At that library, my staff and I often fielded questions from refugees and immigrants regarding where they could go for assistance, whether or not we could print out Form N-400 for them or if we could assist them with finding work since they spoke little to no English. We gladly assisted wherever we could and not once did we ever inquire about their “legal” status. They came in, asked for assistance, and we provided that assistance to them. And this is something that all public libraries should always do. Public libraries should always be a safe haven and commons for the displaced, for those seeking refuge, and for those who have nowhere else to go.

When I wrote the original piece in 2015, the United States Census Bureau estimated the Hispanic population was about 17.4 percent of the total 319 million U.S. population. As of 2018, the United States Census Bureau estimates the Hispanic population is at around 58.9 million, or 18.1
percent of the nation’s total population.[1] So, as you can see, the Latinx population continues to grow. They will continue seeking assistance at public libraries and it is our duty as professional librarians to assist them. We should never deny immigrants or refugees from anywhere the assistance they seek. Their religion, background, ethnicity, or orientation is irrelevant.

To make matters even more difficult for immigrants, and for librarians, there have been so many changes in immigration policy the last several years that keeping up with it all is a daunting task. We should strive to educate ourselves as much as we can on these topics in order to at least provide beneficial information or directional information that immigrants can use. Because “for immigrants and refugees, having good partners to navigate these changing dynamics is important.” [2]

Librarians need to be aware of the growing population of immigrants and refugees. It is our duty to recognize any demographic changes in our communities, so that we can provide the best service. But we should not be tasked with assisting immigrants and refugees all on our own. Rather, seek out community partners to mitigate some of the pressure. We are not trained to provide legal assistance or any other kind of assistance that pertains to personal matters outside of our scope, but it is important to be able to provide those seeking assistance with a place to go.

Librarians should not be afraid to pick up phones to connect with those who can assist with legal or personal issues. Find the businesses and organizations in your community that can also assist immigrants and refugees. It is important to put forth the extra effort and to never underestimate any approach that may prove to be quite beneficial. And the best part about building these partnerships is that “partnerships help bring in services so your staff doesn’t need to provide everything.” [3]

It is important to remember that many times, public libraries are the last stop or last hope for immigrants and refugees. For this reason, libraries should always be inclusive places that build community. We should all strive to learn from each other and do what we can to ensure our
brothers and sisters from all walks of life have somewhere to turn. The important roles that public libraries have always played, and will continue to play, should never be forgotten.

“Libraries are America’s most democratic institutions…Libraries strengthen communities and help create a more literate and just society.” [4]

References
1. “Hispanic Heritage Month 2018.” United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/newsroom/facts-for-features/2018/hispanic-heritage-month.html Accessed August 8, 2019.
2. Carlton, Amy. “Serving Immigrants and Refugees in Public Libraries.” American Libraries. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/serving-immigrants-refugees-public-libraries/ Accessed
August 8, 2019.
3. Ibid.
4 “Libraries Transform. http://www.ilovelibraries.org/librariestransform/libraries-are-americas-most-democratic-institutions Accessed August 13, 2019.

The post ¿Como Puedo Ayudarle? How Can I Help You? first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The funny thing is that nobody was looking for this book because historians and scholars assumed the massive collection had been destroyed. “The idea that this object, which was so central to this extraordinary early 16th-century project — and which one always thought of with a great sense of loss, of what could have been if this had been preserved– for it then to just show up in Copenhagen perfectly preserved, at least 350 years after its last mention in Spain …”[2] It simply lay virtually untouched for over three centuries. But it was Guy Lazure at the University of Windsor in Canada who first made the connection to Colón. The Arnamagnæan Institute then contacted Mark McDonald at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, who passed it on to Dr. Edward Wilson-Lee for verification.[3] Lee, a Cambridge academic, is the author of the recently released biography of Colon titled The Catalogue of Shipwrecked Books.

The book tells the extraordinary story of Hernando Colón. “At the peak of the Age of Exploration, Hernando traveled with Columbus on his final voyage to the New World, a journey that ended in disaster, bloody mutiny, and shipwreck. After Columbus’s death in 1506, the eighteen-year-old Hernando sought to continue—and surpass—his father’s campaign to explore the boundaries of the known world by building a library that would collect everything ever printed: a vast holding organized by summaries and catalogues, the first ever search engine for the exploding diversity of written matter as the printing press proliferated across Europe. Hernando restlessly and obsessively amassed his collection based on the groundbreaking conviction that a library of universal knowledge should include ‘all books, in all languages and on all subjects,’ even material often dismissed as ephemeral trash: ballads, erotica, newsletters, popular images, romances, fables.[4]

For libraries and librarians, this is huge news! It provides us with a look into a classification system that predates modern classification systems like the Paris Bookseller’s Classification system (1842), Dewey Decimal Classification system (1876), and Library of Congress Classification system (1897). Although it is well-documented that many libraries throughout recorded history organized books in a certain order within their confines, no universal classification system existed at the time when Hernando Colon began compiling his massive catalogue. His vision and ambition to surpass his father’s legacy led to a manuscript and catalog that the literary and historical world can now appreciate for many years to come. “The discovery in the Arnamagnæan Collection in Copenhagen is extraordinary and a window into a lost world of 16th-century books” said Dr. Edward Wilson-Lee. “It’s a discovery of immense importance, not only because it contains so much information about how people read 500 years ago, but also, because it contains summaries of books that no longer exist, lost in every other form than these summaries.”[5]

[1] Flood, Alison. “Extraordinary 500-year-old library catalogue reveals books lost to time.” The Guardian, April 10, 2019. Accessed May 13, 2019. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/apr/10/extraordinary-500-year-old-library-catalogue-reveals-books-lost-to-time-libro-de-los-epitomes

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Amazon.com book synopsis. Accessed May 13, 2019. https://www.amazon.com/Catalogue-Shipwrecked-Books-Christopher-Columbus/dp/1982111399

[5] Flood, Alison. “Extraordinary 500-year-old library catalogue reveals books lost to time.”

The post 500 Year-Old Library Catalog Found in University Collection first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Growing up in a historically impoverished region, I remember plenty of weekends spent at the local laundromat with my mother and sisters. The only thing we had for entertainment was a mounted television that played nothing but soap operas and a vending machine that my mother almost never had the extra change to purchase anything from. My sisters and I were yearning for entertainment that was anything other than staring at our laundry spinning in circles over and over again. Occasionally we had books to read but we would have benefited from (and enjoyed!) a story time program put on by local librarians. The Chicago Public Library has done just that for families who spend plenty of their time at laundromats like my family did.

“Parents of very young children usually have to do loads of laundry, and low-income families tend to bring their kids with them to public laundromats. Inside one of about 14 laundromats in Chicago’s lower-income neighborhoods, children gather for Laundromat Story Time, a Chicago Public Library program that combines early education principles with public outreach and a dash of early literacy guidance for parents. Becca Ruidl, who runs the Laundromat program, says families have adjusted their household’s laundry day to coincide with librarians’ visits.”[1] These story time programs are beneficial to the overall educational foundation of low-income students. And the Chicago Public Library is doing a great job of bridging the achievement gap. It is no secret that early childhood literacy is instrumental to the overall educational foundation of children. In fact, it is heavily supported by overwhelming research.

