The ongoing debate over the freedom to read moved to the chambers of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, which held a hearing September 12 entitled “Book Bans: How Censorship Limits Liberty and Literature.” The hearing was convened by Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL), in response to data from the American Library Association (ALA) revealing that between January 1 and August 31, ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom recorded 695 attempts to censor library materials and services, and documented challenges to 1,915 unique titles.
New American Library Association (ALA) President Emily Drabinski has her eye on ALA’s projects and goals, as well as the association’s ongoing work standing up for its organizational values. LJ caught up with her in between stops on her tour of U.S. libraries to hear more about what she has planned.
A two-pronged survey from the perspective of both academic librarians and faculty reveals how campus libraries contribute to student success, what the barriers are, and what could be done to further the impact of the library. Access to detailed data tables is available at the end of the report.
Eileen Rhodes was named one of Library Journal’s 2021 Movers & Shakers for her work bringing Open Educational Resources to Capital Community College in Connecticut, enabling students who struggled with the cost of textbooks to continue pursuing their degree. We recently reached out to Rhodes and learned she’s currently the interim library director for Connecticut State Community College, a role that’s shifted her priorities and sent her in new directions.
The American Library Association (ALA) has released its preliminary data on the attempted censorship and restriction of access to books and other materials in public, academic, and K–12 libraries during the first eight months of 2023. Between January 1 and August 31, ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom documented 695 challenges to library materials to 1,915 unique titles.
Research data are the underlying evidence that supports the claims made in scholarly publications, and making these data publicly available is a fundamental aspect of open access publishing. Yet, owing to a number of obstacles—some real, some perceived—many researchers are reluctant to share their data with the broader research community.
The editors of Library Journal need your help in identifying emerging talents in the library world—both great leaders and behind-the-scenes contributors who are providing inspiration and model programs for others. Our 22nd annual round of Movers & Shakers will profile up-and-coming individuals from around the world who are innovative, creative, making a difference fighting against censorship, and helping improve their workplace. From librarians and non-degreed library workers to publishers, vendors, coders, entrepreneurs, reviewers, and others who impact the library field—Movers & Shakers 2024 will celebrate those people who are moving all types of libraries ahead!
Banned Books Week 2023 Youth Honorary Chair Da'Taeveyon Daniels writes about his journey to self-acceptance and advocacy, and the importance of the fight against censorship.
"Audio is the fastest-growing format in the industry,” says HarperAudio Associate Publisher Brad Hill. This rapid growth has encouraged publishers to experiment with audiobook production. For instance, publishers are releasing more audiobook originals, adding more music and sound effects, and creating multicast productions that resemble radio plays.
Shortlists for the Booker Prize and the Financial Times/Schroders Business Book of the Year are announced. Dream States: Smart Cities, Technology, and the Pursuit of Urban Utopias by John Lorinc has won the inaugural Pattis Family Foundation Global Cities Book Award. A new PEN America report finds a 33% jump in school book bans. Plus, Page to Screen and interviews with Aparna Nancherla, Jo Nesbø, Michael Wolff, and more.
A new Simon & Schuster program highlights the merits of books that have been subject to censorship and will provide resources for fighting book bans. The Academy of American Poets announces the winners of its annual poetry prizes. LeVar Burton will serve as the honorary chair of this year’s Banned Books Week. Amazon will require publishers on Kindle to disclose when any of their content is generated by artificial intelligence.
The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith leads holds this week. Also getting buzz are titles by Ken Follett, Mary Kay Andrews, James Patterson and Mike Lupica, and V.E. Schwab. Four LibraryReads and three Indie Next picks publish this week. People’s book of the week is Wellness by Nathan Hill. Memoirs in the news include Kerry Washington’s Thicker than Water and Cassidy Hutchinson’s Enough. Plus, Hollywood studios and WGA reach a tentative deal to end the 146-day strike.
The Novelizers: An Affectionate History of Media Adaptations & Originals, Their Astonishing Authors—and the Art of the Craft, by David Spencer, is a starred performing arts selection. "Packed with photos, this is the perfect reference tool for the publishing genre that launched many lifetime readers." What You Want: Poems, by Maureen N. McLane, is a starred poetry title. "The poetics of spontaneity is not unusual, but McLane brings to it a honed sensibility and voice entirely her own." And in law and crime, In Light of All Darkness: Inside the Polly Klaas Kidnapping and the Search for America’s Child is a starred title. "One of the best true crime books out there. It shows the anguish and toll on the investigators and witnesses to a heinous crime. True-crime and public-affairs readers will devour this well-researched book. It’s as good as the outstanding Unmasked by Paul Holes with Robin Gaby Fisher."
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