Jenni Gaisbauer, the CML Foundation Executive Director, extended a “heartfelt welcome” to the New Americans in her opening remarks at the ceremony. The Foundation funded this special event. Gaisbauer reflected further after the event, noting that it was one of the most “…rewarding experiences I’ve had working at the library. There were no empty seats and few dry eyes in the room.”

The goal of hosting the ceremony in the library was to bring international families to the library to show them firsthand just how welcome they are, to expose them to the free programs, materials, and resources the library has available (an unfamiliar concept in many other countries), and of course, hope they will share their experiences at the library with their families and friends, furthering the library’s connection with international populations throughout Charlotte.

As a first for CML, associated print pieces such as the program, copies of speeches, and photos, were archived by Sydney Carroll, Archivist. She shared that “the Archive and Special Collections Department’s mission is to preserve and share the experiences of new and underrepresented communities in the archive. What better way to achieve this than to give these naturalization materials a permanent home in our collection?”

Charlotte is a fast growing and densely populated metropolis, with over 113 people moving to Charlotte every single day. It is also proud to be the only Certified Welcoming city in the state of North Carolina. In response to this, CML supports newcomers to Charlotte through a dedicated onboarding strategy called WelcomeCLT. This strategy is in direct support of the library’s mission to be a welcoming place to all and was also enacted as part of the effort to address Child and Family Stability in Charlotte, NC. Led by a diverse team of library staff, this initiative supports those new to the Queen City (with an emphasis on international newcomers) by providing information and resources about the Charlotte metro area. WelcomeCLT includes dedicated kiosks/citizenship corners, dedicated programming, and an online portal.

As CML moves into the next phase of WelcomeCLT, the team is excited to incorporate this important initiative into the blueprint for our new Main Library, projected to be finished in 2025. The new Main Library will be a major destination in Uptown Charlotte; a free, open, and accessible information hub for Mecklenburg County long timers, newcomers, and those just stopping through.

References

1. https://www.cmlibrary.org
2. https://www.welcomeclt.org
3. https://www.welcomingamerica.org
4. https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2023/07/25/clt-alliance-113-daily-movers-population-growth.html

The post First Naturalization Ceremony Hosted at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

After the conference, I told my supervisor, library Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Skip Auld about this program and he was curious and open to exploring the idea. He could see how it would align with the creative programming we were doing and how it would appeal to some of our customers.  One of the branch managers was interested in hosting a similar program in our library, so I put that in the monthly report I shared with our Board of Trustees in April. I thought I was being transparent, but it turned out that I wasn’t doing nearly enough to set the stage and prepare for the upcoming challenges.

In June, a staff member shared that they knew someone who performed in drag, who worked at a library, and was willing to present a Drag Queen Storytime for us. This was a win/win because the presenter was personally known to the staff member, they were trained in library storytime practices, and they were used to working with kids. The staff member submitted their program proposal, and it was approved up the chain of command, as is our usual practice. The social media post promoting the program hit Facebook in June, and I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that all hell broke loose! We immediately started getting calls, messages, and emails from elected officials and customers demanding that we cancel the program. While we knew there would potentially be some pushback, we did not expect what happened next!

Our public library system is a quasi-county organization, which means we get most of our funding from the county, but it is overseen by a Board of Trustees made up of community members. Our CEO immediately called the board chair to explain what was going on and set to work on getting the board up to speed and doing damage control. The CEO and board chair agreed that we didn’t want to cancel the program, but we had to figure out how to handle all the pushback and provide support for the staff, supportive board members, and our customers who wanted this program.

The next few months were a blur of difficult conversations, navigating conflict and controversy, determining and articulating our values, but we persevered. The program went off without a hitch that August, but we did have to make some changes. The controversy ended up extending past Drag Queen Storytime to how we select our programming, and who is welcome at the library. We learned some lessons about how to introduce a program that may be controversial, and how to stand by our values in times of diversity and challenges.

