All posts tagged: Libraries

Grant guidelines for libraries and museums take “chilling” political turn under Trump

Grant guidelines for libraries and museums take “chilling” political turn under Trump

Published by Sam Flores

A library in rural Alaska needed help providing free Wi-Fi and getting kids to read. A children’s museum in Washington wanted to expand its Little Science Lab. And a World War I museum in Missouri had a raft of historic documents it needed to digitize. They received funding from a little-known federal agency before the Trump administration unsuccessfully tried to dismantle it last year. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is now accepting applications for its 2026 grant cycle. But this time, it has unusually specific criteria. In cover letters accompanying the applications, the institute said it “particularly welcomes” projects that align with President Donald Trump’s vision for America. These would include those that foster an appreciation for the country “through uplifting and positive narratives,” the agency writes, citing an executive order that attacks the Smithsonian Institution for its “divisive, race-centered ideology.” (Trump has said the museum focused too much on “how bad slavery was.”) The agency also points to an executive order calling for the end of “the anti-Christian weaponization of government” and …

The Buzziest Books in Libraries This Month

The Buzziest Books in Libraries This Month

Published by Jenni Sidey

Vigil by George Saunders Jill Blaine has ushered three hundred and forty-three souls to the afterlife, but none of her charges have been like oil company CEO K.J. Boone, who is on his deathbed with zero regrets for how he’s lived his life. But his final hours are filled with people and animals (both real and otherworldly), all looking for answers and a reckoning from a man who has lived a large and complicated life. This novel takes on greed, capitalism, absolution, and the consequences of progress. Featured in The Guardian, The New York Times Source link

Authors Banned From Talking About Book Bans and More News for Libraries

Authors Banned From Talking About Book Bans and More News for Libraries

Published by skeptic

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Katie’s parents never told her “no” when she asked for a book, which was the start of most of her problems. She has an MLIS from the University of Illinois and works full time as a Circulation & Reference Manager in Illinois. She has a deep-rooted love of all things disturbing, twisted, and terrifying and takes enormous pleasure in creeping out her coworkers. When she’s not at work, she’s at home watching the Cubs with her cats and her cardigan collection. Other hobbies include scrapbooking, introducing more readers to the Church of Tana French, and convincing her husband that she can, in fact, fit more books onto her shelves. Twitter: @kt_librarylady View All posts by Katie McLain Horner The government is at it again, and by “at it again,” I mean making it very difficult for libraries to function properly. The Chicago Public Library system is facing major budget cuts, school libraries are fighting book banning laws, …

Best L.A. libraries to work in with AC and inspiring looks

Best L.A. libraries to work in with AC and inspiring looks

Published by Sam Flores

The early 20th century industrialist Andrew Carnegie once described the free public library as a cradle of democracy “where neither rank, office nor wealth receives the slightest consideration.” It’s an ideal that continues to thrive in the L.A. region’s most beautiful libraries, many of which are open to everyone regardless of how much money you have or where you live. “There’s no place like it,” said Joyce Cooper, director of branch services for the Los Angeles Public Library. “Where else can you just walk in off the street and get help for whatever you need?” When libraries started reopening after the worst of the pandemic, Cooper and her colleagues noticed an uptick in the number of people using their local branch as a de facto co-working space. She gets it. “It’s a nice, quiet place to be if you don’t want to be home and you don’t want to buy a coffee,” she said. “Also, our Wi-Fi speeds are off the charts.” While some coffee shops dissuade their customers from spending the day working in …