Ryan Dowd’s Next Homelessness Webinar
Dementia and Alzheimer’s: Compassionately and effectively working with people with dementia

Some of the issues covered:

  • What is the science behind dementia?
  • How can you compassionately work with someone who is agitated or aggressive?
  • How can you help someone with memory loss?

When: Thursday, October 15 at 1:00 pm Central time (2pm Eastern, Noon Mountain, 11am Pacific)

Pre-Registration Required: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3015832712254/WN_rS6OII1IQpevQ9VKE0lPsw

Please contact Jamie if you have any issues with registration.

Native American Fry Bread Program on October 12

Food is a way to share culture and bring people together. In this program presented by Cindy Hohl, President of the American Indian Library Association, learn about Native American culture through fry bread, a food that is a shared tradition for indigenous families all across the North American continent. Register to get the Zoom link for this program from Elmhurst Public Library.

Event Type(s): Elementary School, Family, Online Program

Age Group(s): Grades K-8

B.C. First Nations council is moving to Indigenous-developed library system

The Dewey decimal classification has long been the standard of organizing library collections around the world, but a First Nations tribal council in B.C.’s Central Interior says it will ditch the system because of its colonial legacy. The Carrier Sekani Tribal Council is transitioning to the Brian Deer Classification System, which was developed by the late Kahnawake Mohawk librarian Alec Brian Deer in the 1970s. Its taxonomy is based on the geographical locations of Indigenous communities. There will be a webinar on this work on Thursday October 22, 11 am-12 noon MDT/10-11 am PST, titled “‘Everything’s in 300’: Moving from Dewey Decimal to BDC at the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council”. Free, donations accepted. Find the registration form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeamOvOCQ2rWjbB0yTXhqdc9Yv6B2Y0liDgObgWhJsKhkCfTA/viewform

New Free Library 2.0 Resources

Library 2.0 has posted a new podcast from Dr. Albrecht on the topic of “Getting a Temporary Restraining Order for a Problem Patron” in the “Library Safety and Security with Dr. Steve Albrecht” section of Library 2.0. You can listen directly on the site or you should also be able to access the podcast in SoundCloud here or in your own podcast app using the RSS feed here. You will also find Dr. Albrecht’s new blog post, “Re-Evaluating the Police Response to Your Library,” on the site.

Inclusive Calendar: I thought I would highlight some of the events that are happening now throughout the end of October. I haven’t included any religious holidays; please be mindful that if you do acknowledge typical Christian holidays, you may be alienating patrons with other religious beliefs and may want to incorporate others into your programming and/or displays. Please let me know if you want me to include these in the calendar.

  • Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15. This month corresponds with Mexican Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16, and recognizes the revolution in 1810 that ended Spanish dictatorship.
  • September 25: Native American Day, a federal holiday observed annually on the fourth Friday in September in the state of California and on the second Monday in October in South Dakota, United States.
  • September 27 to October 3: ALA Banned Books Week.
  • October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This observance was launched in 1945 when Congress declared the first week in October as “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” In 1998, the week was extended to a month and renamed. The annual event draws attention to employment barriers that still need to be addressed.
  • October is LGBT History Month, a U.S. observance started in 1994 to recognize lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history and the history of the gay-rights movement.
  • October 11: National Coming Out Day (U.S.). For those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, this day celebrates coming out and the recognition of the 1987 march on Washington for gay and lesbian equality.
  • October 12: National Indigenous Peoples Day, an alternative celebration to Columbus Day, gives recognition to the indigenous populations affected by colonization.

ALA Updates

ALSC, BCALA leadership to join national Netflix conversation on race, identity, and social justice in children’s literature

On Tuesday, Sept. 22, Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) President Kirby McCurtis and Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) Vice-President Nichelle M. Hayes joined other prominent African American leaders in a panel discussion on race, identity, and social justice in children’s literature. The conversation streamed live at Facebook.com/NetflixFamily and supports the library community’s continued commitment to showcasing diverse books and authors to empower libraries to reflect both the communities they serve and the larger global community.  Read more

New ALA report highlights how library services aid formerly incarcerated patrons throughout the reentry process

The American Library Association (ALA) has released a new policy perspective report, Libraries & Reentry: The Importance of Public Spaces, Technologies, and Community to Formerly Incarcerated Patrons (PDF). Authored by ALA Research Associate Katelyn Ringrose, the paper explores the role of libraries in the reentry process, focusing on how library services help reduce the probability of recidivism and ease some of the burdens associated with exiting prison or jail. Read more

GNCRT, IFRT, and Image Comics team-up to celebrate Banned Books Week with webinar series

ALA Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table and the ALA Intellectual Freedom Round Table are celebrating Banned Books Week with Image Comics by producing a week-long webinar series featuring creators and librarians in conversation on topics centered around censorship and intellectual freedom. Libraries around the country are invited to welcome their staff and patrons for these exciting conversations during Banned Books Week, the annual celebration of the freedom to read, which runs from Sept. 27 – Oct. 3.

Presented by the ALA Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table and the ALA Intellectual Freedom Round Table with Image Comics, the webinars will be hosted on Zoom and are scheduled for each weekday during Banned Books Week – Sept. 28 – Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. ET / noon CT / 10 a.m. PT. Registration is now open for all sessions, sign-up and reserve your seat today. Read more

Apply Now: Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries

The American Library Association (ALA) has announced plans to award nearly $2 million to small and rural libraries in 2020 and 2021 to help them address issues of concern in their communities.

Library workers may apply online for grant funding from September 21 to December 2, 2020, at ala.org/LTC. Up to 650 grants will be distributed over two funding rounds. The opportunity is open to libraries serving small and/or rural communities in the U.S. and U.S. territories. The Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) defines small communities as those with a legal service area population of 25,000 or less and rural communities as those more than, or equal to, five miles from an urbanized area. Read the full project guidelines. Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries is offered in partnership with the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL). The initiative is supported by a private donor and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

Sherry Machones
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Director – Northern Waters Library Service
Inclusive Services Consultant for NWLS and WVLS