DESIGN SHOWCASE P

September/October 2019

THE MAGAZINE OF THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

2019 LIBRARY DESIGN SHOWCASE p. 32

Self-Service Libraries p. 48 Construction Case Studies p. 42

PLUS: Firefighting Librarian, ALA Award Winners, The Buzz on Beekeeping

September/October 2019

American Libraries | Volume 50 #9/10 | ISSN 0002-9769

COVER STORY 32 2019 Library Design Showcase Our annual celebration of new and renovated libraries BY Phil Morehart

42 FEATURES 24 2019 ALA Award Winners Honoring excellence and leadership in the profession 40 ALA/AIA Library 24 Building Awards A look at the 2019 winners 42 How to Build a Library From funding to architects to civic buy-in, what it takes to complete a new construction project BY Terra Dankowski 48 Automatic for the People Are self-service libraries a threat to 52 the profession or an opportunity to better serve patrons? BY Claire Zulkey 52 Up to the Challenge Dealing with school library book challenges before they happen 48 BY Mona Kerby

ON THE COVER: Richland Library Main in Columbia, South Carolina. Photo: Garrett Rowland 20 18

UP FRONT TRENDS PERSPECTIVES 3 From the 14 File under Bee IN PRACTICE Editor Libraries open up to beekeeping 56 Process Matters in Design Breaking BY Rachel Chance BY Meredith Farkas New Ground 18 Lending a Hand DISPATCHES BY Sanhita SinhaRoy Libraries take the lead 57 Preservation as 6 From Our in teaching cursive Risk Management Readers BY Marcus Banks BY Erin Baucom

SPOTLIGHT YOUTH MATTERS ALA 20 Tiny but Mighty 58 Empower Student Voices A 320-square-foot library is having 4 From the BY Joquetta Johnson a big impact on early literacy President BY Macey Snelson ON MY MIND Inclusive by Design 59 Keeping History Alive BY Wanda Kay Brown NEWSMAKER BY Lisa Rand 22 Raina Telgemeier 5 From the Graphic novelist’s Guts-y new Executive SOLUTIONS memoir addresses anxiety in kids Director BY Alison Marcotte 60 Bringing Book Clubs Online Future Destinations Resources for digital book clubs BY Mary Ghikas PLUS 8 Update 15 By the Numbers PEOPLE 17 Global Reach What’s happening 62 Announcements at ALA 23 Noted & Quoted THE BOOKEND 22 64 Sparking a Love for Learning

Address: 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611-2795 Website: americanlibrariesmagazine.org Breaking New Ground Email: [email protected] Phone: 800-545-2433 plus extension Career Ads: JobLIST.ala.org n our annual architectural issue, we celebrate bold EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Sanhita SinhaRoy controlled and innovative design. From our cover story (“2019 Describe [email protected] | x4219 chaos Library Design Showcase,” p. 32) to the winners of n MANAGING EDITOR your desig this year’s Library Building Awards (“ALA/AIA Library aesthetic. Terra Dankowski IKEA meets [email protected] | x5282 I Target Building Awards,” p. 40), it’s clear that architecture and SENIOR EDITORS design significantly shape the way communities come Amy Carlton thrifted [email protected] | x5105 mixtape together and interact. Googie George M. Eberhart In “How to Build a Library” (p. 42), Managing Editor [email protected] | x4212 Terra Dankowski profiles three public libraries serv- Phil Morehart Addams [email protected] | x4218 Family ing municipalities of varying sizes, each of which has Sanhita SinhaRoy travel-inspired ASSOCIATE EDITOR opened a new facility within the past three years. These Sallyann Price [email protected] | x4213 libraries are now centerpieces of their communities. EDITOR-AT-LARGE Considering construction? Start here. uninformed yet Anne Ford The debate over self-serve libraries has been around enthusiastic [email protected] mid-century for a few years. What’s new is the foothold these EDITORIAL INTERN Diana Panuncial modern libraries appear to be gaining in the US, as well as [email protected] | x2157 the ongoing question of whether these services will EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING ASSISTANT eliminate or complement existing staff. In “Automatic Carrie Smith [email protected] | x4216 practical but for the People” (p. 48), Claire Zulkey talks with several disorganized ART DIRECTOR librarians about the pros and cons of these services. warm Rebecca Lomax simplicity [email protected] | x4217 happy Among the many deserving individuals and institu- modern ADVERTISING tions profiled in our annual ALA Awards feature (p. 24), Michael Stack [email protected] | 847-367-7120 one especially stands out: Tyler Magill, stacks liaison at Acceptance of advertising does not constitute endorsement. ALA reserves the right to refuse advertising. University of Virginia’s Alderman Library, who suffered eclectic PUBLISHING DEPARTMENT a stroke after he was struck during the nonviolent Mary Mackay, Associate Executive Director counter protest against the white supremacist rally in Mary Jo Bolduc, Rights, Permissions, Reprints | x5416 From Charlottesville two years ago. Congrats to Magill for MEMBERSHIP repurposed Melissa Kay Walling, Director inspiring winning the biannual Paul Howard Award for Courage. ADVISORY COMMITTEE As school librarians head back to their educational Susan H. Polos (Chair), Helen Ruth Adams, Salvador Avila, ideas to institutions this fall, some will need to equip themselves Crystal Chen, Sonja Eyler, Janie L. Hermann, Jasmina Jusic, Sigrid Kelsey. Committee associate: Rachel Beth Wykle nuts-and- with tools to face book challenges. In “Up to the Chal- Editorial policy: ALA Policy Manual, section A.8.2 lenge” (p. 52), Mona Kerby provides tips to help prevent INDEXED bolts tips, challenges before they happen. The article is an excerpt Available full text from ProQuest, EBSCO Publishing, H. W. Wilson, from An Introduction to Collection Development for LexisNexis, Information Access, JSTOR. our annual SUBSCRIBE School Librarians (ALA Editions/American Association Libraries and other institutions: $74/year, 6 issues, US, Canada, and architectural of School Librarians, 2019). Mexico; foreign: $84. Subscription price for individuals included in ALA membership dues. 800-545-2433 x5108, email membership@ issue has Another school librarian showing heroism: Dinah ala.org, or visit ala.org. Claim missing issues: ALA Member and Wade, who doubles as a volunteer firefighter (Bookend, Customer Service. Allow six weeks. Single issues $7.50, with 30% discount for five or more; contact Carrie Smith, 800-545-2433 x4216 something p. 64). Not only that, but Wade brings fire safety pro- or [email protected] gramming into her library during Fire Prevention Week PUBLISHED for every American Libraries (ISSN 0002-9769) is published 6 times yearly and visits local schools throughout the year, sparking with occasional supplements by the American Library Association design need. partnerships along the way. It’s a perfect match. (ALA). Printed in USA. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, Illinois, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Personal members: Send address changes to American Libraries, c/o Membership Records, ALA, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611-2795. ©2019 American Library Association. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced or republished without written permission from the publisher.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 3 from the PRESIDENT

Inclusive by Design Reevaluating physical and virtual spaces to address inequity

n 2017, when librarian J. J. Pionke was eval- This especially resonates with me as I think uating the messages the architecture at the about a chief goal of my presidential year: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to understand the library’s role in addressing Ilibrary sent to students, he realized that social and economic inequity. Is there some wayfinding signage was deeply lacking. This, barrier to access that is preventing the most he understood, could be a possible barrier to vulnerable communities from benefiting from entry for groups that were less likely to use the the resources in our libraries? library, such as students who use wheelchairs Sonja Ervin at Multnomah County (Oreg.) or have social anxiety. Library urges us to consider if the people “When you can navigate a space, whatever who greet our patrons—the librarians and Wanda Kay Brown that space may look like, and you don’t have to library workers—reflect the demographics ask for help and you can do it independently, of the community. When patrons see people that’s confidence-building,” he says. like themselves reflected in the library staff, When we think of some of the foremost she says, the apprehension about using the goals of our profession—advocating for the library can disappear: “Patrons feel like value of libraries, librarians, and library maybe this is a place for me, and they can workers as well as promoting equity, diver- connect with somebody who may have a sity, and inclusion—we often frame them similar experience.” as issues to be addressed by people. But Modern design and architecture make buildings can be influential messengers too, for beautiful photographs, but the work of and the design and architecture of our phys- libraries happens in all kinds of spaces—even ical spaces can send powerful messages to virtual spaces. In Forsyth County, North patrons and the community about the values Carolina, where I live, libraries logged more The housed within. than 1.3 million online visitors in 2017–2018, design and It’s not always easy, especially for those compared with the 1.2 million visitors who of us who work on campuses full of historic entered a physical building. architecture but often unapproachable buildings. And not Digital inclusion—giving people the tools of libraries’ every system has a budget for a new building to not only access technology but to use it—is or renovation project. But there are ways to an increasingly important part of our work physical view any space though a lens of improvement. and an area where librarians and library spaces Indeed, we should always look to evolve to workers can demonstrate enduring value to meet the needs of our communities. their patrons. can send It’s simple enough to ask, “Is my library No matter what small-minded detractors powerful inclusive?” But it’s a hard question to answer may say, libraries have a central place in our honestly. communities and our culture. As long as they messages Pionke recommends doing an accessibil- remain those cornerstones, let’s make sure our about ity walkthrough. “When I do those, I think physical and virtual spaces send welcoming about: What does this space look like for signals to everyone. the values someone who’s four feet tall? What does this space look like for someone who doesn’t have housed WANDA KAY BROWN is director of library ser- any hands? What is this space like for some- vices at C. G. O’Kelly Library at Winston-Salem within. one who can’t see it?” (N.C.) State University.

4 September/October 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org from the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Future Destinations With the start of the ﬁscal year, let’s both reﬂect and look ahead

appy new year! The American Library and the Library Bill of Rights (bit.ly/LibBill)— Association’s (ALA) fiscal year begins define where we want to go and what we want to every September 1, overlapping several be. They are the “why” for ALA’s use of resources: Hother “new years”: the governance year, commitment, time, organizational structure, pro- which begins at the conclusion of Annual Con- cedures, ideas, and, of course, dollars. ference; the calendar year; and, of course, your Collectively, these represent an organizational personal membership year. So why is a new fiscal touchstone as we go about the challenging and year so significant? necessary work of organizational change. They As in our personal lives, a new year is a time also represent a yardstick by which to measure for reflection. We look back at the surprises, effective use of all types of resources. Mary Ghikas successes, and disappointments. We look at how ■ Are we having an impact? we performed inside the Association—and, even ■ How could we accomplish our mission more important, at our impact on libraries, on more effectively? the people who make both the Association and ■ Are we focusing where we ought to? libraries work, and on all the communities served ■ Are we measuring the right things? by libraries. We look at how we use resources to ■ Will the work of change—for staff and further our mission and strategic directions—and members—move us closer to achieving to support our members in the work they do. our mission? In June, we explored questions about the work ■ Are we creating new capabilities— of change going on at ALA, with impacts on the and possibilities? present and future life of the Association. We Each of us brings unique perspectives and thought about the values of persistence; conver- questions to this reflection. sation and context; difference and discovery; and In FY2020, we enter the second year of a three- engagement. These aspects of association life are year investment cycle approved by the ALA Execu- As we reﬂect important because they help us fulfill our mission tive Board. These investments have been designed and key action areas (bit.ly/AboutALA): to help develop new resources and capabilities to at the start ■ provide collective leadership for the develop- address ALA’s mission and goals. The ALA Budget of this ﬁscal ment, promotion, and continuous improve- Analysis and Review Committee (BARC), led by ment of libraries of all types in all communities former chair and current ALA Treasurer Maggie year, we ■ develop and nurture a diverse body of library Farrell and former treasurer Susan Hildreth, can each workers, trustees, Friends, and advocates who undertook the task of reviewing metrics. This will make up the living heart of libraries and tie continue in FY2020 with Peter Hepburn as BARC bring unique libraries to communities chair and Farrell as treasurer. perspectives ■ lead the fight for equitable access to informa- This is a collective journey toward a shared tion and for enhanced learning for everyone, mission. As we begin the new fiscal year, it is crit- and questions at every age, with every ability ical that we ask important, sometimes difficult that help us To help achieve this, ALA’s leadership defined questions and seek answers together—respectful four strategic directions, or areas of focus: of one another and our past contributions, and move toward advocacy; information policy; professional and focused on future destinations. our shared leadership development; and equity, diversity, and inclusion. These, along with other framework MARY GHIKAS is executive director of the American mission. policies—such as the Core Values of Librarianship Library Association.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 5 from our READERS

Best job title Vocal Support I’ve heard maybe for Assistants ever: “lunar I enjoyed reading “Your Library librarian.” Needs to Speak to You” (June, @LIBRARYATNIGHT p. 34). I was a computer scientist in response to “News- at Adobe. My first real job was maker: Paul Jones” working in the corporate library (AL Online, July 16) of Bell-Northern Research, a telecommunications research and development company. Libraries, I have been working on a voice space, and assistant I call the Library Patron history—three Agent, which has been a labor of my very of love. My prototypes currently work with Alexa, and I am start- favorite things. ing support for Google Assistant. @CHRISTANYC in I have operational versions that response to “To Space can query due dates and renew understand the anger, frustration, secret, its behind-the-scenes Education … and Beyond” booking. I still have far to go and and exhaustion that librarians are pressuring of publishers to (AL Online, July 8) much to learn, but I can tell the feeling in response to the recent reduce library access remains a ability to talk to one’s library changes to models for library largely untouched subject in the system is a wonderful benefit! lending (“The Future of Ebook mainstream press. I can vouch, too, that building Pricing,” The Scoop, July 9). Though publishers have the voice assistants is no trivial or Libraries are the beating heart right to set their own lending simple endeavor. The lack of of the reading ecosystem; as models, they should not have to standards involving patron-facing institutions that grow readers bend to the will of a company APIs makes building assistants and teach people from all walks with unchecked power. Their more difficult. With their expe- of life how to use information relationship with libraries should rience across various cataloging well, they should be able to pur- be allowed to evolve organi- systems, such as the Library of chase popular digital materials in cally, with input from libraries Congress Subject Headings and step with the consumer market themselves and from the library the Dublin Core Metadata Initia- that they help sustain. vendors that partner with them. tive, libraries are well equipped to Publishers as well as agents “What can we do?” is a ques- get into the business of building and writers have heard from tion I have been hearing a lot intent models. Amazon that library lending since ALA’s Annual Conference Andrew Francis is bad for business. The only in Washington, D.C. My answer is Montreal way we will improve access this: Educate yourself and your and fairness for all parties patrons; have frank discussions Market Shift involved—libraries, authors, about how Kindle compatibility is Rattles Industry agents, publishers, readers, feeding a data monster; network I have worked at the intersec- and vendors—is through a true with writers in your community tion of libraries, publishing, public dialogue. While Amazon’s so they understand what’s at and content for 20 years, and I monopolistic behaviors are no stake; and consider joining the

WRITE US: The editors welcome comments about recent content, online stories, FOLLOW US: and matters of professional interest. Submissions should be limited to 300 words and @amlibraries are subject to editing for clarity, style, and length. Send to [email protected] facebook.com/amlibraries or American Libraries, From Our Readers, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611-2795.

