Downloaded Over Librarians Share Experiences of Chal- Search Algorithms to Databases

November/December 2019

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American Libraries | Volume 50 #11/12 | ISSN 0002-9769 SPECIAL REPORT

34 Countdown to the Vote Democracy Libraries ramp up engagement and outreach efforts for 2020 in BY Emily Udell Action 36 Check Your Facts Prepping your library for the Libraries use tech tools 2020 elections | p. 24 to fight fake news BY Jessica Cilella 38 Media Literacy in an 26 Connecting with Congress Age of Fake News How libraries can build relationships Prepare your users with elected officials through for the pitfalls of year-round advocacy misinformation BY Lara Ewen BY George M. Eberhart 28 Civic Involvement By the numbers 30 Discourse for Democracy Promoting civic literacy with forums BY Greg Landgraf

52 FEATURES 42 Librarians, Start New Game How academic librarians support videogame scholars BY Diana Panuncial

46 Boost Your Public 42 Speaking Skills 46 Tips for librarians on speaking confidently and effectively in front of others BY Anne Ford 52 Knowledge IQ Fostering knowledge sharing among liaison librarians BY Diana Dill and Alice Kalinowski

ON THE COVER: Illustration by Drew Bardana 18 22

UP FRONT TRENDS PERSPECTIVES 3 From the 16 From the Library IN PRACTICE Editor with Love 56 A Job Well Done Ready, Set, Engage! Information professionals help BY Meredith Farkas BY Sanhita SinhaRoy older adults parse the features and DISPATCHES culture of online dating apps 6 From Our 57 Personalization vs. Privacy BY Anne Ford Readers BY Marshall Breeding 18 Testing the Senses Libraries host hearing and YOUTH MATTERS ALA sight screenings for kids 58 Contract Concerns BY Linda W. Braun 4 From the BY Marty Stempniak President SPOTLIGHT ON MY MIND Welcoming New 20 Collections in Briefs 59 Beyond Fake News Americans Kentucky library encourages patrons to BY Laurie L. Putnam BY Wanda Kay Brown “Drop Your Drawers” for a good cause 5 From the BY J. C. Morgan SOLUTIONS Executive 60 Alternate Realities, Simplified NEWSMAKER Augmented and virtual Director 22 Lindy West Listening to Your reality made easy The author talks about structures of Community oppression and life after Twitter BY Mary Ghikas BY Anne Ford PEOPLE 8 Update 62 Announcements PLUS What’s happening at ALA 17 By the Numbers THE BOOKEND 21 Global Reach 23 Noted & Quoted 64 Gaming the (Library) System

Address: 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611-2795 Website: americanlibrariesmagazine.org Ready, Set, Engage! Email: [email protected] Phone: 800-545-2433 plus extension Career Ads: JobLIST.ala.org s election season swings into gear, libraries EDITOR AND PUBLISHER of all types are expanding their civic engage- Sanhita SinhaRoy Q*bert Favorite [email protected] | x4219 ment efforts. Our special report “Democracy vintage MANAGING EDITOR in Action” (cover story, p. 24) proffers creative videogame? Terra Dankowski Hugo’s House A [email protected] | x5282 of Horrors ways to reach and register potential voters—and keep SENIOR EDITORS civic discourse civil. The report features many libraries, Amy Carlton [email protected] | x5105 each unique, each with an outlook of optimism. We Ms. Pac-Man George M. Eberhart hope you’ll find ideas and inspiration—and in turn [email protected] | x4212 inspire the communities you serve. Phil Morehart Castlevania Lighting a fire during this electoral journey, essayist [email protected] | x4218 Sanhita SinhaRoy ASSOCIATE EDITOR and New York Times contributor Lindy West (Newsmaker, Tetris Sallyann Price p. 22) says the way librarians “manage and access infor- [email protected] | x4213 mation and filter information critically” is a skill “that’s EDITOR-AT-LARGE Super not just being lost, but deliberately suppressed.” Anne Ford Mario Bros. [email protected] Librarians know that information is key to bridging EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING ASSOCIATE apathy—and isolation. Valentine’s Day may be several Carrie Smith months away, but some librarians across the country SimCity [email protected] | x4216 2000 ART DIRECTOR Frogger have been busy playing Cupid. That is, they’re helping Rebecca Lomax older adults navigate the sometimes complicated cul- [email protected] | x4217 Galaga ture of online dating via programming and workshops. ADVERTISING Michael Stack [email protected] | 847-367-7120 In “From the Library with Love” (p. 16), Anne Ford Acceptance of advertising does not constitute endorsement. reveals the secrets of the librarians who are helping ALA reserves the right to refuse advertising. patrons become happily paired. PUBLISHING DEPARTMENT At a time Mary Mackay If literal game-playing is more your thing, flip to Pa c -Man Associate Executive Director “Librarians, Start New Game” (p. 42). Diana Panun- Mary Jo Bolduc when nearly cial reports that academic librarians and archivists are Rights, Permissions, Reprints | x5416 54 million MEMBERSHIP racing to preserve and archive student-made and com- Melissa Kay Walling, Director citizens of mercial video games before they become lost or obsolete. ADVISORY COMMITTEE A separate challenge: dealing with copyright protections Susan H. Polos (Chair), Helen Ruth Adams, Salvador Avila, voting age Crystal Chen, Sonja Eyler, Janie L. Hermann, Jasmina Jusic, as they pertain to digital rights management. Sigrid Kelsey. Committee associate: Rachel Beth Wykle did not vote In By the Numbers (p. 17), we highlight fun facts for Editorial policy: ALA Policy Manual, section A.8.2 International Games Week, which starts November 3 INDEXED in the last this year. (Sample: Candy Land was created by a retired Available full text from ProQuest, EBSCO Publishing, H. W. Wilson, LexisNexis, Information Access, JSTOR. presidential schoolteacher recovering from polio.) SUBSCRIBE And in our Bookend (p. 64) “Gaming the (Library) Libraries and other institutions: $74/year, 6 issues, US, Canada, and election, Mexico; foreign: $84. Subscription price for individuals included in System,” we profile Jenn Bartlett, head of reference and ALA membership dues. 800-545-2433 x5108, email membership@ adult services at Manchester (Conn.) Public Library, ala.org, or visit ala.org. Claim missing issues: ALA Member and librarians can Customer Service. Allow six weeks. Single issues $7.50, with 30% which has the largest library board game collection in discount for five or more; contact Carrie Smith, 800-545-2433 x4216 bridge that the state (275 and counting). As Bartlett says, “Board or [email protected] games put us together at a table with people we care PUBLISHED apathy with American Libraries (ISSN 0002-9769) is published 6 times yearly about. We’re having fun, and we’re learning.” with occasional supplements by the American Library Association information. It’s a form of engagement we can all get behind. (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 | November/December 2019 3 from the PRESIDENT

Welcoming New Americans Helping immigrants and refugees thrive with inclusive programs and services

utumn brings with it many traditions. what’s needed to advance our field’s work and For some, the season is synonymous establish criteria for libraries looking to expand with holidays and hot chocolate. For services to this population. Aothers, it’s about civic engagement: Among other recommendations, researchers elections, politics, and democracy. Although the found that it’s essential for libraries to build next major general election is still a year away, partnerships with community organizations, candidates are campaigning, new voters are develop multilingual resources specific to a registering, and pollsters are busy taking the community’s needs, create intergenerational pro- temperature of a divided electorate. gramming, and forge connections between new Libraries have a role to play too. From hosting Americans and longtime community members. Wanda Kay Brown programs with local legislators and teaching That’s exactly what the Houston Public Library’s patrons media literacy to offering support for “Living Room at Your Library” program aims to online census questions and assistance with gov- achieve. It brings communities together to discuss ernment e-forms, today’s libraries are hot spots of issues and share food from different cultures. At civic engagement. one recent event, participants compared empana- Newcomers to this country, especially, see das from seven Spanish-speaking countries. libraries as trustworthy guides on their path Sometimes responding to community needs to integrating into their new communities. In means looking beyond what a patron might expect fact, more than 55% of new Americans use their to find in a library. For example, Brooklyn (N.Y.) public library at least once a week, according to Public Library has added two full-time legal advi- the Institute of Museum and Library Services. sors to help patrons with citizenship applications They access English language classes and citizen- and connect them to other free services. ship and civic educational programs and tap into The hope of involving longtime residents in vital support networks. the immigration discussion led the Saratoga Addressing the needs of new Americans is Springs (N.Y.) Public Library to choose the consistent with our profession’s commitment novel Exit West by Mohsin Hamid for the annual to treating all patrons with dignity and respect. “Saratoga Reads” community-wide literacy American It also intersects with my own interests and program, specifically to spark a discussion about initiatives in understanding how libraries can refugees in a challenging and fraught political libraries have address social and economic inequity. In the landscape. a long history same way libraries have the power to disrupt the American libraries have a long history of school-to-prison pipeline that disproportionately service to immigrants, and our nation’s libraries of service to affects young men of color, libraries serve as safe boast a proud legacy of promoting inclusion and immigrants spaces for vulnerable populations of immigrants, diversity. Civic engagement can’t exist without refugees, and other marginalized groups. an engaged citizenry, and I’m proud of the work and boast a But what are our profession’s best practices of our association and its members—work that proud legacy when developing programs for new Americans? serves the needs of our patrons, no matter their A recent initiative of the American Library Associ- immigration status. of promoting ation’s Public Programs Office explored the range of programs new Americans need to thrive. Its inclusion and WANDA KAY BROWN is director of library services recent report, “Library Programs and New Amer- at C. G. O’Kelly Library at Winston-Salem (N.C.) State diversity. icans” (bit.ly/NewAmsALA), aims to understand University.

4 November/December 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org from the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Listening to Your Community How to create a “structure of belonging”

t ALA’s 2012 Midwinter Meeting in outward” mindset. As he writes in his book Step- Dallas, then–ALA President Molly ping Forward: “To be turned outward is to make Raphael sponsored a conversation your community the reference point for all you A about the evolving needs of commu- do. To know that there is something larger that nities and how libraries and librarianship could must inform and drive, even supersede, what- transform to meet them. ever programs, processes, initiatives, and data At the event, R. David Lankes, now director of that consume our attention.” University of South Carolina’s iSchool, facilitated Author Peter Block also addresses this mind- discussions on the topic. Participants from all set in his discussion of citizenship. He writes in types of libraries were asked to take an imagi- The Answer to How Is Yes: “Citizenship means Mary Ghikas nary walk around their community: observing, that I act as if this larger place were mine to listening, seeking to understand the aspirations create, while the conventional wisdom is that I of the community for itself. cannot have responsibility without authority…. During the discussion that followed, partici- I am responsible for the health of the institution pants talked about how their library might help and the community, even though I do not con- the community achieve its goals. At my table, the trol it. I can participate in creating something initial response was about how to more effec- I do not control.” tively market existing services, such as literacy But how? In a 2004 College & Research programs. We gleaned lessons about the diffi- Libraries News article, “Civic Engagement in culty of stepping back from our expertise and Academic Libraries,” authors Nancy Kranich, experiences to listen to our community. Michele Reid, and Taylor Willingham describe Over the next few years, starting with ALA what happens when citizens deliberate together: President Maureen Sullivan (2012–2013) and “They surface assumptions, learn about the costs continuing through subsequent presidencies, the and consequences of public policy alternatives, Association worked with many groups to develop move from ‘I’ to ‘we’ language, and define their resources for library staff (bit.ly/LTCtools) and shared interests and values.” They listen to each What do we apply those lessons to ALA as a community—of other. They uncover new possibilities. mean when members, staff, exhibitors, and external allies. As Block writes in another book, Community: The results provided the groundwork for ALA’s “The challenge for every community is not we talk about current Steering Committee on Organizational so much to have a vision of what it wants to community Effectiveness (bit.ly/SCOEdoc). become, or a plan, or specific timetables. The This issue of American Libraries includes real challenge is to discover and create the engagement, a special report on community engagement means for engaging citizens that brings a new and how (p. 24), an area to which the Association and its possibility into being…. This is an organic and members have committed significant resources, relational process. This is what creates a struc- does it with thousands participating in trainings, discus- ture of belonging.” relate to the sions, and outreach. But what does community I invite each one of you to join in the ongoing engagement mean, and how does it relate to work of cocreation, the work essential to our ongoing ALA’s ongoing work? shared and critical mission. work of the In attempting to answer these questions, I turned to a concept promulgated by Rich MARY GHIKAS is executive director of the American Association? Harwood of the Harwood Institute—a “turning Library Association.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 5 from our READERS

This is un-bee- Students just learning how lievable! Bees are Joining Together to look at, select, and evaluate for Cursive book choices have a lot of work so important to “Lending a Hand” (Sept./Oct., to do to find the just-right book our world, and we p. 18) was a very interesting arti- in a short period of time that also love seeing them cle. I had never stopped to think includes a lesson and checkout. If about younger people these the child does not find the right being taken care days not being able to sign their book from the preselection, then of by libraries! names. I am aware of my adult of course they can have a refer- @BOSSIERLIBRARY in children coming to me from time ence interview with a librarian response to “File under to time to ask how to address an who can model how to find the Bee” (Sept./Oct., p. 14) envelope. I am completely fasci- right book. nated by the whole proposition Lisa Von Drasek Minneapolis Seriously that teaching cursive may assist students with dyslexia. nerding out. Got I was never a great fan of Happy Anniversary my first issue modern cursive, which is what Oct., p. 52) but must point out Thank you for your coverage of of American I was taught at school. My the practicalities associated with “50 Years of the Coretta Scott mother’s writing looked so one of the author’s statements King Awards” (June, p. 28). Libraries. much more sophisticated and on how librarians can avoid chal- I was a middle school media #FutureLibrarian elegant. But it’s all about having lenges: “The school librarian will specialist for several years and @AWRITERSWAY in an opportunity to develop a display preselected titles on the always counted on the award response to the Sep- style, and maybe that’s what our tables and insist the youngest winners to be special books to tember/October issue overcrowded school curriculum learners select from those.... recommend to my students. lacks today. Maybe the school librarians’ My personal favorites? Roll of Great stuff at We don’t have enough time intentions are good, but these Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred these days, so we favor speed or practices are just plain wrong. D. Taylor and the works of @DeweyDecibel assistive technology. No, I don’t Learners need to feel trusted to author Walter Dean Myers. podcast on want to go back to hand-washing make wise decisions, and they It’s nice to know that winning @torontolibrary my clothes in the river, but I am need plenty of practice in inde- the award increases the chances interested in discussing some of pendently selecting what they that a book will be available and their award- the suggested consequences of need.” This is a very negative to future generations; it keeps winning Tor advances in technology and the statement and may cause con- them on the shelves and in the browser program way we do things now. cern among librarians who serve stores. The books may even get for patron privacy. It’s an interesting thought that young students. to celebrate their own anniver- if we use a keyboard instead of My “intentions” in preselecting saries, as Roll of Thunder did @FUTBOLNICO in our hands, some of us may have high-interest books for 5-year- in 2016, when the 40th anni- response to Dewey Decibel difficulty processing letters. olds have to do with pedagogy, versary edition was published. podcast’s “Beyond Our Alex Daw child development, skill-building, Obviously, a perfect time to Borders” episode (Aug. 30) Brisbane, Australia staffing, and best practice. As the reread it! librarian entrusted with collec- Keep up the interesting cover- Challenging the Narrative tion development and a limited age, American Libraries. I agree with most of what is said budget, I have already preselect- Mary Ellen Kubis in “Up to the Challenge” (Sept./ ed the entire library. Roswell, Georgia

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 November/December 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org on our WEBSITE

The article features Martin Don’t Fear AI R. Kalfatovic, program director of What You’re Reading As a visiting Fulbright scholar in the Biodiversity Heritage Library Automatic for the People Self-service the US who is currently conduct- (BHL), who explained the signifi- libraries: threat to the profession or oppor- ing a project about artificial intelli- cance of BHL’s work, especially to tunity for better service? bit.ly/AL-SelfServe gence (AI) in libraries, I have been researchers in biodiversity-related 1 thrilled to see American Libraries fields who often need to access File under Bee Libraries across the country covering the topic this year. old publications that are usually are discovering the benefits of beekeeping. We do not yet know how found only in large libraries spe- bit.ly/AL-Bees exactly AI will transform the cializing in natural history. 2 discovery of information, library Member libraries in the US How to Build a Library Three public library workflows, or research processes. and overseas that partner administrators explain what it takes to com- There are also many unsolved with BHL digitize their out-of- plete a new library construction project. ethical questions in using AI. copyright holdings and provide 3 bit.ly/AL-Build What we do know is that machine access to them through BHL’s learning algorithms are being digital portal. used in many tools and technolo- Before BHL came into exis- gies libraries already employ. For tence, in order to consult old In Case You Missed It example, AI can help determine publications required for taxo- ALA Announces #eBooksForAll Campaign metadata, speed up describing nomic studies on organisms, one ALA and its partners addressed publishers at Dig- documents with the help of had to physically visit a library ital Book World 2019 and announced the Libraries automated indexing or classifica- that carried these publications. Transform Book Pick. bit.ly/AL-eBooksForAll tion tools, distribute materials to Thanks to the work of BHL and its different locations when floating a partner libraries, many can now Censorship Beyond Books collection, or evolve new kinds of be viewed and downloaded over Librarians share experiences of chal- search algorithms to databases. the internet. lenges to displays, exhibits, and more. Our profession has always I have been using BHL exten- bit.ly/AL-BeyondBooks been keen to learn new things sively for my own research on and keep up to date with the fauna of Sri Lanka and the PLA Inclusive Internship Initiative Concludes technological and societal devel- history of biodiversity exploration This year’s teen interns and mentors met at the opments. I wish to encourage all in South Asia, and find BHL to be Library of Congress for a wrap-up event. bit.ly/AL-III librarians to take this approach an invaluable and essential (and Dewey Decibel Podcast: to AI—read news about the topic, free) resource. Libraries of All Shapes and Sizes sign up for an online course, and Priyantha Wijesinghe Episode 42 looks at new and reno- follow what other libraries and Brooklyn, New York vated libraries featured in the 2019 the private sector are experi- Library Design Showcase. bit.ly/AL-LibDesign menting with. Whether or not AI CORRECTIONS will prove to transform the world, In “Automatic for the People,” it never hurts to know more! (Sept./Oct., p. 48), the branches Pirjo Kangas of Gwinnett County (Ga.) Public Coming Soon Turku, Finland Library that use Open+ are Law- Our fifth annual “Holiday Gift Guide for renceville and Suwanee. Snellville Librarians and Book Lovers.” A+ for Biodiversity does not. Recently a librarian friend at In the People section (Sept./ Check The Scoop for our full team coverage of LaGuardia Community College, Oct., p. 62), the correct title ALA’s Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits in where I teach biology, sent me for Scott Warren is librarian. Philadelphia, January 24–28, 2020. your article about the Biodiver- In the May issue (p. 55), Arlene sity Heritage Library (“Finding Luchsinger was an academic Flora and Fauna,” June, p. 88). librarian for 30 years. AMERICANLIBRARIESMAGAZINE.ORG

