Annual 2019 Conference wrap-up - American Libraries Magazine
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July/August 2019
THE MAGAZINE OF THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
NEWSMAKER
George Takei
p. 10
International
Innovators
p. 28
PLUS: Exhibit Hall
Highlights and Battling
Misinformation
2019
Annual
Conference
wrap-up p. 12
September is
LIBRARY CARD
SIGN - UP MONTH!
A library card is your ticket to adventure! Encourage everyone in your community to get
one with the help of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Bo Peep, and Forky from Toy Story 4.
Toy Story Poster Toy Story Mini Poster Set
Place your order
by August 19 to
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standard shipping.
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Bookmark Bookmark Bookmark Bookmark Toy Story Woody Stickers
SHOP THE DOWNLOAD FREE
ALA STORE RESOURCES
alastore.ala.org bit.ly/lcsum-toolkit-intro
July/August 2019
American Libraries | Volume 50 #7/8 | ISSN 0002-9769
COVER STORY
12 2019 Annual
Wrap-Up
Library professionals
explore tough topics and
exciting opportunities
BY Greg Landgraf
UP FRONT TRENDS
FEATURES
NEWSMAKER
22 On Display in the Exhibit Hall 2 From the
10 George Takei
A roundup of content, tech, and services Editor Actor and activist
D.C. Dispatches
BY Marshall Breeding shares lessons from a
BY Sanhita SinhaRoy
childhood spent in WWII
28 International 5 From Our Readers internment camps
BY Phil Morehart
Innovators
ALA
ALA Presidential Citations 11 Noted and Quoted
honor forward-thinking 3 From the President
global libraries Find Your Place PEOPLE
within ALA
36 Announcements
32 Battling Information BY Wanda Kay Brown
Illiteracy 4 From the Trustees
THE BOOKEND
How misinformation ALA Endowment Update 38 Exhibiting Energy
affects the future BY Rod Hersberger
of policy
BY Paul T. Jaeger and 6 Update
Natalie Greene Taylor
What’s happening at ALA
28
ON THE COVER: George Takei. Photo by Cognotes
READsquared 35 | San José State University 9 | American Library Association Editions Cover 4 | Graphics Cover 2 | JobLIST 21 | Resource Description and Access Cover 3
THE MAGAZINE OF THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
D.C. Dispatches Address: 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611-2795
Website:americanlibrariesmagazine.org
Email: americanlibraries@ala.org
Phone: 800-545-2433 plus extension
I
Career Ads: JobLIST.ala.org
f you weren’t one of the more than 21,400 attendees
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
who descended on Washington, D.C., for the American Sanhita SinhaRoy The Great
What’s ssinharoy@ala.org | x4219 Successor
Library Association’s Annual Conference and Exhibi- your summer
tion last month, don’t worry—we have you covered. read? MANAGING EDITOR
Terra Dankowski The Power
With the help of four member writers, our team pub- tdankowski@ala.org | x5282 Broker
lished more than 60 stories and posted a flurry of tweets SENIOR EDITORS
Amy Carlton
from conference. You can read all our coverage at bit.ly/ Revenge of acarlton@ala.org | x5105 The Great
the She-Punks Halifax
alaac19, or flip to page 12 for a recap. George M. Eberhart
geberhart@ala.org | x4212 Explosion
For exhibit hall highlights, check out library consul-
Phil Morehart
tant Marshall Breeding’s annual feature on page 22. He Heavy pmorehart@ala.org | x4218
Sanhita SinhaRoy
describes the floor as “brimming with every imaginable ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Sallyann Price Evvie Drake
product and service of interest to librarians.” sprice@ala.org | x4213 Starts Over
New this conference was our Daily Scoop e-newsletter, EDITOR-AT-LARGE
aimed at bringing speaker, program, and event report- Anne Ford
ing directly to your inbox. We hope you enjoyed it and, The Unstoppable aford@ala.org
Wasp comics EDITORIAL INTERN
as always, welcome your feedback. Diana Panuncial
Before his Auditorium Speaker Series talk, former dpanuncial@ala.org | x2157
Star Trek actor George Takei spoke with us about his EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING ASSISTANT
Carrie Smith
childhood internment during World War II. As he says Go Ahead casmith@ala.org | x4216 Fleishman
in his interview on page 10, the more he tried to learn in the Rain ART DIRECTOR Is in Trouble
Rebecca Lomax
about his experience from history books, the more he rlomax@ala.org | x4217
The Code
realized these books “were silent.” As a result, he said, ADVERTISING
the goal of his new graphic memoir is to help make his- Michael Stack mstack@ala.org | 847-367-7120
Read our tory accessible to a new generation of young people.
Acceptance of advertising does not constitute endorsement.
ALA reserves the right to refuse advertising.
extensive Four international libraries are being honored for Gun Island PUBLISHING DEPARTMENT
fostering positive change in the annual Presidential Mary Mackay, Associate Executive Director
Annual Citation for Innovative International Library Projects,
Mary Jo Bolduc, Rights, Permissions, Reprints | x5416
The Red MEMBERSHIP
Conference page 28. This year’s citations include initiatives that
Tent Melissa Kay Walling, Director
promote sustainable thinking, digital privacy, patron ADVISORY COMMITTEE
coverage— engagement via gaming, and portable access to materi- Susan H. Polos (Chair), Helen Ruth Adams, Salvador Avila,
Crystal Chen, Sonja Eyler, Janie L. Hermann, Jasmina Jusic,
whether in als and services. In the latter example, Libraries Without Sigrid Kelsey. Committee associate: Rachel Beth Wykle
Borders is being recognized for Ideas Boxes—movable Editorial policy: ALA Policy Manual, section A.8.2
this digital libraries housed in metal containers, some of which can INDEXED
Available full text from ProQuest, EBSCO Publishing, H. W. Wilson,
issue, online, be found in refugee camps. LexisNexis, Information Access, JSTOR.