6 September/October 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org on our WEBSITE

Association of American Pub- If this change doesn’t benefit What You’re Reading lishers (AAP) in its movement to libraries, whom does it benefit? spark federal intervention. AAP’s I surmise the arguments in favor Battling Information Illiteracy See how criticisms of Amazon’s modus are financial, since writer royalties misinformation affects the future of policy in operandi in its recent Federal increase with sales. Do higher 1 this ALA Editions excerpt. bit.ly/AL-misinfo Trade Commission filing should prices for libraries translate into Newsmaker: George Takei The actor, author, be required reading for directors higher royalties for authors? If and activist shares lessons from a childhood and librarians in the trenches. so, this should drive more library spent in WWII internment camps. bit.ly/AL-Takei Heather McCormack sales, not less. 2 St. Paul, Minnesota Delaying access to libraries will International Innovators Read about the The latest news about the future only result in fewer purchases, four forward-thinking global libraries that of digital items in libraries made and since libraries are some of won this year’s ALA Presidential Citation. me go on a Twitter rant, thinking the biggest promoters of 3 bit.ly/ALAinnovators19 about how the approaches over mid- and backlist titles, it would the last few years have still not be better to end embargoes resulted in an equitable balance of new materials and leverage in library pricing. Over time, libraries’ position as advocates In Case You Missed It publishers have played with dif- for reading. Libraries hold the Dewey Decibel Podcast: 50 Years of the ferent models, making changes long tail in introducing con- Coretta Scott King (CSK) Book Awards Our in pricing and length of licensing, sumers to authors and their panel discussion with five past CSK winners and hon- and even preventing sales to works—why block that? orees, recorded live at ALA’s 2019 Annual Conference libraries outright. This constricts As a librarian and a reader, and Exhibition in Washington, D.C. bit.ly/AL-CSKpodcast access for libraries and impedes I love being able to access my collection development at a time favorite authors and publishers Possible Threat to the E-Rate Program The when digital materials are as in from my library. Hopefully we Federal Communications Commission may cap the demand as print. Also, it leaves can reinvigorate conversations on Universal Service Fund, which supports E-Rate and us in the awkward position of access to digital materials with other programs that provide affordable internet access having to communicate these ALA back in the ring. to low-income and rural areas. bit.ly/AL-ERateThreat changes to patrons. Kristi Chadwick Florence, Massachusetts Newsmaker: Mo Rocca The jour- Publishers’ ebook leasing models nalist and author talks obituaries, ref- Fascinating story are a direct threat to libraries. erence books, and his most formative on an unlikely role for They are a barrier to access and job. bit.ly/AL-Rocca a #library: “When difficult to explain to our users. ALA’s plans to reestablish a work- Newsmaker: Linda Holmes NPR’s podcast host Andrew Chanse, ing group to address these issues and first-time novelist discusses storytelling, genre, executive director of is a good start. and the role of librarians in the cultural conversation. bit.ly/AL-Holmes Spokane (Wash.) Public I hope ALA and publishers can come to some sort of Library, got a phone a compromise or at least be call in 2013 requesting willing to experiment with new Coming Soon leasing models. Librarians want Check The Scoop for coverage of YALSA’s 2019 that his library host to connect authors with new Young Adult Services Symposium (Nov. 1–3 in Mem- a community court, audiences, but the restrictions phis, Tennessee) and AASL’s National Conference publishers have placed on ebook he wasn’t sure what and Exhibition (Nov. 14–16 in Louisville, Kentucky). access are making this fiscally to think.” impossible. @TECHSOUP4LIBS in response to Erin Shea “Courting Libraries” (June, p. 16) Stamford, Connecticut AMERICANLIBRARIESMAGAZINE.ORG

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 7 ALA Welcomes Supreme Court Ruling on Census Citizenship Question n June 27, the Supreme Court issued a 5–4 ruling in addition of the question on the 2020 Census form, as most Department of Commerce v. New York, temporarily recently argued in ALA’s amicus curiae brief in this case.” Oblocking the Commerce Department from adding ALA will continue to work in partnership with civil and a citizenship question to the 2020 Census. The court ruled human rights organizations to review the implications of the that the reasoning the government provided for adding the case and actively advocate for a fair, accurate, and inclusive question was pretextual—it did not match the Department of census, Brown said. Commerce’s reasoning at the time the decision was made to On July 11, President Trump announced that his administra- include a citizenship question. tion would no longer pursue adding a citizenship question to “We welcome the Supreme Court’s decision to at least the 2020 Census. temporarily block the addition of the question,” said Ameri- Updated and expanded information about libraries and can Library Association (ALA) President Wanda Kay Brown in the census, including ALA’s free Libraries’ Guide to the 2020 a concurrent statement. “ALA has consistently opposed the Census, is available at ala.org/census. •

Deadline for Committee E-Rate and other programs that provide 2019 Accreditation Decisions Volunteers Nears affordable internet access to low-income ALA’s Committee on Accreditation has Members interested in volunteering and rural areas. announced accreditation actions taken on ALA, Council, and joint commit- In its comments to the FCC, ALA at the 2019 ALA Annual Conference and tees for the 2020–2022 term—which opposed placing a funding cap on USF Exhibition in Washington, D.C. begins July 1, 2020—must com- out of concern that it could result in a Continued accreditation status was plete and submit the form at bit.ly/ future funding deficiency and force USF granted to the following programs, with ALACommitteeVol by September 30. programs to compete with each other. the next comprehensive review visit Forms received after this date will be The FCC is likely to make a ruling in the scheduled for spring 2026: considered for the following term. next several months. ALA will follow this ■ master of information science and ALA President-Elect Julius C. Jefferson issue closely and continue to advocate for master of library science at Indiana Jr. will make committee appointments predictable and adequate funding for the University, Bloomington in consultation with the Committee E-Rate program, according to a July 28 ■ master of library science at Indi- on Appointments and the Committee press release. ana University–Purdue University, on Committees. Appointments will be Indianapolis completed by the 2020 ALA Midwinter 2020 ALA Annual Program ■ master of library and information Meeting & Exhibits in Philadelphia, with Proposals Due science at University of Southern appointees notified in spring 2020. ALA Conference Services is accepting Mississippi program proposals for the 2020 ALA Initial accreditation status was ALA Opposes Potential Annual Conference and Exhibition in granted to the master of science in library E-Rate Funding Cap Chicago. Proposals for all ALA divisions, and information science at Chicago State On July 28, ALA submitted comments round tables, committees, and offices will University, with the next review visit to to the Federal Communications Com- be accepted through September 10 with take place in spring 2026. mission (FCC) on its May 31 Notice of final decisions made in early December. The master of library and informa- Proposed Rulemaking that seeks infor- For more information and to submit a tion science program at Louisiana State mation about placing an overall funding proposal, visit bit.ly/ALAAC20-propose. University’s status was changed from cap on the Universal Service Fund ALA account information is required to continued to conditional, with the next (USF). USF is the fund that supports access the submission site. review visit scheduled for spring 2022.

8 September/October 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org SEPT. Library Card Sign-Up Month ALA Releases Findings from ala.org/librarycardsignup SEPT. 22–28 Public Programming Study Banned Books Week LA has released “National Impact of Library ala.org/bbooks Public Programs Assessment (NILPPA), SEPT. 25 APhase 1: A White Paper on the Dimensions Banned Websites of Library Programs and the Skills and Training for Awareness Day Library Program Professionals.” The report outlines the ala.org/aasl/advocacy/bwad

findings of a two-year, Institute of Museum and Library OCT. 20–26 Services–funded research study that explored the National Friends of characteristics, audiences, outcomes, and value of US Libraries Week library programming and the competencies required bit.ly/alafolweek to succeed in the field. OCT. 21–27 In collaboration with social science think tank New Knowledge Organiza- Open Access Week tion, researchers studied the current landscape of library public programming, openaccessweek.org including program types, topics, formats, audiences, and partner relationships, and identified the skills required to create effective and excellent programs. The NOV. 1–3 research also explores existing pathways to programming competencies for YALSA’s Young Adult Services library workers, as well as opportunities that may exist in formal and informal Symposium | Memphis, Tennessee skills acquisition. ala.org/yalsa/yasymposium The first half of the white paper introduces a library program categorization NOV. 3–9 framework that identifies the four primary dimensions and further subdimen- International Games Week sions of library programs. The second half of the report names nine core library games.ala.org programming competency areas—knowledge of the community, interpersonal NOV. 14–16 skills, creativity, content knowledge, evaluation, financial skills, outreach and AASL National Conference and marketing, event planning, and organizational skills—that encompass the skill Exhibition | Louisville, Kentucky set required of library programming professionals. national.aasl.org Library professionals and others are invited to read and share feedback on the white paper at nilppa.org. JAN. 24–28 • ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits | Philadelphia alamidwinter.org

Candidacy status was granted to the of librarians working in public, school, FEB. 25–29 master of arts in library and information college, community college, or univer- Public Library Association studies program at University College sity libraries. Conference | Nashville, Tennessee London, with a comprehensive review Ten librarians will receive $5,000, a placonference.org visit scheduled for spring 2022. plaque, and a travel stipend to attend the APR. A complete list of programs and I Love My Librarian Award ceremony on School Library Month degrees accredited by ALA can be found January 25 during the 2020 ALA Midwin- ala.org/aasl/slm at bit.ly/ALA-accredited. ter Meeting & Exhibits in Philadelphia. Nominations are being accepted APR. 4–11 I Love My Librarian Award at ilovelibraries.org/lovemylibrarian Money Smart Week Nominations Open through October 21. To be eligible, moneysmartweek.org Library users can now nominate their nominees must hold a master’s degree JUNE 25–30 favorite librarians for the I Love My in library and information studies from 2020 ALA Annual Conference Librarian Award, which recognizes an ALA-accredited program or a master’s and Exhibition | Chicago outstanding public service contributions degree with a specialty in school library bit.ly/ALAUpcomingConfs

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 9 UPDATE

media from a program accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. Nominees must New Macmillan Lending also work in a public library, a library at an accredited two- or four-year college Model Denounced by ALA or university, or at an accredited K–12 n July 25, Macmillan Publishers announced a new library ebook lend- school in the United States. ing model, in which a library may purchase one copy upon release of a Onew title in ebook format, and the publisher will impose an eight-week Lois Ann Gregory-Wood embargo on additional copies of that title sold to libraries. Fellowship Program Launches “Macmillan Publishers’ new model for library ebook lending will make it difficult ALA has opened applications for its for libraries to fulfill our central mission: ensuring access to information for all,” inaugural Lois Ann Gregory-Wood said ALA President Wanda Kay Brown in a concurrent statement. “When a library Fellows Program. During the first year serving many thousands has only a single copy of a new title in ebook format, it’s of the award, one individual will receive the library—not the publisher—that feels the heat. $2,500 to cover costs of attending the “ALA urges Macmillan to cancel the embargo,” Brown added. 2020 ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits The new Macmillan lending model is an expansion of a policy that went into in Philadelphia and the 2020 Annual effect in July 2018, when the company issued a four-month embargo on titles Conference and Exhibition in Chicago. from the company’s Tor imprint. At the time, ALA stated that the delay would The fellow will work with a mentor and hurt readers, authors, and libraries. attend various governance meetings Macmillan will decrease its price to $30 for the single initial copy of an ebook during the conferences. which, unlike those from the other Big Five Publishers, will still come with per- Lois Ann Gregory-Wood worked at petual access. After the embargo period, additional copies will be available for ALA for 50 years and served as ALA $60 per copy for two years of access. Council secretariat for 27 years. The “This new embargo is the latest evidence of a troubling trend in the publish- fellows program celebrates her leader- ing industry,” said Brown, adding that ALA is developing a strategy to address ship and accomplishments and seeks to this trend following the model of ALA’s former Digital Content Working Group. encourage understanding and participa- ALA will explore possible avenues to ensure that libraries can provide access to tion in the ALA governance process. information for all, without limitations that undermine libraries’ abilities to serve Each applicant must be an ALA their communities. • member for at least two years and a practicing librarian, full-time library staff member, library trustee or Friend, or board member for at least five years. revised guide provides libraries with a These resources are for community Applicants must also have attended at set of tips about practice and procedures members to share on social media, show least one ALA Annual Conference or regarding service animals in a library. to their boards, include in new-hire train- Midwinter Meeting. ing, and use as general advocacy tools to The deadline for applications is New Videos Explain help ensure that library ideals are upheld. September 30. More information can be Intellectual Freedom Basics found at bit.ly/ALA-lagwf19. ALA’s Intellectual Freedom Round Teens’ Top 10 Giveaway Table (IFRT) has published four videos Recipients Announced ASGCLA Updates Service to engage nonlibrarians in the fight to Sixty libraries will receive a set of Animals Tip Sheet protect intellectual freedom, available at the 2019 Teens’ Top 10 nominee The Association of Specialized, Govern- bit.ly/IFRT-vids19. The brief explainer books, announced by the Young Adult ment, and Cooperative Library Agencies’ videos cover the basics of intellectual Library Services Association (YALSA), (ASGCLA) Accessibility Assembly has freedom, censorship, and privacy for a through funding from the Dollar revised its Service Animals Tipsheet nonlibrary audience, providing key defi- General Literacy Foundation. A full (bit. ly/ASGCLA-sa19). The resource nitions and using everyday language. list of recipients is available at bit.ly/ focuses on the definitions and expecta- The videos were created as part of the YALSATTTgiveaway19. tions of service animals identified in the 2019 Emerging Leaders project spon- This year’s Teens’ Top 10 nominees Americans with Disabilities Act and notes sored by IFRT and showcased at the ALA include 25 teen-acclaimed young adult the differences between support and Annual Conference and Exhibition in titles from many genres. The Top 10 is service animals and their purposes. The Washington, D.C. a teen choice list; teens nominate and

10 September/October 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org UPDATE

choose their favorite books from the School Leader Collaborative and a 200th birthday. The dedication cere- previous year. cadre of state-level leaders to facilitate mony took place as part of the Berkshire Nominations are announced during the initiative. AASL leaders and K–12 County Historical Society’s third annual National Library Week in April, and teens administrators will share advocacy Moby Dick Marathon, a four-day event at across the country vote for their favorite plans for school librarians that can be Herman Melville’s home, Arrowhead. titles each year between August 15 and implemented at building, district, state, The Literary Landmark program is the third week of October. and national levels. Administrators will administered by United for Libraries, For ideas and resources on how provide feedback, messaging, and advice and any library or group may apply. to incorporate the Teens’ Top 10 into on strategies. More information is available at bit.ly/ summer learning programs, download the State-level leaders will serve as points LitLandmarks. free toolkit at bit.ly/TeensTopTenToolkit. of contact to initiate activities developed by the school leader collaborative and dis- Bill Morris Seminar AASL Launches School tribute resources the group creates. Lead- Applications Open Administrator Collaborative ers will also identify school librarians in The Association for Library Service to To strengthen its collaboration with their state to present at state or regional Children (ALSC) seeks applications for school administrators, the American school administrator conferences. its seventh biennial “Bill Morris Seminar: Association of School Librarians (AASL) Book Evaluation Training,” to be held is launching a two-year initiative, “AASL Berkshire Athenaeum Gains January 24 during the ALA Midwinter School Leader Collaborative: Administra- Literary Landmark Status Meeting & Exhibits in Philadelphia. tors and School Librarians Transforming On August 1, United for Libraries This invitational seminar, facilitated by Teaching and Learning.” dedicated the Berkshire Athenaeum in members who have served on ALSC’s With support from OverDrive Edu- Pittsfield, Massachusetts, as a Literary media evaluation committees, will train cation, AASL will convene an AASL Landmark in honor of Herman Melville’s new ALSC members as well as those

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with limited evaluation experience in children’s media evaluation techniques and the group process. ALA Objects to LinkedIn The seminar is free and includes all materials, breakfast, lunch, and an after- Learning Privacy Changes noon break. To help defray additional inkedIn Learning, formerly Lynda.com—a platform used by libraries costs for hotel and other expenses, the to provide online learning opportunities to patrons—plans to make Morris Endowment will provide a $350 Lchanges to its terms of service that would impair library users’ privacy stipend for each attendee. rights. Under the new terms of service, a library cardholder will need to Applications must be received by Sep- create a LinkedIn profile in order to access the platform. To do so, users must tember 2, and attendees will be notified disclose their full names and email addresses, and new users will have their in early October. Information and the profile set to public by default, allowing their full names to be searchable on application form are available at bit.ly/ Google and LinkedIn. ALSC-morris. “The requirement for users of LinkedIn Learning to disclose personally identifiable information is completely contrary to ALA policies addressing Sacramento Public Library library users’ privacy, and it may violate some states’ library confidentiality to Host Arbuthnot Lecture laws,” said ALA President Wanda Kay Brown in a July 22 statement. “It also ALSC announced that Sacramento violates the librarian’s ethical obligation to keep a person’s use of library (Calif.) Public Library will host the resources confidential. We are deeply concerned about these changes to the 2020 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture terms of service and urge LinkedIn and its owner, Microsoft, to reconsider their featuring Newbery Medal winner and position on this.” library advocate Neil Gaiman. The time ALA has long encouraged library vendors to respect the privacy and confi- and date of the lecture will be announced dentiality of library users, observe the law, and protect library users’ privacy. in the fall. ALA’s Library Bill of Rights and its interpretations maintain that all library The 2020 Arbuthnot committee users have the right to access library resources without disclosing personally selected Gaiman to present the lecture identifiable information to third parties and to be free from unreasonable for his fierce advocacy of youth services intrusion into or surveillance of their lawful library use. • librarians and his commitment to intellectual freedom, one of the core values of librarianship. eight years on ALA’s Planning and and instruction; an infographic on the PLA Names First Fiscal Officer Budget Assembly, and two years on ALA’s importance of inclusive instruction and The Public Library Finance and Audit Committee. environments for learners; and scenarios Association (PLA) for learners, school librarians, and school appointed Clara Nalli AASL Releases Inclusive libraries reflecting each of the four Bohrer, director of West Learning Guide domains (think, create, share, and grow). Bloomfield Township AASL has released a new resource guide (Mich.) Public Library, to support school librarians in nurturing New White Paper Promotes Clara Nalli Bohrer as its first fiscal officer. inclusive learning communities. “Devel- Services for New Americans The position was added to the PLA board oping Inclusive Learners and Citizens ALA has released a white paper, “Library of directors through a ballot initiative Activity Guide” contains reflection activi- Programs and New Americans,” explor- approved by members earlier this year. In ties and resources based on “Include,” one ing how US public libraries can improve her capacity as immediate past president, of the six shared foundations in AASL’s their services to new Americans. board member Pam Sandlian Smith National School Library Standards for Through the New Americans Library selected Bohrer for the fiscal officer role. Learners, School Librarians, and School Project, ALA worked with social science She will serve a three-year term on the Libraries (ALA Editions, 2018). The guide, think tank New Knowledge Organization PLA board, ending in 2022. along with supporting materials, can be to study offerings for new Americans, For the past eight years, Bohrer has downloaded at bit.ly/AASL-inclusive. identify gaps in service, and develop chaired PLA’s Budget and Finance Com- Developed by a 2019 Emerging a set of recommendations. The white mittee. She also served a four-year term, Leaders team, the guide includes a paper offers nine recommendations for including two years as chair, on ALA’s collection of activities and web resources public library staff and is available at Budget Analysis and Review Committee, to support professional development newamericans.ala.org.

12 September/October 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org

The BeeChicas tend to one of two rooftop beehives at Boulder (Colo.) Public Library.

hives as an educational tool and to support the pollinators themselves, which face growing environmental threats driven by pesticides and climate change.