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 7 Wong, Yates Seek ALA Presidency atricia M. “Patty” Wong, city Steven Yates earned a PhD librarian at Santa Monica (Calif.) in instructional leadership and PPublic Library, and Steven technology, as well as an MLIS Yates, assistant director of the Uni- and bachelor’s, from University of versity of Alabama School of Library Alabama. He has an EdS in library and Information Studies, are the media from University of West candidates for the 2021–2022 presi- Alabama. dency of the American Library He is former president of the Association (ALA). American Association of School Wong, who is also part-time Patricia M. “Patty” Wong Steven Yates Librarians (AASL) and an active faculty at San José (Calif.) State member of ALSC, LLAMA, YALSA, University iSchool and former director of library services the Intellectual Freedom Round Table, and Reforma. He is at Yolo County (Calif.) Library, has been an active ALA a member of the second ALA Policy Corps cohort, the ALA member for 35 years. She has served several terms as Executive Director Search Committee, and the Steering councilor-at-large and as California chapter councilor. She Committee on Organizational Effectiveness, and was part is in her second term on the ALA Executive Board and has of the 2010 class of ALA Emerging Leaders. held numerous committee positions, including chair of the Yates has served as a member of many committees, Budget Analysis and Review Committee. She is a member including the Committee on Appointments and Diver- of the American Indian Library Association, Asian/Pacific sity and the Emerging Leaders program subcommittee. American Librarians Association, Black Caucus of the ALA, With AASL he was chair of the leadership development Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA), and committee, member-at-large of the board of directors, Reforma: The National Association to Promote Library and board-elected representative to the Executive Committee, Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking. and a member of the Professional Development Advisory Wong is an active member of the Association for Group and the Knowledge Quest editorial board. Yates Library Service to Children (ALSC), Library Leadership and was president of the Alabama Library Association, where Management Association (LLAMA), Public Library Associ- he moderated its young adult services round table, and ation (PLA), United for Libraries, and Young Adult Library was treasurer of the Alabama School Library Association. Services Association (YALSA), as well as the Freedom to “Our profession has more work to do to ensure that Read Foundation, Social Responsibilities Round Table, our workforce reflects the communities we serve,” he said Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round in a September 27 statement. “I look forward to working Table, and Rainbow Round Table. alongside my fellow members in leading the Association to She was the recipient of the 2012 ALA Equality Award, harness the power of positive passion as we build cultural the 2014 CALA Distinguished Service Award, and the competence in our membership and maintain a strong California Library Association’s 2012 Member of the Year national, state, and local policy and advocacy presence.” Award. She holds a bachelor’s in women’s studies and an Wong and Yates will engage in a candidates’ forum MLIS, both from the University of California, Berkeley. 4:30–5:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, during ALA’s In a September 27 statement, Wong said: “There will 2020 Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits in Philadelphia. Each be more change within the American Library Association candidate will have an opportunity to make a statement in the next five years than in the past 50. We will face and answer questions from the audience. stressors that challenge us in publishing and digital access, Ballot mailing for the 2020 ALA election will begin on intellectual freedom and legislation, and funding and inno- March 9, 2020, and run through April 1. Individuals must vation. Our success will come from managing that change be members in good standing as of January 31, 2020, in and not allowing it to manage us.” order to vote. •

8 November/December 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org NOV. 1–3 YALSA’s Young Adult Services ALA Announces Symposium | Memphis, Tennessee ala.org/yalsa/yasymposium

#eBooksForAll Campaign NOV. 3–9 International Games Week he American Library Association (ALA) rallied library advocates at a Sep- games.ala.org tember 11 press conference at Nashville (Tenn.) Public Library (NPL) to NOV. 14–16 call attention to Macmillan Publishers’ new library ebook lending model T AASL National Conference and and urge library supporters to sign a petition opposing it. Starting November 1, Exhibition | Louisville, Kentucky Macmillan will limit libraries to purchasing one copy of each new ebook and national.aasl.org impose an eight-week embargo on buying additional copies. ALA Executive Director Mary Ghikas said at the press conference that Macmil- JAN. 24–28 lan’s new policy reveals a disturbing trend toward restricted or delayed access. ALA Midwinter Meeting & ALA has “seen the pendulum shift from publishers not selling to libraries at all to a Exhibits | Philadelphia relatively symbiotic relationship between the two,” she said. alamidwinter.org

ALA has developed a campaign to involve patrons in the fight for ebook FEB. 25–29 access. The new initiative, #eBooksForAll, was introduced by Ramiro S. Salazar, Public Library Association president of the Public Library Association (PLA) and director of San Antonio Conference | Nashville, Tennessee Public Library. He urged attendees to sign the petition at ebooksforall.org. placonference.org NPL Director Kent Oliver said the restrictions placed by publishers on public APR. libraries make it difficult to purchase ebooks. As a result, he said, patrons do not School Library Month have access to bestselling titles when they are at peak demand. He pointed out ala.org/aasl/slm that libraries pay roughly four times the retail price for ebook copies and must repurchase many of them every two years.• APR. 4–11 Money Smart Week moneysmartweek.org

APR. 19–25 Libraries Transform Book Pick waitlist or holds for the title. Book National Library Week During the September 11 press con- selections are made in consultation with ala.org/nlw ference in Nashville, Tennessee, where Booklist, ALA’s book review magazine ALA announced and collection-building resource. APR. 21 National Library Workers Day the #eBooksForAll For more information about the pro- ala-apa.org/nlwd campaign, ALA Exec- gram and upcoming titles, visit bit.ly/ utive Director Mary LTBookPick. Readers need only a public APR. 22 Ghikas announced the library card and the Libby app to down- National Bookmobile Day Libraries Transform load a copy to their device. ala.org/aboutala/bookmobileday Book Pick, a collabora- APR. 26–MAY 2 tion between ALA and PLA Announces Workshops on Preservation Week Rakuten OverDrive to Space Planning for Libraries ala.org/preservationweek provide free, unrestricted ebook access PLA is teaming up with public libraries in through public libraries. three cities to offer regional workshops MAY 4–5 The first title was After the Flood by on space planning for libraries. These full- National Library Legislative Kassandra Montag (William Morrow and day workshops will instruct attendees on Day | Washington, D.C. Company, September). For two weeks best practices for planning library layouts, ala.org/advocacy/NLLD in October the ebook was available for critically assessing the functionality of JUNE 25–30 unlimited checkouts by those holding their spaces, and making their libraries ALA Annual Conference library cards at public libraries using more accessible and navigable. This and Exhibition | Chicago Rakuten OverDrive readers, with no program is intended for libraries planning alaannual.org

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 9 UPDATE

a renovation, building a new space, look- the Ross Atkinson Lifetime Achievement by mid-February 2020. For more infor- ing to improve circulation, or hoping to Award are due November 15. Visit mation and guidelines, visit bit.ly/ enrich the use of their community spaces. ala.org/alcts/awards for more details CWGrant or contact grant administrator For more information about “Space and criteria for each award. Mary Jo Bolduc at [email protected]. Planning: Reinventing Your Library Space,” visit bit.ly/PLAspaceplanning. Carnegie-Whitney Awards for ACRL Seeks Nominations Registration is limited to 100 participants Guides to Library Resources for 2020 Awards per session. The ALA Publishing Committee Every year, the Association of Col- provides a grant of up to $5,000 for lege and Research Libraries (ACRL) ALCTS Seeks Nominations the preparation of print or electronic honors the achievements of academic for 2020 Awards reading lists, indexes, or other guides to and research librarians in the areas of Nominations are being accepted for the library resources that promote reading distinguished service, publications, and 2020 Association for Library Collections or the use of library resources at any research and grants. These honors are and Technical Services Awards, which type of library. made possible by corporate support. encompass innovation and collaboration, Funded projects have ranged from ACRL urges members to nominate cataloging and metadata management, “A Resource Guide about Disabilities, colleagues whose work has influenced serials and continuing resources, publica- Disability Theory, and Assistive Tech- their thinking and growth as academic tions, and preservation. nologies” to “A Bibliography for Queer librarians and whose contributions merit If you are interested in nominating Teens,” and from “Graphic Novels and recognition by the profession. Nomina- a candidate for any of these awards, the Humanity of Mental Illness” to “Web tions for most awards must be submitted contact the chair of that award jury. The Accessibility Resources for Libraries.” by December 6. deadline for nominations and supporting Applications must be received by More information, including submis- materials is December 1. Nominations for November 1. Recipients will be notified sion procedures, past winners, criteria, and contact information, is available at ala.org/acrl/awards or by contacting ACRL Program Officer Chase Ollis at National Library Legislative [email protected]. ALSC Receives Grant for Day to be Held in May 2020 Welcoming Spaces Forum n September, ALA announced the dates for the 45th annual National Library The Association for Library Service to Legislative Day (NLLD): May 4–5, 2020, dates that coincide with the 75th anni- Children (ALSC) received a $150,000 Iversary of ALA’s Washington office. Held this year at the Georgetown University National Leadership Grant for Libraries Hotel and Conference Center in Washington, D.C., NLLD is a two-day event where from the Institute of Museum and library workers, trustees, supporters, leaders, users, and community stakeholders Library Services. ALSC will partner with from across the country gather to learn from policy experts and exchange best the Association of Children’s Museums practices. During face-to-face meetings with members of Congress, participants (ACM) on this two-year project, which will share diverse library stories to raise awareness about the value of libraries entails hosting the Welcoming Spaces among federal legislators from several congressional districts on the same day. National Forum in Chicago in June 2020 “As a pillar of ALA’s year-round approach to advocacy, NLLD focuses on (adjacent but unrelated to Annual) and supporting advocates to develop strong connections with elected officials and compiling a best practices resource for community leaders at every level of government,” said ALA Public Policy and libraries and children’s museums serving Advocacy Office Associate Executive Director Kathi Kromer in a September 9 recent immigrants and refugees to the statement. “One of ALA’s biggest goals is to provide an inclusive setting that nur- United States. tures the novice and builds on the knowledge base of seasoned advocates.” Invitees to the Welcoming Spaces Added Kromer: “Advocacy is a different tactical and strategic challenge National Forum will be selected through compared to when I first came to D.C. in the 1990s. The process today is far more an application process, and will include dynamic, with social media, grassroots, and the influx of communications to the representatives from 12 libraries, 12 Hill. In this changing landscape, ALA advocates must pull all the levers we can.” children’s museums, and 24 collaborat- For more information, visit ala.org/nlld or email [email protected]. • ing partners engaging with members of their communities who have recently immigrated or resettled.

10 November/December 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org UPDATE

As ambassadors of school libraries, the AASL School Leader Collaborative will convene with AASL leaders and K–12 administrators to garner advocacy for school librarians that can be implemented at building, district, state, and national levels. Administrators will provide feedback, messaging, and advice on strategies to be taken by AASL. This dialogue will deepen understanding of the school librarians’ role in teaching.

Nominations Open for John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award The Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) is accepting nominations for the 2020 John Phillip Immroth Memo- rial Award. This award honors notable contribu- ALA Leadership Institute tions to intellectual freedom and demon- strations of personal courage in defense articipants in the seventh ALA Leadership Institute immersed themselves of freedom of expression by a living in the annual leadership development program, which covered topics such individual, group, or organization. The Pas interpersonal competence; power and influence; community engage- award consists of a citation and $500, ment; and strategy, innovation, and change. The institute, held August 5–8 at which IFRT will present during the 2020 the Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort and Conference Center in Oak Brook, ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition Illinois, was led by former ALA President Maureen Sullivan (2012–2013) and in Chicago. leadership consultant Kathryn Deiss. The deadline for nominations is For more information about the institute, including a list of 2019 participants December 1. Visit bit.ly/JPIMemorial and eligibility requirements, visit ala.org/educationcareers/leadership. • for more information and to submit nominations.

Nominations Open for 2020 ALSC and ACM will present findings school administrators and champions the EMIERT Multicultural Award from the forum in a webinar hosted by school librarian’s role in teaching. Sup- The Ethnic and Multicultural Informa- ALSC in August 2020, at ALSC’s National port is provided by OverDrive Education. tion Exchange Round Table (EMIERT) Institute in Minneapolis (October 2020), Members of the collaborative, nomi- seeks nominations for the 2020 David and at ALA’s Midwinter Meeting in Indi- nated by members of their communities, Cohen/EMIERT Multicultural Award. anapolis (January 2021). External evalu- include: Shawn Arnold, superinten- The award recognizes recent articles ation of the project will be conducted by dent, Valdez (Alaska) City Schools; that include significant new research Garibay Group. Sean Doherty, superintendent, School related to the understanding and pro- District of Clayton in St. Louis; April motion of multiculturalism in libraries AASL Selects Members of Grace, superintendent at Shawnee in North America. Works published School Leader Collaborative (Okla.) Public Schools; Kelly Gustafson, between January 1, 2018, and December The American Association of School principal, Pine-Richland School District 31, 2019, are eligible. The application Librarians (AASL) has selected seven in Wexford, Pennsylvania; Joel Hoag, deadline is January 3, 2020. school administrators to serve on its principal, Franklin (Tenn.) Special Award recipients will be selected two-year initiative, the AASL School School District; Kim Patterson, principal based on the relationship of publication Leader Collaborative: Administrators and at Grossmont Union High School Dis- to the purpose of the award; extent to School Librarians Transforming Teach- trict in El Cajon, California; and Melita which publication bridges cultures, ing and Learning. This initiative aims Walker, principal at Columbia (Mo.) increases multicultural awareness in to strengthen AASL’s collaboration with Public Schools. libraries, or provides appropriate cultural

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 11 UPDATE LISTEN NOW TO THESE RECENT EPISODES: representation; significance of publication and its potential impact; and EPISODE 42 originality. Libraries of All The award is presented biannu- Shapes and Sizes ally during even years and consists EPISODE 41 of a plaque and $500. If no suitable Beyond Our candidate is judged to merit the award Borders in a given year, it will not be presented. Join American Libraries Senior For more information, visit bit.ly/ EPISODE 40 EMIERTaward. Editor Phil Morehart as he hosts 50 Years of the conversations with librarians, Coretta Scott King SRRT Seeks Applications for Book Awards, 2020 Herb Biblo Travel Grants authors, thinkers, and scholars taped live in The Social Responsibilities Round about topics from the library Washington, D.C. Table (SRRT) has announced the second annual Herb Biblo Conference world and beyond. EPISODE 38 Travel Grants to help finance up to two The Buzz on SRRT members’ attendance at an ALA Library Gardens Annual Conference. The $1,000 award covers limited fees related to airfare, EPISODE 37 lodging, and conference registration. AI in Academic The travel grant is part of a three- Libraries Listen at bit.ly/deweydecibel year pilot and honors the legacy of past ALA councilor and SRRT member Herb Biblo. The application deadline is Decem- Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation ber 15. All applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision by In compliance with the Extent and nature of circulation Average no. copies No. copies of single United States Postal each issue during issue published January 15, 2020. Applicants must be preceding 12 months nearest to filing date Service requirements, ALA/SRRT personal members. Learn the following statement Total number of copies (net press run) 54,956 54,948 more and submit an application at bit. is published as it was Paid circulation submitted to the ly/HBtravelgrant. Recipients will be Mailed outside-county paid subscriptions 48,149 48,049 postmaster on announced publicly in the spring. Mailed in-county paid subscriptions 0 0 PS Form 3526. Paid distribution outside the mails 1,737 1,770 Publication title Paid distribution by other classes of mail Libraries to Participate American Libraries through the USPS 0 0 in Great Stories Club Publication number Total paid distribution 49,886 49,819 Thirty-five US libraries have been 0002-9769 Free or nominal rate distribution selected to participate in ALA’s Great Outside-county copies 0 0 Filing date Stories Club series on Truth, Racial September 17, 2019 In-county copies 0 0 Healing, and Transformation, a Issue frequency Copies mailed at other classes through 6 issues annually the USPS 38 52 thematic reading and discussion pro- Distribution outside the mail 1,389 2,704 gram series that engages underserved Mailing address Total free or nominal rate distribution 1,427 2,756 50 E. Huron St. teens through literature-based outreach Total distribution 51,313 52,575 Chicago, IL 60611 Copies not distributed 3,643 2,373 programs and racial healing work. Editor/Publisher Total 54,956 54,948 The program is supported through Sanhita SinhaRoy Percent paid 97.22% 94.76% the W. K. Kellogg Foundation’s Truth, Managing Editor Electronic copy circulation Racial Healing, and Transformation Terra Dankowski Paid electronic copies 0 0 effort, a national and community- Owner Total paid print copies 49,886 49,819 based process to address the historic American Library Total print distribution 51,313 52,575 Association Percent paid 97.22% 94.76% and contemporary effects of racism, as well as the National Endowment for the Humanities.

12 November/December 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org UPDATE

provides an outline of library marketing strategies and tactics for successful Grant Fund Honors Barber follow-through. The work describes specific, actionable steps that different argaret “Peggy” Barber, 75, ALA associate execu- types of libraries can take to build effective director of communications 1970–2000, died tive, sustainable marketing programs for MAugust 25 (see p. 63). In that role, she established promoting a library’s services, resources, ALA’s Public Information Office, Public Programs Office, and instruction. and the ALA Graphics department, which includes the Celebrity READ poster series. Barber also worked to estab- ALSC Supports Equity, lish the national library symbol that now appears on street Peggy Barber Diversity, and Inclusion signs nationwide. She coauthored Getting Your Grant: A ALSC has released a statement on equity, How-to-Do-It Manual for Librarians with Linda D. Crowe and received ALA’s diversity, and inclusion (EDI) along with 1999 Joseph W. Lippincott Award for distinguished service to the library pro- new resources that support the EDI- fession. After leaving ALA, she was a principal consultant with Library Commu- related work of the Association. nication Strategies and served as copresident of Friends of Libraries USA, now The statement is available on ALSC’s known as United for Libraries. newly created equity, diversity, and inclu- Barber once observed: “Librarians are stewards of all the world’s creativity…. sion webpage (bit.ly/ALSCEDI), which We run institutions that are open to all people and have the potential for highlights ALSC’s efforts, opportunities serving all people. But we get to deal with folks as individuals—one at a time. for members to get involved with the In this work, I think it’s possible to make a difference in the world—one person division’s work, and links to resources, at a time.” videos, and publications. Her friends have established a Peggy Barber Tribute Grant for Libraries fund These efforts have been and will within ALA’s Cultural Communities Fund, which Barber was instrumental in cre- continue to be coordinated through ALSC ating to support cultural programs in libraries. Donations may be made online leadership and members and with other at ala.org/ccf or by sending checks to the ALA Public Programs Office, Attn: ALA divisions and offices. Cultural Communities Fund, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. • AASL Announces Research Grant Recipients The Educators of School Librarians The grantees represent 29 public up to $1,200; travel and accommoda- Section of AASL announced the libraries, two academic libraries, three tion expenses for a two-day orientation recipients of the 2019 AASL Research K–12 libraries, and one library associa- workshop in Chicago; and additional Grant, which recognizes excellence in tion. Additionally, 29 community partner resources, training, and support. manuscripts that address a persistent organizations, including alternative and recurring challenge in the field of schools, youth detention centers, after- New White Paper Offers school librarianship. This year’s winners school programs, and other organiza- Marketing Advice address the topics of censorship, ebooks, tions that serve youth, are participating Choice, a publishing unit of ACRL, will and makerspaces. Sponsored by School in the project. View a list of the grantees publish the fourth in a series of white Library Connection, the grant consists at bit.ly/GSChealing. papers on topics important to the aca- of a $350 award and the opportunity The reading list includes Ms. Marvel demic library community. to present the paper at the 2019 AASL Volume 1: No Normal by G. Willow “Implementing Marketing Plans in National Conference, November 14–16 Wilson and Adrian Alphona; The Hate U the Academic Library: Rules, Roles, and in Louisville, Kentucky. Give by Angie Thomas; March: Book One Definition” offers a practical definition Recipients of the 2019 AASL Research by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate of library marketing and examines why Grant are: Sue C. Kimmel and Danielle Powell; Shadowshaper by Daniel José it’s integral to successful operations and E. Hartsfield for their article in Library Older; X: A Novel by Ilyashah Shabazz strong fiscal support. Funding for this Quarterly; April Dawkins and Karen and Kekla Magoon; and The Sun Is Also a research was provided by the Taylor & Gavigan for their article in School Library Star by Nicola Yoon. Francis Group. The report is available at Research; and Heather Moorefield-Lang Participating libraries will receive bit.ly/ChoiceWhitePaper. for her article in Reference Services 11 copies of up to four books on the Researched and produced by Choice Review. The research grant session will reading list; a programming grant of and written by Emily L. Hauser, the paper take place November 16.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 13 UPDATE