Low-income parents sacrifice much of their time with their children due to work or completing chores like washing loads of clothes at their local laundromat. The Chicago Public Library’s laundromat story time is assisting where parents (for reasons out of their control many times) simply cannot. Librarians understand the importance of reading aloud to children. Science and research support that importance. “Children who have been read aloud to are also more likely to develop a love of reading, which can be even more important than the head start in language and literacy. And the advantages they gain persist, with children who start out as poor readers in their first year of school likely to remain so. In addition, describing pictures in the book, explaining the meaning of the story, and encouraging the child to talk about what has been read to them and to ask questions can improve their understanding of the world and their social skills.”[2]

To make the story time a fun, memorable time for children, librarians “lay down colorful mats, oversized board books and musical shakers beside the industrial washing machines and wire laundry baskets. Amid the muffled churn of the washers and the humming of dryers, anywhere between a handful to more than a dozen children hear stories, sing songs, and play games designed to help their brains develop. The event also aims to tacitly instruct parents on how to repeat the experience for their kids, working to reverse poor literacy rates in underserved communities.”[3] The children can look forward to amazing stories, dancing and singing all provided at no cost by the Chicago Public Library.

The power of stories is undeniable and librarians provide that with this program. As a child, I, too, yearned for this kind of entertainment at the laundromat. So, I appreciate the dedication of the Chicago Public Library and their youth librarians for thinking outside of the box and providing this kind of program to low-income families. Those families, and especially the young children, will forever remember the amazing story times presented by their local librarians.  

[1] American Libraries Magazine. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/latest-links/laundromat-story-time-chicago/ Accessed February 8, 2019.

[2] BMJ-British Medical Journal. “Children Better Prepared for School if Their Parents Read Aloud to Them.” May 12, 2008. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512191126.htm Accessed February 8, 2019.

[3] Williams, Joseph P. “Literacy at the Laundromat: A New Program in Chicago Transforms a Chore Into a Chance to Learn.” December 25, 2018. https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/articles/2018-12-25/library-laundromat-program-puts-spin-on-child-literacy Accessed February 8, 2019.

The post Story Time at the Laundromat first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

One public library offers a safe space for immigrant families to gather. The Haskell Free Library and Opera House, which straddles the U.S. – Canada border, has become a safe haven and a commons for immigrants. The library is judgment-free and is a neutral area where immigrants do not need to fear the travel ban. Families from the U.S. and Canada meet in the confines of the library and share the loving moments that the travel ban has severely limited. Although somewhat nontraditional, memories amongst family members can be still created. In an interview with Reuters, former library board member Susan Grantors said, “You don’t need your passport. You park on your side, I’ll park on my side, but we’re all going to walk in the same door.”²

But the library’s success has not come without scrutiny. According to the Reuters article, Iranian families who have used the Haskell Free Library as a place to come together have reported that U.S. border officers have at times detained them for several hours, tried to bar them from entering the library, told them they shouldn’t be visiting each other there, or said they should limit their visits to just a few minutes. Reuters further reports that a library staff members has said that American and Canadian officials have threatened to shut the library over the visits.³ According to the Reuters story, Erique Gasse, a spokesman for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada’s federal law enforcement agency, denied that the agency had threatened to shut the library down. “This is not the way we talk,” he said. “We don’t do that.”⁴ The Trump administration has repeatedly stated that the travel ban is in the best interest of our country and is necessary to protect the United States.

Other libraries across the country, specifically those located on our nation’s borders to the north and south, have become successful hubs of information for immigrants who feel they have nowhere else to turn. Affirming the Library Bill of Rights, which states that “a person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views,” is of the utmost importance for public libraries across the country. Travel ban or not, public libraries will always be a safe space for those who have been marginalized or excluded elsewhere.  We should applaud the efforts of The Haskell Free Library, and others, for standing up for what is right and for challenging the Trump administration’s implication that immigrants are dangerous to the safety of the United States.

1. Carlton, Amy. “Serving Immigrants and Refugees in Public Libraries.” American Libraries Magazine, June 24, 2018. Accessed December 10, 2018. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/serving-immigrants-refugees-public-libraries/
2. Torbati, Yeganeh. “Separated by Travel Ban, Iranian Families Reunite at Border Library.” Reuters. November 28, 2018. Accessed December 10, 2018.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.

The post Library on the Border Acts as Haven for Immigrant Families first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

As L.A. County Library director, Patrick is making a special effort to maximize career development opportunities for the county’s foster youth. In addition to fundamental classes and workshops on topics like resume writing and acing job interviews, Patrick has helped introduce newer offerings at county libraries that are meant to attract younger Angelenos. “That is a really important thing to keep them out of trouble, to keep them focused, and give them an opportunity to make money and be self-sustaining,” Patrick said. What many adults from older generations take for granted are those life skills they learned when technology was either in its infancy or almost nonexistent. That’s not to say our youth today cannot learn those important life skills that are foundational to adulthood, but the boom of technology, the lack of resources readily available to humble communities, and the digital divide have left many underserved communities behind. Patrick hopes to bridge that gap.

One innovative way L.A. County is providing opportunities to youth is by offering a “DJ Boot Camp” program. The DJ training program is nine weeks long and it “teaches teens not just how to remix a song and scratch a record, but also how to market themselves and navigate the business world. Reflecting both today’s changing job market and the interests of teens, the library is beginning to offer more courses around S.T.E.M. — science, technology, engineering, math — and the arts.[3] Many public schools across the country find themselves unable to provide music or art classes due to shrinking budgets. Patrick acknowledges that fact and sees the library as a builder of bridges, as opposed to a builder of walls. Why not provide those art and music classes at libraries across L.A. County? Youth who find themselves underserved in their communities can now turn to their libraries to provide them with creative and innovative programs. This provides youth with a sense of worth and independence, and allows them creative authority over their music and marketing.

All library courses and programs are free and open to the public, meaning the youth who cannot take advantage of innovative programs like DJ Boot Camp elsewhere, can take advantage of it at L.A. County libraries. Thanks to the wonderful work of Patrick and L.A. County library staff, youth and adults across Los Angeles can breathe a sigh of relief knowing they can count on their libraries to provide them with pertinent programming that advance their life skillset. Patrick is a champion of not only youth, but of everybody. “Patrick is also the county’s first-ever African American library director and the first openly LGBTQ individual in the position — so ensuring the library as an inclusive environment is personal to her. ‘There’s a place for nearly everyone here and we have a willing and ready and able staff to assess whatever needs they have in terms of discovery,’ she said.”[4]

References

[1] Tiano, Sara. “L.A’s Head Librarian, a Former Foster Youth, is Putting a New Spin on Career Development Opportunities.” The Chronicle of Social Change, August 30, 2018. Accessed September 13, 2018. https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/news-2/library-putting-new-spin-on-career-development-opportunities

[2] American Library Association. “The Nation’s Largest Public Libraries: Home.” Accessed September 19, 2018. https://libguides.ala.org/libraryfacts

[3] Tiano, Sara. “L.A’s Head Librarian, a Former Foster Youth, is Putting a New Spin on Career Development Opportunities.”

