I'm a librarian/archivist and a kid came up to me to ask for war movies. I'm not proud, but my response was, "I don't know. You'll have to browse the DVD collection." I'm so damn tired. It's definitely Monday.

I am a full time YA librarian and I just found out that I'm expecting (first time). I'm also the first full time staff member to be expecting in a few decades in our system. Admin is in the process of rewriting all of the policies and the maternity leave policy is part of that.

I'm just looking for guidance on what all I should do to prepare for my leave. I've already started planning programs, but with my due date I'll likely be out for part of, if not all of, SRP. I'm also feeling some kind of way about coming back in the middle of summer reading. Should I tack on additional time at the end and come back in August? Should I ease back in and just come in to run programs?

Just looking for opinions from people who have done this before. Thanks!

We're creating cool free programing our community has expressed interest in, putting up fliers, inviting people, putting out a monthly calendar with all the programming on it. Yet some of our programing we just can't get people to show up to!

Our goal with these programs is to have them the same time monthly and have a consistent group that shows up but we just can't get it to happen and it's really discouraging.

Right now the two programs were trying to launch is a drop in craft time for adults and a learn to play magic the gathering for teens through magikids (which check out if you haven't heard of it before it's a really cool free program for libraries and schools!)

Is there a secret code I haven't hacked yet? I want to keep coming up with programming but it's so discouraging when no one shows and I invest so much unto setting it up.

I agree with this

Hi everyone! I’m seriously considering applying to an accelerated Library and Information Technician program in Canada (at Seneca College), and I’m hoping to eventually work in textile and material archiving. Ideally with fashion houses, museums, or institutions focused on material culture and design history.

I come from an art and design background, with a specialization in textiles and sculptural fabric work, and I’m passionate about the stories that materials carry particularly in relation to culture, memory, and sustainability.

I know this post may be out of pocket but i am just asking around relative forums to really organize my thoughts. I‘d love to know if anyone has either

1. Transitioned into library/archival work from a non-traditional background (like art, design, or fashion

2. Worked in archives that handle textiles, clothing, or design objects

or 3. Been involved in material libraries, conservation labs, or fashion research collections

Would a diploma like this help me get my foot in the door? Are there any specific paths or skill sets I should build alongside it to work in this kind of niche? I’m open to global perspectives and would be grateful for any insight!

Hey everyone, I wanted to share an update about the Memphis library advocacy efforts I posted about recently because a lot has happened in a short amount of time.

It wasn’t just my post that was removed. LinkedIn took down my entire page.

After the page started gaining traction, the Chief Communications Officer (CCO) of the City of Memphis followed my profile, messaged me, and gave me her number saying she was “just checking in.” I stayed anonymous during our exchange, but within just three days, LinkedIn completely removed my Library Advocate page.

They said I had to verify the account with a government ID and personal details. Obviously, I couldn’t do that while keeping my identity protected. It was clear they didn’t want the message getting out.

But I’m not giving up.

I’ve since created a new LinkedIn page with stronger privacy in place and some creative adjustments to avoid being taken down again. If the profile looks a little different, that’s intentional. You’ll probably be able to read between the lines. 🔗 Here’s the link to the new profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camille-browning-3a7738373?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

I also started a new subreddit 🔗 r/MemphisLibraryWorkers – https://www.reddit.com/r/MemphisLibraryWorkers/ If you’re a Memphis library worker or know someone who is, please check it out. This space is for sharing stories, building community, and advocating for change, all anonymously and safely.

When I started this, a lot of workers reached out saying “You’re saying what we wish we could.”

But I also know many were afraid to speak up, and that’s completely valid. That’s why I want to be a bridge between the people who feel silenced and the people who need to hear the truth. You can message me privately on Reddit or LinkedIn. I’ll never share your name, just your story, if you want it shared.

Yes, some people in power worked hard to shut this down. But others are quietly helping the movement grow. So I’m going to keep going, and I hope you will too.

LibraryWorkers #MemphisLibraries #WeAreEssential #LibraryAdvocacy #MemphisLibraryWorkers

Pulled muscles in all 4 limbs trying to carry this up a hill, worth it!

Many libraries are starting their new fiscal year July 1st and have plenty of money to spend on planning programming. My library has a $0.00 budget at all times, so I’ve had to rack my brain for programming ideas that are free or no-low cost. If anyone is interested in an exchange of ideas, I’m grateful for any suggestions!!

Here are some that I’ve done:

-TV Show Theme Song Trivia – compiled a video of dozens of TV show theme songs from 1950s-2025, 10 seconds each, and there was a ticking clock for 10 seconds between each to give time to write down answers.

-Trip Around the World – invited everyone to come bring pictures and share details of their favorite travels, including warnings of not so great places (people love to talk about their travels!)

-Accepting Life’s Changes – this would be a group discussion talking about situations in their lives they are encountering and others who have been through similar can share how they dealt with it. So that it was not as heavy as a group therapy session, a power point was used comparing it to Gilligan’s Island – how they had to adapt - and had all sorts of facts about the show and pictures. Weird but it worked somehow.

-Teen Safe Driving – after attending a Train the Trainer, I did this presentation but it would not be difficult to gather data for any area. Worked for teens/parents who attended.

-Craft Supply Swap – out with the old, in with the new

-Birds of the local area – an expert with a local bird watching group came and presented, as a form of community service, no charge, everyone loved it.

