Monday, May 22, 2017

11 Inspiring Reads for Recent Graduates | Off|-the-Shelf

Reader's advisory | Books | Inspiration

By Tolani Osan | Monday, May 22, 2017|Print This Post

At the George Washington University 2010 commencement, Michelle Obama gave an awe-inspiring address and a call to action, which I know my fellow classmates have since carried out in their lives. “Keep going. Keep giving. Keep engaging,” she told us, and her words still inspire my passions today. Graduation season often contains a cocktail of emotion: from joy to confusion to anxiety to relief. Luckily for the class of 2017, there are words—spoken and written—to help with the transition to the next stage in life and beyond. Even if you’re not graduating, this time of year—the flowers, the weather, and the sunshine—often brings welcome feelings of new beginnings after a long, dark winter. Here are 11 commencement speakers—and their cherished books—to guide you through whatever new beginning awaits you this summer.
Congratulations to the Class of 2017!
- See more at: http://offtheshelf.com/2017/05/11-inspiring-reads-for-recent-graduates/?cp_type=OfftheShelf&rmid=OFF_THE_SHELF&rrid=6828250#sthash.9hmBL4jq.dpuf

By Tolani Osan | Monday, May 22, 2017|Print This Post

At the George Washington
University 2010 commencement, Michelle Obama gave an awe-inspiring
address and a call to action, which I know my fellow classmates have
since carried out in their lives. “Keep going. Keep giving. Keep
engaging,” she told us, and her words still inspire my passions today.
Graduation season often contains a cocktail of emotion: from joy to
confusion to anxiety to relief. Luckily for the class of 2017, there are
words—spoken and written—to help with the transition to the next stage
in life and beyond. Even if you’re not graduating, this time of
year—the flowers, the weather, and the sunshine—often brings welcome
feelings of new beginnings after a long, dark winter. Here are 11
commencement speakers—and their cherished books—to guide you through
whatever new beginning awaits you this summer.

Congratulations to the Class of 2017!

- See more at:
http://offtheshelf.com/2017/05/11-inspiring-reads-for-recent-graduates/?cp_type=OfftheShelf&rmid=OFF_THE_SHELF&rrid=6828250#sthash.9hmBL4jq.dpuf

By Tolani Osan | Monday, May 22, 2017|Print This Post

At the George Washington
University 2010 commencement, Michelle Obama gave an awe-inspiring
address and a call to action, which I know my fellow classmates have
since carried out in their lives. “Keep going. Keep giving. Keep
engaging,” she told us, and her words still inspire my passions today.
Graduation season often contains a cocktail of emotion: from joy to
confusion to anxiety to relief. Luckily for the class of 2017, there are
words—spoken and written—to help with the transition to the next stage
in life and beyond. Even if you’re not graduating, this time of
year—the flowers, the weather, and the sunshine—often brings welcome
feelings of new beginnings after a long, dark winter. Here are 11
commencement speakers—and their cherished books—to guide you through
whatever new beginning awaits you this summer.

Congratulations to the Class of 2017!

- See more at:
http://offtheshelf.com/2017/05/11-inspiring-reads-for-recent-graduates/?cp_type=OfftheShelf&rmid=OFF_THE_SHELF&rrid=6828250#sthash.9hmBL4jq.dpuf

11 Inspiring Reads for Recent Graduates

By Tolani Osan | Monday, May 22, 2017|Print This Post

Congratulations, by the Way
by George Saunders

Months after George Saunders gave the commencement address at Syracuse University, its transcript—posted on the New York Times website—was shared more than a million times. Saunders’s words, now memorialized in CONGRATULATIONS, BY THE WAY, tap into the shared desire to lead kinder and more fulfilling lives.
- See more at: http://offtheshelf.com/2017/05/11-inspiring-reads-for-recent-graduates/?cp_type=OfftheShelf&rmid=OFF_THE_SHELF&rrid=6828250#sthash.9hmBL4jq.dpuf

