffco library scrubs tweets after getting complaints that posts are politically biased. The Denver Post. Retrieved from http://www.denverpost.com/2017/02/23/jeffco-library-tweets-county-commissioner/

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

The post Library Ethics and Social Media first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Without a doubt, the 2016 presidential race for the White House has left many politically drained, and with the new administration, concerned. Since the election, sale of George Orwell’s book, 1984, has topped the Amazon bestseller list[1], and in response, Penguin is working on a larger-than-normal reprint due to demand[2]. The unsteady political climate and unsure footing of American foreign policy has led many readers to find solace in books that they feel they can relate to: dystopian novels. Dystopian novels usually center on an ultra-antagonist, like a government or similar entity that exerts complete control of those living in its jurisdiction. Standard tropes for the genre include mind control, severe punishments, poor living conditions, advanced science used for the wrong purpose, drugs, propaganda, rules, reliance on outdated forms of communication, problems with procuring food, and disease. Below, are book recommendations for post-1984 readers seeking more bleak descriptions of future humanity’s doom.

[Warning]: Spoilers ahead.

Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

The series focusses on Katniss Everdeen and her quest to bring down the Capitol’s totalitarian regime. In the series, we learn there was an uprising against the Capitol’s rule, and in response, members of the various Districts are forced to give up their children to compete in a game meant to demoralize the populace and keep them under control.  The Hunger Games Trilogy has blood, determination, and shows the ironies that can come with a rebellion to overthrow one ruler, to have another equally unjust ruler try to set-up shop.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

What if you woke up to discover that you knew nothing of your previous life, not even your name? What if you were then to discover that you might have had a part in doing horrible things for the government, all in the name of scientific research to find a cure for a terminal illness? Then you might be Thomas, a hapless teenager who slowly discovers that the world has succumbed to a deadly virus, and the only way to stop it is to participate in grueling trials of strength, agility, and mental acuity. Remember, W.I.C.K.E.D. is good.

Blood Red Road by Moira Young

If a wasteland is your sort of thing, then Blood Red Road might be your cup of tea. After Saba and Emmi’s brother Lugh is kidnapped, Saba and Emmi begin the grueling journey to rescue him, battling the elements and the dangerous inhabitants of an apocalyptic world. Saba is forced to cage fight and kill her opponents after she and her sister are captured by a ruthless vagabond couple.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

The Road is dark, bleak, and barren. The story centers on a father and son who are wandering America’s roads after a terrible, unidentified event. Humanity dwindles, and America is left populated with lawless bands of thieves and murderers. The only protection that the father and son have against them is a gun. However, the true danger lies within, as the father realizes that he is dying of an illness.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Along with 1984, Brave New World is one of the most popular dystopian novels ever written. It is probably best known for recreational use of the fictitious drug soma, and for its existential musing of life and death.

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Shusterman’s Unwind is an original story that asks the question, “Can I dismember my child legally by applying for a government sanctioned procedure called unwinding?” In Neal Shusterman’s novel, the answer is, “If your child is bad, and between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, then yes.” Unwind is a startling novel that focuses on a group of teens who are trying to avoid the fate that their parents and government have selected for them.

Radiant by Karina Sumner-Smith

Ghosts, magic as currency, and human batteries take center stage in Radiant, a dystopian novel set in the far future in which a girl named Xhea comes to terms with her inability to do magic, thereby making her life difficult and miserable. Nevertheless, Xhea has a trait that makes her valuable: she can see ghosts. The rulers of Xhea’s world reside in towers, and she soon finds out that they desperately need her to harness the power of a specific ghost, one that generates power like a nuclear reactor.

The Stand by Stephen King

If Leo Tolstoy wrote dystopian horror, he may have written something like this. The Stand touches on every aspect of human life, and attempts to reveal the fragile nature of our health and to explore a near-extinction event for humanity. The novel begins with a virus being released by mistake from a testing facility. Most of the world’s population dies, leaving only a handful of people alive. A protagonist and an antagonist appears, challenging each other for the hearts and minds of the survivors. Ironically, a nuclear bomb, a reason for many apocalyptic scenarios, saves the day.

