In the face of shifting circumstances and an ever-widening constellation of challenges, plotting a sustainable way forward for libraries depends upon recommitting ourselves to our underlying values, such as customer service and community-building, while fostering the improvements that change makes possible.
In their new book, published the the American Library Association, 2021 noted speakers and library consultants Callan Bignoli and Lauren Stara argue that plotting a sustainable way forward for libraries depends upon recommitting ourselves to our underlying values, such as customer service and community-building, while fostering the improvements that change makes possible. Interview with Rob Chistopher.
Rural Libraries Across America Continue to Expand Programs and Resources
Public libraries across the country play a critical role in connecting community members to vital resources and programs, now more than ever. The Institute of Museum and Library Services announced today the release of new data on the many thousands of rural public libraries in the United States and how they function in American society.
At the 2020 Midwinter Meeting, the ALA Executive Board charged the ODLOS Advisory Committee with creating an Equity, Diversity,
and Inclusion Assembly.
The purpose of this EDI Assembly is to provide a forum for all groups
within ALA and ALA-affiliated organizations working on initiatives
related to equity, diversity, and inclusion to discuss their activities,
identify opportunities for collaboration and coordination,
and explore new initiatives related to the association’s strategic
direction for equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Who’s invited?
All groups within ALA and ALA-affiliated organizations working on
initiatives related to equity, diversity, and inclusion are invited
to send representatives. Individuals interested in equity, diversity,
and inclusion are also welcomed to attend and participate.
Volunteers will serve two-year terms on the assembly,
with flexibility as needed.
How will it work?
The EDI Assembly will meet quarterly, starting with its inaugural
meeting on August 4th from 12-1:30pm PDT / 1pm-2:30pm MDT / 2pm-3:30pm CDT / 3pm-4:30pm EDT. We will use the the principles
outlined in the ALA EDI Implementation Working Group’s final report
as a framework for our discussions, so that as we share the work
we’re doing, we will map those principles to our work and identify
gaps in what’s being worked on so that we can move towards a
holistic culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
What are those ten principles again?
The ten principles are:
Communication
Courage
Centralization
Cultural competency/humility
Consistency
Cooperation & Collaboration
Coordination
Commitment
Change
Caring
How do I sign up?
You’ll join the EDI Assembly through the ALA Volunteer Form
-stay tuned for more information. You’ll then be added to the ALA Connect group for the Assembly.
I still have questions!
Please contact Elizabeth Brumfield,
incoming chair of the ODLOS Advisory Committee and convener
of the EDI Assembly, at ejbrumfield@pvamu.edu.
How have you created impact and extended your reach? Public libraries continuously transform to better support local communities. We are excited to recognize and celebrate their significant community engagement work with three $5,000 awards.
Between now and May 31, 2020, tell us about a current project, or one completed within the past year, that impacts and extends your public library’s reach by engaging with your community. How do you build stronger relationships? How do you partner to meet local needs? How do you encourage better conversations? How do you create programming that positively impacts your community?
Buschman, J. (2020). The public sphere without democracy: some recent work in LIS. Journal of Documentation, 76(3), 769–783.
The purpose of this paper is to analyze and re-direct recent schematic and empirical scholarship on Habermas’ theory of the public sphere in library and information science (LIS).
“I realize the lack of availability in the first eight weeks will frustrate some e-book patrons, and that will make your jobs more difficult. Your patrons would be happy if they could get any book they wanted instantly and seamlessly, but that would be severely debilitating for authors, publishers, and retailers. We are trying to find a middle ground.”–John Sargent, Macmillan CEO.
Big Update: In the final hours before the embargo, @MacmillanUSA CEO John Sargent “respectfully” writes an open letter to libraries.
Librarians Build Communities 