[4] Ibid.

The post Turn the Tables: L.A. County’s DJ Training Program first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Take the McPherson Square Library located in the Philadelphia neighborhood of Kensington, for example. The Kensington neighborhood has become a hub for heroin use. In 2016, Getty reported of Kensington that “people come from throughout the city and some as far away as the Midwest, for heroin that is remarkably cheap and pure.”¹ The opioid crisis in our country is no longer confined to dark alleys or areas beneath bridges and overpasses. This unfortunate tragedy has found its way into public libraries and many public librarians across the country are now trained to administer Naloxone, “a medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose.”² Make no mistake about it, the library staff at the McPherson library is saving lives and they are proud of their lifesaving work and dedication to their community. I reached out to the McPherson Square Library and had the pleasure of speaking to Marion Parkinson, who is the Cluster Leader of North Philadelphia Neighborhood Libraries. After some productive discussion, Judi Moore, the McPherson Square Library Branch Head, agreed to answer questions for this interview about her public library and the opioid crisis affecting her library’s community.

PL: When did McPherson Library realize there was a serious drug problem that librarians would need to address?

JM: McPherson Library is located in an urban neighborhood that has long had a drug problem. However, we realized that the situation had seriously escalated in the summer of 2016 when what we came to call “drug tourists” set up an encampment in the park where we are located. A drug tourist is a person from out of the city, and often from another state, who has come to Kensington (the name of our section of Philadelphia) to get drugs. According to our contacts at Prevention Point Philadelphia (a needle exchange / harm reduction program) our section of Philadelphia has the “best” drugs in the country.  Best drugs = purest, cheapest. We began to have overdoses about once a month in the library, especially in the bathroom. We saw an increased number of discarded needles all over the park. We saw many overdoses in the park.  On one occasion, the park attendant had to call 911 five times during his five hour shift. Tensions increased when teens and children from the neighborhood began confronting the drug users because they were angry about the users taking over their park. This is when we began asking the city for help.

PL: Libraries are a safe haven and commons to all. Given the opioid crisis affecting your community, and this country, do you think this is a good thing or bad thing?

JM: I think it is a great thing for an urban community like this one to have a library that serves as a safe haven and community center for the children and families.  Fortunately the city administration believes the same thing, and has taken steps to make the park and library safe for the community.  I think it is unfortunate that drug users also think libraries (and their bathrooms) are safe places to use drugs.

PL: How does administering Naloxone (Narcan) to someone who has overdosed make you and/or other library staff feel?

JM: I have not yet had to do this.  However, I can tell you about the horror of seeing an overdose victim literally dying right before your eyes, knowing that there is something that could save his life, but you don’t have it and don’t know how to use it. This happened to us, and it’s why we asked for Narcan (Naloxone) training.

PL: Have library employees resigned due to the constraints of the job at McPherson?

JM: No. All of the employees who have taken Narcan training have volunteered to take it. No one was forced or cajoled into it. All but one of my staff chose to take the training. We recognize that employees have different strengths. When we had overdoses we knew which staff members were comfortable helping the victim, and which ones were better off doing a job like herding children away from the scene.

PL: Do you ever feel like quitting? Why or why not?

JM: No, I love my library kids and the community, even with all its problems.

PL: How many lives has the library saved by administering Naloxone?

JM: Chera has saved six. (Chera Kowalski is a public librarian featured in many news stories and TEDMED who discusses the Kensington community and what it is like to administer Naloxone). You can find her video on TEDMED here: https://www.tedmed.com/talks/show?id=691192

PL: Finally, how has the community (community leaders and community members) responded to the opioid crisis?

Philadelphia city government has been trying to address the opioid crisis. The mayor is really trying to address the problem. The city did an in-depth study of the problem. They are investigating the possibility of safe injection sites, where users would inject their drugs out of sight of children, use clean needles, have their lives saved if they overdosed, and get social services that would get them into addiction treatment. In our local community we have formed an action committee consisting of the library, the needle exchange program, some community nonprofits, and some churches. That is the good news.

The bad news is that the residents of the neighborhood around the library feel very frustrated that the drug tourists are ruining their neighborhood. The residents are generally poor people who don’t feel empowered, and who cannot afford to move away. Having these users, who were for the most part formerly suburban, middle-class people, asking for money, living under bridges, and throwing needles and other waste all over the neighborhood creates tension between the community residents and the users. I feel very sad for the residents, especially the older people who are having their lives ruined by this crisis, and who fear for their safety. We know that addiction is a terrible illness, but we also understand why the residents feel resentment at the outsiders bringing this problem to their doorsteps.

References 

[1] https://www.gettyimages.com/album/inside-philadelphias-el-campanento-heroin-market–danllPRbREW9IDQKg6edpw#jessica-a-homeless-heroin-addict-shows-her-kit-of-clean-needles-cap-picture-id684965068

[2] National Institute on Drug abuse. “Opioid Overdose Reversal with Naloxone (Narcan,Evzio).” https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/opioid-overdose-reversal-naloxone-narcan-evzio

The post The Opioid Crisis and Administering Narcan in Libraries first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Let me say the distribution of glasses was genius. It generated so much interest that people from all walks of life wanted a pair. It didn’t even matter that most across the country could not see the solar eclipse in its totality. Patrons just wanted glasses!

Public libraries and librarians genuinely enjoyed the interest the solar eclipse generated. The door numbers were amazing during events and patrons who had never visited their local libraries before had a chance to see the services and programs they offer. Good thing we have seven years to prepare for the next one in 2024. Will public libraries encounter a second onslaught? We’ll be ready!

References

[1] “A Little About Us.” STAR_net, https://www.starnetlibraries.org/about/who-we-are/. Accessed August 22, 2017.

The post Public Libraries and the Solar Eclipse first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

“Public libraries can—and many already do—use the podcast platform as an efficient and easy method to share news and information, promote programs and services, and distribute other important content to their patrons.”[1] Podcasting offers a unique experience to patrons that traditional promotional methods do not. Program flyers and social networking have been working effectively for libraries for quite some time now; however, promoting by way of podcast has been gaining traction. It’s also a more personal experience for listeners. It may not put a face to a name but it at least puts a voice to a name.

Nowadays, many people have smartphones, a tablet, or at least access to such devices. With those devices, podcasts are a few clicks away. “They can be downloaded or streamed through an app, such as iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play Music. Listeners can have new episodes delivered to them by subscribing to a show’s feed.”[2] Podcasts are also archived, which is great if you cannot listen to your favorite podcast’s latest episode right away. So if you fall behind, you can just listen to your podcast when you have some spare time.

Podcasting is also a great way for librarians to keep up with professional development and continuing education. There are so many unique library podcasts out there for librarians to choose from. The possibilities are endless. “Podcasting allows time to catch up on professional subjects in educational, entertaining, and inspirational ways while performing other tasks and librarians will find podcasts on subjects as varied as the collections they curate.”[3] Podcasting may not be for everybody but it does provide librarians with another option of learning. I, for one, am feeling like webinars are a bit played out. I will be the first to admit that many webinars have only made me sleepier when it is 2:00 p.m. and melatonin in my body is released. I get bored rather quickly and podcasts are livelier, so if I can get my information from an interesting podcast then that is what I will be doing from now on.