Peter Hepburn 2020 ALA Nominating Committee Head Librarian College of the Canyons Council Candidates Announced Santa Clarita, California Dora T. Ho he ALA Nominating Committee annually nominates candidates from among the general Young Adult Librarian membership for members-at-large of Council. Individuals who are not selected by the Los Angeles Public Library TNominating Committee may run for office by petition. Individuals interested in running for ALA Council by petition have until 4:30 p.m. Central time on December 4 to file an elec- Shanna Hollich tronic petition with the ALA executive director at bit.ly/CouncilPetition. The petition must Collections Management have the signatures of no fewer than 25 ALA current personal members. An additional form Librarian Wilson College containing biographical information and a statement of professional concerns must be submit- Chambersburg, Pennsylvania ted electronically with the petition. Instructions for filing petitions and additional voting information can be found at ala.org/aboutala/governance/alaelection. Del R. Hornbuckle Dean of Library Services California State Alexandria Abenshon Vivian Bordeaux Nadine Ellero University, Fresno Library Manager Librarian III, Customer Service Head of Technical Services Matthew Hortt Webster Branch Bridgeport (Conn.) Auburn (Ala.) University Executive Director New York Public Library Public Library Libraries High Plains Library District Greeley, Colorado Thomas Adamich Peter D. Coyl Laura Evans President Director Head of Cataloging/Metadata Grace Jackson-Brown Amherst (Mass.) College Visiting Librarian Service Montclair (N.J.) Public Library Associate Professor Duane G. Meyer Library New Philadelphia, Ohio Susan F. Gregory John DeSantis Missouri State University Director Jennifer Addington Cataloging and Metadata Springfield Bozeman (Mont.) Director Services Librarian Public Library Liana Juliano Palos Verdes Library District Dartmouth College Manager, Information Rolling Hills Estates, California Hanover, New Hampshire Monica Harris Resources Executive Director Paul Hastings LLP Tina Baich Joslyn Bowling Dixon Schaumburg Township Los Angeles Associate Dean for Collections Assistant Director (Ill.) District Library Indiana University–Purdue Prince William (Va.) Public Robin Kear University Indianapolis Library System Vicky Hart Liaison Librarian University Library Director of Library Services University of Pittsburgh Yvonne Dooley Northeast Lakeview College Regina M. Beard Business Librarian Universal City, Texas Kimberly Bray Knight Business Librarian University of North Texas Assistant Director Rochelle Hartman Florida Gulf Coast University Denton Chesapeake (Va.) Director Fort Myers Public Library Cynthia Ellison Dottin Lincoln Library Emily Bergman Adjunct Lecturer, FIU Springfield, Illinois Jeff Kosokoff Assistant University Librarian Campus Librarian Honors College Carl A. Harvey II for Collection Strategy Chicago School of Florida International University Assistant Professor Duke University Libraries Professional Psychology Miami Longwood University Durham, North Carolina Los Angeles Farmville, Virginia Emily Drabinski Oscar R. Lanza-Galindo Latrice Booker Critical Pedagogy Librarian Christopher J. Hemingway Library and Learning Dean of the Library The Graduate Center, City Circulation Librarian Commons Director Indiana University Northwest University of New York Hagaman Memorial Library Bristol Community College Gary New York City East Haven, Connecticut Fall River, Massachusetts

14 November/December 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org UPDATE

Binh P. Le Jennifer Pate Paul A. Sharpe Bill Sudduth Librarian Scholarly Communications Dean of Libraries Head, Government Penn State Abington and Instructional University of Texas Rio Information and Maps Services Librarian University of South Sam Leif Grande Valley University of North Alabama Carolina Libraries Assistant Director Edinburg Florence Columbia University of Nevada, Las Vegas Liz Philippi Jules Shore Jim Teliha Rodney Lippard School Library Program Systems Librarian Dean of the Library and Director Coordinator Rockville, Maryland Learning Commons Gregg-Graniteville Library Utica (N.Y.) College and the Center for Texas State Library and Archives Commission Jahala D. Simuel Student Achievment Tina Thomas Austin Medical Librarian and Head University of South Executive Director, Strategy Carolina Aiken of Access Services Sarah M. K. Potwin and Innovation Howard University Executive Library Director Edmonton (Alberta) Lesley Looper Washington, D.C. Team Lead, Shelf Preparation Niagara Falls (N.Y.) Public Library Public Library Section, Resource Daniella Smith Gail Tobin Description Department Raymond Pun Associate Professor Branch Manager Duke University Libraries Instruction/Research Librarian Department of Hanover Park Branch Durham, North Carolina Alder Graduate School Information Science Schaumburg Township (Ill.) District Library Kari Mitchell of Education University of North Texas Librarian Redwood City, California Denton Scott Walter District of Columbia Alice A. Robinson University Librarian and Public Schools Pauline Stacchini Secondary School Librarian University Copyright Officer Washington, D.C. Managing Librarian West Babylon (N.Y.) Illinois Wesleyan University Joe Mocnik School District Austin (Tex.) Public Library Bloomington Dean of Libraries Brad Warren North Dakota State University Edward L. Sanchez Amy Steinbauer Associate Dean of Fargo Head, Library Information Interim Branch Manager Library Services Technology District of Columbia Alanna Aiko Moore University of Cincinnati Marquette University Public Library Librarian for Sociology, Ethnic Milwaukee Studies, Gender Studies Washington, D.C. Sandy Wee Library Services Manager University of California, Amanda Marie Sauerwein Kaite Mediatore Stover San Mateo County San Diego Circulation Coordinator Director of Readers’ (Calif.) Libraries La Jolla Curtis Laws Wilson Library Missouri University of Services Leslie L. Morgan Angela A. Williams Science and Technology Kansas City (Mo.) Africana Studies and Librarian Rolla Public Library Education Librarian The Martin Luther King University of Notre Dame Jr. Memorial Library Indiana Syracuse (N.Y.) University

Larry Neal Derek Wilson Library Director Executive Director Clinton–Macomb (Mich.) 2020 Election Dates Florence–Lauderdale Public Library Public Library allot emailing for the 2020 ALA election Florence, Alabama Michelle P. Osborne Bwill begin on March 9. The election Manager Harriet Wintermute will close April 1. Individuals must have Stanley Branch Head, Metadata Services renewed their ALA membership by Gaston County (N.C.) Iowa State University Library Public Library January 31, 2020, to be eligible to vote. Ames •

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 15 TD

something with which just about From the Library with Love every public librarian will be familiar: résumé-building. “I use a lot of Information professionals help older adults parse the same tips,” she says. “What’s the features and culture of online dating apps not successful are empty adjectives: ‘I’m smart.’ ‘I’m neat.’ That doesn’t mean much.” Instead, she recom- BY Anne Ford inding love after 50 isn’t “One of the things I want every par- mends, supply specifics such as “I always easy. Social norms ticipant to know is that no matter enjoy spending Saturday mornings F change, life events like your interest, who you’re looking to with the crossword.” divorce and death leave emotional date, or what you’re looking for in Many older online daters are con- scars, and it sometimes feels as if a relationship, there is something cerned about privacy and security the rest of the world has already out there for you,” Arents says. She issues. “That’s where a librarian’s paired off. includes apps that are inclusive and job is super helpful because we Fortunately, there’s the target specific communities, such know how to navigate different library—not as a place to make as HER, an app for lesbian, queer, types of information,” she points romantic connections per se, but bisexual, and bicurious women, out. “We arm patrons with what as a resource for older adults who and nonbinary people. to look out for, like messages from want to learn how to navigate the She also occasionally cautions Americans living in other coun- world of online dating. Several participants about the quality and tries who ask you for money, or a public libraries have begun offering usability of certain dating sites and message from someone who wants

programs that help older patrons apps. “I did some research, and to leave the app and talk to you Deja Tom Illustration: safely and effectively meet potential right off the bat I was seeing [sites partners on the internet. Among and apps with] a lot of unfinished these are Westport (Conn.) Public profiles, a lot of profiles with no Library, Skokie (Ill.) Public Library, pictures. That’s not something and Billings (Mont.) Public Library. I can recommend as an infor- Darien (Conn.) Library has held mation professional.” online dating workshops for single older adults four times since 2015. Strategies for “We were noticing older patrons successful swiping using our computer lab and For the next section of needing help with things such as the workshop, which uploading pictures and recogniz- covers how online ing if dating sites were legitimate daters can describe or not,” says Mallory Arents, who themselves most effec- was then the library’s associate tively in their profiles, director of programs and services. Arents draws on “I can think of one gentleman in particular who would write a message [to send on a dating site], print it out, and ask for help proof- reading it.” That led her to create an educational presentation about online dating, which begins with an overview of dating sites and apps from the general-interest (Match.com, Tinder) to the niche (FarmersOnly).

16 November/December 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org “No matter your in 2017, as a response to patron interest. The first event in the series International interest or who focused on online dating in particular; since then, subsequent monthly Games Week you’re looking programs have added supporting to date, there is topics, such as a recent one called 2017 “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,” which Year that International Games Week was estab- discussed the merits of several local something out lished. The week (this year November 3–9) grew date venues. out of National Games Day and aims to raise there for you.” Williams has also awareness among publishers and created resources to help MALLORY ARENTS, former the public of games and program participants director of programs and services gaming in libraries. at Darien (Conn.) Library consider their readi- ness to date. One of those is a bingo 324 game in which Number of murder sce- elsewhere right away. We talk about players complete a narios possible in the not inviting someone to pick you up square for each time classic mystery board from your home the first time you they answer “yes” to game Clue. The game— meet, and always making sure you a self-care question. “If which features nine rooms, tell a friend where you’re going.” they get five across, then it’s six weapons, and six color- Arents’s tips for other librarians like, ‘Okay, you’re a candidate fully named suspects, including who would like to offer their own to start dating,’” she explains. Colonel Mustard and Miss Scarlet— online-dating workshops? First, Other topics have included sex celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. bring a camera. Many participants for senior citizens. “Sex is a huge don’t have good photographs of topic all the time,” Williams says. 1948 themselves to post in their dating “They all still feel like they’re in Year that Eleanor Abbott—a retired school- profiles and will appreciate the high school. I say, ‘If you can’t teacher who was recovering from polio— chance to have some taken. Second, have a conversation about it, then invented Candy Land. She wanted to create a fun don’t post a sign-in sheet, and make you shouldn’t be doing it.’” Not to fantasy world for young polio patients while they sure signage directing people to the mention, “STDs are prolific in the were in the hospital. A year later, Milton Bradley workshop is clear, so that no one older years, because [seniors] don’t began publishing the board game. needs to ask for directions. Some typically use condoms, so AARP has patrons might prefer not to broad- donated condoms that we give out cast the fact that they’re attending [at the program].” 176 million this event. “One patron came to the Happily, Williams has seen sev- Number of Minecraft copies sold since its debut front desk and wrote on a piece of eral program participants pair off, 10 years ago. According to PC Gamer, some in

Illustration: Mojang Illustration: paper, ‘Where is the online dating either at the programs themselves the gaming industry speculate that Minecraft has workshop?’ so she didn’t have to say or as a result of online dating. overtaken Tetris as the bestselling it out loud,” Arents recalls. “Once they find success, off they videogame of all time. • go, and they don’t come back,” she Checking the boxes says—with at least one excep- At White Oak Library District, tion. “We had one lady who met which serves the Illinois a gentleman, and they’re getting communities of Crest Hill, married. She brought him into the Lockport, and Romeoville, library to meet me.” Outreach Manager Tina M. Williams formed the ANNE FORD is American Libraries Dating Over 50 program series editor-at-large.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 17 T ENDS

A child undergoes a hearing test at a Sense-Screening Storytime at Omaha (Neb.) Public Library’s Swanson branch.

kids for early signs of hearing impairment or language delay. “‘A lot of people don’t know you offer these screenings,’” Humphrey recalls telling leaders from the two institutions. “‘Why don’t we work together? This could be something that we get out into the city.’” The first Sense-Screening Story- time event was held in fall 2018. The agenda is fluid, but generally the sessions start with the reading of a couple of books and some sight and sound movement activities. These last about 20 minutes, depending on “how wiggly the kids are getting,” says Humphrey. Afterwards, parents are asked if they want their child screened at the library. Last year, OPL hosted 24 sessions at all 12 of its locations—one Testing the Senses hearing and one vision screening Libraries host hearing and sight screenings for kids at each. Participation has been sporadic, Humphrey says, with some sessions better attended than BY Marty fter being told by vision OPL started hosting its Sense- others, but OPL has been buoyed by Stempniak professionals that his Screening Storytime program last success stories from the program’s A 3-year-old daughter was September and has already seen first year. too young for glasses, a father in several successes. A boy was screened for hearing Omaha, Nebraska, decided to get “There is a definite need for impairment at the suggestion of a second opinion—at the library. this in our community,” says OPL staff after he didn’t respond A vision screening at an Omaha Humphrey. to prompts transmitted through Public Library (OPL) storytime led The idea for OPL’s program his headphones. Several follow-up to an ophthalmologist referral to fit stems from a gathering of Omaha- screenings confirmed his auditory the girl for glasses, says Julie Hum- area child-services providers last struggles, and the boy was sched- phrey, youth and family services year, part of an early learning uled for surgery in January to manager for OPL. initiative instituted by the state relieve the pressure in his Eusta- Sight and sound are integral of Nebraska. At the meeting, OPL chian tubes. parts of storytime and early liter- administrators learned about “Even if the numbers seem very acy, so it makes sense for libraries services provided by the Center for small, you are making an impact if to take an active role in children’s Childhood Deafness, Language, and you can help just one child have a eye and ear health. Across the Learning at Boys Town National better chance for natural hearing or country, institutions are hosting Research Hospital in Omaha, as natural vision,” Humphrey says. free vision and hearing screenings well as a local chapter of Lions Club Omaha’s efforts have plenty

tied to children’s reading sessions. International, both of which screen of company: Public libraries in Public Library Omaha (Neb.) Photo:

18 November/December 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org T ENDS

California, Illinois, and Wiscon- Children’s Eye Clinic at Oregon “You are making an sin also host sight and sound Health and Science University in screenings. Portland. The program has the goal impact if you can Fountaindale Public Library (FPL) of addressing vision problems that in Bolingbrook, Illinois, has hosted cannot be treated after a child turns help just one child free vision and hearing screenings 7 years old. More than 8,000 kids for several years in collaboration are screened annually at Oregon have a better chance with the DuPage County Health libraries and Head Start programs for natural hearing Department. FPL Outreach Services thanks to the partnership. Manager Marianne Thompson says At See to Read events, screeners or natural vision.” it’s a wonderful way to partner with from the clinic use handheld photo- JULIE HUMPHREY, youth and family services the community, and it also bolsters screening devices with a smiley face manager, Omaha (Neb.) Public Library foot traffic at the library. on the front to test the children. Many Oregon public libraries Kids only have to look at the face to have hosted vision screenings since have their vision checked. the state legislature passed a bill Jane Corry, former Oregon in 2013 requiring all children to be Library Association board presi- “It’s one more tool to let them know checked for optical issues before dent and a See to Read proponent, we are focused on this issue and entering kindergarten. Shortly believes such programs dovetail per- to make it possible for kids to have after the law was enacted, the See fectly with the library’s mission, and more success at school.” to Read program was born as a she urges others to give them a try. partnership between the Oregon “It’s a major piece of how the MARTY STEMPNIAK is a freelance Library Association and the Elks community sees us,” Corry says. writer based in Chicago.

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americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 19 T ENDS

Conte Flowers, Family Resource Center coordinator for Gallatin County (Ky.) Elementary Schools (one of the statewide participants), poses at a collection point. Below, CCPL’s Drop Your Drawers logo, using Dav Pilkey’s Captain Under- pants character.

problems for kids. Too many of the kids we serve do not know where they will be sleeping at night. Kids often dress themselves or younger siblings because of problems in the home. Many kids—far more than we were aware of—have medical issues related to incontinence or menstrua- tion that can be difficult to diagnose and embarrassing until corrected. Campbell County has six school districts. Working with six superin- tendents and six school boards can be challenging, but “Drop Your Drawers” has opened doors to collaboration for us. We team up with the schools’ Family Resource Centers, Collections in Briefs which are tasked with eliminating barriers to learning Kentucky libraries encourage patrons and providing access to shelter, to “Drop Your Drawers” for a good cause food, clothing, counseling, and financial aid. They have limited budgets to provide these services ampbell County (Ky.) Public Library (CCPL) has four branches serving 92,000 res- and keep children at school and idents, about 9% of whom are living below the poverty line. When an instructor at learning, but their work helps Can early literacy skills workshop mentioned that something as basic as lacking clean break the cycle of poverty and underwear can keep some children from staying in the classroom, the library’s managers poor education. brainstormed a creative way to help. CCPL runs a campaign November 1–December 31 Another huge benefit to our each year to collect new underwear for kids in sizes 4–16. The campaign has been so suc- library has been in community cessful that it now gets help from Captain Underpants creator Dav Pilkey. involvement and public support. Our library went through a difficult time in 2012, when we pursued a BY J. C. Morgan very child should have clean The name “Drop Your Drawers” tax increase to build a new facility. underwear that fits: That’s is fun and catchy (and has drawn We were sued by members of our E the founding premise of the only two complaints from patrons local Tea Party (bit.ly/AL-TeaParty), Campbell County Public Library’s over the years), but it also starts a and the lawsuit became a statewide News (Ky.) County Gallatin annual “Drop Your Drawers” conversation about some very real issue and attracted national atten- campaign to collect new packs of issues in our communities. Staff- tion. “Drop Your Drawers” shows children’s underwear at our public ers at CCPL were surprised and that libraries are still relevant com- service desks for distribution to the saddened to learn that it’s not only munity resources in very practical

county’s schools. accidents that cause underwear ways, even in the digital era. Warnick/ Kelley Photo:

20 November/December 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org T ENDS

In 2015, the first year of our campaign, our goal was to collect 3,000 pairs of underwear. We collected 5,300 pairs. In the four years we’ve been running “Drop Your Drawers,” First Library in Tonga the county’s 14 elementary schools have received nearly 30,000 pairs TONGA The Pacific Island of underwear. state opened its first-ever The campaign has now spread public library in October. throughout Kentucky, with approxi- Thousands of books, as well mately 50 libraries in the state partic- as bikes and laptops, were ipating each year. Since they began, donated by more than 50 we’ve collected nearly 90,000 pairs of council libraries in Auckland, underwear. Our statewide effort has New Zealand. The library is been greatly aided by the generosity the brainchild of South Auck- of author and illustrator Dav Pilkey. land couple Kahoa and Bren- He has allowed us to use his Captain dan Corbett, who since 2018 Local children help shelve books for Underpants image to create consistent have been packing up donated Tonga’s first public library. publicity materials for Kentucky’s goods almost every month to libraries. He says he’s grateful that be shipped to Kolovai on the island of Tongatapu. The couple had “the Captain” can be a help for so visited the village shortly after Cyclone Gita devastated the islands in many. Pilkey recently sent six pairs of February 2018.—Radio New Zealand, Sept. 2. enormous novelty underwear, which he autographed right across the butt, BENIN Ayaba Totin, a bibliophile who ran a book review blog in as raffle prizes for our 2019 campaign. France for three years before moving to West Africa, understands that books featuring Africans and the African diaspora are an essential part of maintaining self-esteem. But in Benin, there are only “Drop Your Drawers” three major public libraries. So Totin created Ayaba’s Box of Books, a membership program in which people pay an annual fee to have a shows that libraries are monthly selection of books written by black writers delivered to their still relevant community homes.—Medium: Zora, Aug. 22.

resources in very practical INDIA Twelve-year-old Yashoda Shenoy, a student at Thirumala Devaswom High School in Kochi, has been running her own library ways, even in the digital era. since January 26. One day she realized that for many people, the prospect of having to pay a public library fine could discourage them from reading. Her solution was to start a library. With 3,000 fiction and nonfiction books and 140 members, the library has generated Libraries and other organizations much publicity. She runs the library in the afternoon, and her parents in Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, and play librarians in the morning when she goes to school. The library Ohio are now sponsoring their own is on the first floor of their house, sharing space with her father’s art drives. And Pilkey has given his gallery.—The Hindu (Chennai), July 27. blessing for any library to use our logo featuring Captain Underpants in con- SCOTLAND A prolific book thief has been jailed for 25 months junction with a “Drop Your Drawers” after pleading guilty to stealing more than 7,000 books from three campaign. You can find materials to universities in Edinburgh. Darren Barr is said to have made more use for a campaign at your library and than £30,000 by selling the textbooks through three online book read more about our experience at markets. During an 11-month crime spree starting in October 2017, bit.ly/AL-Drawers. Barr admitted to the theft of thousands of books from Edinburgh Napier University and hundreds more from Edinburgh and Heriot- J. C. MORGAN is director of Campbell Watt universities on the topics of nursing, business studies, human

Photo: Kahoa Corbett Kahoa Photo: County (Ky.) Public Library. resources, criminology, and marketing.—The Guardian (UK), Sept. 18. •

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 21 TRENDS

information and filter information Lindy West critically. That’s such an important skill right now and one that’s not The author talks about structures of just being lost, but deliberately oppression and life after Twitter suppressed.

