HAPPENING THIS WEEK
Monday, October 6
- Fundamentals of Collection Assessment (FCA) begins at 9am CT
A 6-week course. Limited seats are still available. - Fundamentals of Digital Library Projects (FDLP) begins at 9am CT
A 6-week course. Limited seats are still available. - Fundamentals of Institutional Repositories (FIR) begins at 9am CT
A 6-week course. Limited seats are still available. - Fundamentals of Preservation (FOP) begins at 9am CT
A 4-week course. Limited seats are still available. - Core Executive Committee will meet from 1pm – 2pm CT
Tuesday, October 7
- Technology Section Leadership Team will meet from 1pm – 2pm CT
Wednesday, October 8
- LRTS Editorial Board will meet from 10am – 11am CT
Thursday, October 9
- Core Classroom: Project Management for Library Professionals begins at 9am CT A 5-week Classroom with 3 live Zoom sessions. Limited seats are still available.
- Library Interiors, Furnishings, and Equipment Committee will meet from 2pm – 3pm CT
Friday, October 10
- Forum Planning Committee will meet from 11am – 12pm CT
- Organization & Bylaws Committee will meet from 12pm – 1pm CT
- Fundraising and Sponsorships Committee will meet from 2pm – 3pm CT
HAPPENING NEXT WEEK
Monday, October 13
- ALA offices are closed in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day.
- Fundamentals of Collection Development and Management (FCDM) begins at 9am CT. A 4-week course. Limited seats are still available.
- Fundamentals of Electronic Resources Acquisitions (FERA)
A 4-week course. Limited seats are still available. - Core Executive Committee will meet from 1pm – 2pm CT
Tuesday, October 14
- Core Leaders Group will meet from 2pm – 3pm CT
Wednesday, October 15
- Core Diversity and Inclusion Committee will meet from 1pm – 2pm CT
- Thursday, October 16
- Core Web Committee will meet from 10am – 11am CT
Friday, October 17
- Core Preservation Outreach Committee will meet from 11am – 12pm CT
MEMBER OPPORTUNITIES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
- New Webinar! From Thin to Thick Library Description, Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 1pm CT
This talk explores how libraries can apply Kwame Anthony Appiah’s “thick translation” theory to enhance library description practices. Descriptive practices often still engage in “thin translation” that may strip away essential cultural context. This presentation demonstrates how thick translation principles can be implemented using MARC fields for cultural context notes. It walks through a specific implementation of thick cataloging practices, whose intent is to preserve the integrity and context of diverse knowledge traditions.
- Core is seeking proposals for in-person preconferences at the 2026 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago. The deadline to submit a preconference proposal is Friday, December 12, 2025. Please submit preconference proposals here.
- Core is seeking online course instructors for Fundamentals of Cataloging and Fundamentals of Institutional Repositories. If interested in teaching, please submit an Online Course Instructor Application – Core Handbook. The deadline to submit an application is Sunday, November 30.
- Members of the Freedom to Read Foundation’s Education Committee are conducting anonymous surveys to learn more about the amount of First Amendment education and knowledge that library workers, patrons, and community members have. Please participate in this survey.
- Core is offering several Fundamentals Web Courses throughout the fall! This series of related online courses covers basic topics that enhance skills in various areas of library work.
- Present a webinar or moderate an e-Forum Discussion for Core! Send your e-forum discussion idea to core-eforum+help@groups.io. Complete the webinar proposal form to submit your webinar idea.
HOT OFF THE PRESSES!
Check out these three new titles which are available in the Core/ALA Store.
- A Complete Guide to Creative Technology Spaces in Academic Libraries: Media Labs, Makerspaces, and More. Beyond the loaning of laptops and phone chargers, libraries are branching out into supporting patrons by providing spaces and services that encourage art, communication, and innovation. Perhaps you’ve been tasked with building such a space in your academic library. It might be a media studio, a virtual reality lab, or even a combination space that has a podcasting suite, equipment circulation, 3D printing, and a computer lab. Or maybe you’ve been doing this for a while; you know it’s time to expand, but you’re not quite sure which direction to take or what equipment you need.
- Generative AI and Libraries: Claiming Our Place in the Center of a Shared Future. Addressing a topic of great concern with both urgency and clarity, this book offers a compelling vision for libraries to claim their central role as trusted stewards of knowledge and architects of a responsible and equitable AI-driven world.
- The Digital Accessibility Handbook for Libraries. Providing concrete guidance on integrating accessibility into all aspects of a library’s digital work, this book will serve as your one-stop guide to accessibility standards, processes, and best practices.
To have your committee meeting, Core event, or Core member opportunity listed in a future issue of This Week in Core (TWIC), contact the Core Office at core@ala.org a few weeks ahead of time and title your message “TWIC Post Request.”
