|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In March,
ALA released new data documenting “1,269 demands to censor library books and resources in 2022, the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling data
about censorship in libraries more than 20 years ago… A record 2,571 unique titles were targeted for censorship, a 38% increase from the 1,858 unique titles targeted for censorship in 2021. Also key to note - “Of those titles, the vast majority were written
by or about members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people of color.”
United for Libraries has released
tools to support Trustees, Friends, and Foundations in the fight against censorship, and we encourage everyone to join
Unite Against Book Bans and support the
Intellectual Freedom Round Table
and the
Freedom to Read Foundation. We need as many people joining this fight as possible, and we need to support library staff however we can. ALA will unveil its highly anticipated
list of the top 10 most challenged books in the U.S. on April 24 during National Library Week, along with its full State of America's Libraries Report. As your library marks
National Library Week, remember to speak out for the right to read, and amplify the voices of those who censorship groups are attempting to suppress.
Thank you for all you do for libraries.
Dr. Gordon Baker
2022-2024 United for Libraries President
|
|
|
|
|
Let your voice be heard! Fill out a brief survey by April 14 to help us build a stronger library advocacy network
|
|
This year, United for Libraries is sponsoring an ALA Emerging Leaders group tasked with determining best practices and challenges for library
advocacy at the state and local level. As part of their research efforts, the Emerging Leaders are requesting that you take a few minutes to fill out a
brief survey about what your current advocacy collaborations look like. We know that advocacy is not easy, and we would love to build some tools to better equip you
in your fight to support libraries! The survey will accept responses through April 14.
|
|
|
|
|
Register for free advocacy webinar, ‘Hammer, Vise, Lever: Better Tools, Stronger Advocacy’ on April 5
|
|
United for Libraries, the ALA Chapter Relations Office, and ALA’s Committee on Library Advocacy will present the free webinar
Hammer, Vise, Lever: Better Tools, Stronger Advocacy, on Wed., April 5, 3-4:15 p.m. Eastern. Both the stakes and pace of legislative advocacy for libraries have accelerated
in recent years. Relationships with decision makers are foundational to advocacy that yields results, and effective advocates draw on a carefully honed set of tools to nurture those relationships, reach other decision makers, mobilize advocates, and communicate
a unified message. From software to social media to elbow grease, advocacy experts and practitioners will share tips and tools that individual advocates and organizations can harness to elevate--or fine tune--their own legislative advocacy.
|
|
|
|
|
Applications for United for Libraries Outstanding Friend Conference Grant sponsored by ThriftBooks due April 10
|
|
The
United for Libraries Outstanding Friend Conference Grant sponsored by ThriftBooks enables one member of a Friends of the Library group at a public library to attend
the
ALA Annual Conference in Chicago. Applicants must be first-time attendees of the ALA Annual Conference, and must be active in their public library Friends group. The
winner will receive a grant of $1000, plus full ALA Annual Conference registration.
Applications for the 2023 United for Libraries Outstanding Friend Conference Grant are due April 10.
|
|
|
|
|
Register for April 11 and May 9 United for Libraries Learning Live sessions
|
|
Register
now for the April and May sessions of
United for Libraries Learning Live. For the April 11 session, “Board Support for Success,” Cedar Rapids Public Library Director Dara Schmidt and library Board President
Clint Twedt-Ball will be in discussion about how the board’s support of the library led to Cedar Rapids Public Library receiving the prestigious Jerry Kline Community Impact Prize from Library Journal in 2022. For the May 9 session, “Elected Officials are
People Too: Advocacy Tips for Library Trustees, Friends, Foundations, and Staff,” participants will learn how to connect with electeds (and their staffs) and consistently demonstrate the value of your library.