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

Article 5 takes its namesake from one of the laws put into place after a war devastates the United States. The article states that women cannot have children outside marriage. Those who are found guilty of violating Article 5, or any of the other Moral Statues, face imprisonment or death. Ember, the story’s protagonist, is captured with her mother for this crime. Ember escapes her confinement with the goal of setting her mother free, but later finds out that her mother died at the hands of her captors.

References

[1] Publisher Printing More Copies of George Orwell’s ‘1984’ After Spike in Demand, http://money.cnn.com/2017/01/25/media/george-orwell-1984-best-seller/

[2] Ibid.

The post Braving the New World: Dystopian RA first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The debate followed a line of logic going something like this: libraries are public spaces; public spaces are publicly funded; library meeting rooms are therefore publicly funded; libraries should not allow religious groups to use publicly funded meeting rooms because it shows support for whatever religion is meeting there; religious groups have churches, temples, and mosques to meet in, so they should use those. If it wasn’t for pesky ethics, this line of thinking might not look half bad.

We have all heard in library school that we are gatekeepers of information. This is true, but we must not forget that we are also gatekeepers of library materials and services. Being that we have so much power and influence, our professional association, the American Library Association, has created a Code of Ethics for librarians and a Library Bill of Rights to give patrons inalienable rights as they use library resources. Why, you may ask? It’s for when situations like this arise, when a library staff person tries to install their own beliefs as legitimate library policy in violation of our professional principles.

According to Section VI of the Library Bill of Rights, “Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.[1]“

This statement succinctly sums up how librarians should regard the use of public meeting rooms. Everyone should be allowed to use them, no matter their affiliation. And, if one is still in need of clarification, ALA created an interpretation to answer specifics about the meeting room clause in the Library Bill of Rights: If a public library makes a meeting room open to the public, library staff cannot deny anyone from using it based on the subject matter of the meeting.[2]

ALA’s interpretation gives guidance on creating meeting room policies: A public library may set limits on meeting rooms, such as “time, place, or manner of use,” but those constraints cannot be based on the groups meeting in the rooms.[3]

Some librarians may have their hearts in the right place by not wanting to put the library in a spot of suspected advocacy of a religious group, since libraries should be religiously neutral places; however, not wanting religious groups using meeting rooms for the reason that the groups have no right to them (“they have their own places of worship to meet”) is judgmental and is an unethical denial of meeting rooms that violates our profession’s beliefs.

When librarians begin to negatively target groups (religious, teens, LGBTQIA patrons, etc.), tailoring library policy to under-privilege them in some way it is unacceptable and should be stopped immediately. As stated earlier, that is why libraries have codes of ethics: to keep us in line and to make sure that we are not biasing ourselves, our collections, or our properties. We need to follow these codes and professional statements, not out of obligation, but out of a desire to be the most welcoming and helpful professionals that we can be.

References

[1] ALA Council, “Library Bill of Rights,” §VI, American Library Association, January 23, 1996.

[2] ALA Council, “Meeting Rooms,” American Library Association, July 2, 1991.

[3] Ibid.

The post Ethics of Library Meeting Rooms first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Public Libraries: What inspired you to begin reading to homeless children at the Crotona Inn homeless shelter?

Colbert Nembhard: My journey with the Crotona Inn homeless shelter began eight years ago. I received a phone call from my outreach department asking me if I could go to the Crotona Inn shelter and do outreach. When I got there, I saw that they had a lot of young ones in the childcare center raging from about 8 months to 3 years old. I believe that literacy starts at an early age; therefore, I decided to take the library to the shelter. Studies have shown that by the time a child reaches the age of four, 90 percent of the brain is already developed. I wanted to make sure I foster literacy in those children at an early age. Often children in the shelters are forgotten and are not involved in the early literacy experience. With me going into the shelter, reading stories, doing sing-along, finger-plays, and conducting family literacy workshops, helps to foster literacy.

PL: What kinds of changes have you noticed in the children who attend your reading sessions?

CN: I visit the shelter on a weekly basis and I do notice that children participate more during story time. Children will often point to the books that they would like me to read to them. Some of them are able to imitate sound, identify images, and numbers. And the older ones can say their ABCs.

PL: What skills do you utilize as a librarian during your programs?