Which moment from the first ssayist and New York Times contributor Lindy West, who season of Shrill have you gotten the writes about feminism and pop culture, moved into television this most feedback about? The scene Eyear with the premiere of Shrill on Hulu. Inspired by her memoir of the same name, where the main character goes to the series—which follows a young, plus-sized journalist—has been renewed for a second a pool party, and there are around season. Meanwhile, West’s second book, The Witches Are Coming (Hachette Book 100 fat women in their swimsuits, Group, November), unleashes her lacerating wit on misogyny, patriarchy, and racism. dancing and having a good time. American Libraries spoke with West about the book, body politics, and social media. Normally, if you’re a fat person at the pool, you feel like you need to apologize or hide. When we shot it, the BY Anne Ford Where does the title of your new how its platform is used, and it has crew was in tears. I hear from people book come from? The Witches Are opted to allow Nazis to recruit and who were extras there that they all Coming grew out of this phenom- harass. That’s why I left. I was tacitly stayed in touch and are friends and enon where people try to deflect endorsing this company’s choices have their own pool parties now. accountability by claiming that by being there. I felt dirty. I have so There’s so much pressure to have any accusation of wrongdoing is much time the right kind of body, and it’s so a witch hunt and not real. It’s an MORE ONLINE back now. My expensive and demoralizing and obvious rhetorical maneuver to For the extended brain feels exhausting, and it never relents avoid looking at reality. I wrote a interview, visit cleaner. I for your whole life. To present the column in The New York Times where bit.ly/AL-LWest don’t feel anx- idea that you can step out of that I said “You know what? Fine. This is after November 1. ious all the for a day and you don’t have to fix a witch hunt. But we’re the witches, time. People yourself—you’re not a broken thing, and we’re hunting you.” still find ways to hate me, but I’m not you’re a person who deserves joy I formulated this book around as accessible. I get maybe one mean and pleasure and to be seen and to that concept—telling the truth as a email a month, because it takes so be a full participant in public life—is kind of witchcraft. This is America’s many extra steps to contact me now. really huge for people. If I can pass defining sickness: We want to over- some kernel of that along, then my

write our own past and pretend that What’s your relationship with life is fulfilled. JennyJimenez Photo: all of the painful, violent, evil things libraries like? I have such a fond either weren’t a big deal, or they’re attachment to them. Not just emo- over and don’t affect us anymore. I tionally, but as keepers of knowledge started to think about all the ways and places that facilitate the sharing we indoctrinate ourselves into these of stories. Storytelling is an engine lies and just how damaging that is of humanization, and humanization for us as a society. We have to start is a thing we need right now. On top living in the truth, whether it’s of that, libraries enable research about the legacy of racism or sexual and help us figure out what we’re predation or climate change. getting right and getting wrong. All of that funnels You were very active on Twitter through librarians, before quitting it in 2017. Why people who know did you leave, and how is your life how to manage different now? Have the online troll and access attacks lessened? Twitter is not a public square. It’s a private company, and it can make choices about

22 November/December 2019 TRENDS

“My thoughts always turn to, ‘What can I do for Long Beach?’ I’m thinking about the librarians and what I can do for them.” BILLIE JEAN KING, in “Billie Jean King, Reacting to Long Beach [Calif.] Main Library Being Named After Her, Compares Feeling to Receiving Medal of Freedom,” Orange County Register, August 6.

“You think—we think—Google Books has “Looking at the brain scans and data digitized a vast amount of written material. And analysis, the researchers saw that the certainly they have. I’m sure the stats on what stories stimulated the same cognitive they have done would be staggering. When you need access to books that are outside of and emotional areas, regardless of their the most obvious 1% of written work, though, medium. It’s adding to our understanding it goes dry very quickly. Academic work, older of how our brains give semantic meaning mainstream press books, less successful nonﬁction to the squiggly letters and bursts of books, books published in non–US publishing sound that make up our communication.” houses … it all becomes nearly impossible to JENNIFER WALTER, “Audiobooks or Reading? To Our Brains, ﬁnd without having access to someone who It Doesn’t Matter,” D-brief, August 22. can hand you a hard copy of it…. Don’t give up on libraries and hard copies just yet, folks.” “At The Standard Hotel in London, ED BURMILA, “The Sum of All Human Knowledge,” Gin and Tacos, September 6. Carrie Maclennan has a singular job. She sources 1970s and 1980s books for its ground-floor library. Step inside her “IT WAS A PLEASANT SURPRISE library, and within the stacks of books WHEN THE FIRST COUPLE there’s a clearly signposted subversion SHOWED UP. WE DIDN’T REALIZE at play, alongside the DJ booth, cocktails, THAT WHEN YOU NOTARIZE THE and squashy Saporiti leather sofas. LICENSE, YOU ARE BASICALLY Entirely intentionally, Environmental Science is next to Despair while Politics MARRYING PEOPLE.” shares a stack with Tragedy.” JIEMIN FAN, circulation director of Birmingham (Ala.) SARAH TURNER, “The New Hotel Must-Have: A Library,” Public Library’s Central location, in “A Match Made in ... Forbes, July 31. Reference: Birmingham Public Library Getting Marriage

Photo: Gage Skidmore Photo: License Traffic,” AL.com, August 30.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 23 24 November/December 2019 SPECIAL REPORT Democracy in Action Prepping your library for the 2020 elections

s candidates debate, state and local elections approach, and all eyes turn to the Iowa Caucuses February 3, election season is rapidly A ramping up. Next year’s contests will be crucial for issues important to libraries, such as information literacy, net neutrality, and how the 2020 Census will shape future funding. And libraries are especially well suited to be “democracy coaches,” in the words of Amanda Smithfield, a librarian at Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School in Nashville, Tennessee (p. 34). Open to everyone regardless of political leanings, they serve as voter registration hubs and polling places and provide meeting space for community groups and forums. Our special report on libraries and democracy encour-

Illustrations: Drew Bardana ages libraries to lean into these strengths and expand their election-year offerings, including: HOW IS YOUR z tips on getting to know your elected LIBRARY PREPARING officials through year-round advocacy FOR THE 2020 ELECTION? z creative ways to reach and register Share your ideas with us on Twitter @amlibraries or email potential voters [email protected]. z guidelines for keeping civic engagement civil, despite growing polarization z a review of literature on media literacy and a roundup of tech tools to help your patrons spot fake news online z expert advice from members of ALA’s Policy Corps, who have been testing their library advocacy skills with policymakers Whether your library is just getting started with election activities or you’re looking for a fresh approach to civic engagement with your patrons, you’ll find practical ideas in this special report.

25 SPECIAL REPORT

Connecting with Congress How libraries can build relationships with elected officials through year-round advocacy

he idea of speaking to members of Congress often, people hear BY Lara Deborah Doyle talks with Cali- may evoke images of idealistic, Jimmy advocacy and they fornia State Sen. Mark McGuire Ewen Stewart–style theatrics, long bus trips to think it’s intimidat- about funding, programming, T and new technology at Healds- Capitol Hill, and frustrating—even fruitless—time ing,” she says. “There’s burg Regional Library. spent away from library work. Plus an annual trip to a reluctance, as if leg- Washington, D.C., can be prohibitively expensive for islators are a separate many librarians and library advocates. But making entity. But they’re just people, and they work for sure representatives in Congress keep library issues, you. Regardless of what you see on 24-hour news budgets, and legislation in mind through year-round cycles, they genuinely want to know what’s going advocacy—in particular, with your elected officials’ on, and they want to support their communities.” local and district She says the fact that libraries are so connected to “Regardless of what you offices—is vital. their communities gives librarians authority with “Building these elected officials. “Librarians have a lot of knowledge see on 24-hour news cycles, relationships is one of to share,” she notes. the most important [legislators] genuinely want strategies for a suc- Getting on the radar to know what’s going on, cessful advocacy pro- The first step is knowing who to contact. “If you gram,” says Bradford don’t know who your representative is, look it and they want to support Fitch, president and up right now,” says Deborah Doyle, vice chair of CEO of the Congres- Sonoma County (Calif.) Library Commission, their communities.” sional Management president of California Public Library Advocates, Foundation, a non- and United for Libraries Legislative Committee WENDY WOODLAND partisan, nonprofit chair. And get to know the staffers in your member Director of advocacy and communications group that helps of Congress’s local office, too. They’re the ones who for the Texas Library Association members of Congress will get you on the legislator’s schedule. and constituents “One big thing is just reaching out,” says Kathryn communicate effectively with each other. “There’s a Roots Lewis, director of libraries and instructional general wall of cynicism that’s been built up around technology for Norman (Okla.) Public Schools and government. But the reality is that representatives immediate past president of the American Associa- are hardwired to say yes.” tion of School Librarians. Lewis, whose district has Wendy Woodland, director of advocacy and 16,500 students and 1,200 teachers, says to save communications for the Texas Library Association, emails for follow-up, and that the initial contacts

says reaching out needn’t be discomfiting. “Too should be made by phone whenever possible. Library County Holley/Sonoma Ray Photo:

26 November/December 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org Woodland notes that patience is key. “If you wait retired military or has a family member on active until it’s a crisis, and you need something and don’t duty, ask if they’d like to participate. “Then it’s have a relationship in place, your chances of success not a total cold call. You’ve found something that will go down,” she says. And when you establish a makes a connection.” relationship, “make sure you’re not always asking for something,” she advises. Give them the oppor- A little help from your Friends tunity to engage with their community, which Another way to find those connections is through “Library Woodland says they appreciate. your board members, Friends groups, volunteers, issues are Get to know as much about your elected officials and parents. Woodland recommends reaching out as possible. “Take the time to learn about their com- to your library’s support network for advocacy assis- surprisingly mittee assignments and sponsored and cosponsored tance. “Find out who knows who, and ask if they’d bills,” says Missouri Library Association President mind introducing you,” she says. If some of your easy to tie to Erin Gray, who is also manager of Springfield– board members have existing relationships with bigger issues Greene County Library District’s Republic branch. elected officials, make sure they leverage them on Then you can reach out to their office staffers and behalf of the library. in Congress. highlight the ways in which a bill will have a pos- Recruiting nonlibrarian advocates to the cause Creating and itive impact on a community partnership for your also allows librarians to focus more on their library, she notes. primary library work. “The librarian is incredibly maintaining Woodland advises learning some personal important, [but] the trustee can have 10 times the 21st-century information about your legislators as well. “Are reach, and a Friend can have 100 times the reach,” they ex-military? Are they a small business owner? says Doyle. “I don’t think librarians ask for help infrastructure Maybe they have really young kids and they want enough.” She says part of the reason is because and net to read for storytime,” she says. “It’s a place to many librarians think they can do it all themselves, start.” For example, if your library is hosting a it’s inconvenient, they don’t think they can control neutrality, for Veterans Day event and you know your legislator is the message, or they don’t have the time. “But if we example, are don’t use the people who say ‘I’m a Friend,’ then we’re just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic hot topics because the next recession is going to have a mas- right now.” sive impact on libraries.” KATE A. Visits, events, and photo ops ALDERETE Once the connection with a legislator—or the leg- Director at Taos islator’s staff members—has been made, get them (N.Mex.) Public involved. “Members of Congress love to have their Library and pictures taken with kids, animals, and old people,” 2019 ALA Policy Fitch says. “Service dogs and children’s reading Corps Member hours are gold to a politician, and it gets your library free publicity.” Make sure that there are multiple options, too. “It may take a few weeks or a month to get on someone’s schedule, so plan ahead, and always have fall- back events if they can’t come to the event you have scheduled,” Lewis advises. If senators and representatives can’t visit, Lewis invites their staff. “It’s very hard with senator and representative schedules,” she says. “But their staff members talk to them, and when I’m in D.C., they know who I am.” Also, keep everyone on your staff in the loop. Missouri Rep. Steve Helms reads at Legislative Storytime at “You need to make sure that the people in your the Schweitzer Brentwood branch of Springfield–Greene County Library District. Photo: Erin Gray/Springfield–Greene County (Mo.) Library District Library (Mo.) County Erin Gray/Springfield–Greene Photo: Continued on page 29

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 27 SPECIAL REPORT Civic Involvement 7 states have strict, in-effect laws BY THE NUMBERS requiring a photo ID to vote: Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia, 53.9 US voters average and Wisconsin. Source: National Conference of million 8.6 visits State Legislatures (2019) citizens a year to public libraries. 35 states of voting age Source: From Awareness to Funding, OCLC/ALA (2018) have laws requesting reported not voting or requiring voters to in the 2016 US show some form of presidential election. identification at the polls. Source: US Census Bureau (2018) Source: National Conference of State Legislatures (2019) 1 in 3 people 58% of living in the US don’t voters know the name of say they would their governor. vote favorably for 11% of US Source: Johns Hopkins University (2018) library funding— citizens down 15% from of voting age—more than ? ? the last decade. ? ? 21 million people—don’t ? Source: From Awareness to ?? Funding, OCLC/ALA (2018) have government-issued photo identification.

Source: ACLU (2017)

28 November/December 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org Continued from page 27

[library] are aware you did the reach out so they’re not surprised by someone coming in,” says Lewis.

Telling your library’s story Once you’ve done the prep work, built the relationship, and gotten on the lawmaker’s schedule, 390,000 now it’s time for the meeting. “Informal, Advocacy work is about relationship building, not dry business-speak. To that end, stay away new voters relationship- from extensive PowerPoint presentations and were added in the based advocacy stacks of statistics, and use storytelling techniques to help paint a picture of the library’s first 20 months of is the most needs and community benefits. For example, Oregon’s automatic powerful tool in Lewis describes students who participated in a Norman Public School maker program, sup- voter registration politics. It can ported by an Institute of Museum and Library Services grant. program—half of whom beat money and “I can talk about students who made products were under age 40. partisanship. via the makerspace to show their learning,” she says. “People are fascinated by what a 2nd-grade Source: NPR (2019) I strongly child can ask, and what a 10th-grade child can recommend ask—the questions are profound, and building that excitement gets people excited.” And don’t that anyone forget to bring visual aids. “Remember that your advocating cellphone is your best tool because of the pictures you can take and share,” she adds. on behalf of Telling these stories can even be a regular libraries leaves event. “We have an annual Legislator Storytime series,” says Gray. “It’s a great opportunity for us to their political welcome our legislator to our branches.” The event bias at home.” features a tour, staff introductions, and stories about specific branches. LANCE WERNER One thing librarians should never do, Fitch Executive director warns, is get angry during an ask. “Yelling ‘I pay at Kent District your salary’ at someone doesn’t work,” he says. 64% of Library in Comstock “I’m only half joking. Passions are running high Park, Michigan, and nowadays, but that’s not a persuasive tool. Impa- the voting- 2018 ALA Policy tience is not a good idea.” Corps Member Lewis agrees that it’s never a good idea to be negative. “This is not the time or place,” she says. eligible “Bring your ask in a straightforward, confident, positive manner. We all want more money, but you population have to be upbeat and positive.” Lastly, make sure your representatives feel in Minnesota cast ballots appreciated. “Give them an award, and tweak the in the 2018 US election— ceremony so it’s in their neighborhood,” says Doyle. “And thank them, thank them, thank them.” the highest turnout LARA EWEN is a freelance writer rate of any state. based in Brooklyn, New York.

Source: United States Election Project (2018)

November/December 2019 29 SPECIAL REPORT

questions from attendees, filtering out personal attacks against candidates. Slife says it’s rare that answers stray from the forum’s guidelines. “We’re so focused on disorder at Discourse for the national level,” he says, “but for the most part, local races are more humane and responsive.” The popularity of WPL’s forums is evident. “If we forget to get the forum on our calendar by the Democracy middle of summer, [then] people will start calling to find out when it is,” Slife says. “[They] know it’s where they can get information.” Promoting civic literacy While WPL has had a long tradition of civic engagement programming, Slife says that the key with forums has been to set a respectful tone and to emphasize civility, especially in today’s political climate. He concludes forums by reminding people that “these are difficult times to serve the public, and it takes BY Greg very October since 1992, Wadsworth great courage.” Landgraf (Ohio) Public Library (WPL) has hosted E forums at which patrons can pose questions Citizen participation to candidates for local offices, the state House and Libraries have long prided themselves on their Senate, and even the US House of Representatives. roles as both trustworthy sources of information In a city of more than 23,000 residents, just and community gathering places. As politics attract 40 miles south of Cleveland, these forums have more fake news, hostility, and conspiracy theories, attracted dozens of attendees and receive significant it’s hardly surprising that libraries are increasingly local media coverage. They are recorded and later leveraging their roles to provide programs where posted to the city’s website. patrons can hear from candidates or discuss major Daniel Slife, the library’s director, moderates the community issues. forums, which were initiated by former Director “Democracy is about discourse,” says Nancy Pamela Hickson-Stevenson. Slife always begins by Kranich, special projects research librarian at clarifying that the event is a forum, Rutgers University Libraries in New Brunswick, not a debate, so questions New Jersey, and a longtime researcher of civic and answers must focus engagement in libraries. “Access to information is on issues and the office. important, but if we don’t have engagement with Candidates make that information, we have only a very thin democ- two-minute opening racy, not [one] that facilitates citizen participation.” statements; then Kranich has found evidence of libraries hosting library staffers collect forums as early as the late 19th century, although the relative frequency of such programs parallels the ebb and flow of the country’s civic mindfulness. “After World War II, when people realized they needed to fight for democracy here, there was a lot of that kind of work in libraries,” she says. Another wave followed in the 1980s and 1990s before attention diminished. Activity is again on the upswing.

Hot-button issues Earlier this year, Jacksonville (Fla.) Public Library (JPL) hosted city council candidate forums in partnership with

30 November/December 2019 Nontraditional approaches to reaching local leaders

BY Carrie Smith

hink election season is the only time In 2016, Jamie Griffin, now children libraries can engage communities services coordinator at Memphis (Tenn.) T with elected officials? Think again. Public Libraries, came up with the idea Not only have some libraries taken year- for “speed-repping” (see our Jan./ round approaches to civic engagement, Feb. 2019 article at bit.ly/ALspeedrep). but some also have broken with tradi- Much like speed dating, residents tion to create informal and memorable have the chance to speak to local opportunities for interaction. representatives—everyone from city and At Manitowoc (Wis.) Public Library county officials to waste management Nebraska City (Neb.) Mayor Bryan Bequette (left) and his wife and daughter celebrate after (MPL), which hosts a free carnival every officials—for three minutes at a time solving a puzzle in the Morton-James Public August, local representatives such as the about anything on their mind. Library’s escape room. mayor and aldermen hop into a dunk “It’s almost the very epitome of tank or serve as targets for the water- civic engagement,” Griffin says. “Local The library’s director at the time, balloon catapult. leaders all enjoyed it and thought it Rasmus Thøgersen, extended the chil- Julia Lee, youth services manager at was a great way to communicate with dren’s invitation to the local police chief MPL, says getting local celebrities in the people they wouldn’t otherwise have an to costar in the video explaining the dunk tank helps break down barriers opportunity to communicate with,” he room’s zombie apocalypse premise (bit between residents and officials. “I don’t says, referring to the March 2017 event. .ly/McBrainsVid). Mayor Bryan Bequette know how many people would recog- Several officials have expressed interest and his family were invited to be the nize their alderperson if they saw them in participating again, and the library first to take on the escape room chal- walking down the street,” she says, “so plans to host another speed-repping lenge and save the town from zombies. it’s really nice to have them involved and event soon. The two officials “certainly added to have people see their representatives.” In 2016, when the Morton-James the publicity surrounding the event,”

Nebraska City News-Press City Nebraska In the months leading up to the Public Library in Nebraska City, Nebras- says Donna Kruse, the library’s current event, library staffers solicit officials ka, debuted an escape room that area director. “And who doesn’t want more to participate, and some of these local children had built in a former storage publicity?” • leaders volunteer every year. But, Lee room, library staff members saw an adds, “they tell us the dunk tank water is opportunity to engage the community CARRIE SMITH is editorial and advertising associate for American Libraries. Photo: Tammy Partsch/ Tammy Photo: very cold.” and city officials.

the League of Women Voters. It has also held discus- Facebook Live broadcast of the gun rights forum sion forums on issues like medical marijuana, gun (bit.ly/JPLforum) has been viewed over 4,000 times. rights, and opioid addiction. “The forum on opioids was really interesting,” he These forums have received positive feedback and says. “But if you’re looking for a topic that has more helped JPL fulfill its strategic plan to improve com- [discussion], it’s nice to have some measure of pro munity engagement. Chris Boivin, assistant director and con,” like there is with gun rights. of community relations and marketing, notes these JPL found speakers with varying viewpoints for forums have been particularly well suited for remote each forum, Boivin says. After a speaker delivers participation through social media. The library’s their point of view, the floor opens to questions from

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 31 have canceled immediately before forums in the past, possibly because of social pressure related to speaking on a controversial topic. “That led to us doing more to look even more widely for speakers, but also spending some time preparing those speakers to help counteract last-minute jitters,” Harvey says.