Educate your Board, Friends/Foundation, Governmental Leaders

In hindsight, when we decided we wanted to do the first Drag Queen Storytime in Maryland, we should have done more to educate the board about this program and why we wanted to do it. I did a presentation to the board so they would understand what we wanted to do and why. This was helpful, but I wish we had done it before the community pushback started. I also educated the board about our programming practices. For instance, parents/caregivers are required to accompany kids under 8, in accordance with Maryland state law. No kids under 8 would be in this program without a parent or caregiver with them, and most kids rely on parents and caregivers to bring them to the library, so the older kids are usually accompanied by adults as well. We also explained to the board that when we hire outside presenters, we have oversight as to what they present and how they present it. In this case, we knew all eyes would be on us, so we intentionally talked to our presenter about all the details, including book and music selection, and even their attire. Videos on the internet didn’t help our cause. Customers were sending videos of adult drag performances and demanding that we not allow pole dancing in Storytime. We needed to get the correct information out into the community on what our event would look like.

We also talked to the board about the library system’s values of diversity, inclusion and belonging and how important it is for us to welcome everyone. Earlier that year, the board had adopted the Urban Libraries Statement on Race and Social Equity, so we discussed that. We reminded the board members that not every program will appeal to everyone, and that is okay.  We also learned we needed to compromise to present our first Drag Queen Storytime in a way that the board would be more comfortable defending. This meant moving the venue, putting signage on the door about the parents and caregivers accompanying small children, having administration approve the content and attend the program. Although this was unusual, we could live with these limitations. In subsequent Drag Queen Storytimes, the board was not involved in the content and we were able to present the program without as much oversight of the details. Multiple board members have attended Drag Queen Storytimes to show support.

Educate Yourself

If you do controversial programs such as Drag Queen Storytime, there will be protesters. It’s important that staff know the legal parameters around protesting and what to do if protesters push the limits. We received legal advice that we could control the time, place, and manner of protesting, so we had a designated area where the protesters could stand, and we did not allow them to bring their signage into the program. We gave priority to customers with kids but did allow adults to enter the program if there was space. We believed this transparency was important. Be sure that your library has procedures in place to deal with protesters. We also had counter-protesters, which was much appreciated by staff and by the presenter! At one of our programs, the workers at the produce stand across the street saw the protesters, went to a local craft store and bought supplies to decorate their tent with rainbows and blasted ABBA music. They also sent over the message that our Drag Queen could come over after the program and get as much produce as they wanted!

Library staff with Balena Canto, at the library’s inaugural Drag Queen Storytime.

Support and Communicate with Staff

We had to educate staff on two levels. First, we needed to get buy in from staff even if they didn’t personally agree with the programs. Second, we needed to provide staff with language for talking to unhappy customers. We created a frequently asked questions document and posted it on our intranet. Staff could print this out and put it on the service desks to refer to when customers came in or called to complain. We also posted our Program Selection Policy and information about our library system’s values on our website.

Align with Partners

We realized very quickly that we couldn’t go very far with Draq Queen Storytime, or other LGBTQIA+ related programing without rallying support in our community. We had already been working with the newly formed Annapolis Pride advocacy group, and this controversy cemented our relationship. Their members came out in full force to testify at board meetings about how the library had been a safe place for them over the years and that this programming was crucial for the community. We also worked with other businesses, agencies, and non-profit groups that shared our values and would support the work we were doing.

Be Prepared for the Unexpected

It is an unfortunate reality, but it is important to let local law enforcement know when you are doing a program that might end up with conflict. In addition to protesters outside of the library, an assault occurred at one of our programs where a person interrupted the Storytime to yell his opinion and then shoved a board member who was in the program. The law enforcement officer staged in the program room quickly removed the protester and Storytime went on. This was a big help to staff who were concerned about handling a situation like this without the proper authority or training.

We also created a process for managing horrible comments online. We don’t automatically remove negative comments, but we do remove anything that is threatening or personal against staff or our presenters. Our digital experience manager keeps a file of all removed comments in case we get a Maryland Public Information Act request. We call law enforcement if there are threats that we deem dangerous, and they help us determine the next steps.

We also reminded staff that all their written communications are subject to public request, so they needed to be aware of that and choose their wording carefully. We did get some Maryland Public Information Requests related to our first Drag Queen program and had to turn over a lot of written communications.

Create a Unified Response

We worked hard to make sure we were all telling our customers the same thing. We created a response template that we sent out to those customers who contacted us via email. Sometimes we would tailor the response if they had specific concerns.