CN: During my programs, I do like to do lots of songs and finger-plays. I also use a lot of puppetry. I also work with them in identifying their colors, letters, and numbers. I sometimes incorporate musical instruments.

PL: What kind of hurdles have you experienced through the years?

CN: One of the biggest hurdles is to get parents of the shelter to take their child or children to the library to take advantage of our free programs and services.

Photo Courtesy of Ayofemi Kirby, New York Public Library

PL: Do you train others to read to children? If so, what advice do you give them as they are being trained?

CN: I have trained others to read to children. In reading to the young, I remind them that their attention span is very small so don’t read books that are lengthy. Choose books that will be appealing to the children-books that have colorful illustrations and books that are interactive. Children love lots of interactions.  Also, kids love pop-up books. I have also told others to get the children involved in your lift-the-flap books by having them participate in opening the flaps.

PL: Tell us a little about the impact that your programs have on you personally.

CN: Going to the shelters for these many years and conducting programs with these children has left an indelible mark on my life. Knowing that I am able to help develop their pre-literacy skills which will prepare them to become successful readers at an early age, has given me a sense of accomplishment.

PL: What do parents think of your reading services?

CN: Parents are grateful that someone takes the time out to read and interact with their children. They are grateful that their children are included and part of this learning initiative. Parents think that this is an awesome service.

PL: What is one thing you would tell other librarians wanting to start a similar program in their community?

CN: I would say to that librarian, go for it because he or she could make a big difference in the life of a child. I would also say it is a rewarding experience.

The post Educating Homeless Youth in the Bronx first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Last month, Kelly Jensen from BOOKRIOT published an article titled Queer Phobia and the Public Library. In her article, Jensen describes the challenges libraries face in providing material and programming (or lack thereof) for queer patrons. Challenges mostly center on whether a queer book should be obtained by the library; then, if a library decides to obtain such an item, where to place that item in the collection, and whether the item should have special requirements placed upon it (such as being placed in an isolated area or marked with a special identifying mark).

For instance, Jensen, reporting on an article from The Oklahoman, describes the Metropolitan Library System’s (Oklahoma City, OK) practice of separating queer children’s books from non-queer children’s books. MLS accomplishes this by grouping queer children’s books with books on such topics as divorce and drug use, in an elevated section so that children may not access the books without parental supervision. Jensen identifies such a practice as a microagression on LGBTQIA patrons. She points out that the library is making a statement by separating queer children’s books from non-queer books, implying that the books are not normal.

Behaviors such as this marginalize LGBTQIA patrons, and can make them feel like they are separated from the community in which the library resides. Consider for a moment, a queer family (two dads/two moms & their child/ren) who visit the library seeking LGBTQIA children’s books. Imagine a library staff person walking them to the area where they are kept. Picture the hurt and confusion when they discover that the books they are looking for are mixed with those on depression, sexual abuse, death, and alcohol abuse.

Some libraries are stepping up and embracing their queer patrons. The Ames Public Library (IA) just hosted a teen drag show on November 12, open to anyone between the ages of 14 and 20 (including performers and audience members). The library served refreshments and freely welcomed teens in the community who wanted to participate or to just view the show. Events like this can help generate dialogue between those who identify as LGBTQIA and other members of the community.

Ask yourself what you can do to make your library a more positive place for queer patrons. Assess if there are areas of improvement or current policies that can be changed, such as separating queer books from the main collection. Finally, consider contacting a local LGBTQIA advocacy group in your community to collaborate with the library, and to help with hosting LGBTQIA events.

The post Making the Library a Positive Place for LGBTQIA Patrons first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Libraries have the awesome opportunity to reach these budding novelists by providing space to write, access to the Internet, assistance with research, and informational programming. Libraries can also become Come Write In (CWI) spaces. These are spaces for group write-ins (chunks of time in which Wrimos brainstorm and write). Group write-in sessions allow participants to network and to meet others in the local writing community. Libraries interested in becoming CWI spaces can register at the CWI registration page.

The fun doesn’t have to end on November 30! You can plan to keep the momentum going after November by offering programming like editing workshops; book cover design 101 classes; Q&A sessions with visiting published authors; copyright workshops; self-publishing tutorials; traditional publishing/finding a publisher tutorials; and eBook creation workshops. Libraries that have access to a print-on-demand book machine, like the District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL), can offer Wrimos printed copies of their completed novels.

