Challenging Censorship in Kansas City

Kansas City Public Library

Over the last month, libraries like The Kansas City Public Library joined other libraries across the state to look closely at a proposed administrative rule that threatens to reduce community access to public library books and other resources. To push back against the proposal, the library encouraged community members to take advantage of the 30-day period for public comment and provided community members resources to contact the secretary of state’s office during this public comment period.

Engaging With Homeless Neighbors in Dallas

Dallas Public Library

On November 23, Dallas Public Library passed out 314 backpacks stuffed with cold weather supplies and hygiene kits to customers experiencing homelessness. Community partners volunteered during the event, including homeless service providers who connected people with resources and signed them up for housing. This event marked the seventh annual backpack challenge and giveaway conducted by the library’s Homeless Engagement & Leadership Program (HELP), which includes a service desk and regular coffee conversation programs.

Celebrating James Baldwin in Springfield

Springfield City Library

This week, the Springfield City Library is set to host an upcoming photography exhibit celebrating the late American writer, James Baldwin, curated by local photographer Edward Cohen. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown Cohen edited several of the negatives of Baldwin and his close friend Maya Angelou, published a photo book, and eventually created a photo exhibit of Baldwin's 60th birthday party events.

Contemporary Sumi-e Exhibit in Hennepin County

Hennepin County Library

A new exhibit at the Cargill Gallery at Hennepin County Library is focused on traditional and contemporary Sumi-e, or black ink paintings. The Asian art form uses different concentrations of ink to paint in shades of black, with brushstrokes that convey an essence or spirit of nature. This free exhibit features artists Ben Wong and Craig Steinmetz, who studied under master sumi artists for many years.

Canada Learning Code Week

Markham Public Library

Last week marked Canada Learning Code Week, which is a call to action for people in Canada to learn how to code. In participation of the week, Markham Public Library taught community members the language of code by providing book lists on coding concepts and learning different coding languages.

Amplifying Summer Learning Through Youth-Focused Community Partnerships

Central Arkansas Library System

Youth Services Coordinator Ellen Samples explores how participation in the ULC Building Equity: Amplify Summer Learning cohort made the 2022 summer memorable. The Amplify Summer Learning cohort pushed CALS to think more creatively about reaching and serving middle school students and being more open to trying a model that intentionally targeted groups of historically underserved youth.