A bee-plus in high school At Niskayuna (N.Y.) High School, the library is always abuzz with activity. Thousands of honeybees busy themselves inside the school’s observation hive, installed by science teacher Paul Scott in 2016. The location of the hive was no afterthought: The media center, with its large windows overlooking an enclosed courtyard, is a prime location for students to watch bees exit and enter the hive through the pipe that connects it to the out- doors. And it’s a hub of activity at the school. “I didn’t want it to be the science department’s hive; I wanted it to be the school’s hive,” says Scott. “I wanted to reach as many people as File under Bee possible, even those folks who don’t Libraries open up to beekeeping think about going to the science rooms that often.” Donna McAndrews, the school’s BY Rachel ouldn’t it be cool to “The city has a commitment to library media specialist, embraced Chance have beehives on the pollinators, improving the envi- the idea. “I felt like the library was a W roof of a library?” ronment, and teaching sustainable perfect place,” she says. “Kids really When Theresa Beck, a member living,” explains Lane. “It fit very come here—it’s a place that they of the Boulder, Colorado–based well with the city’s mission as well value for many reasons, and so I beekeeping team and advocacy as the library’s.” knew it would get a lot of traffic.” group the BeeChicas, shared her Libraries across the country are McAndrews developed a “bee idea with Kathy Lane at the Bee discovering the benefits of bee- corner” around the hive, displaying Boulder Festival in 2014, she keeping. Lane and the BeeChicas books and informational posters didn’t think of it as more than a work together to provide program- related to bees. playful suggestion. But Lane, who ming around the library’s edible “The students love the bees,” is programs, events, and outreach learning garden and beehives, and McAndrews says. “We have classes coordinator for the Boulder Public the bees’ extra honey is used in the that come in and do different kinds

Library (BPL), ran with it. library’s café. Other libraries use of observation on the hive, and BeeChicas Photo:

14 September/October 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org they’re not just science classes.” Students have formed a beekeeping National Friends club, and they now assist Scott in maintaining the hive, too. of Libraries Week Scott and another teacher built the hive from plans obtained 14 online. But building the hive often Number of years that National Friends of isn’t the hard part. Scott’s first Libraries Week has been celebrated. The week task was to get approval to bring (this year October 20–26) is an opportunity a beehive into the school. “Make to recognize the contributions and advocacy sure you start with the people who efforts of Friends groups and trustees, and to are most likely to be affected by it,” promote United for Libraries membership with advises Scott, who first consulted such events as fundraisers, author signings, the school nurse about allergy and book readings. concerns and the grounds crew before obtaining permission from the principal. 2 Number of Friends groups honored each year Raised on the roof since 2010 for their celebrations of National Getting approval for a hive can Friends of Libraries Week. The 2018 winners, require some political acumen as Friends of the LeClaire (Iowa) Community well as beekeeping knowledge. Observation hive in Niskayuna (N.Y.) High Library and Charleston (S.C.) Friends of the Derek Wolfgram, library director School’s media center Library, were awarded $250 each. of Redwood City (Calif.) Public Library (RCPL), met the Beekeep- until they find a flower to forage ers’ Guild of San Mateo at a public on,” says Sager. “People who don’t $3.8 million forum where they were lobbying— want to interact with them aren’t Budget increase amount that Friends of the successfully—for city ordinances forced to.” Dallas Public Library secured for its library in more favorable to backyard In June 2018, Sager installed 2015 amid financial crisis. Thanks to beekeeping. He was so impressed two hives on the downtown the Friends group’s advocacy by their presentation that he con- library’s rooftop. These didn’t plan, the system was able tacted them to ask if they would survive the winter after to add employees and collaborate with the library. Kendal a mite infestation, but expand operating hours. Sager, owner of Sager Family Farm, new hives are thriving, a local educational farm, signed on according to Sager. for the project. “We post frequently 174 When it came time to place the about the bees on social Number of Literary hives, Wolfgram needed a lot of media,” Wolfgram says. Landmarks across the collaboration. “We had to talk with “It’s funny, you never United States that have city attorneys about liability, we know what’s going to be been dedicated since had to talk with our public works the thing that’s going to catch the program, currently department” to establish processes the public’s imagination, but I administered by United for for rooftop maintenance, he says. “It think this has been one of the most Libraries, began in 1986. Recent was time-consuming because there popular things we’ve ever done.” Literary Landmarks include Ray Bradbury were a surprising number of people RCPL is still planning educational Park in Waukegan, Illinois, in honor of the whose input was needed.” But the programs, but will have a livestream Fahrenheit 451 author, and Harvin–Clarendon rooftop location eased the process. of the rooftop bee activity. County Public Library in Manning, South Caro- “Rooftop bees start out quite lina, in honor of Amelia Bedelia series creator

Photo: Paul Scott Paul Photo: high, and they don’t come down Continued on page 17 Peggy Parish. •

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 15 Information is Power!

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Continued from page 15

“Bees at a library are unex- pected, but it totally makes sense when you think about our educa- Aboriginal Voices tion role,” Wolfgram adds. “Envi- ronmental sustainability is one of AUSTRALIA A set of notebooks dating from the things we want to teach people 1788 that records the first attempts at communica- about, and bees are an important tion between British settlers and Indigenous Aus- part of that.” tralians is on loan from SOAS University of London to the State Library of New South Wales in Sydney More than honeybees for its landmark exhibition, “Living Language: At BPL, the BeeChicas have main- Country, Culture, Community,” which opened tained rooftop hives since 2016. July 13. The Dawes notebooks —named for First While their honeybees get a lot Fleet Officer William Dawes, who recorded his of attention, the BeeChicas and discussions with the Aboriginal people of La Per- BPL also collaborate with Univer- ouse —are important because they retain a conver- sity of Colorado’s citizen science sational context that is crucial for contemporary language project The Bees’ Needs to help One of the revival work. This language variant is still in use among Sydney raise awareness of habitat loss for Dawes note- Aboriginal communities.—Sydney Morning Herald, July 14. books on native bees. Most native bees build display at the their nests within holes in trees or State Library AFGHANISTAN Freshta Karim is founder of Charmagz, an fallen logs and branches, which are of New South organization that transforms buses into mobile libraries. Volunteers lacking in many urban areas. BPL Wales. drive them around Kabul so that young citizens can develop and hosts workshops where patrons can foster a love of critical thinking and reading. “We are a group of build small native bee houses out young Afghans who have witnessed war and its direct impact on of hollow sticks to take home and our childhood firsthand,” says the Charmagz mission statement. place in their yards. “Our childhood, like millions of other Afghan children, was lost “Most people don’t even realize before we could live it. The pain brings us together in order to make that there are 4,000 different types a difference in other children’s lives.” Children are encouraged of native bees in our country. And to drop by before or after school to read, play chess, learn, and they are the ones that nobody debate.—The National (United Arab Emirates), July 13. is helping,” says Cynthia Scott of the TANZANIA At a cost of $41.3 million US, the nonprofit organi- BeeChicas. zation China Aid helped build a new library at the University of Dar “Not everyone es Salaam in 2018. The largest university library in Africa, the facility who has an inter- is staffed by 147 librarians and features high-speed internet and est in supporting improved access to digital resources. With the help of the Swedish bees or other International Development Cooperation Agency, the library is now in pollinators is inter- the process of digitizing its rare collections, some handwritten, that ested in becoming date back to the Middle Ages.—China Daily (Beijing), July 10. a beekeeper,” adds Deborah Foy, SWEDEN The International branch of Stockholm Public Library, another BeeChica now located near the central library, is planning a move in 2020 to member. “But they can Honey from a new location closer to a public transit hub. The municipal council attend a fun workshop, Redwood cites costs and a greater ease of hosting events as the main reasons City (Calif.) learn more about the issues, and for the change. The new venue would be adjacent to the Kungsholm Public Library walk away with ideas on how to be branch. But critics have said the move will be detrimental to the part of the solution.” city’s literary community and new immigrants who have used the facility to learn Swedish. More than 3,000 people have signed a peti- RACHEL CHANCE is acquisitions tion against the move, including authors, publishers, and members

Photos: Joy Lai/State Library of New South Wales (book); Redwood City Public Library (honey) Public City Library (book); Redwood South Wales of New Library Lai/State Joy Photos: editor for ALA Neal-Schuman. of the Swedish Academy.—The Local (Sweden), June 26. •

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 17 T ENDS

A participant in a cursive workshop at L. P. Fisher Public Library in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada, practices the alphabet.

conceptual questions (bit.ly/cursive study3). The latter, co authored by RAND Corporation Policy Researcher Pam A. Mueller, suggests that writing by hand helps people “retain material much better” than typing does. People who write by hand— whether they use cursive or print—likely retain more information than typists because writing’s comparative slowness means they have to make mental choices about the information they capture, Mueller says. In contrast, someone who types can get more Lending a Hand information down more quickly, Libraries take the lead in teaching cursive but without the mental processing that aids retention. In other words, while hand- BY Marcus t the Richland Library Main That prompted a backlash from writing in general appears to Banks Makerspace and Woodshop some parents, academics, and be beneficial, it’s not clear that A in Columbia, South Caro- politicians who argued that without cursive is superior to printing. lina, patrons can use a band saw, the ability to read and write cursive, That doesn’t stop advocates from learn their way around a sewing children lose out on everything making an additional argument: machine, or join a “build-a-thon.” from enhanced brain development Without knowing how to read or But earlier this year, one teenage to superior fine-motor skills (not write cursive, supporters assert, user expressed a different goal: to to mention the ability to decipher future generations will be unable sign her name, rather than print it. birthday cards from Grandma). to decipher historical documents. That led Teen Services Supervisor Supporters of cursive point to a “It will become an issue if people Jennifer Naimzadeh to decide that study from 2012 finding that read- can’t read the cursive of other her branch should offer workshops ing and writing cursive may help generations,” Mueller says. in cursive writing. prevent the reversal and inversion In recent years, perhaps as a At one time, cursive was rou- of letters by students with dyslexia backlash to cursive’s removal from tinely taught in US schools as a (bit.ly/cursivedyslexia). Mean- the Common Core, many states way of writing with more speed while, detractors point to a study have passed laws requiring cursive and elegance than printing was from 2013 showing that cursive is writing to be taught in school. perceived to permit. In 2010, the paradoxically slower than printing Still, students in other states may National Governors Association (bit.ly/cursivespeed). not be learning cursive at all. The and the Council of Chief State Still other studies have found same goes for older students in School Officers removed cursive evidence for the superiority of hand- states where cursive has been from the Common Core State Stan- writing in general—not cursive in required only in recent years, and dards on the grounds that teaching particular—for facilitating reading only at the elementary level (like students cursive was less important and language acquisition in young South Carolina). than teaching them to communi- children (bit.ly/cursivestudy) and Prompted by demand from

cate via technology. for increasing performance on patrons who see cursive as a Jenn Carson Photo:

18 September/October 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org T ENDS necessary life skill, some libraries future workshops around activities “It will become an issue if in the United States (as well as in such as creating elegant invitations Canada, where the teaching of cur- or bullet journals. people can’t read the cursive sive is mandatory in only some prov- After noticing that many inces) have begun to offer cursive children—including her own— of other generations.” workshops. Sometimes cursive is couldn’t sign their names on their PAM A. MUELLER, RAND Corporation policy researcher offered as part of a larger “Adulting library cards or artwork, Jenn 101” series (bit. ly/amlibsadulting); Carson, director of the L. P. Fisher sometimes separately. Public Library in Woodstock, New Naimzadeh’s workshops, aimed Brunswick, Canada, began offering upper- and lower-case letters in the at teenagers, take place a few times cursive workshops a few times a allotted time, but Carson provides yearly. Some of her participants year for anyone age 5 or older. all students with a workbook to come of their own accord, while Each one-hour workshop draws take home. others are there at their parents’ about five to seven attendees, “I like that people are realizing behest: “For the parents, I’ve usually children brought by their that libraries are resources” for noticed that they think of cursive as parents. After learning the straight learning cursive, Carson says. Often part of being a well-rounded adult,” lines, loops, curves, and joining that her students return to the library to she says. “When teens come of their cursive requires, participants go on show her that, yes—they can sign own volition, they are usually more a “treasure hunt” for library items their library cards now. interested in improving their pen- written in cursive, such as a collec- manship and working on their skills tion of historical newspapers that MARCUS BANKS is a journalist with in hand-lettering and artistic cur- include cursive advertisements. prior experience as an academic sive.” That’s why she plans to gear Students do not learn to write all 26 library administrator.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 19 T ENDS

Meridian (Idaho) Library District’s Tiny Library was built from a recycled shipping container; windows and a garage door make the 320-square- foot building feel more spacious.

partners—the YMCA, Meridian Parks and Recreation Department, West Ada School District, and St. Luke’s Medical Center—were excited about the project, and in January 2018 we began planning in earnest. Designing the Tiny Library required time and input from nearly every department at MLD. Originally, the idea was to fill the Tiny but Mighty Tiny Library with as many books as possible. But why would someone A 320-square-foot library is having a want to come to the Tiny Library big impact on early literacy for books if they could go to a full-sized library a couple of miles away? During a planning meeting, hat do you do when your library wants to expand its space for young learners we tried to envision how furniture, but doesn’t have the money for a new building? You think small. Meridian staff, and patrons would fit within W(Idaho) Library District created the Tiny Library from a converted shipping compact confines. We quickly real- container—and, with help from its partners, has seen indelible benefits in the community. ized that we would need everything The library is now developing a toolkit so that others can replicate its success. inside the library to be multipur- pose, lightweight, and movable. We would need lots of natural light to BY Macey eridian Library District’s reaching patrons with early-literacy make the room feel less cramped Snelson (MLD) Tiny Library—a programs, we began to wonder: and a way to quickly reconfigure M brick-red, 320-square-foot What would it be like if we were the floorplan in order to host repurposed shipping container— able to build a space that focused certain programs or accommodate stands out. As families cross the entirely on the needs of our tiniest more visitors. parking lot to the YMCA and spot citizens? We decided to consult an archi- the new building, we’ve heard kids Funding wasn’t available to tect to help us achieve this open ask “Can we go today?” and adults build a full-service branch, so we and welcoming ambience. Windows remark “This is so neat!” had to get creative. (In Idaho, state line the sides of the Tiny Library, The Tiny Library was born law prohibits library districts from meeting at a wall that comprises out of the desire to partner with using operational savings for new one large window. A garage door other community organizations construction.) In summer 2017, we retracts to invite curious members on education, recreation, and saw a solution in the popular tiny- of the public inside. Benches double health resources and to address the house movement. We discovered as storage for blocks and puppets, literacy needs of children newborn that building a small library out of a and bookshelves have wheels to to age 5. Idaho is one of four states shipping container, with help from allow for easy rearrangement. We in the country that does not fund a Meridian Community Recycling ended up dedicating only one side preschool; further, kindergarten Fund grant, was within our budget of an interior wall to books, which attendance is not mandatory. While and didn’t depend on a levy or we are able to move outside in MLD’s branches and full-service bond. After receiving the grant, good weather. The library space

bookmobile were proactive about the idea became a reality. Our four was designed to be truly adaptable District Library Snelson/Meridian (Idaho) Macey Photos:

20 September/October 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org T ENDS

and to fit the needs of its patrons Our partners have been excep- The library was designed each day. tional about filling in the gaps. The The Tiny Library opened in Octo- YMCA, located 100 feet away, pro- to be truly adaptable ber 2018. We average about 500 vides bathrooms for patrons since and to fit the needs of people per month and hit nearly the Tiny Library can’t support these 1,000 visitors in June. Families facilities. Both the Y and Hillsdale its patrons each day. come to read, interact, and seek Elementary School next door have information about early-literacy hosted library programs that have skills from our knowledgeable staff been too big for our building. One members. Storytime attendance of the biggest partner benefits has on our project. The toolkit includes often bursts at the seams, and been Hillsdale offering space within communication and design plans, programs are lively with music, an actual kindergarten classroom a list of the lessons we learned, and dance, and play. Kids getting ready for a kindergarten-readiness technology and product sugges- for kindergarten engage with books course, which has helped many tions, but is also designed as a specifically chosen for their stage preschoolers feel prepared. workbook, so communities can of learning, and parents say the The Tiny Library may be small develop their own ideas and think bright, adaptable design of the in size, but its impact has been through the pieces we had to con- space allows their children to better huge. Shortly after opening, we sider. The toolkit will be available explore. Babies have taken their were awarded the 2018 Future of this fall at mld.org/tiny-library. first steps within the Tiny Library’s Libraries Fellowship, administered walls, and grandparents have come by the American Library Associ- MACEY SNELSON is communications to enjoy STEAM projects with their ation’s Center for the Future of and marketing specialist at Meridian grandchildren. Libraries, to create a toolkit based (Idaho) Library District.

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americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 21 TRENDS

marketable. DIY cartoonists were able Raina Telgemeier to gain large and authentic reader- ships all on their own—it was only a Graphic novelist’s Guts-y new memoir matter of time before the publishing addresses anxiety in kids industry took notice.