Student engagement At Grand Valley State University (GVSU) in Allendale, Michigan, the library has hosted many programs to promote civic engagement among students. Most of these programs were done in collaboration with the university’s Community Service Learning Center (CSLC) and Democ- racy 101 series. “We see ourselves as a facilitator, a way to have out-of-class learning experiences,” says Sarah Beaubien, associate dean for curriculum, research, and user services. Adds Emily Frigo, liaison Linda Neunzig, Snohomish County attendees, both in person and those librarian for liberal arts pro- (Wash.) agriculture watching via Facebook Live. Commu- grams: “We want students to be coordinator, takes nity leaders and library staffers who engaged while on campus and a question from the have experience moderating these after they depart.” audience during discussions lead the forum. The mod- While these programs promote a discussion titled “ Disappearing Farm- eration component is critical, Boivin voting and discussion, Natalie land: Population says, partly to disallow “loaded ques- Loewengruber, now a GVSU Growth and Food tions trying to push an agenda.” graduate student, says she saw a Supply Sustainability” Sno-Isle Libraries, serving need to help students find unbiased at Monroe Library. The event was part of Island and Snohomish counties in information to inform these civic the Issues That Matter Washington, has hosted several forums per year activities. In 2018, as an undergrad- series hosted by in the Issues That Matter series for almost a uate senior, Loewengruber collaborated with the Sno-Isle Libraries. decade. These forums, which can attract dozens library on a workshop called “The Convergence of to hundreds of attendees, typically receive enthu- Libraries, Voter Education, and Civic Literacy” as siastic feedback from participants. “Comments her Honors College capstone project. often thank the library for being willing to allow “The library made perfect sense to me,” Loewen- sometimes-controversial issues to be given an gruber says. “I knew there would be people who opportunity for civil discussion,” says Ken Harvey, had resources and connections I didn’t even know communications director. He adds that establishing about.” Frigo served as mentor, and the library’s ground rules about civil conversation and honor- Knowledge Market—a peer-to-peer service—helped ing differences of opinion have helped to keep the Loewengruber forge connections with CSLC, as forums constructive. well as resources from Government Documents and On a few occasions over the course of the series, Open Collections Librarian Elizabeth Psyck. however, the library has received complaints about a Loewengruber says the feedback was over- perceived lack of balance in the viewpoints reflected whelmingly positive. “A lot of people walked away on a program’s panel. “When a library chooses to feeling more confident in their ability to cast engage the community around a controversial issue, educated votes.” we have to be willing to reach out to voices we might disagree with,” Harvey says. That’s a point the library GREG LANDGRAF is web content spe- team regularly discusses as it looks for speakers. cialist at Greene County (Ohio) Public Library and a regular contributor to The team has also increased its efforts to help American Libraries.

speakers anticipate the experience. Some speakers Sno-Isle Libraries Photo:

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In Texas, patrons get asked if they are registered to vote when they sign up for a library card, Kimzey says, a practice other libraries can emulate even if their state doesn’t require it. “Voter registration should be Countdown a part of library services,” she says. “Make it a part of your lexicon in your primary contact.” Santa Clara County (Calif.) Library District (SCCLD) registered 144 new voters during its NVRD to the Vote event last year, according to Gail Mason, SCCLD’s library services manager. “Besides the point of getting people to register, we also wanted to raise awareness Libraries ramp up engagement of voting and the importance of registration.” and outreach efforts for 2020 She emphasized that SCCLD made sure its efforts would not fall into the category of electioneering, or appearing to advocate for a specific party or candidate. By handing out a basic fact sheet, staffers also aimed to dispel some commonly held myths, such as ibraries have traditionally had voter regis- that registration means automatic jury duty or that a BY Emily tration forms on hand and served as poll- person can’t register until after their 18th birthday. Udell L ing places. But as the next election cycle approaches, many libraries are kicking up their voter Getting civil about civics engagement and outreach in creative and thoughtful Busting myths was also the goal of Amanda Smith- ways. Efforts include educating citizens about the field, a librarian at Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High practicalities of registering to vote and casting a ballot, School in Nashville, Tennessee, when she sought to connecting with marginalized communities, and even engage the entire Hume-Fogg student body in civics. getting people on opposite political sides to have civil “Libraries are the most demo- conversations in this polarized environment. cratic places,” she says. “We look around and see a lot of polar- National Voter Registration Day ization. Libraries can be foun- In the run-up to the 2018 midterm elections, hun- dational places to deal with dreds of libraries participated in National Voter that. We serve everyone. We Registration Day (NVRD). Since 2012, the nonpar- don’t check political ideology at tisan, unofficial holiday has been held on the fourth the entrance. We’re almost like Tuesday of September with the aim of extending the democracy coaches—we franchise to eligible voters. Last year, libraries made show people how to up 14% of NVRD’s 4,087 partner groups, accord- do democracy.” ing to Caroline Mak, research coordinator of Non- profit VOTE, which organizes the event. This year, the American Library Association (ALA) became a premiere partner of NVRD to encourage even more libraries to participate. Van Alstyne (Tex.) Public Library (VAPL) expanded NVRD into a weeklong celebration in 2018, putting 100 registration cards into the hands of patrons in a city of about 3,000 people. “We live in a rural community in north Texas,” says Judy Kimzey, director of VAPL. “I believe it’s important in today’s times of reactivity, [when] libraries are striving hard to battle fake news and help people understand what is reliable information and what isn’t. We’re on the front lines of that.”

34 November/December 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org To that end, Smithfield started clubs for the school’s Democrats and Republicans and created a program called ProjectCiv (projectcivamerica.com) to encourage students to become informed and participate in civil discourse. Through readings and structured monthly discussion groups, students debate subjects like marijuana legalization, the #MeToo movement, and affirmative action. ProjectCiv participants also created a nonpartisan election guide on topics of interest to youth, such as college costs, immigration, LGBT issues, and school safety and conducted a mock election for all students. In order to make sure all 47 eligible students who would turn Students and 18 before the 2018 midterm elections would be able to County’s polling places in 2018, Crosthwaite says. teachers par- vote, Smithfield helped them preregister. “This year we plan on being able to collect ballots on ticipate in Mock Besides hosting debates or a mock election, she our bookmobile routes,” she adds. The bookmobile Election Campaign recommends inviting local politicians—who love option will allow SPL to reach seniors, shelter resi- Day at Hume- Fogg Academic opportunities to take photos with local youth—to visit dents, or affordable housing community residents who Magnet High your library to help generate interest around voting. may not make it to the branch locations. School in Nash- As another way to help libraries reach teen patrons, ville, Tennessee, ALA has partnered with Democracy Class, a project Reaching the hard-to-reach on October 26, 2018. of the nonprofit Rock the Vote. Democracy Class is Kansas City (Mo.) Public Library (KCPL) has voter a free, nonpartisan curriculum for high-school-aged registrars on its staff who can help patrons in each of students about the importance and history of voting; its 10 locations throughout the year. Jenny Garmon, participants can also register or preregister to vote. KCPL’s legal and government information specialist, The curriculum includes a webinar for instructors and made a focused effort to reach voters with disabilities librarians implementing the program, “Voting and last year. During National Disability Voter Registra- Voices: Engaging Students and Families in Democ- tion Week (held the third week of July each year), racy,” that covers state-specific guides for registration KCPL partnered with the Kansas City Election Board, drives, strategies to reduce political polarization in the the League of Women Voters, and the local non- classroom, and tips for encouraging civil discourse. profit Whole Person to host three events at different branches showcasing accessible voting equipment. Engagement in and out of the library To test the equipment, patrons could cast a mock “Here in Sacramento we are very involved with voting ballot that included lighthearted questions about dogs efforts in our community and are a strong partner with and leisure activities, and organizers provided infor-

Photo: Amanda Smithfield Photo: the registrar,” says Cathy Crosthwaite, community mation about the accommodations voters with disabil- engagement manager at Sacramento (Calif.) Public ities can request on election day. The events attracted Library (SPL). “All of our libraries are open all day about 30 people, which was fewer than organizers long for voting [on election day],” she says, adding hoped but represented a launching point for future that staff members depend on a legion of volunteers. collaborations between the two organizations. “That Sacramento County was one of the first to imple- might be one of my favorite parts about it—creating ment the California Voter’s Choice Act (bit.ly/ these relationships,” Garmon says. The plan is to take AL-CAvoters) in which residents can vote by mail, efforts out into the community next year. vote as early as 28 days before the election, and “Things don’t have to be at the library to engage turn in their ballots at any designated location with patrons,” she advises. “Work with the community in their county. All 28 SPL locations serve as where they are—don’t expect them to come to you.” ballot drop-off centers, and every staff member is certified to handle ballots. EMILY UDELL is a freelance writer based Even with the vote-by-mail option available, resi- in Indianapolis. dents still saw libraries as their election hub—libraries collected more than half the ballots of Sacramento

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 35 SPECIAL REPORT

rating and “nutrition label” for each one. For example, NewsGuard users who visit the website of the Albuquerque Journal, New Mexico’s largest daily newspaper, will notice a green icon with a checkmark Check in the corner of the browser window that indicates the website adheres to NewsGuard’s standards and has been deemed accurate and reliable. A red exclamation point icon indicates the opposite. Your Facts More than 200 libraries have installed NewsGuard on their public computers as a teaching device to promote media literacy. Richland Library in Columbia, Libraries use tech tools South Carolina, was among the first, introducing the to fight fake news browser extension across its 14 branches this year. “More and more people get their news online, with social media platforms being a go-to source for many users,” says Chantal Wilson, the library’s research and readers’ advisory manager. “We thought installing BY Jessica n June, Albuquerque and Bernalillo County NewsGuard might be one way to help customers iden- Cilella (N.Mex.) Library System hosted its first-ever drag tify sources of balanced news.” I queen storytime. Dozens of children and their NewsGuard, with support from Microsoft as part of families gathered at the Main Library for a morning of its Defending Democracy Program, is one of several literary entertainment designed to promote tolerance browser extensions designed to combat misinfor- and mark Pride Month—even as a small group of pro- mation. Such plug-ins offer both complementary testers convened outside. and overlapping functionality. For instance, Trusted The Albuquerque Journal’s coverage of the event News, developed by start-up Factmata and available was headlined “Drag Queens Dazzle at Library Story- for Google Chrome, places stories on a spectrum time,” while enthusiastic parents voiced support on ranging from “content looks good” to “content the library’s Facebook page. Other Facebook comment- looks harmful.” Trusted News also scans content ers voiced opposition, sharing links to conservative for what it calls “special states,” such as sexism and websites and articles with headlines like “Parents racism. FakerFact, available for Chrome and Firefox, Beware—Registered Sex Offenders Are Performing for analyzes articles based on six criteria—such as “jour- Small Children at Drag Queen Story Hours in Public nalism,” “sensational,” or “agenda-driven.” The Media Libraries” (American Pastors Network). Bias Fact Check extension, available on Chrome and The library didn’t delete the Facebook comments, Firefox, focuses specifically on an outlet’s relative but it has taken steps to help patrons evaluate the quality of the information they see online and identify bias. Like many libraries, Albuquerque and Bernalillo County’s library system is turning to a new generation of tech tools and pooling digital resources to teach media literacy.

Flagging, not censoring NewsGuard is a web browser extension designed to literally red-flag problematic articles and blog posts like the one published by American Pastors Network, a faith-based organization. Launched in 2018 by a team of professional journalists, NewsGuard was created with libraries and schools in mind. Evaluators use a set of nine journalistic standards to examine the credibility and transparency of thousands of websites and issue a

36 November/December 2019 level of bias, assigning one of nine rankings ranging rankings, ranging from “true” and “mostly true” from “left bias” to “right bias” to “conspiracy- to “false” and “legend.” pseudoscience” and “satire.” And SurfSafe— ■ FactCheck.org is a project of the Annenberg available on Chrome, Firefox, and Opera—is Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsyl- designed to evaluate the authenticity of images. vania that monitors the factual accuracy of politi- Some patrons are skeptical of these services, ques- cians’ statements. tioning whether evaluators’ biases or institutional ■ PolitiFact is a fact-checking website, created by “Being an pressures—such as outside investors—sway ratings. the Tampa Bay Times and acquired in 2018 by the Andrew Lechlak, digital strategist at the Toledo Poynter Institute, a nonprofit education center for effective Lucas County (Ohio) Public Library, says he faced journalists. It features a “truth-o-meter,” which library similar pushback when his library first introduced rates the accuracy of statements in the news and the browser extension. assigns it one of six ratings, ranging from “true” advocate “The way we look at it, our materials are still to “pants on fire.” (Read our 2015 profile of starts with going to be biased in some regard,” he says. “We do PolitiFact’s editor at bit.ly/AL-PolitiFact.) the best that we can to present both sides of an argu- ■ AllSides breaks trending topics down to three realizing that ment, and we feel that NewsGuard hits that mark.” stories, written by sources identified as from the anyone can— These types of browser extensions do not censor left, from the right, and from the center. The site or filter content, Lechlak points out, but aim to also has bias ratings for more than 600 media and should— connect users with high-quality information and outlets and individual writers. advocate for context, “much like a librarian would with any reference question.” Promoting media literacy on- and offline libraries. You “Media literacy is gaining traction in the world Reference Librarian Bonnie Brzozowski covers these don’t need to of education, but most efforts focus on teaching fact-checking sites and more in the “Misinformation those skills to children and teens, neglecting adults and Fake News” workshops she hosts at Corvallis– be an expert, and seniors, who are actually more susceptible Benton County (Oreg.) Public Library. She sees in charge, or to misinformation,” says Sarah Brandt, News- in-person discussion—among library workers and Guard’s vice president of news literacy outreach. patrons who may disagree—as a critical part of the even a library “Librarians, particularly public librarians, play digital conversation, particularly among those less a critical role in connecting people of all ages to adept with technology. employee.” technology and information.” “I can tell that there’s different views within DEBORAH the class, but everyone gets along,” she says. RINIO Where to verify “People want better information, and they feel Assistant teaching To help Albuquerque and Bernalillo County’s library overwhelmed.” professor at Mon- patrons check facts and spot misinformation online, Jeanette Jones, adult services librarian at Hen- tana State Univer- Digital Services Manager Ben Ridout maintains derson (Nev.) Libraries, has led similar “Tackling sity in Bozeman, an extensive list of reliable websites and online Fake News” workshops in her community. Her adjunct instructor resources, available to the public on the library’s curriculum focuses on the history of fake news at University of website. Similar resource guides have popped up on and examines people’s motivations for making and Alaska Fairbanks, other library websites in recent years, a response to sharing fake news. She also delivers a series of “real and 2018 ALA Pol- the proliferation of misinformation since the 2016 or fake?” exercises. icy Corps Member presidential election. “I find that the class starts out slow but, boy, “This started out as a small page that has slowly when we start looking at the examples, and they are grown,” Ridout says, adding that schools and stu- actually trying to determine which Facebook post is dents frequent the page. “I’ve tried to keep it very real and which isn’t, it becomes extremely interest- neutral. I’ve just aggregated information.” ing,” Jones says. “It really hits them how hard it can Frequent entries on librarians’ lists of preferred be to decipher what’s fake and what’s not.” tools include: ■ Snopes.com is a fact-checking website dating JESSICA CILELLA is a freelance writer back to the 1990s. Members of the public can based in Chicago, managing editor at the Chicago Architecture Center, and a submit a claim, and researchers will investigate former newspaper reporter. it for legitimacy and assign it one of several

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 37 SPECIAL REPORT

a MediaLit Kit (bit.ly/MediaLitKit) to help educators create media literacy instruction programs across disciplines and grade levels. Between 2017 and 2018, the American Library Association (ALA) partnered with the Center Media Literacy for News Literacy (CNL) at Stony Brook (N.Y.) University School of Journalism on “Media Literacy at Your Library,” a pilot program that trained library workers to help in an Age adults become better news consumers. The previously mentioned Learning and of Fake News Prototyping Report describes how five public libraries across the US used CNL’s Prepare your users for the media literacy curriculum to develop public programs tai- pitfalls of misinformation lored to their communities. Among those libraries’ discoveries: Young and marginalized audiences were the most difficult to reach, and future efforts could be more effective if programs were hosted in fter several years of fake news and alter- spaces more accessible to those audiences. BY George native facts, media literacy is still a chal- Although the program has ended, ALA’s M. Eberhart A lenge. The 2018 Learning and Prototyping Public Programs Office has received a $249,378 Report (bit.ly/MediaStony) showed that news con- National Leadership Grant from the Institute of sumers think they are better at media literacy than Museum and Library Services to convene a group they actually are. How can libraries help bridge of librarians, educators, and journalists that will that gap and help their communities get informed? design a practitioner’s guide for adult media Librarians can ensure patrons can make informed literacy education. More details will emerge by decisions in local, state, and national elections the end of the year. by helping them think critically. Libraries of all types can promote A cornucopia of courses media literacy by In July, the RAND Corporation released a survey Americans tend to providing handouts, on the effectiveness of media literacy training in LibGuides, training, K–12 classrooms, Exploring label statements they and programs about Media Literacy Education As separating fact from a Tool for Mitigating Truth agree with as factual online fiction. The Decay (bit.ly/MediaRand). following resources Researchers found that and those they disagree can assist. media literacy competencies with as opinion. The National are inconsistently defined Association for and evaluated across disci- Media Literacy Edu- plines, making it difficult to cation, a nonprofit organization based in New York assess outcomes. How- City, defines media literacy as the “ability to access, ever, the survey does analyze, evaluate, create, and act using all forms of offer a separate appendix (bit.ly/ communication” (bit.ly/MediaNAMLE), including MediaRandApp) in a ZIP file with “technologies that we haven’t even dreamed of yet.” a comprehensive list of courses, It provides guides for educators and parents, lesson programs, and other plans, and election resources. The California-based resources, arranged by Center for Media Literacy (bit.ly/MediaCML) offers institution.

38 November/December 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org One open access course—developed by Univer- A 2018 Pew Research Center survey (bit.ly/ sity of Washington biologist Carl Bergstrom and MediaFact), indicates that Americans tend to information scientist Jevin West—has received label statements they agree with as factual and national attention. Titled “Calling Bullshit” those they disagree with as opinion. A 2019 study (bit.ly/MediaCalling), the course offers a syllabus, by Ohio State University psychologists (bit.ly/ videos, tools, case studies, and FAQ for educators MediaBiased) suggests that people do draw a dis- who wish to adapt it. Bergstrom and West define tinction between dishonest and biased sources. The “bullshit” as “language, statistical figures, data researchers found that even accurate news, when “When libraries graphics, and other forms of presentation intended reported by a source considered biased, tends to to persuade by impressing and overwhelming a lose its credibility. advocate for reader or listener, with a blatant disregard for truth a shared goal and logical coherence.” Misinformation detection At the heart of all media literacy education is One widely used source for detecting bias, “How alongside other the goal of helping children, teens, and adults to Spot Fake News” by Eugene Kiely and Lori Rob- institutions— recognize misleading claims online and in other ertson (bit.ly/MediaSpotFake), was published in media. Although often termed fake news, misin- November 2016 by FactCheck.org, a project of the like schools formation can take many forms. In 2016, Assistant Annenberg Public Policy Center. An infographic and workforce Professor of Media Studies Melissa Zimdars of from the International Federation of Library Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachu- Associations and Institutions (free in multiple lan- agencies—we setts, and coauthor of Fake News: Understanding guages at bit.ly/MediaIFLA) summarizes the eight expand the Media and Misinformation in the Digital Age (MIT techniques mentioned in the article for assessing Press, 2020), identified for her students numer- news sources. In 2016, Finland became one of the reach of ous categories of websites containing suspicious first European countries to have its educational information (bit.ly/MediaZimdars), among them system formally emphasize critical thinking and our library sources that: the ability to recognize disinformation (bit.ly/ network and ■ purposely fabricate information or distort news MediaFinland). ■ present opinions as fact Misleading information is often difficult to demonstrate ■ rely on disproven conspiracy theories counter because viral memes frequently get trans- the full breadth ■ traffic in unverified claims lated into other languages, cross national boundar- ■ consist of state-sponsored propaganda ies, and jump platforms, according to Daniel Funke, of what’s at ■ promote racism, misogyny, or homophobia a writer for the journalism website Poynter (bit.ly/ stake with ■ use exaggerated or misleading headlines or MediaPoynter). Information scientists at Indiana images as clickbait University Bloomington in 2017 verified that social any issue.” HANNAH BUCKLAND State library program specialist at the Minnesota Department of Education and 2018 ALA Policy Corps Member

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 39 “Policy Corps training has helped to underscore for me just how much is at stake if we don’t advocate for libraries—access to opportunity, not just for the millions of people libraries impact every day, but also for the government agencies, nonprofits, churches, schools, and businesses that rely on libraries to achieve their own missions.”