Finally, you might want to create a special display of any finished books. This will draw attention to the library’s involvement in NaNoWriMo and perhaps entice next year’s participants. It will also give a nice bit of promotion to the newly minted novels. Even though November has already started, it is not too late to get your library involved. Get more information here.

The post November is National Novel Writing Month first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Ways of Expressing Bias

Such expression may come in the form of biased book displays such as exhibiting positive books about one candidate or political party while displaying only negative (or even none) about the other. Bias can also be expressed in the collection such as books about one candidate or political party disproportionately outweighing the library’s holdings for the other. It can also be expressed through readers’ advisory services, reference services, political material made available at the library, and even through political clothing worn by library staff.

Librarians as Public Servants

As tempting as steering the public toward a particular political party or candidate may be, it is imperative that public librarians do not give into these desires. Public librarians are public servants, and must remain politically impartial as to not appear to use their public position to forward the interests of a specific political party or candidate. Public library staff should in no way appear as if they or their collections are sponsoring a certain political agenda. Doing so alienates patrons who have opposing views and makes them feel marginalized. Political inclusiveness should be one of the main goals for public libraries.

Library Ethical Codes

Librarians are ethically bound to observe political neutrality according to Statement VI of the Code of Ethics of the American Library Association: “We do not advance private interests at the expense of library users, colleagues, or our employing institutions.”[1] And also per Section 5 of the IFLA Code of Ethics for Librarians and other Information Workers: “Librarians and other information workers have the right to free speech in the workplace provided it does not infringe the principle of neutrality towards users.”[2]

Evaluating Your Collection

When evaluating your collection for bias, remember another clause in Section 5 of IFLA’s Code of Ethics: “Librarians and other information workers are strictly committed to neutrality and an unbiased stance regarding collection, access, and service. Neutrality results in the most balanced collection and the most balanced access to information achievable.”[3] Steps to Ensure Your Collection Has Political Parity:

• Update your library’s collection development policy to include a section on political diversity, referencing the ALA and IFLA Codes of Ethics.
• Weed the collection to ensure a healthy distribution of diverse political material.
• When purchasing books on politics, compare them to what’s currently in your library’s catalog. If purchasing the books will tip the balance of the collection to cause an appearance of bias, consider weeding the collection first to achieve a state of parity, and then carefully select new material which represents a wide variety of political views.

Evaluating Your Library

Go through your library and evaluate whether any of your services, advertisements, displays, or programs politically biases your library in some way. Take heed of Statement VII of the ALA Code of Ethics: “We distinguish between our personal convictions and professional duties and do not allow our personal beliefs to interfere with fair representation of the aims of our institutions or the provision of access to their information resources.”[4] Steps to Ensure Your Library Does not Promote Political Biases:

• Make sure that book displays geared towards presidential and local elections contain a diverse mix of opinion and authors.
• Computer filtering software should be examined to make sure that it does not inadvertently block a political party’s website, giving the perception of bias.
• Do not display politically biased posters, brochures, or handouts (i.e. material solely focused on one candidate or party). Make sure that all political material made available at the library is politically neutral, providing patrons with the ability to get unbiased information on all political parties.
• Library staff should not wear political shirts, pins, hats, etc., as this may be perceived by patrons as the library promoting a particular candidate or political party.
• Library social media accounts should not post anything politically biased, but provide information and links to websites that contain information and resources for all candidates and political parties.

Keeping yourself and your collection politically neutral ensures that you are in good ethical standing and exemplifies one of the missions of libraries: to provide the greatest amount of access to as much diverse material as possible.

References

[1] Code of Ethics of the American Library Association, http://www.ala.org/advocacy/proethics/codeofethics/codeethics, retrieved on October 19, 2016.

[2] International Federation of Library Associations, “IFLA Code of Ethics for Librarians and other Information Workers,” retrieved on September 30, 2016, http://www.ifla.org/news/ifla-code-of-ethics-for-librarians-and-other-information-workers-full-version.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Code of Ethics of the American Library Association.

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