Drama, which includes LGBTQIA+ aina Telgemeier’s YA graphic memoirs—Smile, Sisters, and her latest, Guts (Scho- characters and themes, has been lastic, September)—are so relatable, hilarious, and comforting that you may want on the American Library Asso- Rto cancel your plans for the day and read them in one sitting. Through expressive ciation’s Office for Intellectual illustrations and funny, honest dialogue and narration, she captures how it feels to be a Freedom’s annual list of the most preteen or teen. frequently challenged books for Telgemeier has also written two fictional graphic novels (Drama and Ghosts), four three consecutive years. What was illustrated adaptions of The Baby-Sitters Club series, and the new interactive journal it like to be on the list again? Every Share Your Smile. American Libraries spoke with Telgemeier about her creative process, time I’m on the list, I get quietly how graphic novelists became champions for unrepresented voices in publishing, and angry. There’s nothing steamy about her advice for aspiring artists. Drama—there is one kiss between two boys and a lot of blushing. The boys are in 8th grade, and most 8th- BY Alison Many readers will identify with and aspiring writers and artists to try dif- graders I know are loaded up with Marcotte appreciate Guts for its gentle and ferent tools, formats, and confines. hormones and anxiety and dreams. accurate portrayal of living with Write a complete comic in a single Acting as though queer kids don’t anxiety and panic attacks. Anxiety page, try using ink without penciling exist erases their humanity, when disorders affect 25% of youth 13–18 first, use a new size or shape or tex- they should feel seen, understood, years old, and many often suffer ture of paper. Tell a wordless story. and empowered. The upshot of the alone. What was your biggest hope Create a comic with just words, no list is that people who maybe weren’t in creating Guts? Thank you! Being pictures! Time to play and experi- paying attention to my work before, a kid swallowed by fear and anxiety ment can lead to interesting results. suddenly do—so my sales numbers felt so isolating. If I had had a book always go up! I just hope that boost in like this, it would have helped me What role have libraries played sales translates to the book landing in

enormously. I make books for the in your life? My family went to a more kids’ hands. Raina Telgemeier Illustration: Photography; Joseph Fanvu Photo: kid I was, knowing there are other couple of local branches in San kids (and grown-ups) out there who Francisco regularly, to do book will see themselves in my stories. report research and track down vol- The more of yourself you share with umes of series we wanted to read. others, the better. My parents are both book people, and we owned a lot of books, but we Share Your Smile gives aspiring writ- also lived in a small apartment and ers and artists tips and prompts on didn’t have infinite space. how to tell their own stories. What tools or resources helped you tell Why do you think graphic novels your story when you were younger? have been so successful in highlight- I was lucky to have teachers (and ing more progressive and diverse parents) who valued writing, art, voices in children’s publishing? poetry, and music. Time to create Graphic novels and comics were on was a huge gift, and it’s the thing I the sidelines for a long time, which wish I had had more of. I’d encourage meant they attracted voices outside of the mainstream. So many cartoonists hone their craft and build their MORE ONLINE audiences online, where anyone can For the extended interview, visit bit.ly/AL-Telgemeier after Sept. 3. tell any kind of story, without concern for whether it’s

22 September/October 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org TRENDS

“Many of the children who come to my library are from immigrant families, and just as I once was, they’re hungry for a sense of community. I am so grateful for the community I found here so many years ago and want to provide a place of belonging for them, too, where their hearts will be ﬁlled and their minds enriched.” ARMANDO PENICHE ROSALES, “A DACA Librarian Is Not a Threat to America,” The Colorado Independent, May 31.

“You know me uncannily well. Any time I need “The library gives people access to a a birthday card, I pop into the Library Store and resource that opens doors in one way for pick one up that’s a perfect ﬁt. An illustration of one person, and in others for the next. a sangria-drinking taco? Yes! A unicorn picking Even after my mom got a job, the library ﬂowers? How did you even guess? I swing by so remained a source of security and comfort. often that I must seem like one of those obsessive By working at a place that gave me so customers who keeps showing up just to see much, I have learned to give back.”

you even when they don’t have anything to buy. ASTRID LIDEN in “Trash, the Library, and a Worn, Brown Table: But, you know, I was clearly there checking out The 2019 College Essays on Money,” The New York Times, May 9. the Ansel Adams exhibition upstairs and just happened to stop by the store. Clearly.” “It should come as no surprise that library MICHAEL JULIANO, “A Love Letter to the Los Angeles leadership, in moments of dispassionate Central Library,” Time Out Los Angeles, June 10. assessment often augmented by hearing from students who have trouble ﬁnding seats “MY MOM WAS A LIBRARIAN, during busy periods, would seek to rezone AND SHE WORKED IN THE areas occupied by stacks for more individual AUDIO-VISUAL DEPARTMENT. and group work. Yet it often does come as an SO SHE ORDERED NEVER MIND unwelcome surprise to many, especially those with a powerful emotional attachment to THE BOLLOCKS [HERE’S THE SEX what libraries should look like and be.” PISTOLS] FOR THE LIBRARY.” DAN COHEN, vice provost for information collaboration, dean JOHN DARNIELLE, singer-songwriter for the Mountain Goats, of libraries, and professor of history at Northeastern University, on the first time he heard punk music,Turned out a Punk pod- “The Books of College Libraries Are Turning into Wallpaper,” The

Photo: Rick Villarreal Rick Villarreal Photo: cast, May 9. Atlantic, May 26.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 23 2019 ALA

Honoring excellence and leadership in the profession

ach year, the American Library Association (ALA) recognizes Ethe achievements of more than 200 individuals and institutions with an array of awards. This year’s winners, chosen by juries of their colleagues and peers, typifies the best of the profession’s leadership, vision, and service as well as a continued commitment to diversity, equality, education, and outreach. This selection represents only some of those honored in 2019; see the complete list at ala.org/awardsgrants.

24 September/October 2019 JOSEPH W. LIPPINCOTT AWARD

SULLIVAN AWARD Kathleen de la Peña McCook FOR PUBLIC LIBRARY ADMINISTRATORS ury chair Patricia Glass Schuman described McCook as a “passionate, visionary SUPPORTING SERVICES J activist and advocate for equity, diversity, and dedication to the core value of TO CHILDREN social justice and service for all populations.” McCook is a distinguished professor at the University of South Florida School of Information in Tampa. She is author of A Place at the Table: Participating in Community Building (ALA Edi- Sue Ann tions, 2000) and coauthor of Introduction to Public Librarianship, 3rd edition (ALA Neal-Schuman, Pekel 2018). She received the Elizabeth Martinez Lifetime Achievement Award from Reforma in ekel is children’s librarian and 2016, the Elizabeth Futas Catalyst for Change senior administrator at Benton- P Award in 1998, and the ALA Equality Award ville (Ark.) Public Library (BPL). in 1987. In nominating her, her colleagues Read more at bit.ly/ALA-Awards-McCook. said, “Sue Ann Pekel is a leader, librarian, mentor, advocate, sup- This $1,500 award is presented annually to porter, professional, and friend.” a librarian for distinguished service to the Since joining BPL, Pekel has profession of librarianship, such service to established a teen volunteer pro- include outstanding participation in the gram and teen advisory board; activities of the professional library associ- co-organized the Bentonville ation, notable published professional writ- Youth Literature Festival ing, or other significant activity on behalf and StoryWalk, now in of the profession and its aims. DONOR: its fourth year; teamed Joseph W. Lippincott III with Bentonville Public Schools and the Crystal Bridges Museum of Ameri- PAUL HOWARD AWARD FOR COURAGE can Art to create the One District, One Book citywide reading program; and helped Tyler Magill increase BPL program n August 11, 2017, the white supremacist “Unite the attendance from 660 in 2006 Right” rally marched on the University of Vir- to 56,800 attendees in 2017. O ginia (UVA) campus in Charlottesville with She received the Arkansas Library torches and anti-Semitic chants. Magill— Association’s 2012 Ann Lightsey stacks liaison at UVA’s Alderman Library— Children’s Librarian Award. stood with UVA students, linking arms Read more at bit.ly/ALA- around a statue of Thomas Jefferson in a Awards-Pekel. nonviolent counterprotest. In the conflict that followed, Magill was hit with a torch and suffered Given to an individual who has a stroke several days later. shown exceptional understand- His actions, both on the night of the rally and ing and support of public library during counterprotests throughout that weekend, service to children while having demonstrated his willingness and ability to face general management, supervisory, adversity and danger with resolve. or administrative responsibility Read more at bit.ly/ALA-Awards-Magill. that has included public service for children in its scope. DONOR: This $1,000 award honors a librarian, library Peggy Sullivan board, library group, or individual for unusual courage benefiting library programs or services. DONOR: Paul Howard Memorial Fund

25 2019 ALA AWARD WINNERS 26 September/October 2019 C grams that inspire andconnect withnew readers. adversity andcreate lasting innovative community service pro- T Northwest Regionalthe St. Library System inPort Joe,Florida. Bennington,Library; JohnG.McCulloughFree Vermont; Library inNorth and New York; (N.J.) Public Free LongBranch City(Kans.) Public Library; Kansas Bronx, the for ofmaterials School, TheHighbridge consisting of$1,000 worth center. localvisitors’ willhousethe sion that library, $10,000for the morehas raised than isnow which planninganexpan- CountyTourism Craig between library andthe the Commission.Theprogram project hasgrown into andthe attraction, aneconomicpartnership tourist ranged from $125to $450,andallfundswent library. to the andoutbuildings.Prices to barns boards andattached painted onweatherproof honored anindividual,family work, tradition, that were orhobbies,which then additional revenue quilt patterns chose andattention library. Sponsors to the project to bring began asanart program Quiltsfor Books” state. Its“Barn in the Library Public (Va.) CraigCounty PENGUIN RANDOMHOUSEINNOVATION THROUGHADVERSITY AWARD Random HouseFoundation his $10,000award recognizes US libraries andstaff whoovercome Read more at bit.ly/ALA-Awards-Craig. The Penguin HouseFoundation Random runner-up awards alsofundedfive poppedupallover county, art the QuiltTrailAs the Barn the becamealocal and has the lowestand hasthe by expenditure per-capita localgovernment ofany library CountyPublic Library inNewraig Castle, Virginia, isonly 30-by-40 square feet | americanlibrariesmagazine.org

DONOR: S Kristen SorthKristen AND SERVICE TO COMMUNITY ANDPROFESSION ERNEST A.DIMATTIA JR.AWARD FORINNOVATION a leader as visionary andresponsive to communityneedsasKristen.”a leaderasvisionary “As acitizen,reader, andamother, our library system has Iamproud that cled Reads, andWe Stories, for reading families. anantiracism group Recy Career OnlineHighSchool, programs, lunch summer andafterschool ovated buildings.Inaddition,sheintroduced innovative as such programs Renewed, hasresulted and13completely which infour new branches ren Sorth volunteers for severalSorth organizations and isanactive member cofounder andexecutive Horwitz, Laura director ofWe Stories, wrote, orth, director ofSt. LouisCounty(Mo.) orth, library of ALA, the Public Library Association (PLA), the Missouri Library Missouri the Public Library Association(PLA), the of ALA, Penguin Association, and the UrbanAssociation, andthe Libraries Council. through a through Read more at bit.ly/ALA-Awards-Sorth. This $5,000award recognizes apublic five demonstrates leadership inanticipating emerging trends inservices, products, and technologies that -year improvement capital plancalledYour will enhance the DONOR: The DiMattia Family library Library ’s positioninitscommunity. , recently guided the , recently guidedthe director ofCraig County librarian (Va.) Library Public Letha Persinger, who who Library - -

EQUALITY AWARD BETA PHI MU AWARD

Julius C. Jefferson Jr. Mirah J. Dow and Lorelle R. Swader ne nominator wrote of Dow that “her O commitment to Beta Phi Mu’s motto, efferson, ALA president-elect, is section head of Research and Library Aliis inserviendo consumor—meaning J Services in the Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division of the Congres- ‘Consumed in the service of others’—is sional Research Service at the Library of Congress (LC) in Washington, D.C. ever present.” Dow, professor and director He has supported equality in librarianship for more than two decades and has of the PhD program at Emporia (Kans.) mentored many younger librarians and encouraged them to advocate for diver- State University School of Library and sity and inclusion in the profession. Information Management, has spent her He has served as an ALA councilor and past ALA Executive Board member, career educating and advocating for school as vice president and chief steward of the Congressional Research Employees librarians. She is a founding partner of Association, and as 2013–2016 president of the Freedom to Read Foundation the Kansas Summer Institute for School (FTRF). He coedited The 21st Century Black Librarian in America: Issues and Librarians and was honored with the Challenges (Scarecrow Press, 2012). Kansas Association of School Librarians Swader is associate executive director of the ALA–Allied Professionals Asso- 2014 Vision Award. ciation (ALA-APA) and ALA Offices and Member Relations. She has worked She is editor of School Libraries Matter: with numerous ALA-APA committees and task forces focusing on diversity and Views from the Research (Libraries Unlim- inclusion, including the Spectrum Scholarship and Emerging Leaders pro- ited, 2013) and in 2015 codesigned a STEM grams. She is chief architect and author of the ALA-APA Librarian and Library curriculum to help classroom teachers and Worker Salary Surveys—the primary source of salary data for libraries. librarians collaborate. Her nominator and Swader organizes the annual National Library Workers Day and has been supporters noted how generously she gives a consistent presence on the ALA Committee on the Status of Women in of herself as a teacher and mentor. Librarianship. Read more at bit.ly/ALA-Awards-Dow. Her unwavering promotion of library workers’ contributions and equitable salaries and her guidance for including diversity and inclusion in ALA-APA’s cer- This award of $1,000 recognizes the tificate program have had an influential and positive impact on the profession. achievement of a library school fac- Read more at bit.ly/ALA-Awards-Equality. ulty member or another individual for distinguished service to education in This $1,000 award honors an outstanding contribution that promotes equality librarianship. DONOR: Beta Phi Mu Interna- in the library profession. DONOR: Scarecrow Press, a member of the Rowman & tional Library Science Honor Society Littlefield Publishing Group

Julius C. Jefferson Jr. (left) and Lorelle R. Swader

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 27 2019 ALA AWARD WINNERS 28 September/October 2019 I Loudoun County (Va.) Public Library Public (Va.) County Loudoun ALA EXCELLENCE INLIBRARY PROGRAMMINGAWARD Cultural Communities Fund measurable impact. an identified community need;andhas and/or active participation; addresses the community inplanning,sponsorship, gram type orprogram seriesthat engages ming by creating a cultural/thematic pro This $5,000award recognizes a cardholders persession. average up 15–20 new library of150attendees andsigning science and tech-focused library, adultsto the an reaching become LCPL’s inexposing effort most successfulsustained own ScienceonTap research. their groundbreaking has describing bombanalysis, andouter space,often terrorism, present onbiology, neuroscience, cybersecurity, counter- to brewery to the experts nationally andinternationally recognized Campus, JaneliaResearch Medical Institute’s ScienceonTap brought ScienceonTap monthly includingthe focused programs, series. demonstrates excellence in programming without their children. Asaremedy, children. their without programming created LCPH lineupofrelevant adult- anexpanded gap—few adultswere service engaging with facedacritical n 2017,LoudounCountyPublic Library (LCPL) Read more at bit.ly/ALA-Awards-Loudoun. betweenA partnership OldOxBrewery, LCPL, andHoward Hughes

DONOR: | americanlibrariesmagazine.org library ALA ALA library

program that that - - programming coordinator and Lorraine Moffa, community engagement, programming and division manager, Susan VanEpps (left), N June Garcia June MELVIL DEWEYMEDAL and as1991–1992president ofPLA. Council,FTRF, world. around onALA the 400 library leaders Shehasserved Gates more hastrained Foundation’s than that GlobalLibrariesprogram Network ofEmerging Library Innovators, Bill&Melinda acomponent ofthe create policiesfocused onresults. how facilities,and librarians andtrustees train to their manage andstaff andledcountlessworkshops tosure, andevaluate public library services director ofSanAntonio Public Library. Shedeveloped tools to plan,mea- library administratorprofession for asbranch PhoenixPublic Library and T Read more at bit.ly/ALA-Awards-Garcia. Garcia played akey role increating International anddeveloping the his $2,000 for creative professional achievement in tactical prowess”tactical to the noted andspecifically service heroutstanding balanceofstrategic Garcia’s “perfect visionand ominators described cataloging andclassification, orthetools andtechniques of DONOR: award OCLC —which ALA Council voted to rename in library management, training, June librarian —is given ship. ship. W. Y. BOYD LITERARY AWARD FOR KEN HAYCOCK AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MILITARY FICTION PROMOTING LIBRARIANSHIP

Ray McPadden Patricia Helm cPadden’s debut novel, And the Whole Mountain Burned (Center Street, Smith M 2018), is a firsthand account of US Army Rangers fighting in the moun- tains of eastern Afghanistan in spring 2008. McPadden mith spent 30 years as executive says his novel depicts “the horrors of war, the cour- S director of the Texas Library Associ- age of the soldiers, and the fact that no matter ation (TLA) until her retirement. During how many enemies we vanquish, there is always her tenure, TLA launched a series of another over the ridge.” leadership programs, including the Exec- McPadden is a combat veteran who served utive Leadership Immersion and the TALL four tours in Afghanistan and Iraq and a former Texans Leadership Development Institute, ground force commander in an elite unit of the for librarians across Texas to assume criti- Army Rangers. He has earned a Purple Heart, cal management roles and for advocacy in two Bronze Stars, and a medal for valor. local, regional, and state politics. Read more at bit.ly/ALA-Awards-McPadden. She served multiple terms on the ALA Council and twice on the ALA Executive This award of $5,000 honors the best fiction Board. She has chaired and served on set in a period when the United States several ALA committees. was at war. DONOR: William Young Smith was honored by the Texas Soci- Boyd II ety of Association Executives as Distin- guished Executive of the Year in 2014 and was named a Distinguished Alumna of the University of Texas at Austin School of Information in 2009 for her professional H. W. WILSON LIBRARY STAFF DEVELOPMENT GRANT leadership and contributions to the field. Read more at bit.ly/ALA-Awards-Smith.

This award of $1,000 honors an individ- North Bergen (N.J.) ual for contributing significantly to the Free Public Library public recognition and appreciation of librarianship through professional perfor- he North Bergen Free Public Library (NBFPL) serves a culturally and eco- mance, teaching, and/or writing. DONOR: T nomically diverse urban area with a high need for social services along with Ken Haycock English-language classes. Nearly 80% of residents speak a language other than English at home. The number of chronically homeless individuals in Hudson County is also rising dramatically. The award jury was impressed by the library’s multifaceted approach to addressing the needs of its community through staff training in ESL and ELL certification, customer service training, and CPR certification. Training will focus on front-line staffers with the goal of helping them better understand and meet the needs of patrons, especially immigrants and underserved community members. Read more at bit.ly/ALA-Awards-HWWilson.