|
|
|
|
|
Register for free April webinar series ‘Bringing in the Money: How Friends and Foundations Can Find Funding & Grants’
|
|
United for Libraries will present a free two-part webinar series on “Bringing
in the Money: How Friends and Foundations can Find Funding & Grants,” featuring “Applying for ALA Grants: Tips for Friends of the Library Groups and Foundations” presented with the ALA Public Program Office on April 13, and “Tell Your Library
Friends or Foundation Story Using Your Candid (Gold Star) Profile” with the Regional Foundation Center of the Free Library of Philadelphia on April 19.
|
|
|
Proposals for United for Libraries Virtual: Trustees - Friends - Foundations due April 15
|
|
|
|
|
Register for free June 7 webinar: ‘The Library Ecosystem: ONE VOICE for Advocacy’
|
|
United for Libraries will present a free webinar,
The Library Ecosystem: ONE VOICE for Advocacy, on Wed., June 7, 2 p.m. Eastern. Learn about the ALA Ecosystem Initiative, an effort to strengthen library advocacy across
library types through identification of shared priorities for action and unified messaging. The Ecosystem Subcommittee of the ALA Committee on Library Advocacy (COLA) is charged to promote and explain the initiative across and beyond ALA units, as well as
to examine ALA's practices and policies to encourage alignment with and support for ecosystem best practices.
|
|
|
How libraries are sharing Booklist Reader with patrons
|
|
|
|
|
Get ready for National Library Week April 23-29
|
|
National
Library Week 2023, April 23-29, will be celebrated with the theme "There's More to the Story." Libraries are full of stories in a variety of formats from picture books to large print, audiobooks to ebooks, and more. But there's so much more
to the story. Libraries of Things lend items like museum passes, games, musical instruments, and tools. Library programming brings communities together for entertainment, education, and connection through book clubs, storytimes, movie nights, crafting classes,
and lectures. Library infrastructure advances communities, providing internet and technology access, literacy skills, and support for businesses, job seekers, and entrepreneurs. National Library Week 2023 will be a great time to tell your library’s multi-faceted
story.
|
|
|
|
|
United for Libraries programs at the 2023 ALA Annual Conference
|
|
United for Libraries will offer
programs, discussion groups, author events and more at the 2023 ALA Annual Conference. United programs are specifically for Trustees, Friends and Foundations, and those
who work with them, and will include sessions on advocacy, fundraising, board development, and much more. The ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition brings together thousands of librarians, library staff, educators, authors, publishers, Friends of Libraries, Trustees,
special guests, and exhibitors. ALA Annual offers educational programming; important announcements and updates; relevant legislation and policies; and discussions that majorly impact libraries, their roles, and their ongoing transformation.
|
|
|
|
|
United for Libraries to present May 17 webinar on ‘Strategic Planning: What Library Boards Need to Know’
|
|
Is your library in the process of creating a strategic plan, or do you need to get your library’s Trustees on board with your current plan?
Strategic Planning: What Library Boards Need to Know, ‘a May 17 webinar presented by Public Library Association Board Member Stephanie Chase of
Constructive Disruption, and Maura Deedy, Library Advisory Specialist with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and United for Libraries Board Member, will
present an overview of the strategic planning process, the board’s role, how to know if and when you should hire a consultant, and more.
Statewide all-access partners can register at no cost.
|
|
|
|
|
New webinar recording: ‘Building A Stronger Relationship with Your Library Board’
|
|
Building
a Stronger Relationship with Your Library Board, a United for Libraries webinar, is
free to those in states with United for Libraries statewide access. The library's director is undoubtedly the single most important key to its success. An excellent
library director works well with the Trustees/library board, the staff, local government, and the community. This webinar, presented by United for Libraries Executive Director Beth Nawalinski, covers helping board members understand respective roles, including
the difference between governance and management; onboarding, training, and succession planning; effective communication, and ways to engage board members.
|
|
|
|
|
Access topic papers on fundraising, advocacy, recruitment, planning, orientation, and much more via BoardSource
|
|
Those with a personal United for Libraries membership now have exclusive access to hundreds of topic papers on fundraising, advocacy, recruitment,
planning, orientation, and much more at no cost with their United membership.