Last but certainly not least, American Libraries is SUBSCRIBE
on social celebrating its own award recognition. Please join me Libraries and other institutions: $74/year, 6 issues, US, Canada, and
Mexico; foreign: $84. Subscription price for individuals included in
in congratulating our art director, Becky Lomax, who
media, or ALA membership dues. 800-545-2433 x5108, email membership@
ala.org, or visit ala.org. Claim missing issues: ALA Member and
recently won an award for best design by a specialty/ Customer Service. Allow six weeks. Single issues $7.50, with 30%
in the new trade publication from the Chicago chapter of the Society discount for five or more; contact Carrie Smith, 800-545-2433 x4216
or casmith@ala.org
of Professional Journalists. Becky’s outstanding design
Daily Scoop PUBLISHED
work consistently brings our content to life. Our team American Libraries (ISSN 0002-9769) is published 6 times yearly
e-newsletter. couldn’t be more proud. with occasional supplements by the American Library Association
(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.
2 July/August 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org
from the
PRESIDENT
Find Your Place within ALA
Together let’s promote the value of libraries and the Association
L
ibraries are essential for the health of Second, I believe strongly in the opportuni-
our democracy, our communities, and ties and obligations inherent in being a member
our future. But too often we hear from of ALA. I would not be where I am today with-
elected officials and regular citizens out the guidance and mentorship of the Black
alike that libraries are relics that are no longer Caucus of the ALA, as well as countless others
necessary in our modern culture. who have taken time to encourage me along the
The American Library Association’s (ALA) way. That isn’t everyone’s experience, though,
strength in representing and advocating for and I recognize that an association like ours can
librarians and library workers is likewise critical. be overwhelming to new members and intimi-
However, the feedback we frequently receive is dating to others.
Wanda Kay Brown
that getting involved in an association as com- That’s why I’ve launched Finding Your ALA.
plex as ours is daunting and that our Byzantine This initiative is about including all voices at
structure often leads to exclusion and confusion. the table—a role I take seriously as I stand on
Over the course of my presidential year, I will the shoulders of previous ALA leaders, who,
work to promote both the value of libraries and like me, have been people of color. My goal
ALA, broadly speaking, through a lens of social is to connect students and new library staff
justice and inclusion. with ALA and help them find a place within
First, I will embark on a project to under- the Association that furthers their careers and
stand the library’s role in addressing social and their ambitions.
economic inequity. This is of particular interest In order to be represented, we must have
to me for two reasons. Forsyth County, North a seat at the table. My hope is to create a
Over the Carolina—where Winston-Salem State Univer- welcoming association that grows with the
sity is located and where I serve as director of strengths and interests of its members. At the
course of my library services—is one of the least economi- same time, the staffers who support the work
presidential cally mobile communities in the country. If you of member leaders like me are experiencing a
are born in poverty in Forsyth County, your series of changes—including a new executive
year, I will chances of climbing the ladder of prosperity are director and the possibility of a move from ALA
work to dismally low. headquarters on Huron Street in Chicago. To
I also know that economic advancement is ensure they feel prepared to meet the needs of
promote both possible. I saw it in my own family. When I was an evolving Association, I’m also using part of
the value of a little girl, I was adopted by a man who could my presidential program to establish adequate
neither read nor write. He worked hard to gain change management training.
libraries and those skills and better himself and his family’s We have a busy year ahead and an ambitious
ALA, broadly life. His efforts inspired me throughout my life, agenda, but I am confident we can tackle big
including my career in librarianship. issues and effect real change. Thank you for
speaking, I will convene selected ALA and external trusting me to lead the Association during a
groups to discuss collaborative approaches and challenging—and exciting—time for libraries,
through a
strategies to disrupt the school-to-prison pipe- librarians, and library workers.
lens of social line that disproportionately affects young men
of color. I will create tools for use by libraries
justice and WANDA KAY BROWN is director of library services
to help ensure that they serve as safe spaces for at C. G. O’Kelly Library at Winston-Salem (N.C.)
inclusion. these vulnerable populations. State University.
americanlibrariesmagazine.org | July/August 2019 3
from the
TRUSTEES
ALA Endowment Update
Ensuring the Association’s financial outlook stays healthy for years to come
I
have been a senior trustee of the ALA Endow- improve effectiveness. The trustees drafted a
ment Fund for the past six years. Although new investment policy statement, which the ALA
my term came to an end following the 2019 Executive Board reviewed and accepted at the
Annual Conference, I want to share four recent Annual Conference. As we wrap up this
important achievements of the endowment over process, we will soon make available a new com-
these past several years. prehensive policy and procedure manual on the
The first is the endowment’s investment in endowment’s webpage that will contain several
private equity. While it is illiquid, private equity important documents on investments.
generally outperforms most other investment cat- The final area worth highlighting is our
egories. We did not venture into this area lightly. shift toward making all trustees’ activities and
Rod Hersberger
The trustees conducted an extraordinary level documents more transparent and available to
of discussion, review, and due diligence before members on ALA’s website. The content includes
we made our first investment. In July 2015, we agendas and minutes, as well as the forthcoming
invested $2 million in Blackstone Total Alternative policy and procedure manual.
