According to Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry’s website, the intent of his online form for reporting graphic sexual content in libraries, created in late November 2022, is to protect minors. But the form—which has been called a “tip line” by the news media—has fueled criticism that it promotes censorship, targets the LGBTQIA+ community, and could escalate threats against library workers.
New from the MIT Press this spring: a guidebook to institutional transformation through design theory and practice, proto–science fiction classics from the Radium Age series, a road map for a future in which humans and animals coexist, a call to action for removing bias in tech, and more..
In May 2022, Elizabeth Szkirpan was named a Library Journal Mover & Shaker for her advocacy work promoting technical services professionals within libraries. LJ recently reached out to Szkirpan, director of bibliographic services and federal depository coordinator for the McFarlin Library at the University of Tulsa, to learn more about why this work is important and needs more institutional support.
The Robert L. Parkinson Library & Research Center at the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, WI, and the Archives at the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota, FL, have extensive circus collections, from posters and programs to performers’ scrapbooks and diaries.
Many of you already know me as LJ’s News and Features Editor; I’ve been covering the library world here for more than eight years. This month I’m writing as Executive Editor; I’ll be managing news and feature development, working with our events team, and keeping our coverage of the issues current. It’s a role that I’m proud and excited to take on, and one that’s made me think about what I do and how I came to it.
The National Book Critics Circle Awards finalists are announced. LJ’s Barbara Hoffert is named the inaugural NBCC Service Award winner. Joy Harjo and City Lights receive lifetime achievement awards. The Rathbones Folio Prize shortlists are announced. Coverage continues for Madeline McIntosh’s resignation from PRH. February’s Read with Jenna Pick is Maame by Jessica George. GMA picks River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer, and B&N selects The Snow Hare by Paula Lichtarowicz. Plus, Penguin Random House Audio acquires Playaway.
“Jeff Landry has been [attorney general] for seven years now. If there was all this pornography in the libraries and he was going to arrest librarians, why hasn't he done any of that until now?... All of a sudden this is some crisis that he has suddenly discovered? I mean, it’s patently ridiculous on its face.”
The Pol Roger Duff Cooper Prize, focused on nonfiction, releases its shortlist. Finalists are out for the Minnesota Book Awards. Book banning in Florida makes more news, and the backlash against Colleen Hoover gets another think piece. Plus, Page to Screen.
Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes leads holds this week and is also People’s book of the week. Viola Davis achieves EGOT status after winning a Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album with Finding Me. Five LibraryReads and eleven Indie Next picks publish this week. Plus, the March Indie Next list is out, featuring #1 pick I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai.
On January 31, in a virtual event produced by Wildbound Live, the National Book Critics Circle (NBCC) announced 30 finalists in six categories—autobiography, biography, criticism, fiction, general nonfiction, and poetry—for the best books of 2022. In addition, finalists were announced for the John Leonard Prize for Best First Book, nominated by the organization’s regular members, and winners were announced for several annual prizes.
Public Domain, Vol. 1: Past Mistakes, by Chip Zdarsky is a starred graphic novel "For readers who love comics and want to see the behind-the-scenes struggles that happen when creators take on the corporations that have monopolized the industry." In romance, Sarah Adler's debut novel, Mrs. Nash’s Ashes, is a starred selection. "Adler’s delightful opposites-attract debut is perfect for fans of Tessa Bailey and Christina Lauren; good for all public library collections." Before She Finds Me, by Heather Chavez, is a starred mystery. "Fans of suburban thrillers or of Lisa Unger and Alex Finlay will want to read this one." And Kelley Armstrong's The Poisoner’s Ring—the sequel to A Rip Through Time—is another starred mystery. "Armstrong’s intriguing and atmospheric time-travel mystery will appeal to readers who enjoy historical detail."
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