“Thank you for your feedback. The Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) is committed to providing a diverse slate of creative, inclusive, educational, and entertaining programs for all ages.  We understand that not all events or materials will interest all customers. Additionally, parents make the choices as to which library events their children will attend, and we respect those choices.

AACPL is committed to racial and social equity and has pledged to:

• Create and maintain an environment of diversity, inclusion and respect both in our library systems and in all aspects of our community role
• Ensure that we are reaching and engaging disenfranchised people in the community and helping them express their voice

LGBTQIA+ programs help children and adults embrace gender diversity and sexual orientation in others and in themselves. It helps curb bullying of LGBTQIA+ children and adults who are considered “different” in all kinds of ways.nWith rates of suicide attempts for LGBTQIA+ teens almost five times the level of their heterosexual counterparts, the need for these inclusive programs is imperative. LGBTQIA+ positive programs help people build empathy, provide positive role models for LGBTQIA+ children and make the world a more affirming place for all.  While we respect the viewpoint of all our customers, we remain committed to providing a safe space for all.”

All responses went out from me as chief operating officer, CEO Auld, or our marketing manager. This is not how we would have chosen to get onto the front page of the local paper or in the newsletters that were going around the local churches and community groups, but it did bring attention to our work and educate the community about the value of diverse programming.

Although it was a challenging time, Drag Queen Storytime broke the ice, and it was worth it. We are now known as a system that values diverse programming, especially LGBTQIA+ programming. Our CEO was selected as the grand marshal of the Annapolis Pride parade in June 2020, and although it was canceled due to Covid, we are proud of that recognition of our system’s work. Our commitment to diverse programming has also created a more welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ staff, and that is well known in the Maryland library community.

Membership on our board of trustees has almost completely turned over since 2018, so we make sure that we continue to educate the new members about our path to diverse programming and our commitment to making sure it continues. We do the same with our elected officials and we continue to nurture relationships with our partners as we grow and expand programs to meet the needs of our diverse community.

The post What We Learned From Drag Queen Storytime (It Might Not Be What You Think!) first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

According to a June 2021 article in Autism in Adulthood, less than a third of autistic individuals are driving independently compared to nearly 90 percent of neurotypical individuals. This may be due to many factors such as access to appropriate training and lower levels of executive function and communication skills typically associated with autism spectrum disorders.

Everyone feels a moment of panic when they see the flashing lights of a law enforcement officer behind them on the road. Although there are many reasons why drivers might be concerned, drivers who are neurodivergent may be unsure of how to communicate clearly, worry about being misunderstood and generally feel more anxiety than other drivers. Drivers who are neurodiverse may struggle with appropriate social interactions, eye contact, and handling stressful situations. Recent news stories about law enforcement officers responding with violence when encountering someone who does not react the way they expect, which may be due to neurodiversity, have also added to the challenges.

One library system is stepping up to help neurodiverse customers navigate the complexities of traffic stops and relieve anxiety around driving. Staff at Discoveries: The Library at the Mall recently brought the Neurodiverse Driver Traffic Stop program offered to its Annapolis,
Maryland branch to help neurodiverse customers learn how to interact with law enforcement officials if stopped while driving and how to communicate effectively in such a tense situation. To best serve this customer base, staff at the Discoveries Library first held two neurodiverse family focus groups to gather more information about what kinds of services and programs they’d like to see at the library. Support for the needs of anxious teens and young adults proved a common theme and the traffic stop program came out of those conversations. A partnership with the local police department and the non-profit advocacy group Pathfinders for Autism, the program’s success depended on its publicity and the offering of more resources to the attendees. The one-on-one program attracted participants from around Maryland and the District of Columbia because of its unique nature. Library staff used the large parking lot on the mall’s rooftop as a staging area for the police and drivers to role play in a safe environment. Police officers with special training in how to work
with neurodiverse drivers discussed important tips to remember for these drivers such as taking their time getting to a safe place to pull off the road, staying in the car unless asked by the law enforcement officer to get out, keeping hands on the wheel and visible, and having
identification and insurance paperwork easily accessible when needed. Helping neurodiverse drivers understand what to expect in these high-pressure situations can lead to decreased anxiety and more positive interactions for all involved.