Solutions (BTAS). And in early 2016, we autho- Over the past five years, the endowment
rized a $775,000 investment in Kohlberg Kravis spending policy has allowed trustees to make
Roberts, another well-known private equity fund. approximately $9.1 million available to ALA
As the BTAS investment has begun to deliver units for scholarships, awards, and general
positive returns—10.7% to date—during this operations—an average of $1.8 million per
bull market, adding money back into the endow- year. In that time, the portfolio has grown from
ment, the seven trustees voted in September 2018 $38.7 million to $47.3 million, as of April. This
to reinvest an additional $2 million into BTAS, is nearly all the result of market performance
largely with revenue generated from these returns. related to asset allocation decisions with minimal
In February, the endowment trustees agreed contributions. While the market has worked in
Over the past to make a $1 million investment in PG LIFE from our favor these past few years, trustees recog-
Partners Group, a private markets investment nize the need to help buffer the endowment
five years, the manager. PG LIFE focuses on environmental, from potential volatility. As such, they will begin
endowment social, and governance (ESG) factors in its working with the ALA Development Office to
portfolio, and this investment brings the endow- discuss and review a more comprehensive and
has made ment’s total commitment to private equity to diversified plan.
roughly $5.78 million. I am proud of our achievements; they point to
The second major achievement is the endow- an increasing maturity and investment sophisti-
$9.1 million ment trustees’ aggressive search for and invest- cation of the endowment trustees as we carry out
available to ment in these ESG funds—formerly known our fiduciary responsibilities. As I close out my
as socially responsible investment funds. As a role as the senior trustee, I would like to welcome
ALA units for result, 34.1% of the endowment portfolio has Patricia Wand, an endowment trustee since
such socially minded investments compared with July 2015, to the role of incoming senior trustee.
scholarships,
1.3% just five years ago. Her term will run through June 2021.
awards, The third accomplishment is our strategic
review process, which began last November,
and general ROD HERSBERGER was senior trustee of the ALA
to evaluate all our business, communication, Endowment Fund. His term ended at the close of the
operations. training, education, and other practices to 2019 Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.
4 July/August 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org
from our
READERS
I’ve said it
Dual Roles, Double Duty
A feature on recent research
before but I need
(“Notable Dissertations,” June, to say it again: If
p. 54) led me to examine one you ever have the
of the papers more closely: “A chance to hear
Journey to Improve Collaboration
Efforts Between Stakeholders and @JasonReynolds83
Teacher-Librarians,” by Jeanna speak, drop
Wersebe at University of Cali- EVERYTHING and
fornia, San Diego, which assigns
go listen. He is a
responsibility for leadership and by the user, but I don’t believe internships, such as limiting them
collaboration to school librarians. this is the case. In fact, by to well-funded libraries. brilliant storyteller.
It is asking too much of placing these devices in your Chris Shaffer Guaranteed
librarians to have them be library you are bound to create San Francisco
laughter, probable
teachers, too, beyond instruction permanent records of your
on library resources. Librarians library visitors, including what Supporting Citizen tears, and your cup
are busy people, not super they asked about. Science will be filled. What
heroes. With the additional duties As the world has learned, this Regarding your “Citizen Science” a way to start
promoted in our profession and data has many long-term impli- dispatch from ALA’s Annual Con-
#ALAAC19
the rise of the catch-all “media cations that are hard to predict. ference (The Scoop, June 24):
@JENNIFERSHARPTN, in
specialist” title, librarians must If recent history is any guide, this Arizona State University (ASU)
regard to Jason Reynolds,
be exhausted. data will be abused, stolen, and and SciStarter deserve credit for
opening speaker at the
The role of the school librarian stored by many parties. For us, the heavy lifting when it comes
American Library Asso-
is to select, catalog, and pre- this means a very cautious and to citizen science, especially with ciation’s 2019 Annual
serve books and periodicals; limited exploration of these devic- respect to libraries. I recommend Conference, June 21
manage check-in and checkout; es, including a decision never to googling the ASU LibGuide on
and engage in professional place them in open public areas. citizen science and the newly
development. Teachers and M Ryan Hess published Librarian’s Guide to
knowledgeable volunteers can Palo Alto, California Citizen Science.
help with certain tasks, as well. George Strawley
All of these people can work Internal Inquiry Salt Lake City
as a team but have distinct In the library at the University
responsibilities. of California, San Francisco, we Saluting Sotomayor
Mary Hollowell have a policy that all internships I was sure US Supreme Court
Peachtree City, Georgia are paid at least minimum wage, Justice Sonia Sotomayor would
unless otherwise prohibited by be an inspirational speaker [at
Record Collection the intern’s sponsor organization. Annual]. I was not expecting her
We are experimenting with We also try to adapt hours to the to be so warm, open, and opti-
Amazon Echo Show but are run- intern’s schedule. Before reading mistic. Thank you, ALA, for invit-
ning into many privacy concerns. Meredith Farkas’s column ing her and making it possible to
“Your Library Needs to Speak (“Barriers to Diversity,” May, hear her speak!
to You” (June, p. 34) suggests p. 48), I hadn’t considered the Jenny Bloom
that user data can be removed potential side effects of paid Bainbridge Island, Washington
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 americanlibraries@ala.org
facebook.com/amlibraries
or American Libraries, From Our Readers, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611-2795.
americanlibrariesmagazine.org | July/August 2019 5
ALA, US Library Associations
Join in Statement on EDI
T
he American Library Association (ALA), along with emphasizes the importance of collaboration among asso-
seven other professional organizations, released a ciations. “Regardless of the type of library, constituency, or
joint statement on June 17 promising to uphold the region, we stand together to support the efforts of libraries to
standards of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). The other provide equitable access for all through inclusive collections,
groups include the American Association of Law Libraries, resources, services, and programs,” the statement concludes.
Association for Library and Information Science Education, Then–ALA President Loida Garcia-Febo said in a concur-
Chief Officers of State Library Agencies, Coalition for Net- rent statement: “I am thrilled that US library associations
worked Information, Medical Library Association, Society of have answered my call to affirm our commitment to EDI. As a
American Archivists, and Special Libraries Association. profession, we have come a long way in creating opportunities
The statement reads: “Equity, diversity, and inclusion to share EDI best practices and resources, but we have a long
are core values of our associations. We believe that as a road ahead of us. This is a significant step in our quest to create
profession we must continue to support efforts in building the associations we want as part of the society we deserve.”
a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive society.” It goes ALA adopted EDI as its fourth strategic direction in 2017.
on to highlight the efforts these organizations make to ALA encourages other associations to sign the statement
advance EDI through best practices, tools, and resources and by contacting Raymond Garcia at rgarcia@ala.org. •
AASL Offers Free District districts, or larger districts that will the 2020 ALA Annual Conference and
Kits for Standards Training incorporate outlying solo librarians or Exhibition in Chicago.