This $3,500 award goes to a library that demonstrates merit in a staff development program that furthers the goals and objectives of the library organization. DONOR: H. W. Wilson Sai Rao, executive director Company/EBSCO Publishers

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 29 2019 ALA AWARD WINNERS 30 September/October 2019 M Judi Moreillon Judi PUBLISHING AWARD SCHOLASTIC LIBRARY Scholastic LibraryPublishing achievement intheprofession. for lifelonglearningexemplifyoutstanding to booksandencouragingaloveofreading unusual contributiontopromotingaccess This $1,000awardhonorsalibrarianwhose Librarian’s Role inReading. AASL’sauthor andfamilieshelped children, teachers, librarians, classroom forseveral school books Position Statements Task Force. Shehaswritten Task Reading Force; ofthe chair sheiscurrent Force Role Librarian’s inReading andSchool AASL’s Innovative to Approaches Literacy Task of chair Librarians (AASL),includingformer AssociationofSchool American the tions within mentor LileadProject. for the as aliteracy andasa and libraries consultant librarians. Sheiswidely respected for herwork public well services andyouth aschildren’s graduate-level librarians as school preservice Forand literacy coach. 21years, shetaught room teacher, district-level librarian mentor, Read more at bit.ly/ALA-Awards-Moreillon Moreillon hasheldseveral posi- leadership all instructional levels, aswellall instructional asaclass- librarian at asaschool oreillon hasserved Position Statement onthe School | americanlibrariesmagazine.org DONOR: . CEO of TCCL berly Johnson, sion, andKim- library commis- chair ofTCCL Richard White, T T in TCCL’s recently renovated branch. Central resource andeconomicdriver. ThespaceopenedinOctober 2016 literacy civic digital goals library isavital andensuretheir the andattain helppatrons pursue Literacy Digital Labstaff groups, students, genealogists, Tulsa librarians, andother PublicSchool meetups, classesatlocaluniversities, and in-house workshops for interest intechnology. technology programs, Through outreach its, family whohave educators, historians, andusers acasual localnonprof- needsofprofessional artists, the tions to support literacy digital skills. learn simulators—and digitizationequipment, andflight ics software, librarian experiment with new andemerging with experiment mation technology ina cations of, ordevelopment ofpatron training programs aboutinfor County Library County TulsaCity- (Okla.) OF THEFUTUREAWARD ALA/INFORMATION TODAY LIBRARY his $1,200award honors a Read more at bit.ly/ALA-Awards-TCCL. organiza- technology with LiteracyThe Digital Labpartners self-directed andworking training spacewhere patrons can Literacy (TCCL)ulsa City-County Library’s Digital Labisa s, orsupportorganization for innovative planningfor, appli library library, library setting. technologies DONOR: consortium, group of Information Today —such asgraph —such - - - SCHNEIDER FAMILY BOOK AWARDS

Jessica Kensky, Patrick The award-winning Downes, and Scott Magoon source for jobs in Library escue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship won the award for young and Information Science R readers. Coauthored by Kensky and Downes and illustrated by Magoon, and Technology the autobiographical story of a girl and her new service dog was inspired by Kensky adapting to life as a double amputee after the 2013 Boston Mara- thon bombing. Where job seekers The Remember and employers Balloons by Jessie Oliveros, illustrated get results. by Dana Wulfekotte, is the young JOB SEEKERS readers Filter and sort hundreds of honor title. job ads by position type, employer, location, job title, From left: and more. Scott Magoon, Rescue, Patrick EMPLOYERS Downes, and Strengthen your candidate Jessica Kensky pool—ALA reaches the engaged professionals and Leslie Connor students you want to hire. he Truth as Told by Mason Buttle, authored by T Connor, won the award for best middle-grade joblist.ala.org book. Targeted by bullies, a murder suspect accepts help from a school social worker and uses voice recognition technology to uncover the truth. The Collectors by Jacqueline West is the middle- Leslie grade honor title. Connor

Mark Oshiro he teen award winner is Anger Is a Gift, Oshiro's novel T about a high school junior fighting for justice despite suffering from severe panic attacks after the murder of his father. (Don’t) Call Me Crazy: 33 Voices Start the Conversation about Mental Health, edited by Kelly Jensen, is the teen honor title. Read more at bit.ly/ALA-Awards-Schneider. Mark Oshiro

This award of $5,000 is given to authors or illustrators for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for children and adolescent audiences. This year marks the introduction of Schneider Family Award honor titles, which receive a plaque. Recipients are selected in three categories: young readers (newborn to age 8), middle readers (ages 9–13), and teen readers (ages 14–18). DONOR: Katherine Schneider HRDR

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 31 2019 LIBRARY DESIGN

elcome to the 2019 Library Design SHOWCASE WShowcase, American Libraries’ annual celebration of new and renovated libraries. These shining examples of innovative architectural feats address user needs in unique, interesting, and effective ways. Reno- vations and expansions continue to dominate submissions, as communities find novel ways to conserve and honor existing spaces while moving them well into the 21st century. For more photos of our featured libraries, visit americanlibrariesmagazine.org.

32 September/October 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN

New Haven (Conn.) Free Public Library New Haven Free Public Library transformed its first- floor Cass Gilbert Reading Room into Ives Squared, a community commons designed to foster innovation complete with a networking space for nonprofit use, tinker lab, digital switchboard for reference use, and patio. PROJECT: Renovation ARCHITECT: Margaret Sullivan Studio SIZE: 8,000 square feet COST: $1.5 million PHOTO: Garrett Rowland

Stoughton (Mass.) Public Library Finegold Alexander brought this mid-century modern facility built in 1969 into the present day, expanding its footprint and uncluttering its design to create an open, inviting space with bright, natural lighting; an updated color palette; universal accessibility; and improved program spaces. PROJECT: Renovation and expansion ARCHI- TECT: Finegold Alexander Architects SIZE: 31,000 square feet COST: $14 million PHOTO: Raj Das Photography

Idea Exchange Old Post Office, Cambridge, Ontario The Idea Exchange Old Post Office is a bookless library devoted entirely to makerspaces. Housed in a renovated building completed in 1885, the four-level facility features a theater, film and audio recording suites, a children’s discovery center with robot-building kits, and a 9,000-square-foot cantilevered pavilion that extends over the Grand River. PROJECT: Renovation and expansion ARCHITECT: RDHA SIZE: 19,000 square feet COST: $11.1 million Canadian PHOTO: Tom Arban

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 33 LANDSCAPE VIEWS

Flowing Wells Library, Pima County (Ariz.) Public Library Floor-to-ceiling windows and glass partitions throughout Flowing Wells Library create an open atmosphere and provide unobstructed views of the scenic desert surrounding the library. PROJECT: Renovation and expansion ARCHITECT: Line and Space Archi- tects SIZE: 13,000 square feet COST: $3.4 million PHOTO: Bradley Wheeler

Norman (Okla.) Public Library East, Pioneer Library System Norman Public Library East’s design was influenced by Oklahoma’s iron-rich topography, red dust, intense weather, and prairies. The building sits low to the ground, with a rust-colored exterior and large windows that reveal views of the horizon. The facility’s location mitigates solar heat gain in the summer, and low-irrigation landscaping and stormwater management help conserve and preserve water year round. PROJECT: New construction ARCHITECT: MSR Design/The McKinney Partnership Architects SIZE: 12,000 square feet COST: $5.5 million PHOTO: Brandon Stengel

REPURPOSED SPACES

Spotsylvania Towne Centre branch, Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) in Fredericksburg, Virginia CRRL opened a branch in a local shopping mall with the support of the mall’s owner, who offered unused retail space to the library rent free. The modest branch features kids, teen, and adult areas, and computer facilities. Its location has attracted visitors who might not patronize a traditional library. PROJECT: Renovation ARCHITECT: George K. Somers, Architect SIZE: 2,100 square feet COST: $150,000 PHOTO: CRRL

34 September/October 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org MEDITERRANEAN FLAVOR

The Gioconda and Joseph King Library, Palm Beach, Florida Kirchoff & Associates used old photos of the Society of the Four Arts library, which also serves as municipal library for Palm Beach, to ensure accurate restoration of the building, originally designed by Mediterranean-influenced architect Maurice Fatio in the 1930s. Renovations included re-creating exterior murals and uncovering, preserving, and replaning the cypress walls, beams, and shelving. PROJ- ECT: Renovation and expansion ARCHITECT: Kirchhoff & Associates Architects SIZE: 9,576 square feet COST: $10 million PHOTO: Nickolas Sargent

48 years of engaging

library design

[email protected] | www.faainc.com SDO-certiﬁed Women Business Enterprise (WBE)

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 35 THE LIBRARY AS STUDIO

Richland Library Main, Columbia, South Carolina Located in the center of Columbia’s business, university, and entertainment district, Richland Library Main was designed using a “library as studio” model, where ideas and creativity are fostered in public and private spaces. In addition to traditional stacks, the library includes an art gallery, café, performance space, gathering areas, reading nooks, makerspace, coworking and business centers, and garden. PROJ- ECT: Renovation ARCHITECT: Boudreaux, McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture, and Margaret Sullivan Studio SIZE: 242,000 square feet COST: $18 million PHOTO: Garrett Rowland A COMMUNITY SEAT

Five Forks branch, Greenville County (S.C.) Library System Located in an area that had once been farmland, Five Forks branch was created to be a community- centric “modern barn.” Cavernous and column-free, the bright-colored, airy facility features a family area, café, and makerspace, as well as meeting rooms, interactive youth learning areas, a teen space, and a quiet reading room. PROJECT: New construction ARCHITECT: McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture and Margaret Sullivan Studio SIZE: 28,000 square feet COST: $8.5 million PHOTO: Firewater Photography

36 SUPPLEMENTARY DESIGN

Vellore Village Library, Vaughn (Ont.) Public Libraries Vellore Village Library is an addition to the Vellore Village Joint-Use Com- plex, which also houses a community center, secondary school, and 35-acre park. The library meshes with the existing building’s design, yet stands out with curvilinear and cantilevered features, including an exterior reading terrace that overlooks a skate park. PROJECT: New construction ARCHITECT: ZAS Architects SIZE: 8,500 square feet COST: $4.5 million Canadian PHOTO: Michael Muraz

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 37 SCHOOLS OF ALL SIZES

Barbara J. Burger iZone, University of Rochester in New York The iZone at University of Rochester was created to inspire and realize ideas. The facility was designed with two distinct zones: a back-of-house area for independent and group study and an expansive front-of-house space complete with amphi- theater seating, where students can gather and share and display projects. PROJECT: Renovation ARCHITECT: Holt Architects SIZE: 14,500 square feet COST: $1.7 million PHOTO: Revette Studio

Wisconsin School of Business Learning Commons, Madison The Learning Commons links two wings of the existing School of Business building, creating a hub with wired spaces for interactive and collaborative learning, tutoring, and independent study. PROJECT: Reno- vation ARCHITECT: Potter Lawson/MSR Design SIZE: 35,000 square feet COST: $11 million PHOTO: Mike Rebholz

Palo Alto (Calif.) High School HED gave Palo Alto High School’s outdated library a dramatic facelift. Built in the 1970s, the original library was dark, disjointed, and uninviting. HED transformed the space by adding large windows for natural light; a flexible instruction room; silent and group study rooms; a productivity center; reading nooks; and a mezzanine level, accessible via a spiral staircase, to house the library’s 125-year-old journalism archive. PROJECT: Renovation ARCHITECT: HED SIZE: 26,600 square feet COST: $10.1 million PHOTO: Tim Maloney

38 September/October 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org Expand Your Skills and Unlock Your alastore.ala.org Potential—Learn with Us this Fall!

90-MINUTE WORKSHOP 3-WEEK WORKSHOP 12-WEEK ECOURSE 4-WEEK ECOURSE Strategies for Working Library Director Library Management: 12 Mindfulness for with Children with Bootcamp: Getting the Weeks to Success Librarians: Handling Autism Spectrum Skills You Need with Wayne T. Disher Stress and Thriving Disorder with Kathy Parker and Kate Hall BEGINS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2019 Under Pressure A comprehensive guide to management in BEGINS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2019 with Carol Morrone 12 weeks. with Richard Moniz and Martin New to management? Here’s what you need WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019 House to know. Gain skills for understanding and working BEGINS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2019 with children with ASD. Reduce stress across your library community.

4-WEEK ECOURSE 5-WEEK ECOURSE 4-WEEK ECOURSE 90-MINUTE WORKSHOP Rethinking Library Advance Your Career: Supporting Teen Services: Build a Great Team Instruction: Libraries as Becoming Opportunity- Fostering Community, with Catherine Hakala-Ausperk Social Learning Centers Minded and Unlocking Programming, and WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2019 Gain tools for unlocking your staff’s potential.. with Paul Signorelli Your Potential Outreach BEGINS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2019 with Caitlin Williams with Jennifer Velásquez Revitalize your library instruction. BEGINS MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019 BEGINS MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019 Spot career advancement opportunities and Build teen services with a community-based move forward. approach.

For a full listing of current workshops and eCourses, visit alastore.ala.org. AIA/ALA LIBRARY BUILDING

he following libraries are winners of the 2019 Library Building AWARDS T Awards, sponsored by the American Library Association’s Library Leadership and Management Association and the American Institute of Architects. The awards recognize the best in library architecture and design and are open to any architect licensed in the United States. Projects may be located anywhere in the world.

Tutt Library, Calgary (Alberta) Colorado College, Public Library, Colorado Springs Central Library ARCHITECT: Pfeiffer ARCHITECT: Snøhetta PHOTO: Steve Lerum and Dialog PHOTO: Michael Grimm

40 September/October 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org Louisville (Ky.) Free Public Library, South Central regional branch ARCHITECT: MSR Design and JRA Architects PHOTO: Brandon Stengel

Toronto Public Library, Albion branch ARCHITECT: Perkins + Will Canada PHOTO: Doublespace

The Milstein Center San Mateo at Barnard College, County (Calif.) New York City Libraries, Half ARCHITECT: Skidmore, Moon Bay branch Owings, and Merrill ARCHITECT: Noll and PHOTO: Magda Biernat Tam Architects PHOTO: Anthony Lindsey Photography americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 41 HOW TO

BUILD A

From funding to architects to civic buy-in, what it takes to complete a new construction project

BY Terra Dankowski

42 LIBRARRY

n its first nine months, Austin (Tex.) Public Library’s new Central Library saw 1 million patrons come through its doors. Since cutting its ribbon in 2017, K. O. Lee Aberdeen (S.Dak.) Public Library has seen gains in cardholders, pro- Igram attendance, meeting-room use, and computer use. And after opening to the public, the new Renton Highlands Library, a branch of the King County (Wash.) Library System (KCLS), has seen circulation increase by 18%. These libraries, each completed within the past three years, are now centerpieces of their communities. They have inspired awe and appreciation, increased user engagement, received architecture and design awards—and won over some of their critics. So how did these endeavors come together? How does a beautiful building become a reality? K. O. Lee Aber- We asked three administrators—who have had disparate experi- deen (S.Dak.) Photos: K. O. Lee Aberdeen Public Library (top three); Spencer Sommer/MSR (bottom) Sommer/MSR Spencer three); (top Public Library Aberdeen Lee K. O. Photos: Public Library, ences with costs, construction timelines, funding sources, and com- from framing to final product. munity priorities—for some nuts-and-bolts insights on how a library gets made. Here’s what they said.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 43 RECOGNIZING AN OPPORTUNITY Lack of space for materials and new technology, poor “The main problem with our previous Central Library infrastructure, a collection kept “artificially low,” a leak- building, which opened in 1979 to serve a population of ing roof, and bathrooms that were not compliant with the several hundred thousand residents, was that it proved Americans with Disabilities Act were all needs the Aberdeen fairly quickly to be undersized as our city boomed,” says Public Library Foundation cited in its fundraising campaign. John Gillum, facilities process manager for Austin Public “After much consideration, building new was chosen as the Library (featured in last year’s “Library Design Showcase,” solution,” says Director Shirley Arment. Sept./Oct. 2018, p. 28). “It must also be conceded that the designers of the building did not anticipate the computer CIVIC BUY-IN age particularly well.” Renton Highlands Library’s situation was unique: The city of Gillum says that community conversations around the Renton ran its own independent libraries until 2010, when library’s flagging conditions began as early as the late 1980s. residents voted to annex them into KCLS. As part of an inter- “We were focused primarily on making the building work by local agreement, the city would fund two libraries—a ren- whatever means [we] could devise,” he states, “but we real- ovation of Renton Library and new construction for Renton ized that a new library might be the solution when citizens Highlands Library—which KCLS would own, maintain, began to lobby to put a funding proposition on an upcoming operate, and furnish. general obligation bond election ballot.” While city officials in Renton and Aberdeen reacted Renton Highlands Library and Aberdeen Public Library positively to the library projects (“All wanted to see the (featured in last year’s “Library Design Showcase,” Sept./ problems solved, with questions about a cost-effective way Oct. 2018, p. 29) were also facing outdated and cramped to make it happen,” says Arment), reaction to Austin Public confines. Library’s proposal was mixed. “While some city council- members, county commissioners, and educators immediately embraced the idea, there was pushback from many, including library commissioners who were convinced that building more branch libraries—not a central library—was the key to improving library services,” says Gillum.

