ALA – Information Wants To Be Free

Saying goodbye to American Libraries magazine

I’ve been pretty good about not making big life changes during the pandemic. We didn’t get a pandemic dog, even after finally getting our yard completely fenced-in last August. I’ve…

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Thoughts on work, well-being, solidarity, and advocacy in our current… situation

I have been wanting to blog for weeks. I have several blog posts I started that I just couldn't get through. My attention span reminds me of my son's at…

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“Devaluing” the MLS vs. respect for all library workers

I'm sure some of you remember the big push last year and early this year to require the MLS for the Executive Director of the American Library Association (ALA) --…

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Whose rights matter more?

My dad recently shared with me a book, written by a distant cousin who is a professor in Israel, about her grandmother's immigrant experience and her relatives. Her grandmother just…

ALA free the information! intellectual freedom librarianship libraries open access our digital future

Holding to our values during difficult times

I write a lot in my American Libraries column about library values, particularly those around access and privacy. My latest column (Jan/Feb 17), which should be out soon online just…

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Is the Framework Elitist? Is ACRL?

Many of you who read my blog already know that I came to librarianship from social work, where I was a child and family psychotherapist. As a therapist, one of…

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Reputation is everything: On problematic editing and sponsored content

First, full disclosure: I am a columnist for American Libraries. They pay me to write columns every other month in which I state my opinion on various things relating somewhat…

ALA free the information! intellectual freedom librarianship libraries management open access

The Next Librarian of Congress?

Late last week, I received an email from the culture editor at the New Republic about writing an article on the next Librarian of Congress. It was the first offer…

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Creating safe spaces vs. freedom of expression

I don't really think of myself as a victim. I feel exceptionally lucky when I think of the life I've had so far. I grew up in an upper middle…

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Immersion reflections

Wow, what can I say about Immersion? First of all, you have to be there to really understand what a profound experience it is. My in-laws were visiting when I…

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It’s unconference time!

Last year, Michelle Boule and I organized what ended up being a FANTASTIC first Unconference at ALA Annual. I was so impressed with the quality of the talks and discussions,…

ALA free the information! libraries open access our digital future tech trends

A lot of Davids make one heck of a Goliath

In response to my post a few days ago about EBSCO, Sarah Houghton-Jan just wrote an impassioned post about unethical vendor practices, suggesting that we let our vendors know when…

ALA free the information! librarianship

Back from Chicago!

Adam, Reed and I have been back from Chicago for a few days, but it's taken a while to recover, unpack, and get back into our routine. I'd been worried…

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Chicago here I come!

I still don't quite think it's hit me that I'll be leaving in a few days for ALA with my husband and baby. Not only is it Reed's first flight…

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Online conferences – the future is now

I've been lucky to have had some recent involvement with two online conference models -- one that recently happened and one that will be happening soon. I'm really pleased to…

ALA free the information! librarianship

ALA Annual Unconference

For the past year and a half, I've had the pleasure of serving on Jim Rettig's Presidential Advisory Committee. I honestly had no idea at the time what it would…

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Libraries in tough times – what about librarians?

Yesterday I received the ALDirect (from American Libraries) Special Issue on the Tough Economy in my Inbox. It contained great information about library advocacy during tough times. What I found…

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Want an awesome job?

There is a very small, select list of people who I really see as role models in this profession. One of them is Mary Chimato, Head of Access Services at…

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Anaheim-bound

Oh Thursday I'll be heading to ALA Annual. I wish I could muster up more excitement about going to Anaheim, but the location doesn't exactly thrill me (nor does the…