The American Association of School smaller districts. Applicants must be Nominations must be submit-
Librarians (AASL), with the support of current, personal members of AASL. ted by September 3. Additional
Bound to Stay Bound Books, is distrib- For more information and to apply, information about ALA honorary
uting 100 AASL District Kits for the visit bit.ly/AASLStandardsKitRequest. membership is available at bit.ly/
National School Library Standards to Applications will be reviewed and kits ALAHonoraryMembership.
support nationwide implementation of distributed on a rolling basis.
the division’s National School Library Apply to Host Americans and
Standards for Learners, School Librarians, Honorary Member the Holocaust Traveling Exhibit
and School Libraries (ALA Editions, Nominations Open The United States Holocaust Memorial
2018). Fifty kits will be distributed in Nominations are being accepted for ALA Museum (USHMM) and the ALA Public
2019, and an additional 50 will be dis- honorary membership, the Association’s Programs Office invite libraries to apply
tributed in 2020. highest honor, which is bestowed on to host Americans and the Holocaust, a
Kits include materials to support the living individuals whose contributions to traveling exhibition that examines the
facilitation of seven hours of profes- librarianship or a closely related field are motives, pressures, and fears that shaped
sional development: a facilitator hand- of significant and lasting importance to Americans’ responses to Nazism, war,
book, all necessary handouts, a National the field of library service. and genocide in Europe during the 1930s
School Library Standards card game, Nominations will be reviewed during and 1940s.
and a $50 grant for refreshments and the ALA Executive Board’s fall meeting The exhibition will travel to 50 US
supplemental materials. and presented to Council during the public and academic libraries from 2020
Priority will be given to districts that 2020 ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits through 2022.
provide professional development to a in Philadelphia. Newly elected honorary Selected libraries will be loaned the
group of solo school librarians, school members will be formally recognized 1,100-square-foot exhibition for five
librarians from combined small school at the Opening General Session during to six weeks. They will also receive a
6 July/August 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org
AUG. 24–30
IFLA World Library and
ALA Releases Libraries’ Information Congress
Athens, Greece
Guide to the 2020 Census 2019.ifla.org
SEPT.
O
n May 15, ALA released Libraries’ Guide to the 2020 Census, a new Library Card Sign-Up Month
resource to prepare libraries for the decennial count of every person living ala.org/librarycardsignup
in the United States. SEPT. 22–28
“Next year, when people begin to receive mail asking them to complete the Banned Books Week
census, we know that many of them will have questions about it. ALA’s new guide ala.org/bbooks
will make sure library workers have answers,” said then–ALA President Loida SEPT. 25
Garcia-Febo in a statement. “Working to ensure a fair, accu- Banned Websites
rate, and inclusive census aligns with our professional values Awareness Day
and the needs of the diverse communities we serve.” ala.org/aasl/advocacy/bwad
The US Census determines congressional representation; OCT. 20–26
district boundaries for federal, state, and local offices; and allo- National Friends of
cation of more than $800 billion annually in federal funding to Libraries Week
states and localities, such as grants under the Library Services bit.ly/alafolweek
and Technology Act. Libraries across the country provide access to US Census OCT. 21–27
Bureau statistical data and help businesses, government agencies, community Open Access Week
organizations, and researchers find and use that information. openaccessweek.org
On June 27, ALA issued a statement about the Supreme Court’s ruling
NOV. 1–3
on whether the 2020 Census could include a citizenship question (bit.ly/
YALSA’s Young Adult Services
ALASCOTUSCensus); ALA opposes the addition.
Symposium | Memphis, Tennessee
To download the Libraries’ Guide to the 2020 Census, visit ala.org/census, ala.org/yalsa/yasymposium
where you will also find links to ALA policy statements about the census and
primary data sources. • NOV. 3–9
International Games Week
games.ala.org
NOV. 14–16
$2,000 allowance to support public “turning outward,” or using the com- AASL National Conference and
programs, expenses for a library staff munity as a reference point for library Exhibition | Louisville, Kentucky
national.aasl.org
member to attend an orientation work- choices and action. Librarians, com-
shop at USHMM in January in Wash- munity partners, and stakeholders in JAN. 24–28
ington, D.C., publicity materials, and libraries of all types can attend. ALA Midwinter Meeting &
programming support. Discussions, hands-on activities, Exhibits | Philadelphia
Applications will be accepted online and breakout groups will help libraries alamidwinter.org
through August 9. For project guidelines convey their value as centers of commu- FEB. 25–29
and to apply, visit bit.ly/USHMMexhibit. nity engagement and stewards of public Public Library Association
knowledge. Conference | Nashville, Tennessee
Public Innovators Register at bit.ly/ALA-PILfL by placonference.org
Lab for Libraries October 15. The cost of $995 per person APR.
ALA and the Harwood Institute for Public includes a toolkit and other resources. School Library Month
Innovation will host the 2019 Public Inno- ala.org/aasl/slm
vators Lab for Libraries October 15–17 Call For 2020 Symposium on JUNE 25–30
at the Loudermilk Conference Center in the Future of Libraries Proposals 2020 ALA Annual Conference
Atlanta. The Public Innovators Lab is a ALA’s Center for the Future of Libraries and Exhibition | Chicago
workshop that explores the practice of is accepting session proposals for the bit.ly/ALAUpcomingConfs
americanlibrariesmagazine.org | July/August 2019 7
UPDATE
ProgrammingLibrarian.org. The Cultural
Communities Fund is administered by
New ACRL Research Agenda the ALA Public Programs and Develop-
ment offices.
T
he Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) has released a To make a contribution to the Cultural
new research agenda, “Open and Equitable Scholarly Communications: Communities Fund, visit ala.org/CCF.