NICOLE H. ROBINSON, deputy director at Houston Public Library and 2019 ALA Policy Corps Member

bots and algorithms were responsible for spread- Are Saying (Princeton University, April) that factual ing viral stories—some fake, others real—through explanations have been replaced by innuendo: Twitter (bit.ly/MediaBots). “There is no punctilious demand for proofs, no Complicating things further, allegations of con- exhaustive amassing of spiracy no longer rely on actual conspiracy theory. evidence, no dots revealed Russell Muirhead and to form a pattern.” Instead, Nancy L. Rosenblum what passes for authority write in A Lot of People is the statement that “a lot of people are saying” something. An infographic from the International Federation of A good overview on Library Associations and fake news for librarians Institutions is Joanna M. Burkhardt’s

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40 November/December 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org “Combating Fake News in the Digital Age,” Library excellent roundup of media history and research on Technology Reports vol. 53, no. 8 (Nov./Dec. 2017). combating misinformation. Burkhardt, who frequently lectures on media Finally, those interested in the historical roots literacy (bit.ly/MediaBurkhardt), presents a short of the current contentious political climate can history of fake news starting with the Roman read “The Lie Factory: How Politics Became a Empire, explains how misinformation spreads, and Business” by historian Jill Lepore in the Septem- suggests proactive methods that librarians can use ber 24, 2012, issue of The New Yorker (bit.ly/ to help students navigate the information universe. MediaLepore). Lepore writes about Clem Whita- Burkhardt is also author of Teaching Information ker, Leone Baxter, and their consulting group Literacy Reframed (ALA Neal-Schuman, 2016), Campaigns Inc., which they launched in the 1930s. which uses the Framework for Information Literacy “Whitaker and Baxter weren’t just inventing new for Higher Education as a tool for designing class- techniques; they were writing a rule book,” she room exercises in media and other literacies. argues. That rule book, outlined in Whitaker’s Nicole A. Cooke, in the ALA special report Fake speech before the Los Angeles Chapter of the News and Alternative Facts (ALA Editions, 2018), Public Relations Society of America on July 13, provides tips for creating a lesson plan to help 1948, contains advice that has become common- college students and adult patrons evaluate media. place in 21st-century political campaigns—including Belinha S. De Abreu’s second edition of Teaching “make it personal,” “pretend that you are the Voice Media Literacy (ALA Neal-Schuman, 2019) brings of the People,” “attack, attack, attack,” and “say the together 15 librarians and teachers to comment on same thing over and over again.” media and digital literacy issues. She also offers six ready-to-teach lessons, a glossary, and a timeline of GEORGE M. EBERHART is a senior media literacy milestones. Information Literacy and editor of American Libraries. Libraries in the Age of Fake News, edited by Denise E. Agosto (Libraries Unlimited, 2018), is another

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 41 Librarians,

How academic librarians support videogame scholars

BY Diana Panuncial Photo: Lorenzo Herrera/Unsplash Lorenzo Photo:

42 November/December 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org or librarians at universities with videogame design programs, maintaining a large, accessible gaming collection isn’t a Final F Fantasy. It’s a Call of Duty. Beginning a collection may be as easy as pressing start to play, but storing and preserving complex materials is a tough battle—and academic librarians want to level up.

The University of Michigan’s (UM) Computer Video and Students are also looking at artwork, game mechanics, Game Archive (CVGA) in Ann Arbor boasts more than 8,000 subjects, and even source code as inspiration for their own videogame and 60 consoles dating back to the 1970s. “Because games. “They’re using [archives] for competitive intelligence, we have such a large collection, there are many examples from and looking at what’s been done already,” says Tallie Casucci, which to pull and get inspiration, things [students] would assistant librarian at Marriott Library. never be able to afford on their own,” says David Carter, Space is another issue. At Marriott Library, students must go videogame archivist at UM. “Almost nobody has a collection to different floors to pick up a videogame, grab a console and this big, especially a college student.” matching controllers, and actually play, since the stations are “[People] don’t think of libraries as a destination for digital separated and require checkouts for loss prevention. “It’d be scholarship,” says Anne Morrow, associate librarian and head nice to have everything all in one place,” Casucci says. of digital scholarship services at the University of Utah’s J. Wil- In Ann Arbor, the CVGA houses both the collection and spaces lard Marriott Library, which has more than 500 videogames to play the games on consoles, since the collection doesn’t leave and serves almost 400 game design students. “There’s an the library. “It’s a very crammed room,” Carter says. incentive to see what the obstacles are for bringing these types of original work into the collection.” Save game? UM staffers say they have two missions: to serve the teaching Objective: playability and research needs of faculty and students in order to promote As the owner of more than 2,000 commercial games, 300 usage of the games, and to preserve those games. “There’s an student games, and 40 consoles (some as old as the 1985 inherent tension. Usage is the enemy of preservation,” Carter Nintendo Entertainment System), the University of Califor- says. “Academic usage trumps preservation. We don’t want to nia, Santa Cruz’s (UCSC) Science and Engineering Library have something just to have it and not let people use it.” prioritizes authentic playability. Its goal is to provide students with not only a game but also the console it was made for, a compatible controller, and an era-appropriate TV to play it on. With so many moving pieces, says Christy Caldwell, science and engineering librarian at UCSC, “providing usage of increasingly ‘antique’ [materials] is an ongoing challenge.” UM has the same goal. “We don’t have to do a lot of tracking down, thankfully,” says Valerie Waldron, UM computer and videogame archive manager. About half of its collection is donated, and as with other academic libraries that own game collections, staffers turn to eBay if they need to repair or buy a missing item. Or they get creative. “Something broke on our Atari 7800, and we actually 3D-printed a replacement part,” Carter says. Why is maintaining playability of older games important? Students are mainly studying design and software. “What does the game look like, and what does the controller feel like?” Caldwell says. “Are you seeing something similar to A student employee at University of Utah’s J. Willard Marriott Library what someone who played the game earlier would have seen displays a Nintendo Switch that can be checked out and played at

Photo: Jordan Hanzon Jordan Photo: and experienced?” the library.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 43 After students from the Entertainment Arts and Engineer- “The faculty wants to have a record of what students have ing program at Utah lost all the materials for Erie, a popular created,” Caldwell says. “They want students to be inspired by student-made game from 2012, Casucci and Morrow inves- what other students have done and build on that work.” tigated their options. With help from an Institute of Museum Carter and Waldron say that videogame preserving and and Library Services grant, they published an ebook this fall archiving has been underdeveloped in libraries because it is on how to best archive, preserve, and disseminate student still an emerging format. “Until recently, the history of the videogames. videogame industry has been left in the hands of private “People have been looking at digital preservation seri- collectors,” Carter says. “Not to discount the work that private ously, [but] we haven’t made progress with objects that are collectors have done—that’s one portion of preservation, but really complex, like videogames, that have many interactions you need academic libraries in the mix.” between files,” Morrow says. “We thought about the existing “For a long time, [game companies] weren’t really inter- services in a library and how games might be supported by ested in preserving their games, either,” Waldron says. those services.” According to videogame website Kotaku, this is due to legal “In our case, it would be the sheer number of analog games gray areas, lack of industry support, and game turnover. “I to process and store that would be difficult, especially year think that’s slowly starting to change.” after year,” Caldwell says. “You’re asking people in cataloging who have never even played a game to suddenly start cata- Conquering copyright issues loging media. You need to support them.” The best way to do Potential copyright problems exist in every layer of videogame that, she says, is to develop accurate metadata and consistent, collecting, especially regarding older materials with expired detailed cataloging practices. copyrights. In October 2018, a decision from the Library of But academic libraries still need to strategize. Congress and US Copyright Office allowed institutions to At Marriott Library, Casucci and Morrow created a tiered lawfully own copies of older videogames if they were acquired retention system for archiving student games, through which from the original companies in order to make preservation students can choose the process that best suits their needs. In copies—a separate challenge for librarians and archivists as earlier tiers, students can contribute visuals such as screen- many companies are no longer in business or have discontin- shots or game trailers. As they go further into the system, ued server support. students can contribute their games in their entirety, allowing “Assuming that all videogames are governed by terms of future students complete access to its features. use, it’s likely that any exceptions one would expect in the Commercial games have not been forgotten. Carter and copyright law are not allowed,” says Carrie Russell, senior Waldron are finding ways to preserve legacy formats of program officer and copyright specialist at the American videogames like floppy disks and cartridges. “We’re trying to Library Association. “If students are doing close analysis of discover ways of taking the game off its original format and the games or something similar, it’s likely that license terms creating an image for it,” Waldron says. “There are still a lot don’t forbid just of things to work out, like how to store it properly, retrieve studying and it, or put it back in its original format.” As for regular discs, researching the UM keeps multiple copies and stores them in archival-quality game unless the sleeves behind the circulation desk. research involves According to Heather Maxwell Chandler’s Game Production the need to cir- Handbook, after producing a videogame, developers organize cumvent digital the game’s source assets and archive them in a closing kit—a rights management common practice in the industry to help developers install (DRM) that may updates or patches to their games. UCSC would like to imple- be employed by the ment closing kits down the line. rights holder.” Chris Barnes Photo:

You’re asking people in cataloging who have never even played a game to suddenly start cataloging media. You need to support them.

CHRISTY CALDWELL, science and engineering librarian at University of California, Santa Cruz

44 November/December 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org DRM is a form of copyright protection licensing for digital The University of Michigan’s Computer and Video Game Archive media implemented by embedding code that prevents copy- ing, specifying a time period in which content can be accessed, games, and how copyright plays into both. “You have to believe or limiting the number of devices content can be installed on. that [students] are going to use [the collection] responsibly,” For example, games with expired or maxed-out licenses may Caldwell says. not be library friendly. Another consideration is that certain PC games come with Next-level libraries keys—a string of unique characters—that a user must input in Librarians agree they’re just beginning to assimilate game order to play. “But then that [game] is registered, and it’s only scholarship into academic libraries; progress will continue as good for one use,” Carter says. “If someone donates a PC game the industry and programs evolve. to us, if they’ve used the key, we can’t use that game. We have Caldwell says librarians should be working collabora- to somehow get another key.” tively to keep games accessible by lobbying for copyright law Currently, libraries’ and archives’ rights to preserve exceptions, partnering with game companies, and improving videogames are allowed under the Digital Millennium Copy- metadata and catalog descriptions. right Act. “That exemption, however, will expire in 2021 and “Games are to the 21st century what films were to the need to be requested again,” Russell says. 20th,” she says. “How long did it take libraries to start col- Student-made videogames are easier to preserve since stu- lecting film? I think what we can do is start working together dents get to decide what university libraries can keep. The stu- sooner, because we’ve already lost so many games.” dent work that libraries archive mostly consists of digital files. UM also wants to encourage students who may not be game They can either archive the entire game or different elements design majors to help normalize videogames in the library. “In of it, like an abstract, artwork, or gameplay footage. humanities or social science classes, instead of writing a paper, “We never make the students put up everything,” Caldwell students are creating games,” Carter says. “We’ve been work- says. “They could say, ‘I don’t want to upload my actual code. ing with the design lab [at UM] to figure out ways to support I’ll upload my abstract.’” the lighter-weight aspect of game creation.” Students can claim complete copyright of their games “[Games are] a part of society,” Waldron says. “It speaks to or use a Creative Commons license, which allows others to what our culture is in any given era, like any other format.” share, use, and build on their work. They can even decide if they want their work to be available to university affiliates or DIANA PANUNCIAL is a writer in Zion, Illinois. the public. Librarians, too, try to educate students about the impor-

Photos: Valerie Waldron; Alan Pinon (inset) Waldron; Valerie Photos: tance of archiving their work at the library, studying other

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 45 Boost Your Public Speaking Skills

Tips for librarians on speaking conﬁdently and eﬀectively in front of others

BY Anne Ford Photo: © THANANIT/Adobe Stock © THANANIT/Adobe Photo:

46 November/December 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org s a college student, Tiffini Travis had to deliver a class presentation. So she stood up. She looked at the faces all around her. And she ran out of the room. “I was just so petrified,” remembers Travis, who is advisor for information literacy and library instructional assessment at California State University, Long Beach. “I had actually prepared; I knew Aeverything I should have said. It was just the idea of speaking in public that terrified me.” Years later, Travis has more than conquered her stage fright, regularly delivering presentations as part of her job. “Now I could do it with my eyes closed,” she says. So how does someone go from fleeing the room to completely losing their fear? In large part, the answer is practice, practice, practice. But while rehearsal is necessary, it’s not sufficient. Speaking confidently and effectively in front of others requires certain strategies. And Travis, along with several other librarians who regularly present in front of audiences, has many such tips to offer the tongue-tied. The mental game First, some good news: Most librarians have at least Association’s New Members Round Table and many some public-speaking experience, whether they real- other audiences. “You have to have conviction in ize it or not. “If you can run a Harry Potter birthday your words and in your content. It’s not arrogance,

party or do a storytime, you are speaking in public,” TIFFINI TRAVIS it’s just simple points out Mary H. Stein, assistant library director at Advisor for infor- conviction in the East Baton Rouge Parish (La.) Library, who often talks mation literacy and value of your to book clubs, classrooms, the media, and other audi- library instructional contributions.” assessment at ences. Remembering that fact can help mitigate any California State Uni- But what if your nerves when it comes time to address a larger crowd. versity, Long Beach topic is a well-worn It’s also vital to believe fully in the value of what one—something you’re presenting. Char Booth, associate dean of the that many people have spoken about before? No University Library at California State University San matter, they say: “Try to believe that what you’re Marcos, sees many librarians succumb to imposter saying has been said before, but not quite the way syndrome—that is, acting apologetic or overly self- you’re going to say it. You want to make your content deprecating while delivering their remarks. unique, but just by virtue of being who you are, it “You have to understand that what you’re going to will be unique in some way.” present on is meaningful,” says Booth, who has given Manuel Urrizola, head of metadata and technical talks on public speaking to the American Library services at University of California, Riverside, is a

November/December 2019 47 BECAUSE OF YOU: LIBRARIES TRANSFORM

t’s that time of year again! The ALA Annual Help us Transform the Future by Fund is going on NOW! We are asking our supporting ALA today. I members and friends to consider a gift to ALA. Your gift to the American Library Association Your gift helps us to create a strong national voice will help us support librarians and amplify to advocate for libraries and our core values, our core values. Here’s how to give: including access for all. ■ Write a check! You can send it in the envelope you’ll find in this issue of American Libraries. As you know, ALA brings the library community together to: ■ Make your gift online at ala.org/donate ■ Advocate for libraries. ■ Respond to the appeal letter you received ■ Provide critical tools to advance the profession at home! and demonstrate the value of libraries. ■ Mail a check to: The American Library ■ Ensure equity, diversity and inclusion in the field Association, at: Development Office, and for those who are served by libraries. 50 East Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611

For more information on giving, please contact: Development Office, American Library Association (312) 280-3259 [email protected] http://www.ala.org/aboutala/donate Photo: ©Feel Good Studio/Adobe Stock audience verbatim. text to butread the that doesnothing text, then with presenter loadsslides problem comeswhenthe the applicationitself,say software experts; the wrong with to immediately to PowerPoint. turn nothing There’s itmayWhen creating slidesfor betempting a talk, Getting ready hear someonewhoknows about.” talking whatthey’re hesays. style “People ofanexpert,” style—the cometo needto Instead,presentations. adopt “they acredible librarians tend to adopt anapologetic style whengiving stateto libraryassociations.Inhisexperience, various speaking nearly week every to aswell area groups as onpublic delivers talks skills.Urrizola and leadership developorganization publicspeaking oflocalclubsthat longtime memberofToastmasters an International, herself what toherself say. objectto next remind shecanglance atthe talking, herpointswillfall.Then,asshe’s order inwhich the in and afew everything Shearranges reference books. Regency reminds herofthe era, a handkerchief that ture, for source documents, example, shemightbring litera speakingaboutBritish objects instead. Ifshe’s instead ofanaid”)andrelycrutch onthree-dimensional prefers to avoid PowerPoint too easyto (“it’s make ita conveying verbally. ties to is presentation show rest ofthe visually whatthe slidesasvisualaids—opportuni instead ofthe to think librarian.”don’t really Herecommends needthe Point kindofavoiceover andthey’re presentation, for “Often with presentations by librarians, it’s aPower- by presentations librarians,it’s with “Often While visual aids are important, agrees Stein, agrees While visualaidsare important, she (La.) Library Baton Rouge Parish director at East Assistant library MARY H.STEIN the speech, so they sothey speech, the are readingmembers audience the then becausepresentation, makes for aweak says. “That Urrizola PowerPoint,”the - - reading from cards.” audiencedoesn’t even realize time,the I’m And halfthe eye. Itakein the itslow. Ihave engaging mannerisms. read from notes,” say. they “ButIlookup.people tosentation give, say areception oranunveiling, Iwill cally. “Sometimes whenIhave areally pre- important speaker avoidsbad—if the roboti- reading from them agoodleave impression. with them attention and audience’s inorder the perfect” to grab you needto hesays, canmemorize,” be “becausethey andthose short, shouldbevery conclusion.“They the beginningand the talks: two oftheir memorize parts andyourehearsed, losesomeofyour authenticity.” want to say,” Travis says. it,itsounds “Ifyou memorize Usually, mainpointsI the no.Instead, “I memorize to memory? andcommitthem entire talks out their the cloud, orsavedthe asaPDFwell asaPowerPoint. least two ways, different andin drive maybe onathumb why recommend saving at they apresentation That’s goescan switcheroo ifsomething awry, itwill.” which you that platform that enough with being comfortable Prezi, Google Slides,Keynote, whatever. all about It’s you’re whether reading from notes,and confident, using “You method: that with want tocomfort becomfortable speaker’s the than islessimportant ing apresentation delivering theirremarks. self-deprecating while apologetic oroverly syndrome—that is,acting succumb to imposter Many librarians Booth stresses that in the end, the method ofdeliver- method end,the inthe stresses that Booth As for notes, written not says Booth they’re always speakers doesrecommend that That said,Urrizola Shouldspeakers write What aboutmemorization? November/December 2019 49 Stemming the stage fright Speaking of hands, Urrizola recommends doing one What has put some people off from public speaking are, of two things with them. “You can either use your hands of course, those pretalk jitters—the ones that make so to show what you’re saying, or you can put them at your many of us consider bolting from the room, just like side,” he says. “You don’t want to hide your hands”— Travis did back in the day. But, Urrizola says, it’s actually say, by holding them behind your back or concealing a mistake to try to kill off those butterflies in the stomach. them behind a podium—“because then you lose some of “Being nervous is a good thing,” he says. “It means your credibility.” He adds that while most people find it we care. It means we want to do well. What we want to unnatural to hold their hands at their side (“you really do is take that nervous energy and turn it into energy have to practice it”), doing so looks good to the audi- that makes our speech enthusiastic. And the ways of ence: “You look comfortable and calm and confident.” doing that are by preparing our speech and then practic- As for confidence, one way to boost it while speaking ing. Both of those will start to calm our body down.” is to do what Booth calls “finding your friendly.” Another calming maneuver he recommends: Getting “You want to look out and find two or three people to the venue early, “so the body can see the surround- who are paying attention and who have resting CHAR BOOTH ings and feel them, expressions you find pleasant,” they say, and then focus Associate dean and then when we on talking to them specifically. “The people who are of the University get up to speak, it frowning and rolling their eyes? Those people are not Library at California State University won’t be the first time necessarily productive to focus on.” San Marcos the body will be in Booth recommends focusing on a friendly-looking that situation.” Right person on the left, another in the middle, and another before the speech, on the right: “If you keep returning to those people, it he suggests, exercise the mouth by going through looks like you are looking people in the eye all around the vowels, or do something else to stretch and relax. the room. It will appear that you are engaged with the “When we get nervous, our muscles get very tight. They entire audience.” want to start fighting, or they want to flee, so we need That said, don’t look too rapidly from person to to calm the muscles down,” Urrizola says. person. “I’ve seen several speakers whose heads are con- Something he does not recommend: Having an stantly going back and forth, back and forth,” Stein says. alcoholic drink beforehand. “That will eliminate the “It’s distracting. Pick someone and speak to them for a nervousness—but then you won’t care anymore,” he minute, and then look in another direction and speak to says. “We don’t want to eliminate it; we just want to someone else. But don’t do the tennis-ball thing.” harness it.” It’s also wise to deliberately slow down the pace at As for Travis, she’s learned to transform her pretalk which you speak. “A lot of rapid speech comes from anxiety into excitement via an inspiring music playlist plain old nervousness,” says Booth. “Breathe. Honestly. she has named “My Game Face.” You can pause between sentences. No one will mind.” “I find that if I listen to that on my way to the pre- “Librarians are like everybody else: They think they sentation, it relaxes me and gets me focused,” she says have to say something every second while they’re speak- (a few of her favorites: DJ Khaled’s “All I Do Is Win,” Jill ing. Audiences don’t MANUEL Scott’s “Golden,” Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful,” and URRIZOLA mind if we pause; Lizzo’s “Good as Hell”). Head of metadata in fact, they like it,” and technical Urrizola says. “It Now you’re talking services at University of gives them a chance It doesn’t matter how brilliant a speech is if it’s inau- California, Riverside to breathe. We don’t dible. Audience members’ abilities to hear can vary have to fill it with drastically. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution: Use the some utterance that expresses nothing”—filler words microphone, even if you think you have a loud voice. such as “um,” “uh,” or “actually.” And make sure you use it correctly, Stein says. “Every mike is different,” she points out. “With some What happens when … mikes, you can be 18 inches away; with others, you have The good news is that some public-speaking to almost kiss it. A common, totally avoidable error is not nightmares—such as showing up in your underwear— figuring out where your mouth needs to be relative to are very unlikely to come true. The bad news is that the mike.” So is waving a handheld microphone around others—such as encountering a hostile audience like a baton: “It’s fun to talk with your hands, but not if member or making an unfortunate slip of the tongue— that hand is holding the mike.” just might.

