Search

The article focuses on the new library design in the U.S., as of November 2021. Topics discussed examples of how the modern public library is much more than a place to borrow books, significance of the furnishings that libraries can play in enhancing the patron experience, and the adoption by many libraries of best practices from retail stores to highlight their collections.

The article discusses the work of public libraries to find employment and secure better jobs and promotions for library users in the U.S. Topics include increase seen by libraries across the country in the use of virtual career and business resources during the pandemic, initiatives that seek to address the needs of patrons who lack the reliable internet access to apply, interview and train for new jobs, and programs that target specific career paths created by some libraries.

The article discusses the results of the "Library Journal's" 2021 survey on readers' advisory (RA) services in U.S. public libraries. Topics include the challenges reported by RA librarians, the necessity for multilingual RA resources, and the most useful question one asks patron when conducting one-to-one RA.

The article focuses on the 2019 "Library Journal" Index of Public Library Service based on the most recent findings from the Institute of Museum and Library Services Public Library Survey, Fiscal Year 2017. It discusses the addition of Wireless Fidelity sessions to the measures used to determine the Star Libraries in the U.S. It presents the number of libraries that retained their Star status and of those that lost theirs. It also describes the factors that affect the Star status of libraries.

The article discusses the efforts by libraries in the U.S. to support patrons and library staff who are experiencing mental health challenges. Topics covered include proportion of U.S. adults who live with a mental illness as of 2017 according to the National Institute of Mental Health, best practices for library staff on dealing with patrons with mental illness, and information on Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, a course developed by the National Council on Behavioral Health.

The article discusses the online offerings by public libraries in the U.S. in the middle of COVID-19 pandemic in summer of 2020. Topics covered include the move by Scottsville Library in Scottsville, Virginia to go virtual with its programming according to branch manager Megan England, the main goal at the Normal (Illinois) Public Library to make sure that young patrons keep reading this summer, and common concern among librarians who are trying to keep summer programs afloat strictly online.

The article discusses the author's claim that the implementation of innovative ideas and programs at U.S. public libraries is helping library patrons find reliable wellness information and health-related aid as of 2016, and it mentions an open access movement and health literacy in America. Library nurses in places such as Arizona are examined, along with health care collaborations involving libraries in Sale Lake County, Utah and South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The article discusses the annual State of America's Library Report released by the American Library Association (ALA) on April 15, 2021 which focused on the COVID-19 pandemic and how public, school, and academic libraries worked to meet patrons' and communities' needs. Topics include comments from ALA President Julius C. Jefferson Jr., ALA's own stories which were included in the report, and critical resources for the report's broad mandate.

The article focuses on programming ideas from several U.S. librarians and libraries to promote library use among tweens, the children from eight to 12 years of age. Topics covered importance for librarians to know the likes and interests of tweens, popularity of hands-on activities like making slime and do-it-yourself sewing, service-oriented programs that promote humanitarianism and charitable work, and examples of successful programs for tweens.

This article focuses on the need for library systems in the U.S. to enact security policies tailored to their respective communities and resources. It discusses variety in library patrons' behavior and ways for libraries to address this issue, the hiring of professional security guards or off-duty police officers by public libraries, and the need for libraries to establish relationships with their local police force.

The author talks about a report released by New America which shows that U.S. libraries' efforts have successfully led to greater online access during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that those efforts failed to fully close the access gap for those need it most. She discusses two major infusions of cash for libraries, the challenge for libraries, and implication of the report for users of color.

The article provides information on the Public Libraries Survey (PLS) Report issued by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) on August 2, 2018 which offered a look at public library use, financial health, staffing and resources in the U.S. active public libraries in fiscal year 2015. Findings include total public library visits in 2015, number of collection items made by the library during the period, and how libraries are working to rebound from the Great Recession of 2009.

The article discusses the effort by libraries in the U.S. to provide the experience of serendipitous discovery through book bundles and grab bags in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic. Topics include the options offered by the Madison (Wisconsin) Public Library (MPL) to meet patrons' specifications, the book bundling service developed primarily by Marie Cannon, head of circulation at the Robbins Library in Arlington, Massachusetts and benefits from book bundles and grab bags.

The article deals with the growing number of schools and libraries in the U.S. that create escape rooms, the rooms that allow groups of players to work together in solving puzzles. Topics covered include escape room kits sold by Breakout EDU, Harry Potter-themed room created by Robin Papaleka for the users of Laramie County Library in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and the amount spent by librarians in setting up escape rooms.

The article discusses the relevance of baby-friendly card policies in U.S. public libraries. It states that these policies encourage literacy and library use from birth, according to a survey of librarians via library listservs and social media. Hannah Killian, youth services manager at the Dauphin County Library Sytems, also says having these policies would remove the barriers to library access, with babies benefiting from reading starting at birth.

The article discusses the relationship between sustainable libraries and their patrons in the U.S. Topics discussed include role of libraries in empowering and energizing their users through services, libraries' support to the local community and participation in the localism movement, and how libraries can strengthen the social fabric.

The article discusses the Vermont FiberConnect Project, an initiative of the Vermont Telecommunications Authority and Sovernet Communications that will bring gigabit Internet service to 43 of the state's rural libraries. Terms negotiated with Sovernet by the Vermont Department of Libraries enable some of the participating libraries to pay as little as $60 per month for the service.