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Read the New Issue of Library Leadership & Management

The latest issue of Library Leadership & Management (LL&M) is now available. LL&M focuses on assisting library administrators and managers at all levels as they deal with day-to-day challenges. In-depth articles address a wide variety of management issues and highlight examples of successful management methods used in libraries. Features include interviews with prominent practitioners in libraries and related fields, and columns with practical advice on managing libraries. Libraries Taking a Lead – “It’s a once in a generation opportunity not to be wasted.” A Good Jobs Strategy for Libraries – “Ton’s framework focuses on four principles; offer less, standardize and empower, cross-train, and operate with slack, each of which are relevant to varying degrees to library and archives organization contexts.” Too Many Spoons: Library Workers and Disabilities – “The above experience has happened to me at academic libraries, public libraries, and other institutions.” Revisiting Strategy in a Time of Crisis…Continue Reading

Core Seeks Editor and Assistant Editor for the LRTS Journal

LRTS logo

Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures, a division of the American Library Association, invites applications and nominations for the editor and assistant editor for Library Resources & Technical Services (LRTS), one of Core’s three scholarly research journals. The LRTS Editor will be appointed for a renewable three-year term ending June 30, 2024. The appointment includes an annual stipend of $1,000 and paid registration to attend the ALA Annual Conference. The LRTS Assistant Editor will be appointed for a renewable three-year term ending June 30, 2024. The appointment includes an annual stipend of $1,000 and paid registration to attend the ALA Annual Conference. LRTS publishes both research papers and thoughtful explorations of operational issues that have value and implications for other libraries. The LRTS Editor is responsible for soliciting submissions and publicizing the content of published issues of the journal; convening meetings of the journal’s editorial board; and collaborating with the editorial board…Continue Reading

Core Continuing Education Needs You

Core is seeking knowledgeable librarians from all types of libraries to become trained to teach its popular four- and six-week “Fundamentals of…” online courses:   Fundamentals of Metadata  Fundamentals of Digital Libraries  Fundamentals of Collection Assessment  Fundamentals of Acquisitions  Fundamentals of Cataloging  Fundamentals of Collection Development and Management  Fundamentals of Preservation  Fundamentals of Electronic Resource Acquisitions  Fundamentals of Management (*currently under development)  Courses are composed of self-paced modules and include interaction with the instructors and classmates. The course content is already developed and ready to use; no additional editing is needed. Accepted applicants become instructors-in-training and go through a series of training sessions by experienced course instructor. A modest honorarium of $400 or $600 (depending on the length of the course) is paid to instructors.  The key characteristics of successful instructors are subject expertise, comfort with e-learning technology, and the ability to make student communication a priority for the period of the course.…Continue Reading

Summary, November 2021 Core e-Forum, Libraries Press on Despite COVID

November 2021 Core e-Forum

Our primary objectives in the e-Forum were to hear about the impact COVID-19 had on library operations/staff and how participants coped with so many unique challenges and stressors. We were particularly interested in facilitating discussion about workflows and best practices. In short, how did library staff respond to trying circumstances, what worked well, what did not work well, and what does the post-COVID future look like for libraries? We learned that the “one size fits all” philosophy does not apply to library work schedules. Some respondents teleworked 100%, others worked exclusively on campus, and some had hybrid schedules. Discussions throughout Day 1 lead to many sharing the pros and cons of different work models while also pointing out inequalities with race, job responsibilities, and access to the internet. The opportunity to work remotely provides convenience when commutes are long or days are filled with Zoom meetings. In contrast, the opportunity…Continue Reading

ALA and Core Welcome Removal of Offensive ‘Illegal aliens’ Subject Headings

Today Core shares ALA’s praise for the Library of Congress’s decision to update the cataloging subject headings “Aliens” and “Illegal aliens.” “The Policy and Standards Division of the Library of Congress, which maintains Library of Congress Subject Headings, announced the decision to replace the terms with new subject headings ‘Noncitizens’ and ‘Illegal immigration’ at its regularly scheduled meeting on November 12. ALA President Patty Wong said, ‘We are pleased that the Library of Congress is replacing these subject headings, which are both outdated and dehumanizing. This update better reflects common terminology and respects library users and library workers from all backgrounds. It also reflects the core value of social justice for ALA members, who have been at the vanguard of this change for years.’” – ALA Press Release Core President Lindsay Cronk added, “This news is cause for celebration, consideration, and acknowledgment. How do we move forward in matters of…Continue Reading