Clockwise from top left: Solar panels cover the roof garden at Austin (Tex.) Public Library’s Central Library; the concrete foundation, poured over a 24-hour period in May 2014, required 1,433 tons of reinforcing steel; the finished building shines above W. Cesar Chavez Street in downtown Austin. Photos: Atelier Wong Photography (roof); Austin Public Library (construction); Rachel Kay (exterior) Rachel Kay (construction); Public Library (roof); Austin Photography Wong Atelier Photos:

44 K. O. Lee Renton Highlands Aberdeen Library, King Central Library, Public Library County Library Austin Public South Dakota System | Washington Library | Texas

TOWN POPULATION: 28,562. The CITY POPULATION: 102,153. There are CITY POPULATION: 964,254. Austin Public library serves approximately three public libraries within city Library has 685,795 cardholders, and 45,000 people from Aberdeen, limits; Renton Highlands Library Central Library sees about 101,000 Brown County, and surrounding has 37,150 cardholders. monthly visits.

areas. TOTAL COST OF PROJECT: TOTAL COST OF PROJECT: $125 million

TOTAL COST OF PROJECT: $8.6 million $11.4 million FUNDING SOURCES: $90 million in general FUNDING SOURCES: $6.5 million by FUNDING SOURCES: $10.4 million obligation bonds from 2006 election, tax levy, $2.1 million from fundrais- from city of Renton, $1 million $10 million from Austin’s sale of Block 18, ing campaign from KCLS $19 million in certificates of obligation, $6 million from general fund transfer

TIMELINE TIMELINE TIMELINE

2007 Problem recognized 2010 Problem recognized 1990 Problem recognized

2008 Consultants hired 2011 Location and architects 2007 Location selected

2011 Location selected selected 2008 Architects selected

2014 Consultants hired 2013 Schematic design completed 2011 Schematic design completed

2015 Architects selected 2014 Construction starts 2013 Construction starts

2016 Schematic design completed; 2016 Construction ends; 2017 Construction ends; construction starts library opens library opens

2017 Construction ends; library opens

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT “The formal report of the task force noted that there was KCLS held public meetings to get input on Renton Highlands a clear need for a new Central Library, as well as a need to Library’s proposed design. “The community was appreciative upgrade older branch libraries,” Gillum says. of the inclusive design process,” says Gregory Smith, director of facilities and development for KCLS. “One of the chief BRINGING ON CONSULTANTS desires was to have the library represent the airplane industry, Aberdeen Public Library hired two different consulting firms, as many residents work at the local Boeing plant.” one in 2008 and another in 2014. The first conducted a Aberdeen residents also attended public meetings, and needs-and-costs assessment to determine whether the library some community members sat on committees to choose the should remodel its existing building or pursue new construc- new library’s location and contribute to the building’s design. tion. The second firm came in with a goal to “plan and design But perhaps the community’s biggest showing of support was the type of library that we needed and wanted in our commu- approving a tax levy to fund the library in 2015; it passed with nity,” says Arment. 60% in favor. Neither KCLS nor Austin Public Library, the two larger Austin Public Library, too, hosted design charrettes across systems, hired building consultants because that role was the city, allowing architects to get direct feedback from assumed by in-house planners and project managers. “We users—including a session that was especially popular among were fortunate to have staff who were experienced in library teens. Further, former Austin Mayor Kirk Watson appointed planning, site acquisition, and design and construction,” a citizen task force to study the needs of the library system. says Gillum.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 45 HIRING ARCHITECTS it might be able to raise $2 to $3 million. They were better Austin Public Library’s call for architects received interna- fundraisers than they knew,” says Gillum. “Their consistent tional attention; more than 80 firms applied. “Staff was positivity ultimately resulted in $6 million in donations to charged with meticulously evaluating and rating the submit- support art, technology, and collection enhancements.” tals, but finally a list of six finalists was decided upon,” says Meanwhile, Aberdeen’s foundation board raised more than Gillum. The six were invited for face-to-face interviews and $2 million for the building. presentations, and a list of three finalists selected by staff was taken to city council, which awarded the contract. SECURING FUNDING Renton Highlands Library’s request for proposals outlined Though Aberdeen residents approved a $6.5 million tax levy the library’s desire to represent what the residents wanted, for the new library, that figure wasn’t attractive to everyone. says Smith. Interviews were conducted by a panel comprising “A public vote was forced, triggered by referendum petitions Smith, the KCLS executive director, a representative from filed by an opposition group,” says Arment. Ultimately, library the Friends group, a KCLS trustee, the city manager, and two supporters prevailed. community members. The group focused on which architect “Our project estimate totaled $125 million, but because of team had the best design ideas for the community’s needs and a number of other worthwhile projects competing to be on which mechanical, electrical, and plumbing teams it would the ballot, the proposition to fund the new Central Library bring to the project, says Smith. only called for $90 million in voter-approved funding,” says Having never hired building consultants or architects Gillum. Fortunately, he says, the city council approved a before, Arment says she leaned heavily on city officials’ plan to cobble together the remaining $35 million from sale expertise. Both were selected by a committee of library and proceeds of a city-owned block once considered for the new city officials. Central Library, issuance of certificates of obligation, and Arment, Gillum, and Smith say they consulted literature transfers from the general fund. and even other libraries to assist in planning and design. “We visited every city with a new central library that we could— UNIQUE BUILDING FEATURES Vancouver, Seattle, Nashville, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Renton Highlands Library’s decision to more than double its Minneapolis, Amsterdam—and endeavored to absorb every space—from about 6,000 to 15,000 square feet—allowed bit of information their staff members generously shared with more flexibility to fulfill the community’s vision of represent- us,” says Gillum. ing its ties to aircraft manufacturing. “The building truly does represent an airplane hangar. With its high, open reading area THE ROLE OF FRIENDS with lots of windows and lower areas that expand outward, AND TRUSTEES it actually looks like you could park an airplane in it,” Smith “A revamped library commission,” which Gillum says changed says. “It also has what looks like jet streams in the wood ceil- significantly with Austin’s 1998 bond election, “proved to be ing and carpet tile.” critical for the new Central Library project.” He credits the Aberdeen Public Library’s 13,000-square-foot expansion commission’s “passionate advocacy” for getting the funding allowed for a programming room in the children’s section, proposition on the 2006 ballot and rallying citizens to vote in an outdoor programming area, a separate teen space, lots support, while defending the project against accusations that of meeting and study rooms, and a kitchen for food-based it was unnecessary, off schedule, and over budget. programming—all while paying homage to the Craftsman and The Austin Public Library Foundation was also integral Prairie styles of the town’s railroad depots. to the new construction. “The foundation initially thought Gillum says Austin Public Library users were most vocal about building as green as possible. “By city ordinance, we were required to achieve at least a Silver LEED certificate,” says Gillum. “But everyone associated with the project was “The community was so committed to constructing the most sustainable building

possible that we completely overshot the mark.” appreciative of the “ With its solar panel array and rainwater harvesting system, the new Central Library became Austin’s first Platinum LEED– inclusive design process. rated facility. “We are proud to have created such a sustain- GREGORY SMITH, director of facilities and development able building, but I think the community might be most proud for King County (Wash.) Library System of what a uniquely beautiful building was created,” says Gillum, noting that the wood and stone architecture blends well with central Texas’s natural elements.

46 September/October 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org Clockwise from top left: With its high ceilings and tall windows, Renton (Wash.) High- lands Library resembles an airplane hangar; a floorplan of the 15,000-square-foot building; the completed construction, which opened in 2016.

BIGGEST OBSTACLES LESSONS LEARNED “Convincing the public that a new library was in the best What did each person wish they had known going into the interest of our community and that the new library would be process? relevant for a long time to come” was among Aberdeen Public “The construction inflation during the design of this Library’s greatest challenges, says Arment. project was significant. By the time we got through design, For Austin Public Library, difficulties came when workers we had to make some engineering changes to keep within began to dig. “The biggest obstacle encountered during con- budget,” says Smith. “Another lesson learned was to struction was no doubt the underground river flowing beneath always be ready for anything the fire marshals will ask you the site, discovered while we were excavating for the below- to do. You might have to install a lot more equipment than grade parking garage,” says Gillum. “However, our excellent anticipated.” engineers successfully redesigned the foundation to be the “Although we never took a cookie-cutter approach largest floating slab ever poured in this part of the world.” with any of our facilities, it would have served us well if Renton Highlands Library encountered a few hiccups on some knowledgeable soul had advised us that every cen- the way to opening. In 2016, the initial opening was delayed tral library is a prototype—no one ever builds the same by vandalism and construction. It was then decided to post- central library twice,” says Gillum. “If we had fully grasped pone the dedication to 2018, because the public park being that, we might have been less surprised when encounter- built across the street was causing accessibility issues. Further, ing design and construction challenges seemingly every the project was planned as a joint development with attached 15 minutes.” retail and housing—but Smith says the developers for these Arment’s advice is simple and practical. “Have patience,” amenities still have not broken ground. she says. “All the stress is worth the outcome.” Additional challenges included dealing with certain government jurisdictions for permitting, sticking to timeframes, TERRA DANKOWSKI is managing editor of and figuring out how to treat stormwater runoff. “Having a American Libraries. good architect team on board really helps you navigate this

Photos: Patrick Bennett Patrick Photos: process,” says Smith.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 47 Are self-service

libraries a threat to

the profession or an

opportunity to better

serve patrons?

AutomatIC for the people

BY Claire Zulkey

48 September/October 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org hen Jacob Grussing, director of Scott County Library (SCL) in Shakopee, Minnesota, spoke to the local paper about SCL’s investigation into self-serve library services, Whe wasn’t exactly prepared for the patron fallout. Com- ments poured in supporting SCL’s staffers after the resulting article ran online with the headline “Libraries without Librarians?” But he says any move to automate would be about expanding services, not cutting staff. “I told that journalist, the conversation would regard whether we repurpose one of our staff, who is doing transactional work, to do more Cardholders 18 years and transformational work enhancing library resources and programs in older at Gwinnett senior living facilities or nursing homes or low-income housing commu- County (Ga.) Public Library nity rooms,” Grussing explains. “It’s not a reduction but looking at how can access the Lawrenceville we currently staff our physical brick-and-mortar spaces.” branch, monitored Automated and self-service libraries—which have been popular in here through security footage, Europe for years—are gaining a foothold in the US. Will these services during unstaffed eliminate librarian jobs, or are they a cost-effective way to stretch bud- morning hours via the Open+ auto- gets and provide basic services while freeing staff for other work? mated system.

In 2016, Gwinnett County (Ga.) Public Library at Snellville. He adds that some of the most regular (GCPL) piloted automated self-service library technology users include parents whose children have differing at its Lawrenceville branch as a way to increase com- school drop-off times and who need a place where kids munity access to the library’s resources. GCPL installed can play while parents read or catch up on work. Also, Open+, a system that grants patrons self-service use of he says, “We have some very loyal newspaper readers a library outside normal operating hours through a card every morning.” reader. The technology controls and monitors building Casey sees self-service libraries not so much as a entry, self-service kiosks, and public-access computers cost-saving measure but as an added value. “We didn’t as well as lighting, alarms, public announcements, and use it to replace any staff hours; we added on top of patron safety. Open+, a bibliotheca product, is used by staff hours,” he explains. Adding 2–3 more staffers for 800 libraries around the world, only a handful of them the extra hours covered by the self-service tech was in the US. cost-prohibitive. Michael Casey, GCPL’s director of customer experi- SCL’s Grussing is investigating self-serve options for ence, says that the service has proven so popular that that very reason. “It’s unrealistic to expect staffing to the library has added the technology to its Snellville be expanded to provide that level of access across seven branch and is planning to add more locations. Initially, locations,” he says. “I think it’s our responsibility to GCPL made self-service available for a $5 fee. The find creative ways to create more value for residents’ response to the new feature was so enthusiastic that tax dollars. If we can extend access and make it more administrators granted free access to all users 18 years convenient to use our library, it’s something to research and older, who check themselves in during early- and consider.” morning hours when the library is open but staffers are Sam Wallin, project coordinator at Fort Vancouver not working in public areas. Regional Libraries (FVRL) in Vancouver, Washington, Casey says about 2,000 visitors per month use self- used his colleagues as a sounding board before installing service at the Lawrenceville branch, with another 1,000 Telepen’s Sentry Isis system, the self-serve technology

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 49 “That’s the danger that a lot of people fear with automation, that it will replace something better with something worse, but I think it can be really useful to think about it as a step toward something.”

SAM WALLIN, project coordinator at Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries in Vancouver, Washington

used at Yacolt (Wash.) Library Express, a mostly branch can check the security cameras at Yacolt—if unstaffed branch in the former town hall. He conferred they see someone lingering, they can announce: “The with librarians at nearby King County Library System, library’s going to close in about 10 minutes.” Wallin where patrons can scan themselves into the library after says that patrons sometimes think it’s just a recording, hours, about their process, tools, and services. so staffers can say, “‘You, with the red shirt,’ or, ‘I see Based on its rural patrons’ needs, FVRL chose to you, Jim!’” But otherwise, he says, “Nothing has really provide Wi-Fi, computers, and checkout and check-in at broken the model.” the express branch. Because of the minimal staffing, it At GCPL, morning hours are unstaffed, but in the eve- decided against incorporating self-serve tech for interli- ning a contracted security agency is on call. The library brary loans, anything that requires a cash transaction, or system plans to break ground on two new buildings daily newspapers. Patrons have to go to other branches this summer, and Casey says his team is considering for those services. the option of a monitored security service along with Open+ that includes a significant array of security Security starts with trust cameras. “That gives us pretty much total coverage of When it comes to patron safety in a self-serve library, the branch, aside from inside the bathrooms,” he says. Wallin says his philosophy is, “Start with trust and “We’re thinking of expanding the hours of our customer then backfill from there.” After he and his colleagues call center and having them watching the security conferred with community members about what would camera at the same time.” and wouldn’t make them feel comfortable at a self- Typically, Casey says, the biggest complaint from serve location, they decided against 24-hour access and patrons is when the copier goes down and they must installed video cameras and a phone system that could wait for a staff member to assist. The library’s biggest connect patrons with staff at other libraries. They also incident to date, he says, was when one guest (who spotted and solved what he describes as “loopholes” in was trying to leave quickly after falling ill) knocked the the system. library’s expensive new motion-sensor doors off the “People figured out that between midnight and 6 tracks. “He ended up taking the door down, although a.m., they couldn’t scan their card, but they could punch the glass didn’t break.” their card [number] in using the keypad,” which Wallin Occasionally, Casey says, local branches have issues says led to patrons letting themselves into the library with homeless patrons trying to bring their belong- earlier than they were supposed to. “We used to joke ings into the library during open hours. Grussing says about how people would break in to use our services,” his team is keeping that possibility in mind while it he laughs. “Not to steal anything—they just wanted to considers automation. “Like many public libraries, we check out their books.” His team solved the technical try to be welcoming to all individuals, whether they’re glitch but used it as a prompt to consider providing experiencing homelessness or not. ‘How will the library earlier hours. prevent this when there’s extended access—how will Otherwise security hasn’t been an issue thus far. you keep that from being a homeless shelter?’ I don’t “We haven’t had any problems that are worse or dif- have a solution for that, other than it’s something we’re ferent than what you would find in a regular library,” going to have to talk about internally,” says Grussing. Wallin says. However, he adds, “the same rules and guidelines for For example, patrons are occasionally reluctant to the library that we have for staffed hours extend to self- leave at closing time, which is when the telephone inter- service hours. If someone is coming into the space and com system comes in handy. Staffers from the nearest not harming themselves or other people and following

50 September/October 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org the code of conduct, it doesn’t matter what their housing fun to read the feedback on the local “libraries without Clockwise from status is. They should be able to use that space.” librarians” story, “to see how much people love their top left: Fort Van- couver Regional libraries and their librarians. That was the clearest Libraries’ Yacolt Engage your stakeholders thing that came out of the comments. Librarians matter, (Wash.) Library When asked what lessons he would impart to libraries human connection matters.” (He jokes, “They don’t care Express lives in considering automated technology, Casey says they must for library directors that much.”) a former town know their demographics. “I think there are some loca- The self-serve library is an improvement on Yacolt’s hall building; Jahara Craber tions where you might want a security guard at all times previous bookmobile, which, Wallin says, the public scans her library when it’s open, and others, like at some of ours, you may tended to see as a service for children. “If the library card to open the not need them at certain times of day.” Above all, he system is struggling where they’re like, ‘We can’t afford door using Tele- says, it’s important that libraries inform their customers to keep a place open,’ and they decide to go with pen’s Sentry Isis system; security when there is no staff present and about safety protocols unstaffed automated access instead, I think that that footage of the during that time. “Just engage the customer and let them would be seen as a loss,” Wallin says. “That’s the danger mostly unstaffed know that they might be the only person in the build- that a lot of people fear with automation, that it will Yacolt branch. The Columbian The ing,” he says. “You’re not trying to scare them; you’re just replace something better with something worse, but I being transparent with the reality of the situation.” think it can be really useful to think about it as a step Grussing adds that it’s important for library admin- toward something.” He says that if the automated library istrators to engage their staffers as early as possible— continues to be a highly engaged service, then the city “especially your more procedurally minded staffers,” might take steps to create a full-service library. he said. “The folks who tend to sound the alarm bells GCPL went through many changes in 2016, the year it quickly, they’ve been helpful to talk to. They can tick off incorporated unstaffed hours, says Casey: “We got rid of 10, 15, 20 questions right away.” The sooner stakehold- our [stationary] help desk, got Open+, and changed our ers are brought in, he says, the sooner administrators service model.” But he says that the new technology was can address concerns. one of the easiest changes. “I don’t want to jinx it, but it’s Grussing says that of the 1,800 residents who really worked out quite well,” he says. “I know from the responded to a survey on the possibility of automated numbers and from going out there every morning at Law- library technology, “the overwhelming majority don’t renceville, the value we’re giving customers is great.” want to see this impact current open hours, and they don’t want to see staffers negatively impacted.” He says CLAIRE ZULKEY is a freelance writer and that once most patrons understand that automation author in Evanston, Illinois. will complement, not replace, staff, it’s easier to work

Photos: Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries (exterior, screenshot); Ariane Kunze/ screenshot); (exterior, Libraries Regional Vancouver Fort Photos: through the implementation issues. He adds that it was

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 51 Up to the Challenge Dealing with school library book challenges before they happen

BY Mona Kerby

52 hen I worked as a school librarian at Little Elemen- tary in Arlington, Texas, I was terrified of having a book challenged. Sometimes I would wake up at W night worrying. I was afraid a parent would be angry with me, and my principal would think I was a bad librarian. If you ever find yourself wide awake and troubled about possible challenges: Get out of bed, drink some water, and remember that you have nothing to fear—if you’re prepared before a complaint occurs.