My advice is to give podcasting a try. You just might like it. If you are interested in where to start, check out Andromeda Yelton’s Open paren, which features interviews with librarians who are coders. You can also check out LibUX, a podcast about design and user experience. Austin Public Library does a great job with heir podcast as well. They can be heard on SoundCloud chatting it up with some great authors, musicians, and local organizations. If these don’t interest you, simply look for a library podcast on your smart device by typing in “library” under category. I hope you enjoy.

*Editor’s Note:  Be sure to check out FYI: The Public Libraries Podcast!

References

[1] Public Library Association. “Podcasting for Public Libraries.” http://www.ala.org/pla/education/onlinelearning/webinars/ondemand/podcasting. Accessed July 5, 2017.

[2] Thomas, Steve. “Hearing Voices: Librarian-Produced Podcasts.” American Libraries. January 4, 2016. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2016/01/04/hearing-voices-librarian-produced-podcasts/. Accessed July 5, 2017.

[3] Ibid.

The post Public Libraries and Podcasting first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Reading during the summer provides communities with many benefits. According to the American Library Association, “The benefits to readers in a summer reading program include: encouragement that reading become a lifelong habit, reluctant readers can be drawn in by the activities, reading over the summer helps children keep their skills up, and the program can generate interest in the library and books.”[1]

Statistics and research have proven time and again that those who participate in summer reading programs benefit tremendously from a literacy standpoint and children do not fall behind by just kicking back at home all summer. For students who may be struggling during the school year, research has shown “one advantage of public library summer reading programs is that they are not located in school buildings, which helps reduce the negative perception about summer learning for students who are struggling.”[2]

But the most important reason summer reading programs are so important and effective are for the opportunities they provide to families who are impoverished or held at a disadvantage for numerous reasons. “Numerous studies have shown that reading over the summer prevents ‘summer reading loss.’ Children living in poverty are more likely to lose reading skills over the summer than children whose families are more affluent. Some researchers estimate 50-67% of the achievement gap, for children living in poverty and for children of color, is the result of summer reading loss.”[3] Public library summer reading programs help bridge those gaps for families who are not as fortunate.

This is why it is important for libraries and librarians to get out into the community and promote their summer programming. This reminds community members that instead of having their kids watch television all summer, they can be reading and participating in library programming that will advance them in their studies and literacy. So if you have not signed your kiddos up for the summer reading program at your local public library, please do so and help them participate in as many programs throughout the summer.

References

[1] American Library Association. “Summer Reading Programs: Benefits,” Last updated May 15, 2017. http://libguides.ala.org/summer-reading/benefits. May 30, 2017.

[2] “Why Public Library Summer Reading Programs Are Important.” http://libraries.idaho.gov/files/SRPResearchPoints2015.pdf. May 30, 2017.

[3] Ibid.

The post Build a Better World: Collaborative Summer Reading Program 2017 first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Like millions of other people, I grew up on PBS. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Sesame Street, and Reading Rainbow with LeVar Burton all genuinely changed my life, and the lives of many others. Cutting funding for the CPB will lead to smaller stations that serve rural areas being shut off immediately. PBS’ Paula Kerger said it best, “We are the lifeline for children’s educational programming in poor households. We care very much about making sure that every child in this country has access to Sesame Street and the kind of programming that we produce.”[3] Coming from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, one of the poorest regions in the entire country, I fully understand the importance of providing PBS to rural areas and also understand the ramifications of not having it available in households that cannot afford streaming services, cable television or Internet access. If children from rural areas do not have access to PBS, not only does the digital divide increase but the literacy divide increases as well.

Kerger summarized PBS’s necessity during an interview with CNN by stating: “So here’s a statistic that maybe will blow your mind. Forty percent of the children that watch our preschool programming are watching over the air. And so I think often times we get caught in this argument that with all of the cable and with all the broadband, what is the relevance of public broadcasting? In many communities and in many homes that cannot afford cable or broadband, we are the lifeline. We are the way that people are receiving information, and most importantly, for the half of the kids in this country that are not enrolled in pre-K programs, we are their access to information that will help them succeed in school and in life. And that’s what we’re relentlessly focused on.”[4]

PBS needs to be seen as an absolute necessity and not as a luxury of any sort. Luckily for its viewers, PBS has been fighting the good fight since the 1970s so they have been through much of this already. They know what it takes to win. I am optimistic about PBS moving forward like they always have but I am also disappointed that they are always on the budget cut chopping block. As librarians, we see the necessity in many of the programs PBS has offered over the last several decades. Others have fought for our libraries to stay alive so it is now our turn to fight for others in their time of need.

References

[1] Ingram, Mathew. “Trump Budget Has Public Broadcasting in a Fight for its Life.” March 16, 2017. http://fortune.com/2017/03/16/trump-budget-public-broadcasting/. Accessed March 22, 2017.

[2] Stelter, Brian. “PBS and NPR are ready to fight budget cuts – – again.” March 16, 2017. http://money.cnn.com/2017/03/16/media/public-media-pbs-npr-budget-cuts/. Accessed March 27, 2017.

[3] “PBS President: Trump’s Cuts Would Immediately Close About 86 Rural Stations.” March 19, 2017. https://mediamatters.org/video/2017/03/19/pbs-president-trumps-cuts-would-immediately-close-about-86-rural-stations/215755. Accessed March 27, 2017.

[4] Ibid.

The post PBS Back on the Chopping Block first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Thousands of hours of Navajo oral histories recorded onto film reels were miraculously discovered in a jail cell in the late 1960s. These oral histories were eventually transferred onto VHS tapes to be used as a historical tool for Navajo preservation. Their backups had already been destroyed in a fire, so all that was left were the originals. The Navajo Nation Library “is asking the Navajo Nation Council for $230,520 to digitize the five dusty filing cabinets of tapes so the collection can be protected, distributed to schools, and made available to others.”[1]

The Navajo Nation once saw funding for this sort of preservation. In 1968, funding from the Federal Office of Economic Opportunity “was used by the Navajo Office of Economic Opportunity to begin recording oral histories.”[2] Funding for the project ran out and the tapes were left idle until 1978, when the Navajo Nation Library acquired them. Nobody knows for sure what the plans initially were for the recordings, but their historical significance can be respected today and the need to preserve these oral histories that highlight daily life among the Navajo can easily be appreciated.

“The content of these recordings are very culturally sensitive. There are some legends we only tell at certain times of the year and the nine-night ceremony is very sacred, very private,”[3] stated Irving Nelson, Navajo Nation Library Program Supervisor. Indeed, because of this sensitivity, the library plans on coordinating with Navajo religious authorities to determine when and where certain recording should be played. The library also plans on coordinating with local educators to help promote Navajo history as well as develop curricula on the subject.