50 November/December 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org “It’s all about being comfortable enough with [a presentation] platform that you can switcheroo if something goes awry, which it will.”

CHAR BOOTH, associate dean of the University Library at California State University San Marcos

Fortunately, there are ways to defuse even the most with as much reflective prowess as you can muster, say: embarrassing or uncomfortable public-speaking situa- ‘What just came out of my mouth was offensive, and I tion. When Travis is faced with an aggressive audience apologize for that, and I’m happy to engage in dialogue member during question-and-answer time, for exam- with anyone after the presentation. I’m aware of my ple, she uses the following strategy: “I repeat what they mistake, and I apologize to all it has offended.’ Not ‘if’ it say so I have time to digest it. If it’s something I don’t has offended, because ‘if’ is the great escape.” know, I acknowledge that and say, ‘That sounds great. I A less fraught possibility: Someone asks a question, want to research it. Is it okay if I find you afterwards to and you simply don’t know the answer. “If I can’t even get the information?’ ” fake an answer, I turn it around to the audience,” Stein takes a similar tack when speaking to audi- Urrizola says. “I’ll say: ‘That’s a profound question. What ences that include members of the media, particularly do you guys think?’ The audience will offer answers, during times of high-profile, potentially controversial and that gives you a chance to collect your thoughts.” library projects. In that case, “You need to be prepared Another common public-speaking fear is that one’s for ‘Gotcha!’ questions, and you need to have a few mind will suddenly go blank in the middle of a talk. quick answers ready that are calm and measured and If that happens, he advises, simply ask the audience: get you back on track,” she says. “You can smile and “Where should we go next?” say, ‘That’s not what I’m here to talk about today, but “Use the audience to help you when you need help,” I’ll be happy to talk with you after the program.’ And Urrizola says. “The audience is on your side, and they then make sure you do it.” love to be brought in. It shows that you’re not just a Let’s say the very worst-case scenario happens: You good speaker. You’re a good listener.” open your mouth and promptly insert your foot—that is, you say something offensive. ANNE FORD is American Libraries In that case, do not attempt to ignore or gloss over editor-at-large. the gaffe, says Booth: “Owning your mistake at the

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 51 nowledge IQ K Fostering knowledge sharing among liaison librarians

BY Diana Dill and Alice Kalinowski

any academic libraries operate under an old-guard mentality and M are notorious for resisting change. Some might say this is not true: Libraries are transforming from stockpiles of books to social spaces for collaboration, innovation, and creativity. They are becoming increasingly progressive in their approach to serving students, faculty, and the community.

52 November/December 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org This is an excerpt from Libraries that Learn: Keys to Managing Orga- Fundamental tenets of knowledge management can help Sharing knowledge and informa- nizational Knowl- your library gradually move from humbug thoughts such as, tion in the workplace significantly edge, edited by “That’s just how we’ve always done it!” to more affirming affects an organization’s ability to Jennifer A. Bart- ones like, “There are new, improved ways we can try with an operate effectively and efficiently. lett and Spencer open mind.” This transformation depends largely on creating Among the various types of work- Acadia (ALA Edi- an organizational culture that is open to sharing knowledge, place learning, tacit knowledge is tions, 2019). strengthened with employee buy-in, and promoted by human one of the most difficult to codify resources. The overarching challenge for implementing and share. Considering that most workers switch jobs and knowledge management in libraries: transforming an exist- careers multiple times, organizations must think about how ing, dysfunctional culture into a new, functional one. tacit knowledge is shared, particularly in cases of employee Another reason knowledge management fails in libraries turnover. Building a community of practice (CoP) can help. is that librarians are accustomed to warehousing information for its own sake. This behavior is best illustrated by traditional What is a CoP? collection-building efforts, in which libraries feel compelled The CoP concept was first introduced by Jean Lave and to routinely acquire books, journals, and other materials just Etienne Wenger in Situated Learning: Legitimate Peripheral in case someone wants them. However, this method does not Participation (Cambridge University Press, 1991). Wenger work. Libraries must determine which knowledge is most later described CoPs as informal clusters of people focused important. Only the knowledge that best serves the purpose on a common interest who learn through participation in a of the library’s strategic plan, mission, vision, goals, and group. They promote informal learning and especially excel objectives is relevant. at sharing tacit knowledge, the capture and coordination of which is notoriously difficult. Lost in the shuffle CoPs are a vital element of a successful knowledge man- Everyone is familiar with the experience of not being able agement strategy and should be recognized and nurtured. to easily locate a needed manual, directory, policy, proce- These groups function most effectively when not bound by dure, report, form, or set of instructions. Files are deleted or formal rules and procedures. Their focus is on day-to-day misfiled; manuals and websites become outdated; longtime problem solving and idea generation. To maintain the group’s employees leave and take their experience with them. Why dynamics, appropriate institutional support should minimize do many libraries find it so challenging to gather and use disruption and formal oversight. The challenge is to acknowl- organizational information? Librarians and other information edge these groups’ loosely defined nature while leveraging professionals spend their careers selecting, classifying, and their knowledge and expertise. disseminating knowledge—why should our own internal CoPs are not without risk. They should not devolve organizational knowledge be any different? into groupthink, in which employees act in homogeneous, Organizational knowledge in libraries is not concerned nonindividualistic patterns and suspend critical thinking with the information that librarians make available to and moral judgment. Groupthink may also lead to toxic and external users; rather, it involves the processes and proce- unproductive behaviors, such as habitual complaining, con- dures implemented to effectively manage a library’s internal flict, and the derailment of progress. organizational knowledge—the stuff that library employees know and do within and for the institution. The irony is not Forming a community lost on us that we, who are often championed as knowledge To help liaison librarians share knowledge with each other, gatekeepers for others, are not ourselves trained to manage the University of Pittsburgh’s University Library System (ULS) workplace knowledge. organized a CoP eight years ago at its Oakland campus. The

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 53 Six Ways to Support a Community of Practice Environment

Encourage frequent informal socializing 1 within and outside the library, preferably with snacks and beverages. CoP comprised more than 25 liaisons—broadly defined as Host team-building meetings or retreats anyone responsible for working with a specific academic unit 2 where the focus is explicitly coming together on campus. Liaisons were loosely organized across different around discussion topics, problem solving, library units, without a central chain of command or the and other collaborative exercises. formal coordination of reference or instruction services. In spring 2016, a new staff position was created for an Give everyone an opportunity to participate instructional designer to work with ULS liaisons. Three new 3 in the leadership experience by rotating the liaisons were hired at the Oakland campus, all of whom were facilitator of meetings, retreats, and other new to academic libraries. During the onboarding process, gatherings. we observed the following. Foster inclusion of employees; do not shut First, predecessors’ files were not always available to their 4 people out or deny them opportunities to replacements. While some outgoing employees left notes become involved with topics they enjoy. and files behind, others left nothing. In some cases, liaisons Adapt to the changing needs of had to build their own instruction, reference, and outreach 5 employees. Communities materials from scratch with of practice (CoPs) are little or no record of prior work. not static; they are Librarians are Second, ULS had no structure to dynamic and some- encourage sharing or collabo- times require mem- ration among liaisons. Liaisons not always bers to go with would know if colleagues were the flow. adept at receiving similar questions or implementing similar outreach Explore topics strategies only through informal 6 in sub-CoPs if applying their conversations or serendipity. needed. • Neither challenges nor successes valuable skills were shared internally among Between meetings, a Slack channel allowed participants to liaisons or with the larger ULS communicate with the entire CoP group or individual mem- to their own community. bers. However, Slack—a cloud-based application used for Although CoPs are meant to be collaborative project work, including real-time chat—was not libraries. informal, the ULS director issued successful. While instant messaging and chat tools are widely approval to explore forming a used for virtual reference with library users in many aca- CoP. About 50 librarians were demic libraries, research by Ian Chan, Pearl Ly, and Yvonne invited to an exploratory meeting Nalani Meulemans in “Extending IM Beyond the Reference to discuss CoPs and their possible benefits. Meeting attendees Desk: A Case Study on the Integration of Chat Reference and were eager to start a CoP in hopes of improving liaison com- a Library-Wide Instant Messaging Network” (Information munication and knowledge sharing. The newly formed CoP Technology and Libraries vol. 31, no. 3, 2012) argues that agreed to hold monthly meetings for discussion, reflection, librarians have little interest in using these types of tools out- and camaraderie in a safe, supportive environment. The meet- side of reference to share workplace knowledge. This was true ings covered specific topics such as keeping up with library- with the ULS CoP, whose members preferred to communicate related research and trends, writing learning objectives, in person or via email or shared drives. planning orientations, sharing lesson plans and activities, and In addition to its meetings, the ULS CoP also hosted its first incorporating active learning in sessions—all focused with lightning talk event in 2017, in which liaisons spoke for five liaison roles in mind. minutes each on something they had accomplished over the

54 November/December 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org past 12 months. Most of the talks focused on instruction and metadata librarian was consulted as an expert on this part of outreach efforts, such as using special collections in instruc- the project. tion or introducing PlumX analytics to academic departments. The metadata template included attributes for ACRL’s Informal feedback indicated that the talks were well received Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education and and will likely continue. its Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education. Doing so helped liaisons organize and locate files Building a repository because specific lesson plans and activities could be mapped The CoP needed a place to share meeting notes, slides, and to individual frameworks or standards. resources. Since all liaisons were familiar with Springshare LibGuides, one was created specifically to share materials. Challenges and benefits But as time progressed, it became increasingly difficult to Cultivating a group atmosphere in which liaisons took the navigate the guide because of the large number of files in it. initiative to lead and actively participate in the group was Also, liaisons had a hard time finding materials they needed a significant challenge. The liaisons were eager to come because of poor search functionality and a lack of tagging and together, but shy about sharing knowledge and concerned metadata. The liaisons preferred not to use open repositories how that knowledge—or lack thereof—would be perceived by like Project CORA and Association of College and Research others in the group. To allay social discomfort, liaisons were Libraries’ Framework for Information Literacy Sandbox. An encouraged to talk about their specific experiences. When internal solution was needed. possible, liaisons were asked to contribute these experiences ULS maintained a SharePoint server, but most liaisons beforehand to reduce feelings of being put on the spot. found it to be nonintuitive. Box, an enterprise content man- Many participants expressed gratitude for having a space agement system offering cloud storage, became the pre- dedicated to discussion and collaboration. At ULS, as with ferred choice because most of the liaisons already used it for other libraries, organizational communication can always personal documents and other projects. Box was convenient improve, and liaisons enjoyed the opportunity to meet physi- for file-syncing, and files were accessible from any location or cally and virtually. Also, because of the CoP, liaisons have tried platform. Box also allowed for tagging and metadata. new methods and tools, such as using a Jeopardy!-inspired To establish the Box repository, a generic, ULS-sponsored game with students for information literacy and creating account not belonging to a specific individual was used. By stakeholder profiles for developing new potential services. choosing a sponsored account as the host, there was no worry Librarians are not always adept at applying their valuable about the repository depending on an individual’s employ- skills to their own libraries. Organizing and maintaining ment at ULS or the university. Liaisons in the CoP were invited internal institutional processes, procedures, and knowledge to view, download, search, and upload content. remains a challenge, and dealing with it is paramount if To enhance search and filter functionality within the libraries are to survive as useful organizations. Knowledge repository, a custom-made metadata template was created management practices and processes need to become as with ULS’s IT department. In creating ingrained in library practice as cataloging and classification, the template, all files in the LibGuide reference service, and information literacy are. repository were examined and a list of attributes and descrip- DIANA DILL is instructional tors was developed. Careful designer at University of Pitts- thought went into creating burgh Library System. ALICE KALINOWSKI is business the metadata, since it research librarian at Stanford Uni- would determine how versity Graduate School of Busi- usable the repository ness. JENNIFER A. BARTLETT and SPENCER ACACIA contributed would be. In fact, ULS’s to the introduction of this article.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 55 PERSPECTIVES

A Job Well Done Recognizing unsung heroes in our libraries

early every year, I see at least colleagues when the real problem is a lack one negative message on of leadership from managers to address social media about individuals the issue of unequal workloads. who have received some of in I don’t think there’s anything wrong our more visible professional practice with recognizing innovative projects, Nawards or recognitions. Whether it’s a but it’s also incumbent on each of us to BY Meredith Farkas blog post or a tweet, the gist of the mes- consider how we reward consistently sage is that some of those recognized are solid work that perhaps is neither flashy overhyped, undeserving self-promoters. a way that values both teamwork and nor focused in areas that are currently While I believe expressions of vitriol individual accomplishments. trendy. The Pearl Award, given annually by like those are not only unproductive but Managers should think about which Oregon Library Association’s Public Library hurtful to the people who have won these employee and team qualities are truly Division, recognizes a library worker who awards, I can also understand the impulse important to their organization and “agitates, makes change over time, and behind them. develop ways to recognize staff and teams is highly valued” (bit.ly/AL-award5). It Professional awards embody a vocation’s who exemplify those values (bit.ly/ honors someone who has not done just values. But what message is sent when the AL-award2). A team at Maastricht one amazing thing but has made valuable majority of awards recognize a single large University in the Netherlands found that contributions to their library or the profes- innovative project or publication? When rewarding high performers can lead to sion throughout a longer career. most recognition is for individual achieve- improved work performance even from Everyone deserves to feel their work is ments, what does that say about how our those employees who are not recognized, valued, whether it’s with a formal award or profession views teamwork? so acknowledging the right employees can a more informal expression of appreciation. As much as we might wish to believe provide broader benefits to the organiza- The chair of a committee I served on gave librarianship is unique, it is still influenced tion (bit.ly/AL-award3). each member a personalized, handwritten by the same social forces as other profes- Unfortunately, research suggests thank-you card at the end of the year, and sions. Many fields provide the greatest that standouts are often rewarded with a supervisor once made me a certificate recognition to the individual genius, the more work. One study found that high- of appreciation for an assessment project innovative leader, or the disruptor (bit.ly/ performing employees were given larger I’d put a lot of work into. These small but AL-award1). While this is clearly a prob- workloads than their peers, something meaningful efforts can provide validation lem, I would suggest to those who seek to many of them came to resent (bit.ly/ and engender significant goodwill. denigrate award winners that they should AL-award4). However, that resentment Recognition is not a zero-sum game hate the game, not the player. How can we often centers on their less-productive but an infinitely renewable resource. change the systems that recognize certain Providing the validation a library worker types of work over others? When recognition needs to feel appreciated often takes little Lionizing individual innovators and effort. We can easily honor many kinds of leaders over library workers who do is for individual valuable contributions to our libraries and great work every day can be tempting. our profession. But our libraries could not function achievements, what without both types of individuals, and, MEREDITH FARKAS is faculty librarian at does that say about Portland (Oreg.) Community College and a in most cases, many different working lecturer at San José (Calif.) State University styles are needed to make any project how our profession School of Information. She blogs at Informa- a reality. We should consider how we tion Wants to Be Free. Email: librarysuccess@ reward reliably strong performers in views teamwork? gmail.com

56 November/December 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org PERSPECTIVES

Personalization vs. Privacy Keeping online visitors safe while meeting service needs

n ensuring user privacy, libraries that or other code that can have an impact provide personalized online services on patron privacy. To mitigate these often encounter tensions and contradic- threats, library staff can use Ghostery tions. Tools and technologies that offer (ghostery. com) to confirm which tracking opportunities for better engagement dispatches agents have been installed. An audit Ido not always draw a clear boundary allows libraries to identify all tracking BY Marshall Breeding between privacy and personalization. agents deployed and review them against Commercial websites aim to capture their privacy policies. as much personal data as possible. This of Google Tag Manager or specified in the There is no fast or easy way to encour- data powers a global advertising ecosys- JavaScript code. Because Google Analytics age the deployment of properly secured tem designed to strengthen retail sales is based in the advertising ecosystem, it HTTPS. Many libraries have made a slow through finely targeted ad placement. To warrants careful handling to ensure that transition from obsolete technology to manage websites and internet technol- its use remains consistent with library more modern alternatives. The libraries ogies in ways that reflect their values, privacy policies. that remain represent a long tail with libraries invariably must make difficult Web browsers now routinely flag sparse resources and low awareness about choices and compromises. unencrypted library websites as inse- the technical issues involved. While they may not be able to entirely cure and untrustworthy. A substantial isolate their web-based services from portion of libraries continue to operate Patron opt-in commercial technologies, they can take unencrypted websites, while others fail To support user services, recommenda- measures to limit exposure and protect to implement basic HTTPS. The wide- tions, and social-sharing features, many patron privacy. spread use of tracking agents without libraries collect personalized data with an anonymization process means that patron consent. Users can opt in to allow HTTPS at a minimum some libraries are putting their patrons data retention on borrowed items or other Libraries must ensure that their websites at greater risk. interactions in order to receive person- provide adequate privacy protection, Libraries often borrow scripts or alized services. A library’s stated privacy particularly HTTPS protocol. Without this widgets from other libraries or commer- policy can determine whether opt-in standard encryption, visitors are vulnera- cial sources to achieve the desired visual or opt-out options are set as default. As ble to exposure. Even with HTTPS, track- effects or functionality. These compo- libraries enhance their personalized ser- ing agents placed on the site for analytics nents may in turn include tracking agents vices, they must consider both the benefits or advertising—or added inadvertently and the privacy risks. as components of a desired feature—can In the future, privacy must be a key circumvent basic protections. To manage websites consideration in library website design Almost all libraries use Google Analytics and technologies to be consistent with libraries’ values and to measure website usage, in which case strategic objectives. their data is collected by Google’s servers. in ways that To help protect patron privacy, libraries MARSHALL BREEDING is an independent can anonymize IP addresses before they reflect their values, consultant, speaker, and author. He is editor are recorded. This essentially truncates of Smart Libraries Newsletter and the website Library Technology Guides. Adapted from the address so that it retains only some libraries invariably “Protecting Privacy on Library Websites: information about the user’s general must make Critical Technologies and Implementation location. IP address anonymization can be Trends,” Library Technology Reports vol. 55, configured in the administrative console difficult choices. no. 7 (Oct. 2019).