|
|
|
20th anniversary of Mansfield (Texas) Reads
|
|
The City of Mansfield (Texas), the Mansfield Public Library, and the Friends of the Mansfield Public Library are celebrating the 20th anniversary
of
Mansfield Reads! One City, One Book, one of our city’s most anticipated annual events. The program is recognized widely for this celebration of reading, writing, and
the literary arts. The program depends on local sponsorships, and will celebrate its 20th year with a community read of
Daughter of the Morning Star by Craig Johnson, and an “evening with the author” event in September.
|
|
|
Friends of Chapel Hill (N.C.) ‘Big Book Sale’ and online store
|
|
|
|
|
Friends of Roslindale (Mass.) Branch Library host Zero Waste / Recycling Workshop
|
|
Friends of Roslindale (Mass.) Branch Library presented a Zero Waste / Recycling Workshop at the library on March 16. Andrea Scarfo, Zero Waste
Coordinator from the City of Boston Department of Public Works, described the city’s programs, handed out helpful materials, and answered questions Participants learned about the importance of waste reduction and what they can do to help.
|
|
|
|
Foundations & Fundraising
|
|
New Rochelle (N.Y.) Public Library Foundation raises $75,000 with after-hours mini golf game night
|
|
New
Rochelle (N.Y.) Public Library Foundation drew more than 200 attendees and raised more than $75,000 with an after-hours game night,
Game On!, which included not only mini-golf but also Mahjong, ping pong, word games, and more. In addition, the following day the mini-golf course was open to all at
no charge, drawing more than 500 people.
|
|
|
St. Louis Public Library Foundation asks ‘Will you go to prom with us?’
|
|
St. Louis (Mo.) Public Library Foundation invited library supporters to attend their March 31 PROM and “Grab your high school besties and hit
the dance floor at Central Library. Enjoy drinks, St. Louis-themed food and dancing with our guest emcee, the iconic Johnny Rabbitt!” Proceeds from the event supported the library’s new exhibit “PROM Magazine: Where did you go to high school?” Prom attire
from any era was suggested.
|
|
|
9 Places You Can Apply to for Program Funds
|
|
|
|
Good Ideas from the Network
|
|
‘Kids in Print’ at Richland Library
|
|
Richland Library (Columbia, S.C.) will publish the 28th edition of its
Kids in Print annual literary magazine in 2023. Kids in Print showcases the talents of young people across the Midlands and features poetry, stories, short plays, essays,
drawings, and photographs. In 2022, staff received more than 170 submissions and selected 60 contributors.
|
|
|
|
|
The Walnut Creek (Calif.) Library Foundation is sponsoring weekly
Afternoon Mindfulness for Teens programs April 11-May 16 at the Walnut Creek Library teen center. Participants will learn about where stress comes from, and develop
mindful skills to better handle stress Sessions are facilitated by 2016 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year, Kate Perry, a mindfulness and yoga practitioner for 20 years, and a high school teacher for 15 years.
|
|
|
|
|
Athens-Clarke County (Ga.) Library, in a program supported by the Friends of Athens-Clarke County Library, hosted the annual event
Bling Your Prom event on Fri., Feb. 24. This event invites high school-aged youth from Athens-Clarke County and surrounding areas to pick out a FREE complete outfit
for prom. Teens can sustainably “shop” all kinds of new and gently used formalwear, shoes, and accessories, which are donations collected by the Teen Services department.
|
|
|
United for Libraries News & Updates
|
|
Visit
http://united.ala.org to read about upcoming events, conferences, updates on United for Libraries resources and initiatives, news about Friends of the Library groups,
library Trustees and Foundations across the country, and more.
|
|
|
|
Newsletter sign up: Would you like
your staff, board members, or others to receive this monthly newsletter? Sign up is available to all.
Learn
more and sign up
United for Libraries Membership:
Some of the resources above are available only to United for Libraries members. Unsure if you are a current United for Libraries member? For your membership status, email
united@ala.org or call 312-280-2161. To join, visit
www.ala.org/united/membership.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