By Tolani Osan | Monday, May 22, 2017|Print This Post

Congratulations, by the Way
by George Saunders

By Tolani Osan | Monday, May 22, 2017|Print This Post

- See more at: http://offtheshelf.com/2017/05/11-inspiring-reads-for-recent-graduates/?cp_type=OfftheShelf&rmid=OFF_THE_SHELF&rrid=6828250#sthash.9hmBL4jq.dpuf

11 Inspiring Reads for Recent Graduates

By Tolani Osan | Monday, May 22, 2017|Print This Post

At the George Washington
University 2010 commencement, Michelle Obama gave an awe-inspiring
address and a call to action, which I know my fellow classmates have
since carried out in their lives. “Keep going. Keep giving. Keep
engaging,” she told us, and her words still inspire my passions today.
Graduation season often contains a cocktail of emotion: from joy to
confusion to anxiety to relief. Luckily for the class of 2017, there are
words—spoken and written—to help with the transition to the next stage
in life and beyond. Even if you’re not graduating, this time of
year—the flowers, the weather, and the sunshine—often brings welcome
feelings of new beginnings after a long, dark winter. Here are 11
commencement speakers—and their cherished books—to guide you through
whatever new beginning awaits you this summer.

Congratulations to the Class of 2017!

- See more at:
http://offtheshelf.com/2017/05/11-inspiring-reads-for-recent-graduates/?cp_type=OfftheShelf&rmid=OFF_THE_SHELF&rrid=6828250#sthash.9hmBL4jq.dpuf

- See more at: http://offtheshelf.com/2017/05/11-inspiring-reads-for-recent-graduates/?cp_type=OfftheShelf&rmid=OFF_THE_SHELF&rrid=6828250#sthash.9hmBL4jq.dpuf

Congratulations, by the Way
by George Saunders

By Tolani Osan | Monday, May 22, 2017|Print This Post

At the George Washington
University 2010 commencement, Michelle Obama gave an awe-inspiring
address and a call to action, which I know my fellow classmates have
since carried out in their lives. “Keep going. Keep giving. Keep
engaging,” she told us, and her words still inspire my passions today.
Graduation season often contains a cocktail of emotion: from joy to
confusion to anxiety to relief. Luckily for the class of 2017, there are
words—spoken and written—to help with the transition to the next stage
in life and beyond. Even if you’re not graduating, this time of
year—the flowers, the weather, and the sunshine—often brings welcome
feelings of new beginnings after a long, dark winter. Here are 11
commencement speakers—and their cherished books—to guide you through
whatever new beginning awaits you this summer.

Congratulations to the Class of 2017!

- See more at:
http://offtheshelf.com/2017/05/11-inspiring-reads-for-recent-graduates/?cp_type=OfftheShelf&rmid=OFF_THE_SHELF&rrid=6828250#sthash.9hmBL4jq.dpuf

11 Inspiring Reads for Recent Graduates

By Tolani Osan | Monday, May 22, 2017|Print This Post

At the George Washington
University 2010 commencement, Michelle Obama gave an awe-inspiring
address and a call to action, which I know my fellow classmates have
since carried out in their lives. “Keep going. Keep giving. Keep
engaging,” she told us, and her words still inspire my passions today.
Graduation season often contains a cocktail of emotion: from joy to
confusion to anxiety to relief. Luckily for the class of 2017, there are
words—spoken and written—to help with the transition to the next stage
in life and beyond. Even if you’re not graduating, this time of
year—the flowers, the weather, and the sunshine—often brings welcome
feelings of new beginnings after a long, dark winter. Here are 11
commencement speakers—and their cherished books—to guide you through
whatever new beginning awaits you this summer.

Congratulations to the Class of 2017!