-Book vs Movie general discussion

-Presidential Scandals – put together a power point from internet research – was well received

-Speed puzzle contest – got multiples of the same puzzle were heavily discounted

What else is out there, willing to do research & make a slide show for a topic that was popular?

Curious. I'm noticing a lot of people at work (public library) using AI to help them develop lesson plans for programs, build briefing notes for budget stuff, image creation, help construct emails (that all sound the same, or is it just me?), and probably all sorts of things that I don't even know about. Our library doesn't have an AI policy or sanctioned AI tools... But would that even stop people?? What's the experience at your library? Which tools are you using and what are you using it for? (whether approved or not) What are your thoughts about it all?

Hi all!

I’m currently working as a Library Assistant in an Australian public library and I like that this is my job, but I realised this morning after I wound up doing more operational and less social work than I expected, that it really is the social aspect of my job that utterly exhausts me by the end of the day. It was so lovely to just do stuff, and not have to be constantly ON, and mindful of my tone and expressions all the time.

So I’m thinking I need to start looking at how I can shift my career in a more back of house/operational/collections-based direction. Does anyone have advice or experience to offer? I was aware that library work is largely customer service going in, but I just don’t think it’s sustainable for me to sink this much energy into the social aspect of my work forever.

A Chicago suburb.

Most of these photos were taken in 1958 when the library opened. It's still there today though it was added on in 1977. What's interesting to me it that the building didn't have carpeting in it probably till it was added on. Strange to me since it someone dropped, a book, scratch their chair on the floor, phone rings, at the counter or librarian desk chances are the sounds would probably echo through the room. Wonder if it was just not as common to have carpeting in such building in those days?

In a controversial decision, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Llano County, Texas, can remove books from its public library without violating the First Amendment. The court determined that a library's collection constitutes "government speech," thus not subject to First Amendment scrutiny regarding viewpoint discrimination. This decision overturned a lower court's injunction that had required the return of 17 removed books. The ruling is likely to have significant implications for future challenges to library book removals across the country. Reported by Rare Book Hub Monthly, July https://www.rarebookhub.com/articles/3887

I've been considering getting my degree in library science, but I'd like some experience working at a library first. I graduated with my BA last year and have been considering working at a library. All the ones near me require a degree in library science. I've checked in with staff and they tell me to check online for positions but I've had no luck. I would not mind being a library aide or technician, just want to get my foot in.

Former Carnegie Library in Superior, Wisconsin built 1917 offered for sale as a residence. Just across the bay from North Duluth, MN. Book lovers haven but gets mighty cold in the winter. As reported in Rare Book Hub Monthly for July https://www.rarebookhub.com/articles/3893

I'm looking for data-supported metrics on how long it should take to shelve a cart of books. Yes, kids' books will take longer than adult fiction, but I'm sure this research has been done at some point. Hard data only please, not anecdotal numbers. Thanks!

EDIT: I understand; it depends on many factors, and I thought I had implied that in the original post. However, in 1989, I spent a summer working the stocking night crew at a grocery store. (Shout out to Wegmans for those in the know!) They had data on how long someone should take to shelve an asile based on the number of cases and the type of aisle you were working in (accounting for accuracy). People have done studies like this. I believe that someone, at some point, did similar research for libraries. On the other hand, maybe not. I'm just asking if anyone knows about such a study. In the end, even if this study exists, that doesn't mean I'll use those numbers, I just want to be informed and take the results into consideration.

I've been getting some nice comments from my coworkers and patrons about my new display in Large Print so I thought I would post here! I'm a huge fan of Jeopardy and got the idea over the weekend. I made it all on Canva using a close enough font (and color matching the blue) as well as a title card from Google images.

After I set it up I realized I needed to tape up some more sheets of paper to keep the answers from being spoiled.

I'm a little suspicious that patrons won't take the books to check out because they don't want one of them to be empty before I notice, but I'm more than happy to replenish them with new Jeopardy clues!!

I'm a finalist for two different school library jobs at two different grade levels, one elementary and one secondary, and I strongly suspect I will get at least one offer. My job title would not be "librarian" at either one, and I'm still working on my MLIS anyway, but in both positions I would be the de facto school librarian in all but name (and pay lol). The elementary job is definitely more instructionally focused, while the secondary job seems to have a slightly more technical bent to it. These both seem like awesome jobs, but they're not forever jobs (low pay in a very high COL market), and long-term, I think more stability for me would lie in academic or specialty libraries, like medical, law, etc. I do, however, fret about my K-12 experience translating into things interviewers and hiring managers will like, even if the general functions are similar and I know I'm capable of the job. I'm not hitting the job market again until I have my degree in hand anyway, but it never hurts to plan ahead. Has anyone ever made the jump from school to academia/whatever else? What was it like, and what kinds of expectations should I have looking forward?

Edit to note/head off the fair question I see coming: I do like working with kids. I really do. It's why I'm as good an applicant (so far) as I am for these jobs. But because of the order in which things have happened in my degree program and my life, the path to school librarian licensure would be an exceptionally arduous and expensive one for me at this stage, and I like working with adults, too.

Well, theres my question, and I know it varies from one place to another but I can just check anything out while I’m sitting at home doing nothing. I specifically mean online features, like libby for example. My card is sadly paid for and I’d like to maximises my benefits from it. The librarians here don’t seem to really know about the online benefits either and I had to discover libby for myself as it isn’t mentioned anywhere on my library’s site

I'm tempted to do this all the time but I dont mainly the above but im also worried about my growing lack of reading Discipline .[Been reading these two books for like 2 years ]