Nelson stated that “the benefit of restoring these tapes extends beyond the reservation, since the tapes share a lot of the local history that’s of significance to the area. The state histories of Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona will all become richer when these personal histories are known.”[4] This is a new chapter for the Navajo Nation and could be the start of something very special.

References

[1] Claire Caulfield, “Navajos hope to digitally preserve thousands of hours of oral history,” Cronkite News (Arizona PBS), December 21, 2016.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Irving Nelson, ibid.

[4] Ibid.

The post Navajo Library Seeks To Preserve Rare Oral Histories first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Research has long proven that museums and libraries are necessary assets to communities. Though there are some differences between both institutions, “museums and libraries of all shapes and sizes share a number of features that make them well-situated as catalysts for positive change: they are embedded in local communities, they have a public service orientation, and they are viewed as community assets.”[2]

Despite what research says about these institutions being necessary assets, I am concerned for the future of libraries and museums. It appears 2017 is getting off to a rough start for libraries and museums in regards to funding. As you may know, museums and libraries rely on funding from federal grants, donors, taxes, and fundraising. If funds are cut then both institutions struggle to maintain their collections, promote events and programs, and pay staff, which can lead to closures.

Libraries and museums can revitalize struggling communities, act as a commons or safe haven for community members, and also as a resource for individuals of all backgrounds and ethnicities. One of the most devastating things that can happen to a community is for its local library or museum to permanently close.

As EveryLibrary notes, “We are disheartened to report at least two public library closures and a continued decline of school library funding and support. We are also concerned about an empowered Republican Study Committee who has proposed Federal Budgets with an agenda that includes defunding the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, as well as the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services which provides millions of dollars in grant funding to libraries.”[3]

The situation is dire and now is the time library and museum workers must come together to fight the good fight and prove that libraries and museums are needed now more than ever. Both institutions are unique in that they teach communities about the past and present, they provide resources for struggling families, refugees, and the LGBTQ community, and they preserve history. How can we know who we are as a nation if we do not know where we have been and how far we have come?

I have worked closely with museums for many years. My library has collaborated with local museums to promote events and programs that serve our community in educational and entertainment capacities. There is no more rewarding experience than knowing that your work is bettering the lives of an entire community and nation. That is the reason I obtained an MLS and the reason my own wife earned her masters in museum studies; because we know our professions genuinely make a difference. It is important to note that museums and libraries are “forging new ground in the services they provide to their patrons— services to help individuals develop new skills, improve physical or mental health, connect with others in new ways, exercise their political voice, and participate in making their communities better places to live.”[4] The proof and research are overwhelming. Museums and libraries, although having some differences, are unique and similar in many ways. Their contribution to making communities better places to live is undeniable.

References

[1] Emily Dowdall and Michael H. Norton, Ph.D., “Strengthening Networks, Sparking Change: Museums and Libraries As Community Catalysts,” p.3. https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/publications/documents/community-catalyst-report-january-2017.pdf, accessed January 28, 2017.

[2] Ibid.

[3] “Library Closures and Defunding Concerns in 2017.” http://everylibrary.org/library-closures-defunding-2017/, accessed February 2, 2017.

[4] Dowdall and Norton. P. 55.

The post Museums and Libraries Work Hand In Hand first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Libraries and librarians across the country stand by certain principles; foundational principles that can be found in the Library Bill of Rights. These same principles are not fully understood or respected by many patrons, however. For example, Islamophobia is a contemporary issue that does not seem to be going away anytime soon. Libraries provide resources to combat Islamophobia and Evanston Public Library is no different. They are “reminding their patrons of their core belief: that the best way to combat Islamophobia and other forms of hatred might be found between the pages of a book.”[3] It is simple: If a book is not appealing to you or goes against your own beliefs, then don’t read it. You have the right to do that. But patrons also have the right to read what they wish to read and libraries are there to provide them with open access.

The number of Muslims in America is growing. “According to a 2010 study by the Association of Religion Data Archives, the number of Muslims in America increased by 67 percent in the decade following the Sept. 11 attacks. There were 1 million Muslims in 2000; by 2010 that number increased to 2.6 million. By 2015, there were 3.3 million Muslims in the US.”[4] Libraries and Librarians like Lorena Neal need to continue upholding the standards set forth by the Library Bill of Rights. Regardless of any negative opinions by patrons, libraries should “provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.”[5]

Books about Islam and any other religion belong in public libraries.

References

[1] Zauzmer, Julie. “Books about Islam were defaced in the Evanston Public Library.” The Washington Post, November 23, 2016. Accessed December 4, 2016, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/11/23/muslim-books-were-defaced-in-the-evanston-public-library/?utm_term=.5520a8240519.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Habib, Samra. “Islamophobia is on the rise in the US. But so is Islam.” Accessed December 4, 2016, http://www.pri.org/stories/2016-09-09/muslims-america-are-keeping-and-growing-faith-even-though-haters-tell-them-not.

[5] “Library Bill of Rights.” American Library Association. Accessed December 4, 2016, http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill.

The post Books on Islam Vandalized first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

“In a recent incident, a librarian in Kansas City, Missouri was arrested for standing up for a library patron’s free speech rights at a public event featuring a former US diplomat.”[3] As part of an agreement the library had with local law officials, nobody was to be kicked out of the event for asking controversial questions. When patron Jeremy Rothe-Kushel asked a question that security deemed “controversial,” he was kicked out of the event and arrested. Steve Woolfolk, the librarian and director of programming, was arrested alongside him simply for stepping in and protesting the removal. Rothe-Kushel posed no threat to the diplomat or anybody else in the audience. “The arrests went unmentioned in the national press, in part because of the library officials’ hope that the incident would simply blow over and the charges against Woolfolk and Rothe-Kushel dropped. The case gained new attention, however, in late September, when the library drew support from the American Library Association and the Bill of Rights Defense Committee.”[4] Currently the case is still pending but whatever the outcome, “the case adds to a growing history of attacks on libraries—simply for upholding the bedrock values that have historically made them so important.”[5]

It is vital librarians and libraries across the country uphold all of our fundamental rights to freedom of speech and privacy. The fight will continue and librarians will continue to fight for what they believe is inalienable. Edward Snowden summed it up best when he said, “We must know what the government is doing in our name and against us, or else we are no longer directed by the public, we are ruled from above.”[6]

References

[1] “Edward Snowden Compares Privacy to Feedom of Speech.” University Relations – Communications. March 28, 2016. https://uanews.arizona.edu/story/edward-snowden-compares-privacy-freedom-speech, accessed October 31, 2016.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Prose, Francine. “When Librarians Are Silenced.” The New York Review of Books. October 14, 2016. http://www.nybooks.com/daily/2016/10/14/kansas-city-librarian-arrest-for-defending-free-speech/. Accessed November 1, 2016.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] “Edward Snowden Compares Privacy to Feedom of Speech.” University Relations – Communications. March 28, 2016.

