Public Libraries

On June 18, the White House hosted its very first Maker Faire, where the Institute of Museum and Library Services and LEGO Systems announced STEM and STEAM initiatives for libraries across the country.

Closing school libraries and cutting certified librarian positions does not make sense, says YA author and advocate Sarah Darer Littman, who has backed this assertion with research she cites in an open letter to policy makers.

YA authors are tackling “the s-word” head-on. As professionals serving young people, librarians can talk to teens about why slut-shaming can’t be tolerated—and provide supportive programming.

A unique partnership between Jacksonville (FL) Public Library and the University of North Florida continues to bring tutoring services to children who might otherwise experience the "summer slide."

Mayhem, schmayhem. If your library's children's room is chaotic, it’s proof that the little ones are learning.

How important is summer reading to parents? According to a study conducted by Reading Is Fundamental and Macy's, only 17 percent of parents responded that reading should be a "top priority" for their kids during summer months.

On July 11, a big E-Rate vote for Wi-Fi funding for schools and libraries is coming up. The latest FCC proposal states that libraries' Wi-Fi funding be determined by a space's square footage—$1 per square foot. With $2 billion at stake, librarians across the country are objecting to this funding formula with claims that it doesn't serve high-need urban libraries where square footage does not represent the number of visitors.

Summer is a tough time for many kids—when they don’t get enough to eat. Summer meal programs are critical and public libraries are uniquely suited to host them. While outside of traditional library services, providing food to hungry citizens is "another way we can serve the community," says Susan Maldonado, teen services librarian at Oakland Public Library.

On June 26 at ALA, Age of Learning launched ABCmouse.com for Libraries, a fully featured, free-for-libraries version of ABCmouse.com Early Learning Academy, its award-winning online curriculum used by millions of children as part of their series of Education for Access Initiatives.