“A sociologist named Patrick Sharkey coined the term, ‘collective efficacy,’ to describe how the institutions work together to create community. In that regard, [Director] Shaker said, ‘Our library team feels stupendously lucky to be operating in a community that has organizations and village staff who are so open to collaboration and idea sharing. It really makes Forest Park a great place to work in.'”
Inside L.A.’s Homeless-Industrial Complex / Tracy Rosenthal
“I talk about broken windows in the article because I wanted to figure out what is the policing strategy that’s being used to turn homeless people into a canary in a coal mine of crime. So you have William Bratten, who is the police chief who moves from New York to Los Angeles and back to New York as the proponent of this policy that we call ‘broken windows’ which we are still living with to this day. And under this view of policing, it doesn’t matter what the crime rate is. It matters if basically rich, white residents feel safe. And when we use police to do that, we give an incredible amount of discretion to police officers, and we’re policing people and places, as [Michael] Bloomberg says, rather than events or incidents. And so I think it is very important that we situate the rise in policing of unhoused people in this broader project of broken windows policing that cities engage in, that is essentially criminalizing the poor.”
Navigating International Conference Opportunities (Free Webinar) May 12
Description: Do you want to learn about opportunities to advance your career by networking with international professionals? After a special introduction by Jim Neal, current IRRT Chair, Loida Garcia-Febo, Mark Mattson, and Gina de Alwis will share different paths to expand careers with international platforms. The presenters will share tips on finding and connecting with professionals outside your home country. Through the panelists personal experiences discover the benefits and opportunities in international conference attendance and collaborations.
Societal Attitudes Toward Homelessness
“One of the aspects of addressing homelessness and poverty through libraries is to be aware of our library collections and how they represent the lives of people who are without a permanent place to be,” writes Julie Winkelstein.
Scott County Library Permanently Eliminates Overdue Fines
“This is going to be getting more materials into the hands of more Scott County residents, which brings us closer to the library’s mission — connecting all residents with resources, support and opportunity,” Scott County Library Director Jake Grussing said. “I think one of the best ways to do that is to create a penalty-free, welcoming environment for anybody who wants to use the library.”
Public Libraries Across the U.S. Are Taking Note of this Richmond-area Branch’s Parent-and-Child-friendly Design
‘To have a space where children and parents are centered is truly rare in America. Parents are so used to everything being hard in this country.’
Roxbury Library Goes Fine-Free
In announcing the new policy, the library said its board of trustees “is dedicated to creating a library that is more open, equitable and understanding of our community,” and explained that “eliminating fines for overdue materials means more people in our community have greater access to the Library’s vital materials, resources and services.”
New Haven Free Public Library Wins Grant To Hire Social Workers
“The New Haven Free Public Library won a $46,155 grant earlier this month to fund a full-time social worker Monday through Friday at the main branch library on Elm Street.”
Cambridge Public Library Goes Fine Free
The Cambridge Public Library no longer charges fines on late returns or renewals. This ensures that everyone has access to library books and materials, regardless of their circumstances.
NYC Libraries Go Fine Free
“The simple fact that the library community knows well is that fines are an antiquated notion that doesn’t work… New Yorkers and people throughout the country love and trust their library—they understand it’s a public good, they respect it, and they bring their books back.”