The post Librarians Stand for Right to Privacy and Freedom of Speech first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

“In Norfolk, Virginia, a 47-year-old man died after a patron found him in a library restroom. In Batesville, Indiana, and New Brunswick, New Jersey, police revived others in library restrooms using a popular overdose antidote. The body of a homeless man who frequented the Oak Park Public Library in suburban Chicago might have been there for days, fully clothed and slumped on the toilet in a restroom on the quiet third floor, before a maintenance worker unlocked it on a Monday morning in April. The empty syringe and lighter in his pockets and the cut soda can in the trash pointed to the cause, an accidental heroin overdose.”[3]

“In Eureka, California, a librarian found an unresponsive man with his lips turning blue. Law enforcement officials in the area equipped the library with a supply of Narcan, the overdose antidote, and so Kitty Yancheff injected it into the man’s leg and arm just before he finally regained some degree of consciousness.”[4]

While your library may not need to consider dispensing Narcan, it might be worth it to develop procedures related to overdoses in the library. Local law enforcement and social workers can offer training and advice. In addition, remember that the library can likely best provide service in this arena via its traditional role of providing information, especially in the areas of substance abuse and drug addiction treatment, rehabilitation, related diseases, social services, and more.

References

[1]http://bigstory.ap.org/article/c9d6cb8b60524af6a76d61a9368278da/checking-out-drug-users-take-advantage-public-libraries

[2]http://www.hhs.gov/opioids/

[3] http://bigstory.ap.org/article/c9d6cb8b60524af6a76d61a9368278da/checking-out-drug-users-take-advantage-public-libraries

[4] Ibid.

The post Libraries See Increase In Drug Overdoses first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

A director I spoke to who wishes to remain private stated, “Why should I have to open up our library’s catalog to the state when we are the ones who have invested our time and budget in building our collection? It does not seem fair that it is state mandated and [that] accreditation may be lost if we do not comply.”^[1],[2] The Texas State Library and Archives Commission has made it mandatory for accredited public libraries in Texas to “batchload” their records to WorldCat to implement Navigator, “the statewide interlibrary loan program [that] embodies several grant programs that work together to enable library users access to materials not available at their local library. It also works with other programs in Texas, the Southwest, and the country to promote resource sharing and provide greater access to information for all Texans.”^[3]

Transitioning to a group catalog is a lengthy process and a bit of a hassle to complete. Staff must watch eight Kickoff Webinars, sign and submit agreement forms to the state (or else lose accreditation as a library), batchload every collection—and then Navigator training begins. Only when all of this is completed can your library finally go live!^[4] If you do not have a seasoned cataloger or knowledgeable IT staff on hand, the whole process can be very difficult. Constant communication with OCLC and the state library is a must if you are in this situation.

But should a library with a small service population and a budget not even an eighth the size of a metropolitan library’s have to open up its collection to avoid being red-flagged or risk losing their E-Rate? The whole process is dependent on budget and, ultimately, biased towards more generously funded libraries. I do not blame the director I spoke with for being territorial about his collection, which is funded by taxpayers. Which begs another question: Why weren’t the taxpayers asked whether they wished to open up their collection to the entire state? I also understand, however, the progress the state library is implementing. A group catalog means more options for library users, which can lead to better research. Having Navigator as a tool has its pros and cons, like most other things in life. So depending on which side you are on, Navigator can be a good thing or not such a good thing.

Has your library dealt with a transition to OCLC’s Navigator? Where do you side on this issue?

References

[1] Unnamed library director in discussion with the author, July 19, 2016.

[2] “Update on statewide interlibrary loan program status,” minutes of the Texas Library Systems Act Advisory Board (MS Word document), March 19, 2015: §6.

[3] “Interlibrary Loan,” Texas State Library and Archives Commission, April 7, 2016.

[4] “Implementation Process,” Texas Resource Sharing, August 2, 2012.

The post Group Catalog and OCLC’s Navigator: Burden or Blessing? first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

We realized cooking shows, cooking podcasts—cooking everything—are very popular these days. Tutorials, demonstrations, and photos of cooking are all over television, social media outlets like Facebook and Pinterest, and sites like BuzzFeed and Tasty. We thought, why not appeal to the masses and give them what they want, and  decided to move forward with this project. I teamed up with two of my staff members and we got to work. Honestly, the whole process was very simple.

We pulled out multiple cookbooks and found some pretty easy recipes. When we decided what we wanted to make first (pancakes and a smoothie), we took a trip to the grocery store. The total cost of supplies was only about nineteen dollars.

We then set up shop in one of our library’s storage rooms with our library’s Canon XA10 camera and ZOOM H1 microphone. Very primitive, I know, but the result was actually quite spectacular. After our two-hour shoot, we were ready to post to our YouTube channel and Facebook page. Our initial episode was so raw and unscripted that it made the whole experience more appealing. The comedy of it all sucked viewers right in, and we had over one thousand views on Facebook in under twenty-four hours.

The video was shared over twenty-five times and had more than sixty likes. Since we are not the largest library, these numbers were staggering, and they let us know that we were on to something great, or, as we started saying, “We’re going viral.” Our second episode, in which we cooked up a southern-style grilled cheese sandwich to pay homage to our region, was just as popular. We now have the community asking about and recommending the dishes we will be making next.

The community engagement has been great. Not only do we get to cook up some great food, but we also have the opportunity to promote our library’s cooking literature. Since we aired our first episode, we have seen an surge of cookbook checkouts. Our goal had been accomplished.

Libraries are constantly innovating and coming up with new services and programs to appeal to their communities. It is a smart move to take what is trending and incorporate it into your library’s events and programming. We felt food and cooking were trending, so we made something unique and simple out of it. Millennials love food, and they love to gather ideas from social media on a daily basis. In an interview with Eve Turow by The Atlantic, the food writer demonstrates how college perspectives towards food have changed in just five years:

Back when she was in college, she was content subsisting on “gelatinous brown rice, pre-cooked mushy pinto beans, [and] blocks of bouncy tofu.” But if she were in college now, she says, she’d be taking rice-bowl inspiration from Pinterest and making good use of the nearby farmer’s market and the greenhouse attached to the science library.^[1]

The cooking blog Bon Appetit claims that, “On average, Americans spend only 27 minutes a day preparing food, compared to 60 minutes in 1965.”^[2] Those are sad numbers. We want people to get excited about cooking again and show them that they can cook up something tasty and filling with just a few ingredients and in less than twenty minutes. We hope our community gets excited about cooking again and enjoys our future videos.

Our first two episodes:

Cooking With Ben Episode 1

Cooking With Ben Episode 2

References

[1] Eve Turow, “Why Are Millennials So Obsessed with Food?” by Joe Pinsker, The Atlantic, August 14, 2015.

[2] Elyssa Goldberg, “Why Americans Don’t Cook as Much as We Used To,” Bon Appetit, February 17, 2016.