The library received a lot of good feedback about the program from participants and their family members. According to comments provided to Pathfinders for Autism from a participant’s spouse, she believes Saturday was life changing for K. The couple shared that he was afraid of police and firefighters due to being severely abused by his firefighter uncle. The officer shared some of his own personal experiences with K which made an incredible impact on K. She also said that being given the opportunity to converse with multiple officers who are genuinely caring has changed his anxiety and perspective.

Some states around the country are working to address the needs of neurodiverse drivers. In June 2020, a bill was passed in the state of Nevada requiring the Department of Motor Vehicles to “place a designation on a vehicle registration, driver’s license or identification card for a person with a communication need.” This is a step forward to help law enforcement understand the challenges that neurodiverse, deaf or hard of hearing customers face. But while small steps are being made to support neurodiverse teens and young adults, driving remains a stressful task for many. Twenty-year-old twins Forrest and Griffin Wintermute are college students who are on the autism spectrum. They have used the excellent public transportation in Portland, Oregon for years, so they weren’t motivated to learn to drive as soon as they turned 16. In the past year, Griffin decided to get his permit and then his license, after hours of practice driving with his grandfather, although he still frequently uses public transportation. Forrest decided that he is just fine with public transportation and doesn’t see the need to go through the stress and expense of getting his license. In addition to supporting drivers on the autism spectrum, libraries across the country have embraced the opportunity to get to know the needs of neurodiverse customers and provide much needed programming, education and support. Programs such as sensory Storytime, low distraction quiet reading periods, neurodivergent meet ups and game nights for all ages provide opportunities for customers to enjoy the library in a way that is welcoming and comfortable and extend the customers’ comfort interacting with officials and other strangers who may not always understand their communication challenges. With the National Institutes of Health estimating that nearly 15-20 percent of people worldwide exhibit neurodivergence, supporting the needs of these customers and their families continues to be increasingly important.

The post Neurodiverse Drivers, Traffic Stops, and the Library first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Resources for this Podcast

University of Michigan Program for Research on Black Americans – https://prba.isr.umich.edu/

Black History Month Programming Taxonomy – https://blackhistorymonth.bcala.org/taxonomy/

University of Michigan Public Engagement and Impact website – Examining Black History Month Programming in Public Libraries – https://publicengagement.umich.edu/examining-black-history-month-programming-in-public-libraries/

BCALA Website – Black History Month Programming in Public Libraries – https://blackhistorymonth.bcala.org/

Dr. Deborah Robinson – https://prba.isr.umich.edu/2019/09/03/robinson-returns-to-prba/

Dr. Grace Jackson-Brown – https://libraries.missouristate.edu/profile-display.aspx?p=GJackson-Brown

Association for the Study of African American Life and History – Origins of Black History Month – https://asalh.org/about-us/origins-of-black-history-month/  – Annual Themes (including 2024 theme) – https://asalh.org/black-history-themes/

The post FYI Podcast – Black History Month Programming Study first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Libraries can learn a lot from his successful approach.

People Still Want Paper Books

Books remain the main draw for bookstores and libraries. Amazon maintains a 50% market share of the physical book sales in the United States. The rest are sold in bookstores of various types and sizes. Although libraries certainly circulate a lot of digital materials, customers still want to come in and touch the books. The smell of a room full of books is distinct, and often a reason customers cite for loving the library. Browsing titles online cannot provide the same visceral experience as touching physical books and leafing through the pages. One feature that shopping on Amazon cannot replicate is the experience of browsing and serendipitous finds. The time that creative librarians put into developing and maintaining appealing displays is rewarded by helping customers spot just the right book that they didn’t know they were looking for.

Library Staff Members Know What Patrons Want

When Barnes and Noble tried a “one size fits all” approach nationwide with fees paid to feature books that the publishers wanted to promote, it was a failure. Libraries are most successful when they let the staff respond to community interests. Front line staff members know their customers and their community. They know what people are asking for and how to meet those needs. Libraries sometimes accomplish this through floating collections, where items stay in the branch where they are returned. It is also important to target the buying of materials based on circulation statistics and the number of customer holds –both good ways to gauge demand. Barnes and Noble learned that encouraging bookstore staff in each location to promote what their customers wanted increased sales. Libraries can apply that lesson for books and for programming. Communities respond when they feel that the library is listening and providing what they want.