Build your foundation they’ve made the news because a community wanted to The first step is to be an excellent educator. Your lessons ban them, the text contains what some deem offensive should foster “opportunities for learners to demonstrate language, or the titles deal with a sensitive issue. Well, personal curiosity and creation of knowledge” and “sup- let’s keep this in perspective. You don’t have to advertise ge port the diverse developmental, cultural, social, and lin- that the books are on the shelves. And don’t remove them guistic needs” represented in your community, according from the school library because you’re afraid something to the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) might happen. If you’re that worried, rearrange the library National School Library Standards for Learners, School shelves and shelve the books on the bottom shelf some- Librarians, and School Libraries. Within the first six weeks where in the middle. When kids have only a few minutes to of school, learn each student’s name and who their broth- select materials, they choose from the top shelves closest ers and sisters are. Attend PTA meetings and introduce to the circulation desk. Still, your worrying will be a waste yourself to parents, expressing your affection for their of time. When parents do come in to complain, they will children. Word gets around. Being a good educator with a not be complaining about one of these books. loving heart has many positive effects, including making a For example: A parent walks into the school library. book challenge a wonderful teaching moment for all. Because of your participation in the community, you The second step is to find the section in your district’s already know the parent and say something nice about school library handbook on reconsideration of school their child. Score one point for you. Now the parent starts library materials. You should see the process, including talking. They may ramble or show a little nervousness. how the complaint moves up the chain of command. You’ll You might be nervous, too, and worried about your voice likely find a form, perhaps titled “Citizen’s Request Form shaking when you talk. Know how to solve that? Count to for Reevaluation of School Library Material.” Make sure five before opening your mouth. Listen. Observe. you’re reading the section on school library materials, not You are now in leadership mode, modeling our Ameri- textbooks. You’ll note the complaint begins with the school can ideals of freedom of speech. The opinions of authors librarian, not the principal or the superintendent. You and learners should be heard and respected. Your students will set the tone of the conversation, serving as a model of have the right to immediately return the book and select decorum, fairness, and kindness. another. You may want to suggest that the parent can The third step is to have a policy allowing all students the opportunity to come to the school library daily to check out books. If they don’t like the books they’ve checked out, then they may return them immediately—within 30 seconds or sometime that day. This is how they learn, This is an excerpt from by making “mistakes” in their selections. If the student An Introduction to Col- complains in the classroom or at home about the book, the lection Development for educator or parent reminds the student to return the book School Librarians, 2nd American Libraries American and select another one. Problem solved. edition, by Mona Kerby (ALA Editions/American Real-world applications Association of School You are likely to have five to 10 books to worry about. Librarians, 2019).

Photo: Lauren Ehle/ Lauren Photo: They are good books with great reviews, but maybe

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 53 instruct their child what to check out, but this is a matter between them. Offer to make the parent a library card, and Statements on invite them to check out books with the child. It will be unex- pected. Few parents, however, will take you up on the offer. In Intellectual Freedom most cases, your kindness and willingness to listen will result in ake no mistake: We are brave souls who a win. You will have had a richly rewarding discussion of ideas, champion the American belief that all people the parent will feel validated, and the book will stay on the M have the right to information. Your endorse- shelf. The matter will end with you. ment of these ideals affects everything in the school On rare occasions, a parent will march into the school library—your lesson plans, your leadership, and the library, and you can feel the anger. In such times, there’s no materials you select. Professional documents to assist need to have a lengthy discussion on free speech. Instead, use you in upholding these ideals include: counseling skills. The school library book has become an easy target, a way to focus frustrations on an object. When I say Freedom to Read Statement. The Freedom to Read counseling skills, I don’t mean you need to solve a life problem. Statement emphasizes the trust we should place in Rather, stay calm and listen, so the anger will spew out and our learners and how we help them live up to this trust disperse. After you debrief with (bit.ly/FreedomtoReadStatement). your principal, you’re likely to learn Library Bill of Rights for school libraries. Writ- that the parent is already known ten in 1986 and last revised in 2014, “Access to When a for such behavior. Resources and Services in the School Library Pro- When a person from an orga- gram: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights” person from nization comes to you to look for explains our mission as school librarians (bit.ly/ “inappropriate” material, change SchoolLibraryBillofRights). an organization tactics. Chances are your district comes to you school library supervisor has ALA Code of Ethics. Written in 1939 and revised in notified you of the impending visit. 2008, the ALA Code of Ethics translates the values to look for In these cases, there is no need to of intellectual freedom that define librarianship into have a discussion. Politely help the principles that may be used for dealing with situations “inappropriate” person, but the less said, the better. involving ethical conflicts (bit.ly/ALACodeofEthics). Afterward, talk with your supervi- National School Library Standards Common Beliefs. material, sor. They most likely have district- Taken from AASL’s wide experience on these issues change tactics. National School Library and know our professional code Standards for Learn- of ethics and beliefs. Of course, ers, School Librarians, you’ll talk to your principal, but the and School Libraries, principal may not have spent much time thinking about how the Common Beliefs First Amendment rights apply to student learners, and in the define the qualities principal’s eagerness to solve the problem, they may demand of well-prepared that you get rid of the offending book. Your school library learners, effective supervisor will help guide the process. If you have no supervi- school librarians, sor, or if you need further assistance, reach out to the American and dynamic school Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. libraries. Know how many challenges I had that moved up the chain • of command? Zero. What I’m trying to say is this: Please don’t censor your collection because you’re afraid that a complaint might happen. or promotes it. They are simply helping the library fulfill its mission to provide information from all points of view. Coping with challenges Can’t parents tell the librarian what material they don’t The ALA Coping with Challenges document (bit.ly/ALA-CwC) think children should have? Decisions about what materials helps school librarians because it addresses ways to work with are suitable for children should be made by the people who children. The statement begins with the heading “Kids and know them best—their parents or guardians. It is the parents’ Libraries: What You Should Know” and then answers six key right and responsibility to guide their family’s library use, while questions. Two points to remember are: also allowing other parents that same right. Librarians are not How do librarians select their collections? An item’s authorized to act as parents, but they can provide suggestions inclusion in a collection does not mean the librarian endorses and guidance.

54 September/October 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org To label or not to label Let’s be clear: Do not post reading levels on books, and do not restrict young learners to certain sec- Discover tions of the school library. Books labeled with Lexile the letters, reading levels can deprive students of privacy about photographs, their reading abilities. The sections on labeling and and essays of restricting access in “Labeling Systems: An Interpreta- Frederick tion of the Library Bill of Rights,” and AASL’s Position Douglass and Statement on Labeling Books with Reading Levels, Family published in 2011 in response to educators asking school librarians to label books with Lexile reading levels, can provide guidance. Using reading levels works in the language-arts classroom but not in the school library. Of course, you should teach young learners the five-finger rule—if a page has five words the learner doesn’t know, then the book might be too difficult—but make it a suggestion, not a requirement. There is no rule demanding learners read every single word in a book. Do you IF I SURVIVE read every word? Likewise, genrefying a collection Frederick Douglass and Family in may not be a wise idea. You must teach learners how the Walter O. Evans Collection to locate materials in your school library, so they can By Celeste-Marie Bernier & Andrew Taylor then locate materials in all libraries. What you label For the first time, this book provides readers with a collective as a mystery title might be classified as fantasy by biography mapping the activism, authorship and artistry of someone else. Douglass and his family. Paperback | $19.99 I’ve known elementary school librarians who restrict the primary learners to the “Everybody” section. Or the school librarian will display preselected Join American Libraries Senior titles on the tables and insist the youngest learners select from those. I’ve known middle school librarians Editor Phil Morehart as he hosts who keep a section restricted for 8th-graders. Maybe conversations with librarians, the school librarians’ intentions are good, but these practices are just plain wrong. Learners need to feel authors, thinkers, and scholars trusted to make wise decisions, and they need plenty about topics from the library world. of practice in independently selecting what they need. Your important role Intellectual freedom is the right of every individual to seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction. As a school librarian, you’re on the front line fighting to guarantee that right for today’s—and tomorrow’s—learners. By ensuring access to materials, you’re helping them make decisions that will affect their lives as readers and learners—actions they will hopefully model for future generations.

MONA KERBY is professor and coordinator of graduate programs in school librarianship, instructional technology, and writing for children at McDaniel College in Maryland, where she holds the L. Stanley Listen at bit.ly/deweydecibel or find Bowlsbey Professor of Education and Graduate and Pro- us wherever you listen to podcasts fessional Studies Endowed Chair.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 55 PERSPECTIVES

Process Matters in Design Using participatory design to include stakeholders

hen I look at the Service design, a related methodology, gorgeous libraries in concentrates on understanding stake- the annual Library holder behavior and looks holistically at Design Showcase, I in the elements that go into their interactions always wonder what practice with a particular service (bit.ly/AL-pd5). Whappened behind the scenes that led to a It differs from participatory design in its BY Meredith Farkas particular design. I’m especially curious lack of explicitly political focus. how designers incorporate stakeholder The deep collaboration required in feedback. Many design methods value processes, as well as in society in general. participatory design takes time and the voices of diverse populations and Participatory design values experiential requires a willingness to give patrons bring them into the process. Too often, knowledge and professional expertise power. However, many libraries have though, stakeholders are only cursorily equally. Montana State University (MSU) adopted some of these methods to inform involved, leading to reliance on gener- librarian Scott Young and Standing Rock and improve design projects without fully alizations and assumptions about how Sioux tribe members and MSU students engaging stakeholders as cocreators, such people use libraries. Connie and Celina Brownotter see par- as using ethnographic research techniques Participatory design (bit.ly/AL-pd1) ticipatory design as an important tool for that help designers better understand is more than a needs assessment, a empowering patrons and addressing ineq- stakeholder needs and habits. More focus group, or even an ethnographic uity. Their User Experience with Under- examples of libraries that have used these study—stakeholders actively contribute to represented Populations project “created limited methods, sometimes without the defining problems and designing solu- a space for Native American students to cocreation element, are in the Council on tions. They are considered equal members tell the story of their experiences at the Library and Information Resources’ Partic- of a research and design team rather than university, to codetermine the design ipatory Design in Academic Libraries: New treated as research subjects. Given the process, and to voice their concerns within Reports and Findings (bit.ly/AL-pd6). diversity of library design projects and our the library” (bit.ly/AL-pd3). While these methods can help libraries user-centered focus, it seems a great fit for Participatory design is inherently polit- design spaces that are more responsive to our profession. ical. According to Young and Brownotter, evolving patron needs, the process can be I first learned about participatory it is focused “equally on creating better just as valuable as the product. Includ- design from Mega Subramaniam, associ- designs and better social conditions for ing stakeholders and respecting their ate professor at University of Maryland’s the participants.” Young and the Brown- voices can lead to improved and enduring College of Information Studies. She otters developed the Indigenous Partici- connections between the library and the describes working with children and teens patory Design Toolkit with exercises any community. Whether libraries use partic- as design partners using cooperative library can adopt or adapt (bit.ly/AL-pd4). ipatory design methods or not, thinking inquiry—a participatory design method— about how to include community mem- to create technologies and learning bers in design processes and valuing their experiences. Her six techniques (bit.ly/ Participatory design expertise could improve both community AL-pd2) are creative, problem-based, and relations and the designs themselves. engaging, often using crafts, markers, or is more than a novel scenarios to give teens a voice in MEREDITH FARKAS is faculty librarian needs assessment, at Portland (Oreg.) Community College designing library programs and services. and lecturer at San José (Calif.) State Uni- An important part of participatory focus group, or versity School of Information. She blogs design is recognizing the power imbal- at Information Wants to Be Free. Email: ances that exist in traditional design ethnographic study. [email protected]

56 September/October 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org PERSPECTIVES

Preservation as Risk Management Ensure your digital materials are available for future users

igital preservation is the only might never be ameliorated by future way to maintain existing efforts. The critical part of digital pres- and future digital resources ervation is doing something. What that in which your organization something is will depend on the specific has invested time, money, dispatches needs and abilities of your organization. Dand personnel resources. Many cultural At its core, digital preservation is an BY Erin Baucom heritage materials will never exist as any- exercise in risk management. You will thing other than digital objects. Without build your entire program around what a program to preserve them, these mate- digital object when the content, context, you and your organization determine rials will be lost to time. appearance, structure, and behavior of to be an acceptable risk of loss of the The best type of program is an inter- the digital object have been saved for usable and authentic digital materials in locking system of policies, workflows, future users to experience. your care. technical solutions, and efforts meant No silver bullet guarantees the success Assess the digital materials in your to keep digital objects usable in the long of a digital preservation program. It is possession, then consider what may term. Digital objects are made up of an ever-evolving effort to keep up with come your way in the future. Balance bitstreams—sequences of 1s and 0s that your organization’s current needs while this with your available technological, require specific software and hardware planning for future circumstances. staff, and financial resources to map out environments to remain accessible. Some Digital objects need constant monitor- a plan for your efforts. Use that plan to are born digital (those materials with no ing and intervention to remain usable. create policies, implement workflows, original analog counterpart); others are Therefore, digital preservation is an iter- and build institutional knowledge of digitized copies of physical materials. ative cycle of assessment, policy develop- digital preservation. Over time, digital materials have ment and refinement, implementation, Work within your organization to build evolved from single files into complex and maintenance. Digital preservation strong relationships with other depart- systems in which many smaller parts can seem intimidating to anyone new to ments, such as information technology work together to form a whole—for the practice, inducing decision paralysis support, that will provide crucial backing example, an accessible film is made up about where to start. for your digital preservation efforts. Col- of an audio track, moving image, and Failure to decide is what causes the laborate with external partners to build caption files. most damage to digital objects. Doing capacity together. The goal of a digital preservation nothing will guarantee that your fragile Constantly review the wider, interna- program is to provide access to authen- digital materials will decay. The damage tional landscape of digital preservation tic copies of digital objects. This does to help increase your knowledge and not always mean that a future user will abilities, then transfer these skills right experience the digital object as it was Digital preservation back into your program. Pick a starting when it was created, though this is ideal. point and go full steam ahead—because Instead, an authentic digital object can be can seem if you don’t, your unique digital resources defined as one that has had no unautho- intimidating to will disappear. rized changes made to it and maintains verifiable, transparent documentation ERIN BAUCOM is assistant professor and anyone new to the digital archivist at the University of Montana. of what changes (if any) were made to Adapted from “Planning and Implementing preserve the content and when those practice, inducing a Sustainable Digital Preservation Program,” changes occurred. Your organization can Library Technology Reports vol. 55, no. 6 say that it has preserved an authentic decision paralysis. (Aug./Sept. 2019).

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 57 PERSPECTIVES

Empower Student Voices Using hip-hop lyrics in library lessons to engage youth in activism

s an African-American library Common, in a lesson on developing a per- media specialist, I view the sonal mission statement for activism. world and my profession The culminating activity for Lyrics as through an equity lens. I youth Literature was a town hall meeting that I recognize the significant role matters organized and hosted in the school library. Aschool librarians have in fostering mean- Students met with the principal and other BY Joquetta Johnson ingful instructional and collaborative community members to address school and partnerships to create equitable learning district concerns related to four essential spaces for all, and to also engage and African-American school; I wanted my stu- areas: academics, safety and security, com- empower students to be agents for change. dents to understand that if they see some- munication, and organizational effective- Inspired by the 2015 protests following thing in their community they do not like, ness. This event was so successful that we the death of Freddie Gray, a black man they can do something about it. I wanted are developing a student advisory board who fell into a coma in Baltimore Police to show them that their voices matter. that will meet to discuss issues and develop Department custody, I developed Lyrics as During this lesson, students read and viable solutions alongside school leader- Literature. The program is a series of four listened to resources related to hashtag ship, teachers, and other stakeholders. lessons designed to support the district activism. They used their own hashtags In the same way that culturally compe- curriculum, amplify student voices, and to create social media campaigns around tent teachers acknowledge the diversity bring awareness to social justice issues. specific issues. They also performed of the student body as a strength and Each lesson is grounded in one or more close readings of articles on Marley Dias, create inclusive learning environments, elements of hip-hop culture and uses a founder of #1000BlackGirlBooks, and school library media programs can pro- variety of library resources. viewed a video featuring the founders of mote inclusion by valuing and appreciat- Why hip-hop? It’s more than “rap #BlackLivesMatter explaining how their ing the lived experiences of marginalized music”—it’s an international cultural movement connects to historical social groups. Having diversity reflected in your movement that emerged from the streets justice movements. The lesson integrated instructional practice, collaboration of the Bronx as the voice of African the song “Glory,” performed by John efforts, programming, and collection Americans and marginalized youth. From Legend and Common for the film Selma. development can be accomplished by its earliest inception, hip-hop was a social Other songs used in the program include creating a library culture that is focused justice movement that treated its listen- “This Is America” by Childish Gambino in on social justice education. ers as engaged advocates rather than a lesson on blackout poetry, and “Stand Up The late, legendary hip-hop artist, passive listeners. Hip-hop song lyrics are for Something” by Andra Day, featuring author, activist, and actor Tupac Shakur literature—an invitation for learners to said, “I’m not saying I am going to change explore perspectives, culturally momen- the world, but I guarantee that I will spark tous events, and the underlying message School library media the brain that will change the world.” of our shared humanity. We might not change the world, but if The framework for this project was programs can we spark the mind of just one student, I built on my first lesson, “Hashtag Activ- believe we have made a difference. ism: Using Social Media as a Catalyst for promote inclusion Justice.” Many of my students experienced JOQUETTA JOHNSON is recipient of the 2019 fear, anger, sadness, and frustration as by valuing the lived American Association of School Librarians’ they watched the Freddie Gray protests experiences of Roald Dahl’s Miss Honey Social Justice Award. on TV and saw images of it on their social She is library media specialist at Randallstown media feeds. I teach at a predominantly marginalized groups. (Md.) High School.