Creating a More Inclusive Future.” The agenda was prepared by Nancy
Maron and Rebecca Kennison with Paul Bracke, Nathan Hall, Isaac Gilman, Kara North Carolina School Receives
Malenfant, Charlotte Roh, and Yasmeen Shorish. Disaster Recovery Grant
It encourages the community to make the scholarly communications system Jones County (N.C.) Schools have
more open, inclusive, and equitable by outlining trends, encouraging practical been awarded $7,060 as part of AASL’s
actions, and identifying the most strategic research questions to pursue. The full Inspire Disaster Recovery Grant pro-
agenda is available for free online at bit.ly/ACRL2019ResearchAgenda and will be gram. Sponsored by AASL member and
available for purchase in print through the ALA Store (alastore.ala.org). retired middle school librarian Marina
The agenda focuses on three priority areas—people, content, and systems— “Marney” Welmers, the grant program
highlighting effective practices currently in use as well as research topics supports public middle or high school
that can help further work in the future. The agenda’s appendices include an libraries that suffered damage or hard-
essay on issues of social justice in scholarly ship because of a natural disaster, fire,
communications and an annotated list of or terrorism.
recommended readings. In September 2018, floodwaters from
ACRL is offering grants of up to Hurricane Florence destroyed one of
$5,000 for research related to topics Jones County’s two elementary schools
addressed in the new agenda. Propos- and its middle school. All 155 students
als must be received by September 30. from the middle school were transferred
More information is available at bit.ly/ to the high school.
ACRLScholCommGrant. • The grant will supplement the current
library collection to include a partial col-
lection of books suitable for the displaced
middle school population.
Symposium on the Future of Libraries (PPAO) has eliminated the Office of
at the 2020 ALA Midwinter Meeting & Library Advocacy as a standalone unit ALA Selects 2019 Google
Exhibits in Philadelphia. and shifted its responsibilities to PPAO. Policy Fellow
Over three days, the Symposium will A manager of state advocacy position Katelyn Ringrose will serve as ALA’s
explore the near-term trends inspiring has been created to perform state and 2019 Google Policy Fellow, spending 10
innovation in academic, public, school, local policy and advocacy activities and weeks with PPAO in Washington, D.C., to
and special libraries as well as the long- assist the Committee on Library Advo- explore diverse areas of the information
term trends that will help libraries adapt cacy with the support of PPAO. policy field.
to the needs of their communities. Ringrose, a graduate of University
The call for proposals at bit.ly/ALA- Cultural Communities Fund of Notre Dame Law School, recently
SFL20 will close August 15. Proposals Reaches Donor Milestone completed an externship at the Com-
are sought for information sessions, The ALA Cultural Communities Fund puter Crimes and Intellectual Property
workshops, and discussions. Submissions received donations from 130 individuals Division of the US Department of
should include a session title, format, between 2016 and 2019, surpassing its Justice, where she worked on issues
description, preferred session times, and goal of $50,000 in individual donations. related to cyberlaw. Previously, at the
participants’ contact information. Pro- The Cultural Communities Fund Washington State Attorney General’s
posals will be reviewed by the Center for supports humanities, civic, and STEM Office, she analyzed legal implications
the Future of Libraries Advisory Group. programming in libraries of all types. of the use of facial recognition technol-
With help from individual and corpo- ogies by law enforcement. In addition to
Public Policy and Advocacy rate donors, the fund has grown into her legal career, Ringrose is founder of
Office Reorganizes an endowment of $1.9 million that Impowerus, an online company con-
To provide more integrated services, the supports professional development, necting juvenile immigrants to pro bono
ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office grants and awards, and the website legal aid.
8 July/August 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.orgUPDATE
ALA Concerned by Publishers’ Changes
to Digital Lending Policies
A
LA expressed concern about changes announced on cultural heritage,” said then–ALA President Loida Garcia-
June 17 by Hachette Book Group (HBG) and on July 2 Febo in a June 17 statement.
by Simon & Schuster (S&S) to their ebook and digital “Libraries must have fair and equitable access to resources,
audiobook lending models for libraries. regardless of format, that is predictable and sustainable,” said
Effective July 1, HBG has replaced its perpetual ownership ALA President Wanda Kay Brown in a July 2 statement. “ALA
model for libraries with two-year access for ebooks and digital will amplify its role in championing the valuable and essential
audiobooks. HBG also announced it will role of libraries in the publishing ecosystem.”
decrease ebook and digital audiobook On June 25, at the ALA Annual Conference and Exhibi-
prices for libraries by as much as 25%; tion in Washington, D.C., ALA Council approved a resolution
however, the discount does not apply if to form a working group to address library concerns with
the library renews its access to titles. S&S publishers and content providers including digital licensing
will replace its perpetual access models for ebook and digital models, content embargoes, fair options for delivering digital
audiobook lending with two-year access effective August 1. content in libraries, and advocacy for congressional action on
“The elimination of perpetual ownership will reduce long- digital content pricing. The resolution also directed ALA to
term access to ebooks and digital audiobooks and increase develop an advocacy and public awareness campaign about
challenges to the long-term preservation of our nation’s the value of library book purchases to publishers. •
americanlibrariesmagazine.org | July/August 2019 9TRENDS
George Takei when I was a teenager, so I became
an omnivorous reader. I read all the
history books I could get my hands
Actor and activist shares lessons from a on. The books were silent on Japa-
childhood spent in WWII internment camps nese internment. I read civics books
hoping to find something there; I
didn’t find anything. But I learned
G
eorge Takei is best known for his role as Sulu in the 1960s cult-classic TV show Star about the noble ideas of our democ-
Trek, but the actor has found even more fame later in life thanks to his prolific social racy, and I was puzzled. So I had
media presence and activist work. In his new graphic novel, They Called Us Enemy long discussions with my father
(Top Shelf Productions), Takei details his childhood years spent in internment camps for after dinner, and I learned from
Japanese Americans during World War II. Takei spoke with American Libraries at the him. Sometimes it got heated and I
American Library Association’s 2019 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Washington, said things that I regret to this day,
D.C., about his book and the profound and lasting danger of not learning from history. but I learned from my father who
bore the burden, pain, and anguish
of American democracy. Later on,
BY Phil Why did you choose to tell your seekers along the southern border other books began to appear. The
Morehart story as a graphic novel? It’s been of the US. In the book, your father book that was encyclopedic on the
my mission in life to tell the story says that Americans don’t teach internments was Years of Infamy:
of my childhood imprisonment and the bad parts of their history, so The Untold Story of America’s Con-
to raise awareness of that chapter they’re forced to repeat them. Was centration Camps (1976) by Michi
of American history. There’s a new that another reason to write this Weglyn. But when I needed books
generation of young people, and we book—to point out parallels with the most, they were silent.