“Give Em What They Want”

Charlie Robinson, long time director of Baltimore County Public Library (BCPL) is well known in library circles for pioneering the concept of “give ‘em what they want.” When Robinson took over as library director of BCPL in 1963, the system was following the traditional philosophy of housing classics and buying what the librarians thought people should be reading instead of what they wanted to be reading. While his philosophy was controversial, it helped BCPL grow into a leading public library system with circulation rivaling Queens Public Library by the early 1990s.

Focus on Priorities

Mission creep happened in Barnes and Noble, and it certainly happens in libraries as well. Some of it is positive – notepads and Nook tables and eReaders in Barnes & Noble make sense. But the space that was used for elaborate toy sections and household items was converted back to space for books and educational materials. Libraries have expanded to include public health initiatives to address community needs but they also have to make careful decisions so that staff and budgetary capacity are respected, and the library is able to focus on established priorities. The lessons learned by B & N’s challenges resonate with public libraries as well and have the potential to support the growth of both in the future.

The post Lessons in Focus: What Public Libraries Can Learn from Barnes & Noble’s Challenges first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The Library of Congress (LOC), is presenting game developers a challenge- to make games that help improve public knowledge on civics. The LOC will award a cash prize of $20,000 for the winning entry, $10,000 for the second-place entry, and $5,000 for the third-place entry. The winning games will be hosted on the LOC site for use by the American public and the winners will be honored in a public ceremony. The deadline for entries is 11/27/23. Exact details and qualifications can all be found on the official website.

What does this mean for us, librarians? Well, if your patrons or colleagues are game developers, it’s crucial to promptly share this news with them so they can kickstart their development process. The earlier development begins, the more time there is for prototyping and polishing.

Crafting Your Civic Game: Tips for Game Developers

The first step you should take is to ensure that the game mechanics are up and running, to determine if the concept is enjoyable and worth pursuing. Afterward, you can focus on refining animations, graphics, and sound. Depending on the game’s complexity and the composition of your team, it’s highly advisable to create a Game Design Document (GDD). GDDs serve to establish clear objectives for the game and provide a roadmap for everyone on the team, ensuring that everyone is on the same page regarding the game’s direction.

Even if you’re working independently, maintaining a record or dev-log of your progress is beneficial in the long run, especially for retrospection. Well-crafted GDDs serve as a source of inspiration for the team and are considered living documents. Some teams prefer using a Wiki format, while a simple Google Doc can suffice. In summary, your GDD serves as a showcase of the project’s scope and sets the groundwork for your game development endeavor.

Technical Considerations and Accessibility: Making Your Game Stand Out

It is required that the games must be playable on modern web browsers- this is important for developers to know because not every game engine is capable or optimized for publishing to a browser. For example, even though Unreal Engine 5 (UE5)  is out, as stated in Epic’s guide for HTML5 Projects you’d have to load up an earlier version of Unreal Engine (UE4) to publish it. If anything, Unity might be the better platform since WebGL publishing makes publishing on a browser easy to do. Of course, if you don’t like Unity, there are tons of other gaming engines with their own pros and cons. Technically, you could also make the game with Twine, and if you are someone who hates coding and would rather just focus on the storytelling aspects- Twine might be the better choice. Many developers post their web-based games on itch.io, which can also be where you host your own game.

It is also required that the game is Section 508 compliant and works with screen readers like Jaws, NVDA, VoiceOver and etc. Making the game accessible to individuals with disabilities is vital for the competition as well. You must make sure the game will be rated E from the ESRB, and incorporate Library of Congress resources. Unity has a very thorough accessibility course that can be applied to other industries besides gaming.

With the rules set in mind, you probably have some ideas in mind for a great Civics video game. However if now you find yourself with writer’s block- don’t worry, I asked ChatGPT for ideas in advance. After all, if you choose to use Unity ChatGPT, it can help write the C# scripting for some of the mechanics.

