It’s a time when everything feels like it’s on literal and metaphorical fire, and libraries are caught in the middle. Staying informed is important, but staying informed right now feels like trying to drink out of a fire hose that is also trying to set you on fire. (I don’t know how that metaphor works, but that’s what it feels like.)
Despite the challenges, I’ve filtered out some of the biggest news for libraries, along with some censorship updates and a few less dire headlines to remind you of the things that aren’t horrible right now.
Library News
ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom has posted guidelines for libraries in regard to immigration enforcement.
How Trump’s illegal administrative coup threatens funding for everyone, including libraries. And even after the White House rescinded the freeze, the future of library and arts agencies remains unclear.
How to critically read a press release from the federal government.
Ted Cruz is trying to block the distribution of wi-fi hotspots to students, claiming it will “lead to unsupervised Internet usage, endanger kids, and possibly restrict kids’ exposure to conservative viewpoints.”
Google says it will change the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America” and Denali to “Mount McKinley” in the Maps app, following Trump’s recent late-night-tweet-disguised-as-an executive order.
To fight disinformation, treat it as organized crime.
On occupational burnout prevention and recovery.
The consequences of a lack of media literacy and where we go from here.
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Censorship Updates
Envisioning a student bill of rights in an era of censorship.
PEN America reported more than 4,000 unique picture book titles were banned over the course of the 2023/2024 school year.
(Paywalled): Montgomery County (TX) commissioners fire library director as public comment on book access continues.
PEN America calls on the St. Francis Area Schools Board of Education (MN) to rescind its policy naming BookLooks as staff’s primary resource for book purchases and challenges.
The Teton County Library (WY) voted unanimously to adopt a Book Sanctuary Resolution and sign a Declaration of Democracy in order to protect the freedom to read.
New Mexico’s proposal to protect library funding moves forward.
A look at the age-restricted books in Auckland’s libraries that require an ID to check out.
Palate Cleanser Updates
NYPL released a case study of how libraries positively impact well-being. Here are some of the key takeaways.
Digital checkouts in 2024 rose 17% at OverDrive.
After anti-immigration rioters set the Spellow Library in Liverpool on fire last year, the community rallied to rebuild.
How this librarian genrefied their school library, and what they learned along the way.
Hang in there, friends. One day at a time.
Source : Fighting Disinformation and Burnout