want to target them in the best way. the present? Indeed, it was. The
I thought that a graphic memoir book comments on the humani- In your book, you talk about Her-
would be an accessible way to tarian crisis at the border but also bert Nicholson, a missionary who
reach them, telling the story on the first executive order that would bring books to the camps.
from the eyes of 5-year-old this president signed—the Muslim Can you elaborate on his story?
me and exposing them to travel ban. With one sweeping Nicholson was a Quaker, and he
the larger reality that my statement, he [implied that] all strongly opposed the imprison-
parents were struggling Muslims should be banned from ment of innocent people on the
with [while interned]. entry in the US. That same mental- basis of their ancestry. He was an
ity branded Japanese Americans as activist, and he brought books from
The release of They Called potential spies, saboteurs, or fifth Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena to
Us Enemy is timely, consid- columnists. The resonance today the Manzanar internment camp in
ering the current is profound and loud. We repeat Owens Valley, California. It was a
detainment of this chapter of American history long drive, about two-and-a-half to
undocumented over and over again. Today, when three hours long. He did that every
immigrants I tell my contemporaries about my month, regularly, and apparently
and asylum childhood imprisonment, to people some people who opposed him
I consider well-read, well-informed learned about his trips and shot up
people, they’re shocked. They’ve his car. But he made it through and
never heard of it. delivered the books. The people
Photo: Rebecca Lomax/American Libraries
in Manzanar said, “Well that’s it.
When you were a teenager and He’s not going to deliver more
later in college, you wanted to books.” And yet, the next month,
learn more about your experi- on the appointed date, Nicholson
ence, but few books and little was there with a carload of books.
scholarly research were available. I learned that he did that with the
Have things gotten better in that Arizona camps too. That was his
regard? I became very curious resistance. He was an extraordi-
about my childhood imprisonment nary hero.
10 July/August 2019TRENDS
FROM THE 2019 ALA ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION
“Rappers were telling the
stories when books didn’t.
I didn’t read [Walter Dean
Myers]’s books until I got
to college. Gatekeepers,
learn from the mistakes
of my gatekeepers.”
ANGIE THOMAS, author of The Hate U Give,
during a live taping of the Dewey Decibel
podcast celebrating 50 years of the Coretta
Scott King Book Awards June 22.
“The library is a place where “TO GET IT RIGHT, WE MUST
immigrants can fill out paperwork, WRITE AND READ ALL OF
job applications, résumés—believe OUR DIVERSE STORIES.”
CLAIRE HARTFIELD, author of A Few Red Drops: The Chicago
me, I know because I did it.” Race Riot of 1919, during her acceptance speech at the
MARIANA ATENCIO, award-winning journalist and author, Coretta Scott King Book Awards Breakfast June 23.
during her Auditorium Speaker Series session June 24.
“Science fiction needs diversity
“I love librarians because I am because it is a global think tank.
living proof of how you can affect Technologies influenced by science
people for the better.” fiction will be limited without diversity.
SONIA SOTOMAYOR, US Supreme Court justice and author, If many different types of people aren’t
during her Auditorium Speaker Series session June 22.
participating in that think tank, we
won’t have a diversity of technology.”
“She chose library science, and I NNEDI OKORAFOR, author of Broken Places and Outer Spaces,
Photo: Rebecca Lomax/American Libraries
understood why as we were kids growing during her Auditorium Speaker Series session June 23.
up. We got the opportunity to see her
in action—stacks of books, her hands “I FEEL LIKE I’M AT A
on them. You couldn’t believe we
STAR TREK CONVENTION.”
were that close to all of that magic.”
GEORGE TAKEI, actor, activist, and author, on the reception from
HODA KOTB, journalist and cohost of NBC’s Today, on the crowd at his Auditorium Speaker Series session June 24.
her mother Sameha Kotb, who worked for 32 years at
the Library of Congress.
americanlibrariesmagazine.org | July/August 2019 112019
Annual
wrap-up | Library professionals explore tough
topics and exciting opportunities
BY Greg Landgraf
Libraries = Strong
Communities rally in
the exhibit hall
12 July/August 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.orgT
here was no shortage of laughter or conviviality
among the more than 21,400 library workers and
exhibitors who gathered for the American Library
Association’s (ALA) Annual Conference and Exhibi-
tion, held June 20–25 in Washington, D.C. But the subject matter
commanded a sober tone, as speakers and panelists touched on some
of the most complex and urgent issues facing the country in 2019.
One News You Can that you are reinforcing
Use session, “Con- systems of repression that
fronting White Nationalism only a small minority of your
in Libraries,” was inspired patrons might support.”
by a toolkit published by The “Food for Thought”
the Western States Center, session addressed the
an advocacy organization Jarrett Dapier
scourges of hunger and
focused on strengthening food insecurity, presenting
inclusive democracy, to help examples of libraries stepping
schools address the rise in to connect patrons to
in racist extremism. Panel food and resources. Amber
Photos: Cognotes and Rebecca Lomax/American Libraries
organizer Jarrett Dapier, Williams, managing librarian
young adult librarian at of strategic initiatives at
Skokie (Ill.) Public Library, Spokane County (Wash.)
applied its recommendations Erica Freudenberger Library District, paraphrased
to libraries facing similar a preschool parent she’d met:
instances: anticipate potential forms of white “My kid’s homework isn’t on my radar when I’m
nationalist activity, prepare for a proper legal worried about having enough food for dinner.”
response, and represent diverse perspectives This exchange inspired the library’s afternoon
across programs, collections, posters, and per- snack program for kids, which staff have linked
sonnel in the library. Otherwise, he says, “On an to an overall reduction in behavioral issues.
unconscious level, you are saying that whiteness “Scarcity is a myth we need to vanquish,”
is all that matters, and it gives the impression said Erica Freudenberger, outreach consultant
americanlibrariesmagazine.org | July/August 2019 13approaches by eight public libraries as she presented the
Rally Caps findings of a study by OCLC, the Public Library Association,
and the Institute of Museum and Library Services during a
Advocacy Campaign session. “Libraries are still overlooked when it comes to city-
wide responses,” she said.