From ChatGPT:

• Democracy Simulator: In this game, players can take on the role of a citizen in a virtual city or country and participate in the democratic process. They can run for office, campaign for votes, propose and debate laws, and make decisions that impact the virtual society. The game can provide a realistic simulation of the challenges and complexities of democratic governance.
• Constitutional Quest: Players embark on a quest through a fictional land where they must collect pieces of a fragmented constitution. Along the way, they learn about the different branches of government, the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and the importance of upholding democratic principles. The game can incorporate puzzles, challenges, and interactive storytelling elements.
• Global Diplomacy: This game focuses on international relations and diplomacy. Players represent different countries and work together or compete against each other to address global issues such as climate change, trade agreements, and conflicts. They must negotiate, form alliances, make compromises, and consider the consequences of their decisions, teaching them about the complexities of international politics.
• Justice Defender: Players become lawyers or judges in a virtual courtroom setting. They investigate cases, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and argue their cases in front of a virtual judge and jury. The game can cover various legal concepts such as due process, the rule of law, and the role of the judiciary, while also exploring ethical dilemmas and the impact of legal decisions on society.
• Civic Heroes: In this game, players take on the role of everyday citizens who become community activists and work to solve local issues. They engage in grassroots organizing, hold town hall meetings, create awareness campaigns, and collaborate with others to make a positive impact. The game can cover topics such as community development, civic engagement, and the importance of active citizenship.
• Media Literacy Quest: This game focuses on teaching players about media literacy and critical thinking skills. Players navigate through a virtual media landscape filled with fake news, misinformation, and biased sources. They must identify reliable information, fact-check claims, and make informed decisions based on evidence. The game can provide resources and strategies for evaluating news and media content.
• Historical Simulation: Players can be immersed in historically significant events and periods, such as the American Revolution or the civil rights movement. They can experience the challenges faced by historical figures, make choices that shape the outcome of events, and gain an understanding of the social and political contexts of those times. This can foster an appreciation for the impact of civic engagement throughout history.

Remember, the effectiveness of a game in teaching civics will also depend on how well it incorporates engaging gameplay mechanics, clear learning objectives, and opportunities for active participation and decision-making.”

Collaborative Opportunities: Libraries as Game Development Hubs

Well, there you have it: a game’s complexity in its development is entirely at the discretion of the developer. Whether you choose to embark on this journey solo or collaborate with others depends on the resources available to you. If you possess the time and determination to create something entirely on your own, go for it, but it’s essential to maintain a realistic perspective.

For instance, if your vision for a civics game rivals the scope of titles like “Ghost of Tsushima” or “Assassin’s Creed” set during the American Civil War, attempting to handle all aspects of coding, 3D modeling, and animations by yourself might lead to burnout. This is precisely where the value of assembling a team and connecting with like-minded individuals becomes evident.

Fortunately, the internet provides convenient avenues for such collaborations through platforms like Reddit or LinkedIn.

However, libraries can also play a pivotal role in supporting game designers by providing spaces for them to collaborate, similar to how some libraries host Writing Circles, where patrons share their written work with one another. In this context, game designers can convene, whether in-person or virtually.

There are instances where you might prefer to work with a collaborator who is local to you, especially if your civics game is centered around your hometown. However, if financial constraints make it challenging to hire talent for creating assets, you may find yourself in a situation where you must either acquire the skills to create assets yourself or rely on your networking efforts to connect with someone willing to join you in developing the game, regardless of your skill level.

Whichever path you decide to take, I wish you the best of luck in the development of your game! Even if you don’t emerge as the winner, there remains the potential for it to attain cult classic status, potentially yielding greater rewards over time than the immediate cash prizes. Regardless of the outcome, it’s important to remember that the LOC is seeking games that not only encourage civic engagement but also educate players about LOC resources.

May the odds be ever in your favor.

The post Unlocking Civic Knowledge: Library of Congress Game Development Challenge first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

But in June of 1865, declarations were one thing and the fractured United States was another. The Civil War officially ended when Robert E. Lee surrendered the Confederate army at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865, but the last battle was in Texas a week later. President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, but today, we celebrate June 19—Juneteenth—as the day that federal troops arrived in Galveston to ensure that all enslaved people actually were freed.

The official federal holiday for Juneteenth began in 2021, but communities and libraries have spearheaded Juneteenth commemorations, celebrations, and community for far longer. Here is inspiration from libraries nation-wide to get you started on your own celebration and commemoration across the month of June.

Joyful Celebrations: Los Angeles Public Library’s June Jubilee Juneteenth Celebration. In Los Angeles, the library is making it a month to celebrate, starting with June Jubilee Juneteenth, a celebration and exploration of Black culture “that fosters unity, understanding, fun, and appreciation of the American experience.”

