ALA Executive Director Tracie D. Hall To Step Down By Lisa Peet The American Library Association (ALA) announced on October 5 that Tracie D. Hall will be leaving her role as the association’s executive director, effective October 6. Hall—a librarian, author, and advocate, among other roles—was appointed as ALA’s first female African American executive director in January 2020 after a nationwide search, succeeding Mary W. Ghikas, and stepped into the position on February 24—only days before libraries across the country shut their doors to accommodate COVID-19 safety measures. |
DPLA’s Banned Book Club Provides Access Where It’s Needed Most By Lisa Peet With the sharp uptick in challenges to books with LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC subjects and authors, this year’s Banned Books Week (October 1–7) resonates strongly with library staff and users alike. Public, academic, and school libraries have launched local anticensorship campaigns this week—and some are providing access to removed or restricted books nationally. One such initiative, the Digital Public Library of America’s (DPLA) Banned Book Club, has been providing challenged books to readers across the country, via the free Palace e-reader app, since its launch in July. |
A New Blog from EveryLibrary, “Politics in Practice,” Launches on SLJ By SLJ staff EveryLibrary has joined the School Library Journal Blog Network. Covering legislation, censorship, funding, and advocacy, “Politics in Practice” will encompass the full beat of the nonprofit organization, which solicits support for libraries—K–12, public, and academic—nationwide. |
Call for Nominations | LJ Librarian of the Year 2024 The LJ editors are seeking nominations for the 35th annual Library Journal Librarian of the Year Award, sponsored by Baker & Taylor, to honor a professional librarian for outstanding achievement and accomplishments reflecting the loftiest service goals of the library profession. Deadline to submit: November 6, 2023 |
PERFORMING ARTS Charlie Chaplin vs. America: When Art, Sex, and Politics Collided By Scott Eyman Distinguished research, featuring the over 1,900-page FBI report, media accounts, and interviews with family members, coworkers, and historians, propels this excellent biography that captures Chaplin, both the person and his work. Lena Horne: Goddess Reclaimed By Donald Bogle An immensely enjoyable and comprehensive look at one of the most glamorous stars of her time. PREMIUM Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel & Ebert Changed Movies Forever By Matt Singer Nostalgic for some, revelatory for others, this account demonstrates how film evaluators can influence popular culture as much as the films themselves did. |
Movers & Shakers 2024 | Call for Nominations The editors of Library Journal need your help in identifying emerging talents in the library world—both great leaders and behind-the-scenes contributors who are providing inspiration and model programs for others. Our 22nd annual round of Movers & Shakers will profile up-and-coming individuals from around the world who are innovative, creative, and making a difference fighting against censorship, and helping improve their workplace. From librarians and non-degreed library workers to publishers, vendors, coders, entrepreneurs, reviewers, and others who impact the library field—Movers & Shakers 2024 will celebrate those people who are moving all types of libraries ahead! Please let us know about anybody you think we should be aware of. Submissions will close on October 23, 2023. |
No Time to Waste | Editorial By Hallie Rich We already recognize the profound impact of pandemic learning loss: student performance in math and reading has hit its lowest levels in decades. What’s more, students demonstrated slower than average growth in the last school year, meaning learning gaps aren’t closing—in some cases, they’re growing. That’s where libraries can step in. |
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The Austin Public Library is seeking a Library Division Manager. |
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