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 57 PERSPECTIVES

Contract Concerns Unions protect library workers, but are they keeping us from reaching teens?

nions make it hard for library defining the work that librarians and staffers to work effectively with paraprofessionals can do means needed youth of color.” That’s what a flexibility and valuable talent can be lost. library colleague recently said youth What if contracts allowed volunteers and to me over coffee. I sat silently matters nondegreed staffers to do tasks usually Ufor a few seconds, thinking about this reserved for librarians? This could bring BY Linda W. Braun statement and how it could be true. unique expertise and life experiences into The American Library Association– the library. It would also allow librarians to Allied Professional Association’s Library working hours, as outlined in the union spend more time in the community and to Worklife site states: “Union contracts contract. She knows that connecting with envision and plan the best youth services often provide for fair and flexible working youth does not always fall into a 9-to-5, possible. Nonlibrarians might require hours, better pay for overtime and work or library-as-retail-operation, framework. training, but librarians could then do on evenings and weekends, more paid But she felt that if she mentioned to her more tasks commensurate with a position holidays, paid family and medical leave, coworkers or supervisor that attending held by someone with a master’s degree. and employer help with child care and an after-hours event could build stronger Embracing new roles and strategies elder care.” These conditions are undoubt- relationships with area teens, the reaction to build services for youth does not need edly important. But when talking with wouldn’t be positive. What did the staffer to be at odds with unions’ traditional library staffers about the unintended do? She went to the play but didn’t tell approach to collective bargaining and consequences of union contracts on their anyone she works with. contracts. In conversation with a union work, I recognized the phrase “fair and Work hours have come up again and official, I was reminded of how, in 2016, flexible” was likely the root of the problem again in my conversations with library library staffers in Rockford, Illinois, worked my colleague was thinking about—in part, workers, as have staffing models. “Union successfully with their union to bring back because youth needs have changed over contracts can limit libraries from taking on Sunday hours that had been cut. Library the last two decades. volunteers—who may be youth of color— staffers should work with unions to rewrite What constitutes “fair and flexible” in to help with library work,” a library contracts and job descriptions—that are library contracts does not readily align director in Rhode Island told me. “These flexible and mission-driven—to preserve with the outreach-centered approaches potential volunteers could eventually what is vital to the community and serve today’s youth library workers must take become future library staffers if they are those who are most difficult to reach. to reach underserved and marginalized permitted to take part in the core work.” As a teen services coordinator in Kansas individuals and communities. As a library Contracts and staffing models are told me, “I was thinking that I would love consultant in Georgia told me, “Job meant to preserve fairness. But narrowly to ask unions to put teens first, as the descriptions and contracts are written Young Adult Library Services Association based on where the profession is at the Library staff should works to do. That doesn’t have to be anti- moment, but how can they focus on the thetical to a union’s mission to protect its future?” I’d go even further: Many youth work with unions members.” The challenge, then, is to mod- library workers are asked to comply with ernize contracts to strike a balance between roles and rules based on where the profes- to rewrite contracts the needs of underserved and marginalized sion was in the past. youth and unionized library staff. Consider the library staffer in Wash- and job descriptions ington who told me she’d been invited that are flexible and LINDA W. BRAUN is a Seattle-based con- by a student to attend his high school sultant and a past president of ALA’s Young play. The play took place after her regular mission-driven. Adult Library Services Association.

58 November/December 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org PERSPECTIVES

Beyond Fake News Words matter when we talk about the nature and impact of misinformation

very time I see a library program forms of falsity based on the content’s spotlighting fake news, I cringe. characteristics and creator’s intent. It’s Don’t get me wrong. These important to be clear, for example, about efforts are crucial, and we need on my the difference between misinformation— even more. Librarians care deeply mind inaccurate information that is not intended Eabout information quality, and we know to harm—and disinformation, false infor- BY Laurie L. Putnam the value of media literacy. We’re vigilant mation that is intentionally misleading. about the content of our feeds and can help Jack’s Lexicon of Lies and Claire Wardle’s others learn to filter theirs, separating fact depend on to stay informed. It’s a short Information Disorder: The Definitional Tool- from fiction. But we don’t need to use the walk from accusations of fake news to box are both solid vocabulary builders. term fake news as our framework. claims that journalists are “the enemy of We can share what we learn, starting Questionable information can take the people”—verbal lobs that may affect with our own teams. We can try activities many forms, and the language we use to careers and lives. In 2019, the nonprofit in Lexicon of Lies: Teaching Resources and talk about it matters. The expression fake Reporters without Borders downgraded initiate conversations about the language news dates back to the 1890s, but its con- the US to 48th on its World Press Freedom of information disorder. We can make temporary applications are problematic. Index, noting that reporters here are sub- informed word choices, thinking twice At best, focusing on a label oversimplifies ject to death threats more frequently than before we headline fake news in a pro- a complex problem; at worst, it supplies ever before. Ranked just below Romania, gram or research guide, perhaps substitut- ammunition to a term that’s become dan- the United States is now a “problematic” ing a more specific title or introducing a gerously weaponized in a bitterly partisan place for journalists to work. broader term like information pollution. political climate. There are better options. “The words we choose to describe When Skokie (Ill.) Public Library pro- The terms that define the dark side of media manipulation can lead to assump- duced a series of media literacy workshops information are evolving. For many, fake tions about how information spreads, in 2018, Adult Program Coordinator news has become a catchall phrase that who spreads it, and who receives it,” Mimosa Shah thought carefully about describes everything from honest mistakes wrote Caroline Jack in Data and Society wording. “I labeled the series ‘Get a Grip’ to intentional deceptions. Dictionary.com Research Institute’s 2017 report Lexicon because I wanted to reduce the anxiety felt defines it as “false news stories, often of of Lies: Terms for Problematic Information. around current events,” she explained. “I a sensational nature, created to be widely “These assumptions can shape what kinds chose to focus on what we can do as con- shared or distributed for the purpose of interventions or solutions seem desir- sumers of news media and what choices we of generating revenue or promoting or able, appropriate, or even possible.” make based on the information we find.” discrediting a public figure, political As information professionals, we can We don’t have to fear fake news. But movement, company, etc.” help shape solutions. We can learn more. with the term more or less fixed in the Anyone who’s stood in a grocery store Researchers have developed detailed tax- national discourse, we must explore its line knows that sensationalizing false onomies and glossaries to map and define nuances. We must look for ways to create stories to generate revenue is not a rare context, consider the term’s impact, business model. When employed to delib- and examine its use and misuse. We as erately discredit someone, particularly We don’t have to librarians can help bring sorely needed during elections, these tactics become far clarity to the national conversation. more dangerous than tabloid fare. fear fake news. When political leaders apply the fake But we must LAURIE L. PUTNAM is a consultant and edu- news label to legitimate, accurate report- cator who works with librarians and journalists. ing, they undermine the journalism we explore its nuances. She tweets at @NextLibraries.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 59 The MERGE Headset adapts smartphones into VR viewers with access to games, 360-degree video, and educational content.

in length) into a VR viewer. It’s made with soft, antimicrobial foam padding for comfort and durability. The headset pairs with the MERGE Cube and related apps through Miniverse.io. For school libraries and those with ongoing education programs, the MERGE EDU platform combines the Object Viewer app and Explorer, a suite of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)–aligned AR Alternate Realities, learning apps created by educators and curated by MERGE. MERGE’s library program Simplified bundle includes licenses for 30 concurrent users on its EDU plat- Augmented and virtual reality made easy form and 30 free cubes, along with training for library staff on using the platform and marketing it to irtual and augmented real- technology including smartphones, students and patrons, as well as ity are two of the fastest- tablets, and laptops. Q&A support as needed. Vgrowing areas of technology. The MERGE Cube is a small The MERGE library pack is While popular games like Pokémon foam cube that, when used with its $2,495 per year, with custom Go and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite accompanying apps, allows users to licenses available. MERGE Cubes have introduced augmented reality hold and manipulate virtual objects and Headsets can also be purchased (AR) to pop culture, the immer- in augmented or virtual reality. individually, and libraries receive a sive and interactive aspects of Free and paid apps for the cube can 20% educational discount. For more virtual and augmented reality can be downloaded through MERGE’s information, visit mergevr.com. increase engagement with learning Miniverse.io website, including as well. Short of creating a full- games, 360-degree video, and edu- Lifeliqe service virtual reality (VR) lab, cational content. The Object Viewer Digital platform Lifeliqe provides libraries can make these technolo- app, included with Cube purchases access to interactive science lessons gies available to learners through and as part of the MERGE EDU for K–12 learners. Its core app common devices. platform, converts 3D object files includes lesson plans, images, into virtual objects that can be animations, and interactive 3D MERGE viewed and manipulated with the models. Content is organized into While specialized VR equipment Cube. Object Viewer includes a 3D subject categories: human biol- can be expensive and difficult to object library, and users can also ogy, animal biology, plant biology, loan, MERGE offers a suite of apps upload their own models, including paleontology, physics, chemistry, and accessories to make augmented 3D print files. geology, astronomy, geometry, and and virtual reality more accessible The MERGE Headset turns most culture, with lessons aligned to and portable through common smartphones (4.84–6.22 inches NGSS and Common Core.

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

“A New Pathway for Learning”

How do you use zSpace? USER: Kristen Mattson, Our library has eight library media center zSpace computers that we director, Waubonsie use to support both the Valley High School in mission of the library and Aurora, Illinois the goals of the school. After a brief introduction PRODUCT: zSpace

to the technology from an The Lifeliqe core app is accessible Lifeliqe’s 3D digital DETAILS: zSpace’s AR/VR laptop science lessons are adult, students can borrow and glasses provide access to educa- on devices with common web brows- accessible through the glasses from our desk tional apps, activities, and teaching ers including Chrome, Firefox, and common web and use the lab without resources for 3D learning. Internet Explorer and is compatible browsers. supervision. Many students with Oculus Go, HTC Vive, Pico choose to use the zSpace lab during their lunch break to explore or G2, and Neo VR headsets. Using a create something new or study for an upcoming test. device’s built-in camera, interactive models can be viewed in augmented How does zSpace serve your library’s needs? Becoming the build- reality. Users can rotate, zoom, ing’s zSpace expert has allowed me to develop new partnerships and move models around in the with teachers in the math, science, and fine arts departments. virtual or augmented environment, Because diving into the content is hard without a device, many with text and audio descriptions teachers struggle to find time during the school day to explore the and introductions in English and various software packages and consider curricular ties. By trying out Spanish. Lifeliqe’s suite of apps also premade lessons and modules or creating customized learning expe- integrate into productivity tools such riences for my school, I have taken some of the workload off teach- as G Suite and Google Classroom. ers’ plates. In turn, they are more willing to incorporate the resource For libraries with dedicated VR into their students’ learning experiences. equipment, Lifeliqe offers both What are the main benefits? The biggest benefit is that it provides virtual and mixed-reality extensions a new pathway for learning. While some students are perfectly com- of its core platform. Lifeliqe VR fortable reading about the bones of the human Museum, an extension for the HTC body, others grasp the content in a whole new way Vive virtual reality headset, includes when they can see and manipulate what they’ve 20 virtual experiences and more been reading about in an augmented reality space. than 1,000 interactive models. The The zSpace applications invite student inquiry Lifeliqe HoloLens extension provides through their design: Students sit down and imme- 40 interactive, mixed-reality 3D diately want to click around and try something out models and 20 lesson plans for use just to see what happens next. They often return with Microsoft’s HoloLens. to explore content beyond the modules teachers Lifeliqe’s license for libraries assign to them. bundles the Lifeliqe core app with HTC Vive and Microsoft HoloLens Teachers at Wau- What would you like to see improved or added to the platform? extensions for 100 user accounts bonsie Valley High One limitation is that it’s difficult to create customized modules School try out remotely. I have to sit in the zSpace lab; I cannot do the work from and devices and costs $2,500 a year. zSpace’s AR/VR Free 14-day trials are available, and laptops. home or even from my office. Another critique I hear from some a limited version of the app can be teachers is that the premade lessons and modules are too surface- accessed for free. Individual licenses level for the type of work they are doing in some high school courses. for the Lifeliqe app and extensions Fortunately, zSpace has heard this concern and has held several cus- are also available. For more informa- tomer working groups in our area, allowing us to share our successes tion, visit lifeliqe.com. with one another while also providing feedback to the company. •

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 61 August 12 Trevor Watkins became ON THE MOVE teaching and outreach librarian at George Mason University Libraries in Brian Bannon became Merryl and Fairfax, Virginia. James Tisch Director of New York Gerald Holmes, Public Library, effective September 3. associate profes- August 19 Steven Wease was appointed sor and diversity library specialist at W. Frank Steely In August Jeffrey Bowen became coordinator at the Library at Northern Kentucky University director for library programming and University of North in Highland Heights. public affairs at Pepperdine University Libraries in Malibu, California. Carolina (UNC) at Greensboro Libraries, received Stephanie Buchanan became direc- the UNC Chapel Hill School of PROMOTIONS tor of Bucyrus (Ohio) Public Library Information and Library Science The University of North Carolina at August 26. Distinguished Alumni Award in Chapel Hill Wilson Special Collections recognition of his contributions to University of Arkansas appointed Dennis Library promoted Nadia Clifton to spe- diversity and equity July 10. T. Clark dean of libraries August 1. cial collections engagement librarian The Colorado Asso- August 19. Nicole A. Cooke joined University of ciation of Libraries South Carolina School of Library and The University of North Carolina at named Sarah Information Science as Augusta Baker Chapel Hill Libraries promoted Christina Scobey, nonprofit Chair in Childhood Literacy in August. Cortland to library software applica- resources librarian tions developer July 15. July 15 Andrea Falcone became dean of at Poudre River the W. Frank Steely Library at Northern Public Library District, as 2019 July 25 Dauphin County Kentucky University in Highland Heights. Colorado Librarian of the Year. • (Pa.) Library System promoted Karen Cullings to August 19 Daniel Greene became pres- executive director. ident and librarian of the Newberry Library in Chicago. Jill Liebisch became library educa- August 1 Alger (Ohio) Public Library tion advisor and recruiter at Northern promoted Stacey Hensley to director. Pamela Hackbart-Dean Kentucky University’s W. Frank Steely joined the University of Norwalk (Conn.) Public Library pro- Library in Highland Heights August 26. Illinois at Chicago Uni- moted Laurie Iffland to director of library technology July 29. versity Library as head of Adriene Lim became dean of libraries at Special Collections and University of Maryland in College Park University Archives and August 1 Jason Kucsma was promoted August 19. a tenured full professor August 16. to director of Toledo Lucas County (Ohio) Public Library. New York State Library in Albany Lincoln Library in Springfield, Illinois, appointed Lauren Moore state librarian, named Rochelle Hartman director Indiana University East in Richmond effective August 1. August 15. promoted KT Lowe to assistant librarian for instruction in July. Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Public Library David Heilbrun joined George Mason University Libraries in Fairfax, Virginia, named Shayna Muckerheide manager Pepperdine University Libraries in as metadata librarian August 12. of its Brook Park branch August 26. Malibu, California, promoted Colleen Mullally to associate university librarian August 26 Katie Hildman became George Mason University Libraries in for collections, technical services, and assistant director of the Public Library Fairfax, Virginia, appointed Jasmine scholarly communications in August. of Steubenville and Jefferson County Spitler as assessment librarian July 29. in Ohio. Beth South was promoted to assistant Claire Stewart joined University of librarian for access and technical ser- Petersham (Mass.) Memorial Library Nebraska–Lincoln as dean of university vices at Indiana University East in Rich- named Amber Johns director in August. libraries August 1. mond in July.

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

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Margaret “Peggy” Barber, 75, American Library Associa- May 29. Bentley was a member of Black Women in Higher tion (ALA) associate executive director of communications Education and a chapter director of Phi Delta Kappa. 1970–2000, died August 25. In that role, she established Donald B. Cleveland, 83, professor emeritus at the Univer- ALA’s Public Information Office, Public Programs Office, and sity of North Texas School of Library and Information Science the ALA Graphics department, which includes the Celebrity in Denton, died April 17. He designed the school’s interdisci- READ poster series. Barber also worked to establish the plinary PhD program in information science. The Association national library symbol that now appears on street signs for Information Science and Technology recognized him with nationwide. She coauthored Getting Your Grant: A How-to- the Outstanding Information Science Teacher Award in 2004. Do-It Manual for Librarians with Linda D. Crowe and received Cleveland cowrote Introduction to Indexing and Abstracting ALA’s 1999 Joseph W. Lippincott Award for distinguished and Health Informatics for Medical Librarians and served as a service to the library profession. After leaving ALA, she was a consultant to many national and international organizations. principal consultant with Library Communication Strategies and served as copresident of Friends of Libraries USA (now Barbara J. Keller, 81, cataloging librarian at Indiana State United for Libraries). University in Terre Haute 1967–1997, died February 22.

Patricia Meyer Battin, 89, president of the Commission Judi Paradis, 60, coordinator of the Anne A. Russell Chil- on Preservation and Access (now the Council on Library dren’s Educational and Cultural Enrichment Fund at Robbins and Information Resources) 1987–1994, died April 22. She Library in Arlington, Massachusetts, for 10 years in the 1990s became the first woman appointed director of an Ivy League and early 2000s, died April 28. She had also been a librarian university library when she was named vice president for at Arlington’s Peirce and Stratton Elementary Schools. information services at Columbia University in 1978. She C. Patricia Riesenman, 86, a leader in the Reference and was a leader in convincing publishers to use alkaline-based User Services Association’s Machine-Assisted Reference paper to combat paper deterioration, and she secured fund- Section (MARS, now the Emerging Technologies Section), ing from the National Endowment for the Humanities for a died June 7. She chaired MARS’s Education and Training of 20-year project to microfilm 3 million endangered volumes. Search Analysts Committee and the Planning Committee and The Association of College and Research Libraries recognized was active on other committees. At Indiana University her as 1990 Academic/Research Librarian of the Year, and Libraries, she worked to establish the Computer-Aided President Bill Clinton awarded her the National Humanities Reference Service in the late 1970s and helped to found Medal in 1999. and develop the Indiana Online Users Group in 1982. She Carol Ligon Bentley, 92, a professor of library sciences at received the MARS Achievement Award in 1997 and the Chicago State University until her retirement in 1999, died 2006 William Evans Jenkins Librarian Award. •

Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Public Library Patrick Harrington joined the Informa- promoted Tracy Strobel to executive AT ALA tion Technology department as training director August 2. specialist July 23. October 10 Kristen Figliulo, Association for Library Service to Children program Alee Navarro, content and technology RETIREMENTS officer for continuing education, left ALA. coordinator for Conference Services, Bucyrus (Ohio) Public Library Director Rebecca Gerber, electronic resources left ALA August 1. Brenda Crider retired September 20. librarian, left ALA September 5.

Sari Feldman retired as executive direc- Jody Gray, director of the Office for American Libraries promoted Carrie tor of Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Public Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Ser- Smith to editorial and advertising asso- Library August 2. vices, left ALA September 6. ciate August 21.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | November/December 2019 63 the BOOKEND Gaming the (Library) System efore Jenn Bartlett, head of reference and adult services at Man- Bchester (Conn.) Public Library (MPL), traveled to Gen Con—the largest tabletop-gaming convention in North America—in 2014, her coworkers joked, “Oh, you’re just going to play Monopoly all day!” Instead, that trip effectively kick- started the library’s board game collection. Bartlett came home with three free games; today MPL’s cache, mostly comprising publisher and public head donations, is at 275 and counting. It’s the largest library board game collec- irst paragraph. tion in the state, she says. Second paragraph. Bartlett, current president of the F American Library Association’s Games THE BOOKEND showcases librarians, their work, and their work spaces. and Gaming Round Table, was intro- For consideration, email [email protected]. duced to modern board gaming in 2010, when she and her husband were given a copy of Battle Cry. Since then, her personal collection has grown to more than 350 board games. Her all-time favorite? War of the Ring, a dice-rolling strategy game based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings series. “What’s wonderful about it,” she says, “is that it’s based on books!” Bartlett, who is @boardgame.librarian on Instagram, contributes reviews to BoardGameGeek, showcases products to an average of 16,000 viewers on the Dice Tower YouTube channel, and, natu- rally, hosts a board game group at MPL. “Board games put us together at a table with people we care about. We’re having fun, and we’re learning,” Bartlett says. “People will go to their local game store, and they’re not always the most welcoming or inclusive places. That’s why libraries are wonderful—we are those things.”

THE BOOKEND showcases librarians, their work, and their work spaces. For consider-

ation, email [email protected]. Photography Fiereck J. Photo:

64 November/December 2019

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