- See more at:
http://offtheshelf.com/2017/05/11-inspiring-reads-for-recent-graduates/?cp_type=OfftheShelf&rmid=OFF_THE_SHELF&rrid=6828250#sthash.9hmBL4jq.dpuf

11 Inspiring Reads for Recent Graduates

By Tolani Osan | Monday, May 22, 2017|Print This Post

At the George Washington
University 2010 commencement, Michelle Obama gave an awe-inspiring
address and a call to action, which I know my fellow classmates have
since carried out in their lives. “Keep going. Keep giving. Keep
engaging,” she told us, and her words still inspire my passions today.
Graduation season often contains a cocktail of emotion: from joy to
confusion to anxiety to relief. Luckily for the class of 2017, there are
words—spoken and written—to help with the transition to the next stage
in life and beyond. Even if you’re not graduating, this time of
year—the flowers, the weather, and the sunshine—often brings welcome
feelings of new beginnings after a long, dark winter. Here are 11
commencement speakers—and their cherished books—to guide you through
whatever new beginning awaits you this summer.

Congratulations to the Class of 2017!

- See more at:
http://offtheshelf.com/2017/05/11-inspiring-reads-for-recent-graduates/?cp_type=OfftheShelf&rmid=OFF_THE_SHELF&rrid=6828250#sthash.9hmBL4jq.dpuf

11 Inspiring Reads for Recent Graduates

By Tolani Osan | Monday, May 22, 2017|Print This Post

At the George Washington
University 2010 commencement, Michelle Obama gave an awe-inspiring
address and a call to action, which I know my fellow classmates have
since carried out in their lives. “Keep going. Keep giving. Keep
engaging,” she told us, and her words still inspire my passions today.
Graduation season often contains a cocktail of emotion: from joy to
confusion to anxiety to relief. Luckily for the class of 2017, there are
words—spoken and written—to help with the transition to the next stage
in life and beyond. Even if you’re not graduating, this time of
year—the flowers, the weather, and the sunshine—often brings welcome
feelings of new beginnings after a long, dark winter. Here are 11
commencement speakers—and their cherished books—to guide you through
whatever new beginning awaits you this summer.

Congratulations to the Class of 2017!

- See more at:
http://offtheshelf.com/2017/05/11-inspiring-reads-for-recent-graduates/?cp_type=OfftheShelf&rmid=OFF_THE_SHELF&rrid=6828250#sthash.9hmBL4jq.dpuf

Thursday, May 18, 2017

3 Common Mistakes in Working With Homeless Patrons | Niche Academy

Homeless | Public libraries | Public service | Library training

March 6, 2017 by Jared Oates

If you work regularly with homeless patrons, you've likely encountered uncomfortable situations where communication seems to fail despite your best efforts. This article describes three common mistakes that can turn a merely uncomfortable situation volatile: "parenting" a patron, waiting, and worrying about gender. The advice here comes from Ryan Dowd, a man with decades of experience serving and working with the homeless. This article defines those three mistakes and offers guidelines to counteract them to help you diffuse, rather than escalate, tense situations.

Don't "parent"

"Parenting," in this context is about a voice register that is used to communicate with someone of a lower social status than the speaker. A "parent" voice presumes the authoritative position of the speaker and is characterized by judgemental statements. It is also usually accompanied by a tone of voice that may be condescending, clipped, or artificially sweet.

Read more...

Library hosting workshops on ‘adulting’ | Heather Laura Clarke | 05-14-20107

Public libraries | Library services | Adult education |Adulting


Halifax Public Libraries found they were serving lots of people from most age ranges and life experiences, but weren’t seeing many “new adults” come through the library doors. Their adulting series has changed that. (123RF)

Libraries across the HRM offer programming for babies, kids, teens, adults and seniors, but Jocelyn Covert saw that there was a noticeable absence of one particular demographic.

“We have lots of families with young children, and lots of seniors, but there’s this entire age range — university through the early 20s — we don’t get to see very much,” says Covert, youth service librarian with the Bedford Library.

In library lingo, this demographic is referred to as “new adults.” No one could figure out how to get these young people through the doors until Covert came up with the idea for a How to Adult series.

“Talking about ‘adulting’ or saying you ‘just can’t adult today’ has become a trending theme, and we’re always searching for opportunities to bring in new users, so I just thought I could put the two together,” says Covert. Read more...

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

WikiTRIBUNE: Evidence-based journalism | Jimmy Wales, founder Wikipedia

Journalism | News | Community

A new kind of news platform.