The post Cooking With Ben: Our Library’s Cooking Show Adventure first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

According to the Federal Communications Commission, public libraries and schools across the country “that receive discounts for Internet access or internal connections through the E-rate program”[1] are subject to meeting certain requirements imposed by the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). If libraries and schools wish to continue receiving these discounts, they must ensure their network has a blocking software installed to “block or filter Internet access to pictures that are: (a) obscene; (b) child pornography; or (c) harmful to minors (for computers that are accessed by minors).”[2] Of course, parents, guardians, and educators can appreciate and respect that these measures are put in place to protect our children from accessing harmful content. The problem, however, is the over-filtering of content that occurs too often: “Filtering beyond the requirements of CIPA.”[3] Over-filtering can lead to the oversight of credible sites and information by students because there may be no access to them. Filtering is subjectively interpreted by school and library administrators, so what one deems as acceptable may not be to someone else. Contemporary issues like gender equality, same-sex marriage, and the LGBT community are being filtered, hindering a student’s ability to learn and comprehend these prevalent societal matters. Keith Kreuger, CEO of the Consortium for School Networking said,

[T]he key is balancing safety and access. Without question, students need to become digitally literate (having the knowledge and ability to use information and technology for varied purposes) because ultimately they live in an unfiltered world. School systems need to ensure that we create a safe environment [but] if we believe any technical solution like filtering will keep us totally safe, that is misplaced.[4]

Librarians across the country have fought hard for equal access and do their best to offer services and databases to all but are still limited in many ways. The American Library Association has spoken out against over-filtering and the way it denies students the opportunities to research controversial topics. ALA believes in protecting students’ access to “legal constitutionally protected information that is necessary for their studies[, and] personal well-being.”[5] The lack of access to certain content poses a big obstacle for individuals who do not have home Internet access. Their research can be viewed as “incomplete” simply because much of their access is denied, and these individuals rely on public computers for much or all of their school work in this digital age.

This article was not written with the intention of swaying thoughts on the benefits of filtering software. There is indeed a need for this kind of software to prevent access to malicious and pornographic content. But administrators need to be mindful and really reconsider the filtering process. Simply put, there is no need to deny students the opportunity to learn. Progress and innovation are key these days. Students understand that in order to be successful, they need to be tech savvy and have access to a multitude of credible information. Mary Beth Hertz, technology coordinator at Science Leadership Academy at Beeber, adds that they “also have a basic understanding of oppression and the idea that limiting access to the Internet limits people from opportunity. We sometimes think too much about the content that we block, and we forget [that] when we cut kids off [from social media] we limit their opportunities to succeed, explore their passions, and discover their strengths and talents.”[6]

References

[1] “Children’s Internet Protection Act,” Federal Communications Commission, November 3, 2015.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Melinda D.  Anderson, “How Internet Filtering Hurts Kids,” The Atlantic, April 26, 2016.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Mary Beth Hertz, ibid.

The post The Dangers of Internet Filtering first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

I am specifically interested in how Minecraft can now be used as an educational and historical tool. I will be the first to admit that I am not a Minecraft expert, nor have I even played the game. My nine-year-old brother has tried explaining it to me a few times, but as he explains, all I can think about is how it looks like the old 8-bit games I used to play as a child (e.g., Donkey Kong and Duck Hunt).The more I have paid attention to the game and how it works, however, the more I realize it can be used to construct cities and towns to be used as virtual historical tours. Can you imagine taking a virtual walkthrough of your hometown back in the 1940s or 1950s? I can only assume it would be a very surreal experience.

I recently attended the Texas Library Association Conference in Houston, Texas, and a very innovative session was given on using Minecraft as a historical tool. The city of Sugarland, Texas, partnered up with Techno Chaos, a local information technology group, to see how they could incorporate Minecraft as an educational tool in their school system. The result was genius! The information technology group, who are all very savvy and familiar with the game, pitched the idea of using the game to construct what Sugarland looked like in the 1950s.

The school district loved the idea and ran with it. Historical photos of the city were collected and passed around to many of the elementary and middle school classrooms within the school district. Each photo allowed a different class the opportunity to come up with their Minecraft version of that image. The concept was easy: Use the historical photos as a blueprint to construct a virtual simulation of the buildings and streets of Sugarland in the 1950s. What better way to incorporate history and gaming by way of Minecraft? Minecraft has proven to not only be a fun game but a tool that has “transcended into real-life like no other game before, having a positive impact on key areas as diverse as urban development, mapping, history and the arts.”[2]

Minecraft is successful because the game is flexible. Any group, school, or library can manipulate the game to suit their educational or entertainment needs. According to Daniel Short, a professor of environmental science at Robert Morris University, “It is a game changer. Minecraft is now a major educational concern.”[3] It has been proven to be a successful educational tool for children of all ages.

So instead of thinking of Minecraft as merely a game that is a waste of time, think of it as a tool that can successfully educate children across the country that can prepare them for specific areas in engineering, history, and the arts.

References

[1] David Crookes, “Minecraft is much more than ‘Lego online’ – it’s a creative classroom tool,” February 18, 2015.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

The post Minecraft as a Historical Education Tool first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

According to an American Libraries Magazine article, “The American Library Association (ALA) established the Library War Service in 1917 to provide books and library services to soldiers and sailors both in training at home and serving in Europe.”[1] Reading was one of the only ways many soldiers could escape the horrors of war that was all around them. Many soldiers found a deep appreciation for the books that reached them in Europe.

It is no secret that reading is beneficial for a variety of reasons. It stimulates the brain and provides muscle to your memory; most importantly, reading can melt away stress: “Snuggling up with a good read tamps down levels of unhealthy stress hormones such as cortisol. In a British study, participants engaged in an anxiety-provoking activity and then either read for a few minutes, listened to music, or played video games. The stress levels of those who read dropped 67 percent, which was a more significant dip than that of the other groups.”[2] At war, soldiers felt alone, scared, anxious, and their morale was low due to an almost certain death that awaited them. Librarians across the world knew morale was low, so they sprang to action.

A 2004 Florida Libraries article celebrates librarians’ initiative in World War I: “During the war, librarians reaffirmed their belief in the book as a powerful determinant of human intellect and behavior. This faith in the power of print was pervasive: reading produced a contented, efficient army; reading advanced the cause of better citizenship; and reading hastened medical recuperation.”[3] The soldiers found as much solace in a good book as they did receiving mail from their loved ones back home. Whether momentary or lengthy comfort, it was comfort nonetheless. Participating librarians stood up to ensure their soldiers had books they could cling to in moments of doubt and disbelief, granting them a reprieve to boost morale was of the utmost importance for the soldier and for the world.

A whopping total 8.5 million soldiers on both sides died during World War I. Librarians could not prevent death, but they sure did their best to ensure soldiers on the front lines found some happiness in between the pages of a book. Had it not been for the American Library Association and other organizations that stepped up to provide soldiers with reading material, the morale of the allied forces would have been in a critical state. “ALA’s participation in the nation’s World War I effort served as a capstone to the public library movement that was made possible during the previous 20 years because of the philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie and other benefactors, as well as the professional practices ALA had fostered and libraries had adopted. Combined, they all helped to make the public library an essential institution in local American communities, a position it has never relinquished.”[4] During World War II, public libraries once again proved they were effective in boosting soldier morale when they shipped off millions of Armed Services Editions (ASEs) paperback books to Europe. If there is ever a time to and a place to prove the need of a public library, this article is a nice place to start.

References:

[1] Wayne A. Wiegand, “The Library War Service: ALA’s book campaigns in World War I,” American Libraries Magazine, February 18, 2016.

