Category: Policies
#SaveNilesLibrary
For many folks, this past summer was the hot vax summer. For me, it has been the summer of the Niles Maine District Library. Way back in June, I got wind of a nefarious situation unfolding in Niles, Illinois. Read more…
Why Have Libraries Gone Fine-free The Past Few Years?
While having a library card typically means borrowing materials free of cost, many of us were made aware young that we would have to pay a fine if we missed the due date. Many libraries across the United States have implemented a fine-free borrowing structure, which encourages more people to utilize the library’s resources.
From Challenge to Recharge: Preparing Your Library Board to Uphold Intellectual Freedom
If your library were faced with an intellectual freedom challenge, would your board have your back? The United For Libraries President’s Program for ALA Annual Conference 2021, “Challenges & Crises: Preparing Your Board of Trustees,” delivered earned wisdom and practical tips to ensure your library board is willing and prepared to uphold intellectual freedom. Read on to learn how your library board can turn a library challenge into an opportunity for community recharge.
Fair Use Gone Viral: Predicting the Future of Copyright
Learn the future of fair use in less time than it takes to watch (an excellent) webinar! Our recap of “Fair Use Gone Viral: Predicting the Future of Copyright“ featuring Kenneth Crews, copyright scholar and librarian.
Helping Privacy Survive COVID-19: Inspirational Tidbits from William Marden, NYPL Director of Privacy and Compliance
William Marden, NYPL Director of Privacy and Compliance, gives advice about privacy as we move online during COVID-19 pandemic.
Good News: They Followed the Policy!
Sometimes, institutions respond to book challenges by following their policies as they should. These examples of calm, reasonable adherence to establish policies and procedures really make my day, and I’d like to share them with you.
So Your Second Cousin is a Criminal, and Other DNA Privacy Concerns
DNA from direct-to-consumer kits can help you find your ancestors–and potentially help law enforcement find you. See how genetic data raises privacy concerns even as it restores justice.
Safety in Libraries: a Continuum
I’d like to offer an approach I’ll call the continuum of safety, offered from the perspective of the patron, the person who uses the library but is not a member of the staff. My goal is to establish a framework for the supervision of public space, in keeping with the values of the profession.
Auditing the First Amendment at Your Public Library
A growing number of public libraries are reporting that individuals are visiting their buildings to film and photograph library staff and library users, on the grounds that libraries are “public spaces.” Here’s what the law says.
Viewpoint Discrimination
Librarians might not be public officials and this case might not apply to our social media accounts, but does that automatically mean that librarians should make it a practice to block people based on differences in viewpoint?