Blog

Solving the dysfunctional library: a conversation with Jo Henry, Joe Eshleman, and Richard Moniz

Posted by Admin Admin on 02/21/2018

Frankly, it's not something we like to talk about. There is an unfortunate stigma to acknowledging workplace dysfunction, let alone trying to grapple with the problem. But negative behaviors such as incivility, toxicity, deviant behavior, workplace politics, and team and leadership dysfunction not only make the library a stressful workplace, they also run counter to the core values of librarianship. So what's to be done?

Building literacy skills through creative writing: a conversation with AnnMarie Hurtado

Posted by Admin Admin on 02/21/2018

Decades of research show that children learn to read through writing. Creative writing in particular encourages children's'imaginations to take flight. In this way, a form of play can also build literacy skills. First-time author AnnMarie Hurtado explains this approach in her new book 36 Workshops to Get Kids Writing: From Aliens to Zebras.

Peggy Johnson speaks about her writing process and what's important for today's LIS grads

Posted by Admin Admin on 01/31/2018

The first edition of Peggy Johnson's text Fundamentals of Collection Development and Management was published in 2004. Needless to say a whole lot has changed in the last 14 years, and Johnson has kept updating and revising her book to keep current with the field. On the occasion of the publication of the new fourth edition, we spoke with her about her writing process, what's important for today's LIS grads, and what lies ahead.

Delivering a Data Strategy in the Cauldron of Business As Usual

Posted by Admin Admin on 01/31/2018

Guest blog by the co-authors of The Chief Data Officer's Playbook, Caroline Carruthers (Group Director of Data Management, Lowell Group) and Peter Jackson (Chief Data Officer, Southern Water).

Homelessness and libraries: an interview with Ryan J. Dowd

Posted by Admin Admin on 01/08/2018

It may surprise you to hear that staff at public libraries interact with almost as many homeless individuals as staff at shelters do. But as Ryan J.

Interview: McCook and Bossaller on their updated public librarianship text

Posted by Admin Admin on 12/21/2017

For the new third edition of Introduction to Public Librarianship, Kathleen de la Peña McCook decided to bring a new co-author on board, noted public library scholar and advocate Jenny S. Bossaller. In this interview they discuss their collaboration and how the field of public librarianship continues to change.

What's graphic design got to do with me? Diana K. Wakimoto explains

Posted by Admin Admin on 12/11/2017

Diana K. Wakimoto speaks directly to library staff in her new book, and so we wanted to speak directly to her about why graphic design is such a useful set of skills for any librarian regardless of job description.

First off, I can imagine someone saying, "I'm not on the marketing team, I don't do PR for the library–why do I need to know anything about graphic design?"

Interview: Marie R. Kennedy and Cheryl LaGuardia on effectively promoting electronic resources

Posted by Admin Admin on 11/30/2017

In this interview, Marie R. Kennedy and Cheryl LaGuardia discuss the new second edition of their ALA Neal-Schuman book Marketing Your Library's Electronic Resources: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians.

Top tips for a data reference interview

Posted by Admin Admin on 11/28/2017

Hilda K. Weisburg on the new AASL Standards

Posted by Admin Admin on 10/09/2017

Recipient of the 2016 American Association of School Librarians' (AASL) Distinguished Service Award, in this post Hilda K. Weisburg explores the six Common Beliefs of the new AASL Standards. Her latest ALA Neal-Schuman book is Leading for School Librarians: There Is No Other Option.