Tag Archives: American Library Association

Arts & Humanities, Books & Reading, Current Affairs, Libraries, Pleasures, Politics

“Free People Read Freely.” Librarian Tracie D. Hall’s Full TIME100 Speech | Time

By TIME Staff, May 7, 2023 9:00 AM EDT

Screenshot of video, available on article…

“Tracie knows the power of words,” Amy Poehler said of American Library Association Executive Director and TIME100 Icon Tracie D. Hall, when she introduced Hall at the 2023 TIME100 Gala on April 26.

“When I met her, and when I asked her what her favorite word was, she answered quickly: Abracadabra. How fitting for someone who believes in the magic of encouraging children to read, and providing more books for the incarcerated. Ms. Hall teaches everyone that comes through her doors that they are the protagonist. They are the main character. They have the magic. And we cannot wait to hear what they have to say.”

Editor’s Note: Read more, see link below for original item...

Source: “Free People Read Freely.” Librarian Tracie D. Hall’s Full TIME100 Speech | Time

Arts & Humanities, Books & Reading, Current Affairs, Libraries, Politics, Science & Health, Web & Technology

American Library Association Names 2022’s Most Banned Books | Smart News| Smithsonian Magazine

As book censorship soared, titles with LGBTQ themes were the most targeted

By Teresa Nowakowski, Daily Correspondent, April 25, 2023

Maia Kobabe’s Gender Queer was the most challenged book in 2022, according to the American Library Association. Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune / Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Maia Kobabe’s graphic novel Gender Queer: A Memoir documents Kobabe’s coming out as nonbinary and asexual.

Since the book’s publication in 2019, readers have been regularly reaching out to Kobabe to express their appreciation for Gender Queer’s heartfelt writing and exploration of gender and sexuality.

Editor’s Note: Read more, see link below for original item...

Source: American Library Association Names 2022’s Most Banned Books | Smart News| Smithsonian Magazine

Arts & Humanities, Books & Reading, Current Affairs, Libraries, Memories & History, Pleasures, Politics, Web & Technology

Librarians push back against book-banning | Salon.com

“Book bans are about limiting kids’ freedom to read and teachers’ freedom to teach”

By Kenny Stancil, Published May 12, 2022 5:00AM (EDT)

A big selection of books in English language are on sale, for example in the ‘Fantasy and Science Fiction’ section at the ‘English Bookshop’ of culture department store Dussmann in Berlin, Germany, 25 August 2016. More and more readers choose the original versions of the books in English. (Jens Kalaene/picture alliance via Getty Images)

The American Library Association, the American Federation of Teachers, and more than two dozen other organizations on Tuesday formed a coalition to fight the far-right’s record-breaking censorship barrage—wherein nearly 1,600 books were targeted for removal from public shelves and schools across the United States in 2021.

The goal of Unite Against Book Bans—which also includes the Authors Guild and prominent publishers such as Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster—is “to empower individuals and communities to fight censorship and protect the freedom to read,” according to the ALA.

“This is a dangerous time for readers and the public servants who provide access to reading materials,” Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, said in a statement. “Readers, particularly students, are losing access to critical information, and librarians and teachers are under attack for doing their jobs.”

Source: Librarians push back against book-banning | Salon.com

Books & Reading, Libraries, Memories & History, Web & Technology

Readers Share Their Most Cherished Library Memories

By lsimon on February 2, 2021

We love hearing people’s favorite memories about using the library, so we’ve asked our readers and the American Library Association’s social media followers to share their experiences with us.

Here are a few highlights:

“My best memory of the library was when my twin boys found the nonfiction section. They were around three years old and obsessed with dinosaurs and sharks. The squeals and excitement that came from them that day is etched in my brain. You would have thought they hit the jackpot!”—Bridget K.

“My grandmother founded her town’s library and then was head librarian for many years. I would often spend the night at her house as a child, and would go to the library with her after hours while she caught up on paperwork. There was something so magical about being free to explore that wonderful place on my own in the dim light, with no chairs scraping, doors opening, or voices murmuring. The wonderful scent of paper and ink…I felt like it was my own special world. I have always found great comfort in books and in libraries, and it was no great surprise to anyone when I grew up and became a school librarian!”—Laurie T.

Continue reading Readers Share Their Most Cherished Library Memories →
Arts & Humanities, Books & Reading, Film & Movies, Games, Libraries, Music, Web & Technology

National Library Week | Conferences & Events

Image from ALA

National Library Week 2021:

Welcome to Your Library –The theme for National Library Week (April 4-10, 2021), “Welcome to Your Library,” promotes the idea that libraries extend far beyond the four walls of a building – and that everyone is welcome to use their services.

During the pandemic libraries have been going above and beyond to adapt to our changing world by expanding their resources and continuing to meet the needs of their users.

Whether people visit in person or virtually, libraries offer opportunities for everyone to explore new worlds and become their best selves through access to technology, multimedia content, and educational programs.

Editor’s Note: See the page for ideas, graphics to use, ideas for promoting your libraries during NLW…

Source: National Library Week | Conferences & Events

Current Affairs, Libraries, Science & Health, Web & Technology

Home | Libraries Ready to Code

“The Ready to Code Collection provides resources and strategies for coding and computational thinking activities that are grounded in research, aligned with library core values, and support broadening participation.”

An initiative of the American Library Association (ALA)…

Source: Home | Libraries Ready to Code