Wikitribune is a news platform that brings journalists and a community of volunteers together.
We want to make sure that you read fact-based articles that have a real impact in both local and global events. And that stories can be easily verified and improved.

“A news site with a
sense of community.”

Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia

Wikitribune is led by Jimmy Wales who has surrounded himself with an amazing group of people to bring Wikitribune to life.

American Writers Museum is Chicago’s New Literary Paradise | Amy Diegelman

Museums | Writers | Literature

May 16, 2017

“It’s an affirmation that we are a literary people.” That was how Anna Castillo expressed the impact of the new (and first) American Writers Museum. Castillo, a Latina poet, Chicago native, and author of So Far From God, was joined by Rosellen Brown, author of Cora Fry’s Pillow Book, for a discussion to open the museum’s press day in Chicago. The topic that dominated the conversation was the modern, evolving culture of writing in America. It couldn’t have been more appropriate.


The Children’s Hall

Read more...

Member of the Week: Susanne M. Markgren | ACRLinsider \ May 17, 2017

Member of the Week: Susanne M. Markgren:

Susanne M. Markgren is the assistant director for technical services at Manhattan College in Riverdale, New York. Susanne first joined ACRL in 2008 and is your ACRL member of the week for May 15, 2017.

1. Describe yourself in three words: Adaptable, inquisitive, resilient.

2. What are you reading (or listening to on your mobile device)? I’m currently obsessed with short stories, and I’m alternating between these three amazing collections: Joy Williams’ The Visiting Privilege, Lucia Berlin’s A Manual for Cleaning Women, and Clarice Lispector’s Complete Stories.
In the car and on walks, I like to listen to The Moth Radio Hour, or The Moth Podcast. True stories, well told. Totally addictive.

3. Describe ACRL in three words: Scalable, motivational, community. Read more...

Note: Stephanie L. Gross (blog owner) has served as a mentor with ACRL/NY with Susanne Markgren as Program Coordinator since the program's inception six years ago. For more information about Susanne and the program:

Susanne Markgren
ACRL/NY Mentoring Program Coordinator
email: acrlnymentoring@gmail.com
http://acrlny.org/

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Public Outcry Saves Saskatchewan Library Funds

Library advocacy | Public libraries | Access |Funding | Activism


Drop Everything and Read rally, Fox Valley, Sask. Photo credit: Susan Rose

By Bob Warburton on May 15, 2017

In an abrupt about-face, the provincial government of Saskatchewan, Canada, on April 24 restored every penny of the $4.8 million it had cut just a month earlier from public library funding as part of its 2017–18 budget. It was a reversal that elected officials admit was prompted by mounting public opposition to the cuts, spurred in part by a Facebook group that sprang up almost overnight to energize many grassroots protests.

The announcement by Saskatchewan Education Minister Don Morgan wrapped up a tumultuous five weeks in which a determined and unified library community prevailed over what were considered long odds.

They saw thousands of petition signatures, a claim by Morgan that usage had declined significantly and some parts of Saskatchewan might have too many libraries—rebutted point by point by the nonprofit Saskatchewan Library Association (SLA)—sinking poll numbers for the political party in power, a protest aimed directly at elected officials, and a sudden halt to Saskatchewan’s popular interlibrary loan system. Read more...

Helen Keller Writes a Letter to Nazi Students Before They Burn Her Book: “History Has Taught You Nothing If You Think You Can Kill Ideas” (1933)

Book burning | Holocaust | Diversity

Open culture | History May 16, 2017

Helen Keller achieved notoriety not only as an individual success story, but also as
prolific essayist, activist, and fierce advocate for poor and marginalized people. She “was a lifelong radical,” writes Peter Dreier at Yes! magazine, whose “investigation into the causes of blindness” eventually led her to “embrace socialism, feminism, and pacifism.” Keller supported the NAACP and ACLU, and protested strongly against patronizing calls for her to “confine my activities to social service and the blind.” Her critics, she wrote, mischaracterized her ideas as “a Utopian dream, and one who seriously contemplates its realization indeed must be deaf, dumb, and blind.”

