By Melissa Rayner
Happy Birthday, America! To honor the soldiers who gave so much in order to defend the American flag, I’d like to take a look back at the history of our stars and stripes, using Smithsonian Collections Online as our guide.
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Elementary School Success
By Kaitlyn M. When I was in elementary school, I was a very shy little girl. The school librarian took notice of me and allowed me to assist her in the library every day. I would go there while other kids went to recess and I would help her shelve books, work at the check … Read more
Jackie Robinson Hits a Home Run
By Paula I. I have a reluctant reader who obligatorily visits the school library once a week. Rather than read, he would rather cause a commotion, get others in trouble or just sits and watches the fish. I spent months trying to get him to check out a book, any book. I bought comic books, … Read more
A Shout-out to Books, Libraries, and Dolly Parton
By Karen B.
More than two years have passed since I left hospital nursing. The words I penned in my farewell note to my obstetrics colleagues, some of whom I’d worked alongside for nearly twenty-two years, were bittersweet. I’m replacing the magic of birth with the magic of books.
Since then, I haven’t looked back. I now have the pleasure of working with two exceptional teacher-librarians at Hellgate High School. Daily, I’m touched by interactions with students and staff. Students’ impassioned “you have to read this!” recommendations have introduced me to books I would not have chosen on my own. I’ve had occasion to suggest books as well, not only the gut-wrenching, realistic fiction I gravitate toward, but other genres, too. Along the way, some students have confided heartbreaking experiences of their own.
Barbies, Goddesses and Sudoku Puzzles: My Library Story
By Naomi B.
I would never let Barbie stand in my way.
I kid you not, I was BORN to be a librarian. At the age of six, my two sisters and I had our favorite Barbies and it was time for them to take a vacation in their cigar box cars, but WAIT!!! I struck my first deal…I’d continue to play Barbies with them if they would play library with me first.
Read moreBarbies, Goddesses and Sudoku Puzzles: My Library Story
Edmonton Public Library expands program helping homeless
The Edmonton Public Library’s outreach program, which focuses on supporting the city’s homeless population, is expanding to five more libraries. The program, which partners with Boyle Street Community Services, was launched in 2011 in response to the growing number of people seeking refuge at the downtown Stanley Milner branch. Jared Tkachuk, an outreach worker, explains … Read more
Summit presents plans to provide high-speed broadband in schools and libraries
Some 110 school leaders from across the nation attended the National Connected Superintendents on November 20. The event was part of the Obama administration’s 5-year plan, ConnectED, to provide nearly universal high-speed broadband connectivity to schools and libraries. Currently, fewer than 40% of schools have access to high-speed Internet. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan … Read more
Neil Gaiman: Libraries are ‘cultural seed corn’
In this interview with Toby Litt, British author Neil Gaiman talks about the immense value of libraries and describes himself as a “feral child who was raised in libraries.” He notes that he was three or four when he first started visiting his local library and was “hooked” at the point that he could persuade … Read more
SLC Public Library Considering Opening 24 Hours a Day
Beginning in early 2015, a two-year pilot project may enable the Salt Lake City Public Library’s downtown branch to stay open 24 hours a day. According to John Spears, executive director of the library, the goal of the project is to give homeless people a safe place to go at night, while also serving other … Read more
A Nationwide Outpouring of Support for Tiny Ferguson Library
Despite the recent violent protests that followed the grand jury verdict in Ferguson, Missouri, the Ferguson Public Library stayed open. Library director and sole employee Scott Bonner, who describes himself as having a “very broad definition of librarianship,” has received significant contributions that may enable him to hire additional help. He also plan to purchase … Read more