T
hen–ALA President Loida Garcia-Febo hosted At Denver Public Library, for example, more than 500 com-
a rally at The Park @ ALA, a new indoor green munity members have volunteered to be trained to administer
space in the exhibit hall, to mark the last mile of the overdose-countering drug naloxone. “We know we’ve
the Libraries = Strong Communities national advocacy saved about 30 lives using naloxone over three years,” said
effort (see photo, p. 12). Attendees wore blue T-shirts City Librarian Michelle Jeske. Other libraries offer public
emblazoned with the Libraries = Strong Communities awareness campaigns and bystander training to help reduce
slogan as Garcia-Febo described traveling more the panic and stigma surrounding overdose events.
than 200,000 miles to visit academic, public, and Reed Strege, director of library services at the Braille
school libraries in seven countries. “It has been a long Institute of America, led “Best New Tech For Readers with
journey, but a rewarding one that I believe will have a Blindness, Visual Impairments, and Physical Disabilities.”
lasting impact on how libraries will connect with their The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
communities in the future,” she said. • Handicapped, for example, is developing interactive displays
that link to smartphones and computers and convert text to
Braille. The technology, to be circulated within three to five
years, counters some of the logistical challenges of producing
at Southern Adirondack Library System in Saratoga Springs, and maneuvering large Braille volumes. “This is a real poten-
New York, which partners with the nonprofit Comfort Food tial game-changer, because if a person learns to read Braille
Community in Greenwich to offer weekly deliveries of fresh and has some aptitude with these devices, what they’ll have
produce at several of its libraries. access to will increase exponentially,” Strege said.
Freudenberger also presented a session on the New At a panel hosted by the Association for Library Service
Americans Library Project, a yearlong exploration of library to Children called “The Urgency of History,” Coretta Scott
programs and services that support immigrant and refugee King Honor Book author Varian Johnson described historical
populations, driven by ALA’s Public Programs Office. These events and the need for voices and stories from those who are
programs often include English-language courses, financial affected by them, particularly voices that have been margin-
literacy workshops, and opportunities for social inclusion and alized. “We are taught that Brown v. Board of Education was
civic engagement—but a fraught political climate and dwin- a great decision in the civil rights movement, and it was,” he
dling resources pose significant challenges. “Moving forward said. “But what happened to those kids who were moved to an
we need to create services with, not integrated school?” He also dismissed
for, new Americans, remembering misguided notions of “balance” as an
that it’s a complex community with overrated ideal: “I’m not interested
varying needs,” she said. in telling a both-sides story about
Several sessions addressed the slavery,” he said.
plight of library patrons experiencing Where do music and literature
homelessness. Jerome Thomas, peer overlap? Randallstown (Md.) High
outreach specialist at D.C. Public School Librarian Joquetta Johnson
Library, recommended the use of peer addressed this question as she pre-
navigators to help these patrons meet sented her research project, “Lyrics as
Reed Strege
life’s challenges and obtain impor Literature: Using Hip-Hop to Amplify
tant documents like birth certificates Student Voice and Social Justice.”
and identification cards. “Customers She argued that lyrics, including
want someone to listen and space for hip-hop and rap, should be viewed
them to explain what they are going and taught as literature and windows
through,” he said. into history. She pointed to Kanye
Libraries are also employing the West’s “Blood on the Leaves,” a song
peer navigator approach to support inspired by Billie Holiday’s “Strange
patrons affected by opioid addiction. Fruit,” which was drawn from a
Sharon Streams, director of OCLC’s poem by Lewis Allan protesting the
Joquetta Johnson
WebJunction, touched on various lynching of African Americans. When
14 July/August 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.orgSukrit Goswami
Michelle Hamiel Loriene Roy
she gave the audience a series of verses, most couldn’t identify year drew national media attention, hundreds of complaints,
whether they were written by modern hip-hop artists or Wil- and crowds of protesters and counterprotesters. Goswami
liam Shakespeare. spoke with OIF for advice, worked closely with police and fire
Anthony Chow, associate professor at the University of marshals to ensure safety, and treated everyone with equal
North Carolina at Greensboro’s LIS department, and former respect and attention, making a point to provide water to
ALA President Loriene Roy (2007–2008), professor at the protesters and counterprotesters alike.
University of Texas at Austin School of Information, pre- “Everyone needs to be seen and represented in the library,
sented findings from their study of literacy on the Blackfeet and we can’t let one group who disagrees with another
Reservation, home to members of the Blackfeet Nation in group prevent you from performing your duties as librarians
northwest Montana. “The magic number for one’s home in general,” said Peter Coyl, director of Montclair (N.J.)
library is 80 books or more,” Chow said, explaining that Public Library and a member of ALA’s Intellectual Freedom
that’s the number at which literacy levels significantly Committee.
improve. Approximately three in four surveyed Blackfeet Reference and User Services Association President Ann
Nation members reported having fewer than 80 books in Brown, instruction and outreach librarian at George Wash-
their home libraries. ington University in Washington, D.C., hosted a discussion
Banned Books Week has grown into one of ALA’s most on how library service decisions affect marginalized com-
successful public-awareness campaigns, but the issue of munities. Libraries uphold privilege by planning programs,
censorship in libraries encompasses more than just the books services, and resources around assumptions about their users,
on their shelves. ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) said Nicole A. Cooke, program director for the University
Assistant Director Kristin Pekoll led a panel called “Censor- of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign MLIS program. Building
ship Beyond Books,” named for her new book on the subject, relationships with community members can help break down
citing 531 instances of nonbook resources that came under biases and lead to more inclusive services.