[2] Lauren Gelman. “Benefits of Reading: Getting Smart, Thin, Healthy, Happy,” Reader’s Digest, accessed March 3, 2016.

[3] Kathy L. Souers, “The Library and the Community it Serves in Times of War: Everything Old is New Again,” Florida Libraries 47, no.2 (Fall 2004): 16–19, accessed March 3, 2016.

[4] Wayne A. Wiegand, “The Library War Service: ALA’s book campaigns in World War I,” American Libraries Magazine, February 18, 2016.

The post The Library War Service first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Whether you may be aware or not, there is a digital literacy divide that exists. It is often assumed that everybody has access to the Internet or to a computer; however, that could not be further from the truth. Brooklyn Public Library has found that “according to a 2013 report from the New York City’s Comptroller’s Office entitled ‘Bridging the Digital Literacy Divide,’ 26.7 percent of households do not subscribe to high-speed Internet service.”[2] Those numbers are much higher in areas across the United States that are considered low-income and impoverished. This puts families who do not have access to the Internet in their home at a disadvantage. Given that digital literacy is seemingly universally accepted in this digital age, lacking technology skills can seriously hinder one’s ability to simply keep up. Many schools have gone as far as allowing their students the opportunity to take home tablets to be used for homework and research to curb any digital literacy divide. Digital literacy advocates say the goal of such initiatives is to bridge the digital divide that can slow students down: “We want—or, rather, we need—today’s students to critically consume information, to create and share across time and space, to cocreate and collaborate to solve problems, to persevere in light of setbacks, and to maintain flexibility. Digital literacies provide opportunities for the inquiries that will develop these skills.”[3] It is important that we continue bridging the digital literacy divide to provide our youth with the best opportunities to succeed in the future.

The educational need for information and communication technology is dire. In a time when technology seems to be at the fingertips of all individuals, public libraries still provide an unmatched service to all those who simply cannot afford the luxury of having Internet in their homes. It is only a matter of time before public libraries all across the country, not only those with big budgets, will have hotspots available for checkout. Through a multitude of grant opportunities, municipality funds, or county funds, this type of access will be something big to look forward to in the near future.

References:

[1] Chicago Public Library. “Borrow a WiFi Hotspot from Chicago Public Library.” Accessed February 3, 2016.

[2] Brooklyn Public Library. “Library HotSpot Loan Program.” Accessed February 3, 2016.

[3] Troy and Turner Hicks, Kristen Hawley. “No Longer a Luxury: Digital Literacy Can’t Wait.” English Journal 102.6 (2013): 58–65.

The post Check Out a Library Hotspot first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

In library school, they teach you about multicultural librarianship and how to cater to diverse communities. Learning something can only take you so far, however. It is the application portion that is key. Libraries should “recruit Spanish-speaking personnel in all job classifications, i.e. librarians, paraprofessionals, clerical workers and volunteers.”[3] Librarians and library professionals should never underestimate the power of the “door knocking” approach. Get out into the Hispanic speaking community in your area to sit and talk to individuals who wish to have input on the Spanish and bilingual material located in your library; they are stakeholders as well.

Librarians can no longer sit back and wait for Hispanics to provide them with information regarding collection development. Outreach is the answer! Making contacts and connections throughout the community for assistance with this process is an integral part of the collection development process. If this is not accomplished, Hispanics will assume the library does not care about their needs and does not wish to have programs that cater to their community and culture. Whenever possible, advertise and post signage around the library in Spanish. This is a useful tactic that will let Spanish speakers know that the library indeed understands there is a Hispanic community and they are important as well. Social networking is obviously very popular in this digital age, so posting in English and Spanish gets the word out much better than only posting in English. If you do not speak Spanish, use Google Translate. It is a highly resourceful tool that goes a long way.

There are many ways to reach out to the Hispanic community. Do not underestimate the little things and do not assume the Hispanic community does not take notice. As Louis Pasteur once famously said, “Chance favors the prepared mind.”

[1] “Quick Facts Beta: United States,” The United States Census Bureau, accessed November 17, 2015, http://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/RHI725214/00.

[2] “US now has more Spanish speakers than Spain – only Mexico has More,” The Guardian, accessed November 16, 2015, http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jun/29/us-second-biggest-spanish-speaking-country.

[3] “Guidelines for Library Services to Spanish-Speaking Library Users,” Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), A Division of the American Library Association, accessed November 18, 2015, http://www.ala.org/rusa/resources/guidelines/guidespanish.

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To accomplish this feat, the Pharr Memorial Library (PML) required assistance from the city’s GIS and Engineering departments. The project was spearheaded by the library’s Reference department, which invested almost a year’s worth of time coordinating information on 1,500 plots and 2,230 deceased individuals. Adolfo Garcia, PML’s Director, stated, “We’re interested in archiving information as librarians and making that information available to the public so people can search to know if their relative is there.”[2] Photos of every headstone were taken and will be used as a search tool for patrons interested in not only searching to see where their relative was buried, but what the headstone looks like.

The idea came about after multiple library patrons visited the library’s local archives to sift through two boxes of cemetery paperwork that included the names of all individuals buried at the Guadalupe Cemetery. The main problem the library faced was the time it took for the Reference Librarian to sit with inquirers until he finally come across the sought out relative. There was no structure to the paperwork as an earlier novice project simply recorded names in a primitive fashion. The Library Director and Reference Librarian brainstormed options for providing this information to the public in a more suitable and reliable way. They knew the city had already been using hand-held GPS devices to map out fire hydrants across the city. That is when it hit them (lightbulb):why not use those same devices to GPS every single grave at the cemetery? That information would then be placed in an online searchable database at no charge to the public. It was logical and convenient for community members and the library. And best of all? No more paper shuffling!

So, the Reference department got to work. They battled cold and rainy days as well as the suffocating South Texas heat for the sake of completing this one-of-a-kind project. All graves were coordinated. Information about birthdates and death dates were recorded on a simple iPhone app known as iSpreadsheet and photos were taken of every headstone to use as a searching tool for anyone interested. Several graves were in bad condition so names and dates were not legible. Those simply read as “unknown” on the online database that is now available online for community members to utilize. The deceased can be searched through a search tab by first name, last name, birthdate, or death date. The database can be found here: http://cop.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=c85a7458cb404438ac0d580c51c157ac.

So the next time you wonder if technology will put a damper on public libraries, remember the innovative idea the Pharr Memorial Library Reference department devised using advanced technology available to them. Libraries have always and will always adapt to stay relevant and current.

[1] Vinjamuri, David. “Why Public Libraries Matter: And How They Can Do More,” Forbes, January 16, 2013, accessed October 19, 2015, http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidvinjamuri/2013/01/16/why-public-libraries-matter-and-how-they-can-do-more/.

[2] Sides, Emily. “Pharr Library Catalogs Historic Cemetery,” The Monitor, March 28, 2015, accessed October 20, 2015, http://www.themonitor.com/premium/pharr-library-catalogs-historic-cemetery/article_49303b7c-d590-11e4-ae58-3b91c6499bd6.html.

The post The Departed: One Library’s Innovative Cemetery Project first appeared on Public Libraries Online.