Core Endorses the Cataloguing Code of Ethics

Code of Ethics

The Core Board of Directors has endorsed the Cataloguing Code of Ethics for use by the cataloging community. Developed by the Cataloging Ethics Steering Committee in consultation with six Working Groups and members of the international cataloging community of practice, the final version of the Cataloguing Code of Ethics was released in January 2021 on the Cataloging Ethics Steering Committee website. Formed in early 2019, the Cataloging Ethics Steering Committee is composed of six members from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The Cataloguing Code of Ethics was released in multiple drafts over the course of 2020 and presented to the cataloging community of practice for feedback. You can also watch the recording of Walking the Talk: Realizing Ethical Considerations in Cataloging Work, a free webinar Core hosted that was presented by the Cataloging Ethics Steering Committee. Part 1 of the Cataloguing Code of Ethics consists of an…Continue Reading

Core/ACRL Webinar: Bringing Intentionality and Inclusivity to the Academic Library Interview

Core/ACRL logos

Are you thinking about hiring? Join the Core Academic Interviews Project Team on Thursday, November 18 at noon CT for a free webinar to discuss our guide for interview best practices. Whether you are holding interviews online or in-person, we created a set of recommendations for interview processes that aim to be transparent and candidate-friendly, while mitigating the bias that is often inherent in long-held practices. At the end of the webinar, participants will understand which aspects of traditional interview practices invite bias; be able to identify areas of potential improvement in their own interview practices; and be familiar with new ways to structure interviews that are welcoming to candidates through an inclusive process.  The Core Academic Interviews Project Team’s best practices draft document and this webinar will address our recommendations for candidate-friendly interview processes that include addressing accessibility needs throughout the interview day. The draft best practices document is still open for anyone to…Continue Reading

Summary, October 2021 Core e-Forum, “How Can Cataloging and Collection Development Help Create an Inclusive Library Experience?”

November 2021 Core e-Forum

The October Core e-Forum brought perspectives from a wide range of libraries, including public libraries, school libraries, and academic libraries. Some belong to institutions that currently have active DEI committees and initiatives. Potential benefits from library DEI efforts in cataloging and collection development include more satisfied users and increased library usage. DEI in the library may also encourage awareness in the community. In the area of cataloging, much of the discussion focused on the issue of subject headings and how libraries can include headings that are reflective of the populations they serve. The example of the Dartmouth students’ appeal to have the Library of Congress subject heading changed from “illegal aliens” was referenced several times. Possible steps to improve terminology include using local subject headings or alternate terms. Some participants noted that using local subject headings requires a time and staffing commitment for documentation and maintenance. The Homosaurus was also…Continue Reading

Show Your OA Support and Donate Today

OA Is Radical and So Are You

Core is committed to equity in librarianship and to expanding who has a voice in our community. Open access(OA) is integral to that process, which is why we publish several OA journals, including Information Technology and Libraries, Library Leadership & Management, and Library Resources & Technical Services. This year’s Open Access Week theme is “It Matters How We Open Knowledge: Building Structural Equity”. We believe that keeping professional journals open is essential to building structural equity within Core. Just because OA is freely available does not mean that it is free to produce. We need your support to continue to make our open access journals sustainably OA. This is why from October 25-October 31 we are asking for your help and seeking pledges to support Core journals. A gift of $10 or more earns you a button that shows your OA support. The beauty of open access is that it…Continue Reading

Information Technology and Libraries (ITAL) Journal Seeks Assistant Editor

ital logo

Information Technology and Libraries (ITAL) is expanding its editorial staff through the appointment of an Assistant Editor. The ITAL Assistant Editor will be a member of the ITAL Editorial Board, assist with evaluation of submitted articles (“desk review”) prior to peer review, and manage the journal’s peer review process, including communication with authors. The ITAL Assistant Editor may assist with copyediting and layout of articles accepted for publication. Along with the other members of the ITAL Editorial Board, the ITAL Assistant Editor assists with publicity and content development for the journal and advises the ITAL Editor on policy and strategy.  The ITAL Assistant Editor is appointed by the Core Board on the recommendation of the ITAL Editorial Board for a renewable three-year term ending June 30, 2024. The position comes with a $1000/year stipend.  Qualifications Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively in written English Ability to participate in regularly scheduled…Continue Reading