fire last year, from videogames to drag queen story hours and It’s also important for library staff to reflect a community’s
Black Lives Matter displays. diversity, or potential users may feel that the library isn’t their
Another session focused specifically on considerations space, said Michelle Hamiel, chief operating officer for public
surrounding controversial speakers. Sukrit Goswami, director services at Prince George’s County (Md.) Memorial Library.
of Haverford Township Free Library in Havertown, Pennsyl- One often-overlooked element is how outreach to certain
vania, recounted his library’s experience hosting drag queen groups is often left to minority staff members. “Emotional
storytime. After an uneventful run last summer, the event this labor and fatigue come with being that person,” Cooke said.
americanlibrariesmagazine.org | July/August 2019 15Sonia Sotomayor
Jason Reynolds Hoda Kotb
my house,” she recalled. The books there also started her on
Spotlight on speakers the path toward studying law.
Today Show cohost Hoda Kotb—daughter of a longtime
Award-winning YA author Jason Reynolds kicked off the Library of Congress staffer—showered librarians with praise:
conference with a stirring address, challenging librarians to “I can’t tell you how much you matter and how much you
facilitate understanding and empathy in their communities. mean to your communities, to your states, and to this coun-
“Maybe what librarians really are is architects, and your try.” She also shared how her 2-year-old daughter regularly
libraries are warehouses where we build human libraries,” he pleads with her to read a story “just one more time,” which
said. “Imagine a generation of walking, talking libraries, with taught her that kids crave books, even with nonstop access to
reference desks here and here,” he added, gesturing to his the internet and other media.
head and heart. Artist Frank Miller and screenwriter Tom Wheeler pre-
The Auditorium Speaker Series drew big names from the viewed Cursed, a forthcoming YA graphic novel and Netflix
worlds of literature, media, academia, and even the highest series that retells the King Arthur myth with a young girl
court in the land. US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Soto- named Nimue at its center. Interviewed by Young Adult
mayor spoke with her editor Jill Santopolo about how writ- Library Services Association President-Elect Todd Krueger
ing kept her grounded after her appointment to the Supreme during an Auditorium Speaker Series talk, Miller shared that
Court. Her autobiography My Beloved World was the result of his favorite childhood stories were Superman and Disney’s
thinking deeply about her life as she moved from a relatively The Sword in the Stone. To help inspire and empower young
anonymous job in New York to her highly visible role as an girls the way King Arthur inspired them, the creators made a
associate justice. point to hire women as writers, directors, and designers on
When she was a child, Sotomayor recalled, New York Public the Netflix series.
Library’s Parkchester branch was a refuge after her father’s When she was young, science fiction author Nnedi
death. “If I went to the library, I could escape the sadness in Okorafor found inspiration in the natural world. “From as far
16 July/August 2019 | americanlibrariesmagazine.orgback as I can remember, I’ve loved bugs,” she said in then– the importance of representa-
More
ALA President Loida Garcia-Febo’s President’s Program. “It tion in art and literature. A huge
was something about how within a small patch of grass, there influence on her novel Children of
was a whole world happening.” That love of bugs was part
of the inspiration for LaGuardia, her graphic novel about a
Online Blood and Bone involved a work
of art she saw in Brazil depicting
Nigerian-American woman who goes through airport customs Be sure to read black gods and goddesses, show-
with a sentient alien plant. our full conference ing her she could be “the god of
Okorafor, who is working on an adaptation of writer coverage at The her own universe.”
Octavia Butler’s The Wild Seed, addressed the need for diverse Scoop blog and MSNBC reporter Mariana
voices in speculative fiction. “Science fiction needs diversity check out videos of Atencio danced into her presenta-
because it is a global think tank,” Okorafor said. “Technol- conference speakers tion to the beat of “America” from
ogies influenced by science fiction will be limited without on YouTube. West Side Story. The song—
diversity.” performed in the musical by
“I feel like I’m at a Star Trek convention,” joked actor and Puerto Rican characters debating
activist George Takei as he took the stage for his talk. His the benefits and drawbacks of life away from home—set the
tone shifted as he spoke about the four years he spent in tone for her talk, which echoed themes from her new book
internment camps for Japanese Americans as a child during Perfectly You, a memoir focused on authenticity in the face of
World War II, which he details in his new YA graphic novel adversity. “When you are a woman and an immigrant from a
They Called Us Enemy. Even though he and his family were US minority community, you don’t feel like you have a glass ceil-
citizens, he recalled, “Suddenly we were the enemy, because ing over you, you feel like an entire concrete building sits atop
we looked like people who bombed Pearl Harbor.” your head,” she said. “But sometimes, what you least expect
Takei drew parallels between Japanese-American intern- or desire is exactly what will prompt you to do something so
ment and the current conditions experienced by undocu- much bigger than yourself.”
mented immigrants along the US border and Muslims facing Journalist and entertainer Mo Rocca closed the conference
the Trump administration’s travel ban. “This is an American by sharing his fascination with obituaries, which he explores
story,” he said. “Our past is filled with chapters like mine. in his forthcoming book Mobituaries: Great Lives Worth Living
There’s a continuing cycle of injustice.” and podcast of the same name. “To see a life distilled like that,
During her session, author Tomi Adeyemi spoke with Rose you get the sweep and drama,” he remarked. Even the “for-
Brock, professor of children’s and young adult literature gotten” presidents between Abraham Lincoln and Theodore
and library science at Sam Houston State University, about Roosevelt have worthwhile stories, he said. Chester A. Arthur
Tomi Adeyemi
Nnedi Okorafor Frank Miller and Tom Wheeler
americanlibrariesmagazine.org | July/August 2019 17You can also read