58 September/October 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org PERSPECTIVES

Keeping History Alive Libraries contribute to peacebuilding by linking the past and present

y mother’s parents emi- the 1960s to the present. The library wel- grated in 1949 from south- comes local community groups, scholars, west Ireland to Boston, pilgrims, and international visitors. where I grew up seeing them on my For younger visitors, the Civil Rights every day. The first stories I mind Room connects the past with present Mever heard were my grandfather’s retell- conflicts and tensions, from Occupy BY Lisa Rand ings of Irish myths. As I grew older, he Wall Street to Black Lives Matter. A new also taught me about the Troubles, the generation of activists is engaging with conflict between Catholics and Protes- Here in the US, where the political the collections and extracting lessons for tants in Northern Ireland. He had a keen landscape is covered in evidence of our contemporary social justice issues. longing for peace to prevail, though news own ongoing troubles—particularly with “For young people, there is a genera- reports were often grim. systemic racism, discrimination, and the tional shift toward the power of conver- Even in the 21 years since the Good rise of hate crimes—librarians can learn a sation, away from a culture of silence Friday Agreement officially ended the valuable lesson from Northern Ireland. about discrimination and inequality,” conflict, sectarian tension and renewed Collections related to the civil rights says Tasneem Grace Tewogbola, associ- violence have punctuated the hard-won movement—featuring photographs, ate director of program design in NPL’s peace. Journalist Lyra McKee was killed in oral histories, and news stories from the special collections center. “They want April while observing riots in Derry. era—play a role in illuminating the US’s the resources to understand their history Conversations with my grandfa- troubled history of harmful, racist acts, and diverse perspectives. They want to ther gave an immediacy to the stories which in turn contributes to healing. In take civil rights history beyond black and unfolding across the ocean. In order to libraries, community centers, and univer- white, to relate these principles to LGBTQ get a fuller picture, I read whatever I sities across the country, staffers work to rights, to homelessness, to guns.” could find in my public library. Eventu- protect access to these important stories, The NPL project is one example of a ally I turned to the Conflict Archive on which helps ensure that this history isn’t library with a highly relevant peacemak- the INternet (CAIN) database at Ulster forgotten or minimized. ing mission: to keep the past alive in order University in Derry, which provides com- The Civil Rights Room at Nashville to learn from it. This mission is supported prehensive resources on the history and (Tenn.) Public Library (NPL) is one such by institutions across the country, from politics of Northern Ireland. Interpreting collection, with a special focus on the the Library of Congress’s Civil Rights His- this history is still a highly politicized city’s role in the history of civil rights from tory Project, to the National Civil Rights endeavor. This tension reminds us that Museum in Memphis, to the oral history peace is fragile and requires commit- archive at Washington State University. ment, structures of justice, and new ways A new generation “The civil rights movement is not old,” of living together. of activists is Tewogbola says. “Transitions we have As we reflect on the many critical roles lived through are not that ancient. Your of libraries, it would be easy to overlook engaging with the parents or grandparents might not have contributions to peacemaking. But history been allowed in the library. The beauty is an important teacher. By providing collections and of the civil rights collection is that it is a access to a range of stories and documen- living collection.” tation and a physical space for inclusive extracting lessons LISA RAND is youth services coordinator at learning, libraries can support commu- for contemporary Boyertown (Pa.) Community Library and a nities as they heal from past conflict and regular contributor to ALA’s Office of Intellec- grow toward a peaceful future. social justice issues. tual Freedom blog.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 59 OverDrive supports library-driven digital book clubs through publisher negotiation and marketing materials.

set period, with pricing based on population, or bulk discounts on single-user licenses. Some publishers may require a minimum order for discounts to apply. Publishers that have recently provided rights to bestselling and award-winning titles include Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and W. W. Norton. The book club title will be dis- played prominently on the library’s OverDrive digital collection homepage along with custom messaging about the program during the book club’s run. The company also curates a collection of read-alike titles. OverDrive makes marketing templates available and can create customized print and online marketing materials to promote some Bringing Book Clubs Online programs. Resources for digital book clubs Patrons can access book club titles through the Libby app or download them to an e-reader or ibraries support countless ebook club, the Big Library Read, other device. Titles expire auto- book clubs, both formal and which makes select titles avail- matically once the book club has Linformal. With increasing able for unlimited checkouts for a concluded. digital engagement, digital lending limited period three times a year. In Digital book club support is free models for ebooks and audiobooks addition to this large-scale reading to libraries that already have an offer opportunities for book clubs program, the company also pro- OverDrive account. For more infor- to expand, and online platforms vides support for community-wide mation, visit bit.ly/OverDriveclub. can bring together community and regional book clubs like “One members who couldn’t otherwise Book, One City.” ODILO Book Club participate. These three companies After a library provides informa- For those who can’t make it to offer resources and products to help tion on its planned programming, book clubs in person, ODILO has libraries engage readers with digital including program dates, budget, introduced a fully online platform, book clubs. and estimated number of check- ODILO Book Club. Books can be outs, OverDrive will negotiate with selected from ODILO’s collection OverDrive Digital publishers to secure discounted, of 2 million titles or imported from Book Clubs short-term digital lending rights the library’s own digital collec- Libraries that have digital collec- for the chosen title. Depending tions. Readers access titles through tions from OverDrive are automat- on the library’s needs, the terms ODILO’s Nubereader online reader, ically part of the company’s global may be for simultaneous use for a which allows them to highlight

60 September/October 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org SUBMISSIONS To have a new product considered, contact Carrie Smith at [email protected].

A Reading Hub

How does your library use USER: Tom West, adult the hoopla Book Club Hub? services coordinator, We have 12 libraries, and Brazoria County (Tex.) each of them has a book Library System club—some more than one. We have a wide variety PRODUCT: hoopla Book Club Hub throughout our libraries: teen book clubs, history book DETAILS: The hoopla Book Club Hub clubs, first-time author book spotlights one book each quarter, pro- sections, annotate text, make ODILO Book clubs. I encourage clubs to viding resources including discussion Club provides comments visible to the rest of the keep hoopla in mind when guides, author interviews, and recom- book club for discussion, and share an online platform for com- they’re making selections, mended next reads. quotes to the club or to their own munal reading and I can also direct clubs to social media accounts. and discussion. Book Club Hub, which provides resources like discussion materials The book club’s homepage is cus- for their spotlight titles. tomizable with tabs, links, and sum- maries to entice potential readers to How does the Book Club Hub serve your library’s needs? In addi- join the club and to encourage par- tion to providing unlimited-access books and book club resources, ticipation by members. Book club hoopla also hosted an event at our Pearland branch library with a moderators set reading milestones, local author whose title was featured on the hoopla Book Club Hub. schedule live video chats, and We reached a lot of new people in the community through that facilitate discussion on the forums. event and hoopla’s promotion of that particular title. Getting people Users can create bookmarks, share to listen to it or read it and then come and talk to the author was quotes, and annotate the text. really nice. Email notifications automatically What are the main benefits? One of the alert members to new activity, dis- big benefits is its ease of use. The price is cussions, and upcoming milestones. based on usage, so you have more than Book club members are also able to half a million titles and you pay for only add milestones and other events to what patrons check out. That opens up their personal calendars. such big possibilities for us. And then From the club homepage, users obviously, if you had a title that was a can review past and current book little bit more obscure, it might be hard selections. Users can also access sta- to obtain enough physical copies. There tistics on their reading time, the last was a quilting guild that was interested time they read, and the percentage in starting a book club. In the past, I’ve of the book they’ve finished. had trouble getting enough print copies for such a large group, so Library staffers can act as the Reference librarian Kristen Stewart I demonstrated the hoopla app for them. They were interested in book club moderator or assign interviews author mostly inspirational fiction, and hoopla has both the ebook and the limited moderator privileges to a Stephanie Wittels audiobook for a lot of inspirational titles. community member, educator, or Wachs (right) at a student. hoopla Book Club What would you like to see improved or added to the service? event at Brazoria Pricing is based on the number of County (Tex.) Right now, hoopla has discussion guides and materials on the main simultaneous book clubs and users Library System’s book club selection, but it’d be nice for some of the alternate recom- per club, with options for unlimited Pearland branch. mended titles to have some resources, too. But I know that’s a lot of clubs and users. For more informa- work—there are a lot of titles—and they’ve done an amazing job so tion, visit bit.ly/ODILOclub. far with their selections. •

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 61 July 1 James Meade, audio preservation ON THE MOVE engineer at Syracuse (N.Y.) University Library’s Belfer Audio Laboratory and Judy Ashby became head of reference Archive, was promoted to associate services for Bangor (Maine) Public Martha Hendricks, director of librarian. Library May 20. Clarksville–Montgomery County (Tenn.) Public Library, received Sebastian Modrow, cura- Temple University in Philadelphia the Tennessee Library Associ- tor of rare books and named Michelle Cosby director of its manuscripts at Syracuse ation’s Intellectual Freedom law library, effective June. (N.Y.) University Library’s Award April 25. Hendricks Special Collections Teddy Gyamfi was named evening allowed Equality Clarksville to Research Center, was access services manager at SUNY use the library’s meeting space in promoted to associate Geneseo’s Milne Library in March. August 2018 to hold a drag queen librarian July 1. storytime despite protests and June 3 Petrina Jackson personal attacks. Anne Rauh, collection became director of development and analy- the Special Collections In June the University of West sis librarian and interim Research Center at Syr- Georgia in Carrollton named head of collections at acuse (N.Y.) University. Ingram Library Head of Spe- Syracuse (N.Y.) Univer- cial Collections and Associate sity Libraries, was pro- Lisa Krok joined Morley Library in Professor Blynne Olivieri Faculty moted to librarian, effective July 1. Painesville, Ohio, as adult and teen Member of the Year for the Syracuse (N.Y.) University Libraries services manager in May. 2018–2019 academic year. promoted Vanessa St. Oegger-Menn, July 1 Brent Mai joined Owen Intermediate School assistant university archivist and University of North Flor- Library Media Center in Pan Am 103 archivist, to associate ida in Jacksonville as Belleville, Michigan, won the librarian July 1. dean of Thomas G. Car- state’s Model 21st Century School penter Library. June 17 Aaron Smithers Library award in June in recog- was promoted to special nition of its innovative collabora- Beth McNeil became dean of Purdue collections research and University Libraries and the School of tions with local educators. • instruction librarian at Information Studies in West Lafayette, Wilson Special Collec- Indiana, July 1. tions Library at Univer- sity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Melody Rood became student success Shali Zhang was appointed dean of Chicago Public Library promoted Andrea librarian at University of North Carolina libraries at Auburn (Ala.) University in Telli to commissioner effective June 15. at Greensboro’s Jackson Library in July. February. Telli previously served as Chicago’s July 15 Doug Way deputy commissioner of public services. became dean of Uni- PROMOTIONS July 1 Syracuse (N.Y.) versity of Kentucky University Libraries pro- Libraries in Lexington. Yolanda Cooper was promoted to dean moted Scott Warren, and university librarian of Emory Uni- associate dean for Diane White joined Somerset (Mass.) versity in Atlanta July 1. research and scholarship, Public Library as children’s librarian to university librarian. in May. Syracuse (N.Y.) Uni- versity Libraries pro- Martha Whitehead was appointed moted Anita Kuiken to RETIREMENTS Harvard University librarian, vice pres- associate librarian for ident for Harvard Library, and Larsen Falk College of Sport Gordon N. Baker, dean of libraries at librarian for the Faculty of Arts and and Human Dynamics Clayton State University in Morrow, Sciences in June. July 1. Georgia, retired May 31.

62 September/October 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org SUBMISSIONS Send notices and photographs to Amy Carlton, [email protected].

MORE ONLINE americanlibrariesmagazine.org/currents

Brenda Brown retired May 31 as director of Barnesville (Ohio) Hutton Memorial Library.

Corinne Fisher, head of children’s ser- Gary Bogart, 75, who retired as assistant director of Pinellas Park (Fla.) Public vices at Reading (Mass.) Public Library, Library in 2010, died June 19, 2018. He previously held administrative positions retired June 28. at New York Public Library and had been editor of the Standard Catalog Series published by H. W. Wilson Company. Charles A. Julian retired in July as library Margaret Patricia (Pat) Hillmer, 83, director of Tiffin-Seneca (Ohio) Public director and associate Library from 1981 until her 2008 retirement, died June 23. During her tenure, university librarian at she expanded services and library systems automation, established a library Potomac State College Friends group and the Tiffin-Seneca Library Foundation, and was awarded the of West Virginia Univer- Ohio Library Association’s Librarian of the Year Award in 2004. sity in Keyser. Carol Jean McMurry, 74, who held positions at University of Wyoming’s Coe Library, Laramie County (Wyo.) Library System, AT ALA and University of Wyoming Family Medicine Residency Clinic in Cheyenne, died June 1. McMurry was also a library philanthro- Staff Accountant Abdullah Ali left ALA pist, making donations to University of Wyoming that funded a June 19. library reading room, a campus reading program, library staff development and recognition programs, library collections, an author series, June 11 Lauren Carlton joined the and an endowed librarian position. Association of College and Research Libraries as program coordinator. James A. Miley, 69, director of Kendallville (Ind.) Public Library 1979–1983 and Troy-Miami (Ohio) County Public Library from 1983 until his retirement in Camelia Colin joined the Public Policy 2009, died June 16. and Advocacy Office as financial and budget manager July 2. Lucille Cole Thomas, 97, died June 15. Thomas began her career as a librarian at Brooklyn (N.Y.) Public Library (BPL). She joined the New York City Board of Taylor Crossley, formerly Young Adult Education as librarian 1956–1968; she served as supervisor of library services Library Services Association communica- 1968–1977 and as assistant director of the office of library, media, and telecom- tions assistant, became Books for Youth munications 1977–1983. In 1993, she was appointed to the Board of Trustees editorial assistant for Booklist July 1. of BPL. Thomas was an ALA Councilor for 22 years and served on the Executive Samantha Imburgia became manag- Board 1985–1991. She was the first African-American president of the New ing editor of ALA Editions/ALA Neal- York Library Association and the New York City School Librarians Association. Schuman June 6. Among her honors are the 1996 US National Commission on Libraries and Information Science Silver Award, the 1988 Grolier Foundation Award, ALA June 10 George Kendall began as Book- Honorary Membership in 2003, and the 1994 Distinguished Service Award from list editor and publisher. the American Association of School Librarians. BPL’s Excellence in Librarianship Award was named for her in 2017. Kerri Price, associate director of the Office for Accreditation, left ALA July 12. Barbara Ketterman von Wahlde, 81, director of libraries at University of Buffalo 1986–2006, died June 14. Von Wahlde worked at the libraries of many David Sievers, library assistant in academic institutions throughout her career, including University of Maine in the ALA Library, left ALA June 12 to Orono; University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg; University of Western become acquisitions and serials assis- Florida in Pensacola; Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut; and University tant at DePaul University’s Richardson Library in Chicago. of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Before retiring she also served as visiting librarian at Istanbul Technical University and acting library director at Bilkent University in June 17 Melissa Kay Walling joined ALA Ankara, Turkey. • as director of Membership Development and Customer Service.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | September/October 2019 63 the BOOKEND

Sparking a Love for Learning

inah Wade has spent hundreds of hours learning how to Since then, she’s partnered with the Franklin Fire Depart- respond to a fire: how to hook up a hose to a hydrant, ment to bring fire safety programming into the library for Fire Didentify different types of smoke, and administer CPR. Prevention Week (October 6–12 this year). She also gives equip- But it’s her training as a librarian and former classroom teacher ment demonstrations at local schools (“They need to see I’m a that kicks in when she meets a nervous kid on the scene of real person under that gear and they shouldn’t be scared of me, a call. Once, responding to a medical situation in a family’s even though I look like Darth Vader,” she says) and administers home, she spotted a stack of library books on the counter. an annual essay contest with themes inspired by the National “So of course I have to be nosy and ask the kids about what Fire Protection Association’s public awareness campaigns. they’re reading,” she says. “When you reach out to your local government and form Wade is library media specialist at Freedom Intermediate these partnerships, you help kids see more of their communi- School, serving 5th- and 6th-graders in the city of Frank- ty,” she says. “It’s important for kids to know there’s a bigger lin, Tennessee—and a volunteer firefighter with the nearby picture, and they’re a part of it.” Williamson County Rescue Squad. She started her fire training in 2007, the year she married a career police officer who also THE BOOKEND showcases librarians, their work, and their work

volunteers with the station. spaces. For consideration, please email [email protected]. Krug Kristina Photo:

64 September/October 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org standards.aasl.org/shop

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