uoplibrary’s Post

This is exactly right.

With vital messages about the importance of libraries in the community and the role everyone can play to bring about change #HELPRalfyRabbitandtheGreatLibraryRescue #emilymackenzie #BloomsburyChildrensBooks is #RedReadingHub’s #picturebook of today reviewed over on the blog

Feel like you're drowning in different types of information? On today's highlighted JH Libraries Tutorial, we show you how to select the best types of information sources for your research needs! Watch now at https://lnkd.in/e52qR9ct.

📚🚐 During Banned Books Week, initiated by the American Booksellers Association, we are bringing forth a story of the Banned Wagon. Banned Wagon was started by Penguin Random House as an effort to stand up against censorship.   Banned Wagon is on the road for a second year, expanding efforts to combat book censorship in communities hardest hit by these bans. The Banned Wagon will make nine stops in communities facing book bans, distributing free copies of frequently challenged books like The Handmaid’s Tale, The Bluest Eye, and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.    Censorship in schools and libraries is on the rise—over 4,000 book bans were recorded in the first half of the school year alone. PRH’s Banned Wagon aims to tackle these challenges head-on by partnering with organizations like Unite Against Book Bans, Little Free Library, and First Book to distribute 20,000 books to communities impacted by these bans.    The fight for the freedom to read is more critical than ever. Join the conversation and stand up for the right to read, think, and learn freely. 📖    In our newest Industry Insights report, which we spotlighted last week, we described some of the cases of censorship and obstacles to freedom of expression, but we have also documented some useful ways of standing up to censorship efforts. Check out the link to find out more:  https://bit.ly/47rgR64.     Read more about the Banned Wagon here: https://lnkd.in/dexp93rp

This is a great read about the value of public libraries to communities, but also of the toll the work takes on library workers. It is a long read, but full of familiar stories: https://lnkd.in/g74J7m77

Project 2025 presents numerous dangers for our democracy with libraries and schools being targeted. Under the initiative, the Department of Education would be eliminated. All grants and loans would be handled through the private sector. Civil rights enforcement would reject "gender ideology" and "critical race theory." The documents foreward poses a threat to how effectively schools will be run as "... parents' rights as their children's primary educators should be non-negotiable in American schools. States, cities and counties, school boards, union bosses, principals and teachers who disagree should be immediately cut off from federal funds." #project2025 #libraries #publicschools #educationpolicy

During peak times, libraries get crowded with students in long lines, making it hard for staff to assist everyone. This results in wasted time, frustrated patrons, and stressed librarians. Here is the solution for you with Our Self-Service Kiosks!  1. Faster Lending and Returning: No paperwork headaches! our kiosks slash wait times. Borrow, return, renew—done in a flash! 2. Privacy: Not everyone feels comfortable sharing their reading choices, with kiosks one can borrow any book without the need of asking the Librarian. 3. Flexible Fit: Our kiosks fit into any library space enhancing the experience for all users. 4. User-Friendly: simple and self-guiding Touch screens enabling patrons to manage the process on their own with minimal need for guidance from library staff #LyngsoeSystems #edutechME #LibraryInnovation #smartlibraries #SmartKiosks #phoenixselfcheck

The governor's proposed budget includes a disastrous cut to the state library's budget, which in turn, will hurt all of our local libraries. If implemented, this will cut access to databases, training, and the interlibrary loan program. This will impact our kids as well as job-seekers, senior citizens, and likely even lead to some small library closures. How does this serve the people of South Dakota? https://lnkd.in/e4ubDbZ8

As library directors we are all too familiar with the importance of good policies, but inevitably, there comes a circumstance, often times a patron inquiry/request/demand, that leaves you wondering why you don’t have an up-to-date policy, or any policy at all, to guide you in responding. Maybe it’s a meeting room policy, a public programming policy, an art exhibit policy, a computer use policy, or even a community board policy! And maybe you’ve been pulling your hair out trying to get your board to update your library’s policies for months or years, but haven’t been able to corral them into doing so. So what is one to do in developing new policies or updating existing ones? Here are a few recommendations to get you started… ➡️ Start by looking at ALA’s “Guidelines for Library Policies”, https://lnkd.in/efUyaNem ➡️ Review existing policies at other libraries you admire, even if they aren’t a perfect match with your library. See if they have thought through an issue in more depth, and cobble together concepts or details that you would like to incorporate into your policy. ➡️ Whenever possible, have your policies reviewed by legal counsel. ➡️ Finally, develop a schedule or rotation for reviewing your library’s policies with your board. Don’t leave it up to chance. Build it into a routine. I know this isn’t sexy, creative stuff, but ask any director of a time they thanked their lucky stars they had a solid, well thought out library policy in place to help them handle a tricky situation, and I’m sure you’ll hear a lot of good stories. Want to review one of your library’s policies with me? Schedule a free call at https://lnkd.in/ept8dHgC, and I’d be glad to lend a helping hand. I’ve got your back, Steve

We discuss the dilemma facing a lot of libraries today