Twenty years later she found a different set of readers treating her ideas with contempt. This time, however, the critics were in Nazi Germany, and instead of simply disagreeing with her, they added her collection of essays, How I Became a Socialist, to a list of “degenerate” books to be burned on May 10, 1933. Such was the date chosen by Hitler for “a nationwide ‘Action Against the Un-German Spirit,’” writes Rafael Medoff, to take place at German Universities—“a series of public burnings of the banned books” that “differed from the Nazis’ perspective on political, social, or cultural matters, as well as all books by Jewish authors.” Read more...

Monday, May 15, 2017

Argentina's page turner: How a Canadian author became the leader of a library revolution

Libraries | Alberto Manguel | Culture

The National Library of Argentina sits at the epicentre of the country's cultural life. So when government officials appointed Alberto Manguel – native son and longtime Canadian anthologist – to radically rethink the institution, pushback from the intellectual elite was all but certain. Stephanie Nolen reports on an irascible scribe's rocky tenure

A few years after Jorge Luis Borges, left, ended his tenure as head of Argentina’s National Library, he began a friendship with Alberto Manguel, right, then a teenager in Buenos Aires. Argentina’s greatest writer was, by that time, blind, and invited the young Mr. Manguel to come home and read aloud to him, which Mr. Manguel went on to do many times over the next few years. Now, Mr. Manguel has taken Mr. Borges’s former role at the library.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: BRYAN GEE/THE GLOBE AND MAIL
IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES; HORACIO PAONE FOR THE GLOBE AND MAIL

May 12, 2017

Alberto Manguel is harried. A stream of wealthy Argentines, all stiletto heels and elegant umbrellas, is leaving his office in the National Library; he hopes to cultivate them as donors, and ushers them to the door with awkward pleasantries. A line of employees with requests waits in the hall, hoping to catch him. An assistant brandishes a clipboard thick with demands: There is a committee, but there is also a meeting, he is expected imminently at a luncheon, and there's this journalist, and – "I've abandoned my previous persona: I detested nothing more than lunches and cocktails and meetings and groups of more than three people," Mr. Manguel says with a sigh and a valiant attempt at a smile, when he has retreated back behind the office door. "And I'm spending my life doing this."

Back in December of 2015, Mr. Manguel was living in New York and teaching at Columbia and Princeton; he opened his e-mail one day to find a startling request from a stranger. The newly appointed Minister of Culture for Argentina was wondering if Mr. Manguel would consider returning to the country where he was born – and which he left 50 years ago – to serve as director of the storied National Library. Mr. Manguel says he assumed at first it was a joke – "What next, being Pope?"Read more...

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Breaking News Consumer's Handbook: Fake News Edition | WNYC

Fake news | Media | Podcast

November 18, 2016

Breaking News Consumer Handbook: Fake News Edition

(WNYC/WNYC)

Summary Transcript

Drawing a distinction between fake and real news is going to be hard for those Facebook and Google employees tasked with banning offending sites. But it shouldn’t be so hard for you, the consumer.

Melissa Zimdars, assistant professor of communication and media at Merrimack College, has made a list of more than a hundred problematic news sites, along with tips for sorting the truthful from the troublesome. She talks with Brooke about how to be a savvy news consumer in a misinformation-filled world. Read more (and listen to the podcast)

Monday, May 8, 2017

14 Books by Diverse Authors You Need to Read Right Now -

Reader's advisory | Diversity in literature | Multiculturalism

By Taylor Noel | Monday, May 08, 2017|Print This Post

Part of the magic of books is discovering new places, new cultures, new perspectives, and new characters that change the way we think about and interact with the world. These 14 remarkable contemporary novels by a diverse group of authors will introduce you to a plethora of eye-opening experiences and will greatly enrich your literary diet.
- See more at: http://offtheshelf.com/2017/05/14-books-by-diverse-authors-you-need-to-read-right-now/?cp_type=OfftheShelf&rmid=OFF_THE_SHELF&rrid=6828250#sthash.8CuUo3hX.rWJnKpyM.dpuf