Juneteenth Reading: New York Public Library’s Juneteenth Read for All Ages. In New York, the library system has gathered a range of fiction and nonfiction books for all ages from which you can take inspiration, continue your celebration, and support edification of what Juneteenth means to individuals, families, communities, and our country.

In-Library Exhibits: Oak Park Libraries’ Idea Box. In Illinois, the Oak Park Libraries transformed its Main Library Idea Box by adding artifacts from past community Juneteenth celebrations in nearby communities.

Book Displays: Palm Beach Gardens Branch’s Juneteenth Book Display. Take a chapter from Palm Beach and take your Juneteenth book display to the next level by sharing it online on social media, as well as in the library.

Online Activities. With Juneteenth’s official commemoration as a federal holiday, many libraries are turning to online resources to support their patrons virtually as they physically close for the day.

• Broward County Library’s Celebrate Juneteenth (Online Video Presentation). In this YouTube video, Dr. Tameka Bradley Hobbs, Regional Manager for Broward County Library’s African American Research Library and Cultural Center, discusses Juneteenth’s significance as a commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States.
• Skokie Public Library’s Multi-Pronged Outreach. Can’t decide what to do? Look to Skokie for examples of how to do it all. From an in-person celebration to a video sharing online resources to special reading and watching lists, you’ll find examples of ways to engage your patrons where you are and how you can.

PL Online would love to hear about your library’s Juneteenth activities. Send a short description (a link + 50 words) and a pic if available, to publiclibrariesonline AT gmail DOT com, with Juneteenth in the subject, and we’ll append those to the end of this article.

The post Commemorating Juneteenth at the Library first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The debate on the ethics of AI is lengthy, especially in terms of art, but one aspect of the debate is using AI as a tool. Whether you use it as a tool to brainstorm ideas for projects or use it to help your writing- it’s a very powerful tool- so powerful, I asked it to help me make a basic 2D
Platformer.

Recently as a graduate student, I took Team Studio, a class where you work with other students in creating games for your portfolio. I wanted to use Unity’s visual scripting for the project, but that ended up not working out. I now, as a librarian, had to learn C# from scratch in order to create a player controller for my character. The player controller would have the ability to move, flip, jump, and be able to receive damage. Since I had previously used visual scripting to make my previous platformer and have fun in Dreams, doing the same via C# was a challenge,
especially since we had an eight-week time limit. Coding is not something you are taught in library school. If anything you learn some HTML/CSS to help design webpages. I already knew some back from my Neopets, and MySpace days in the mid-2000s. Therefore, the transition to learning C# was more doable compared to if I didn’t know any coding at all, but here’s what makes programming so difficult- there are more than 200 ways to program movement, and there’s no right way of making a frog jump for example, you just have to make programming work for you.

There are benefits to visual scripting and traditional scripting in terms of making video games. My argument for visual scripting is that for us librarians since books are our main specialty, it’s easy for beginners to feel empowered to want to try to make video games, so it would be easy with some time for it to be offered as a class to the patrons. All you are doing is connecting nodes with each other. I highly recommend Dreams and Game Builder Garage for video game collections, because those games teach you the skills needed to do visual scripting. However, there are more tutorials and guides out there for traditional coding, which made using C# to do the programming for our student project more feasible. Look at the below picture, one is visual scripting while the other is C#. Both are scripts that make a game object rotate and spin. Which is easier? It’s up to you to decide.

There are plenty of Youtube tutorials out there that I followed in teaching myself C#. However, finding tutorials that actually help, and are not outdated was difficult to find. I got my player controller to move, but it could not jump. Finally, I found one where you had to add an empty game object of “ground check” to the player and tag the layers. Hurray, my player jumps! But then, after my teammate made a script for health that I tried to incorporate, now my player refused to jump. I was stressed out, for why was the player not jumping now?

Game development is “figuring out why this is not working, you finally fix it, but in fixing that you break something else.” My teammate ended up saving the day by having to create an entirely new player controller script. It was extremely stressful having to learn enough C# in a short time frame to get a working player, so the professor gave the suggestion of using ChatGPT to write scripts. While the game we created for class features no ChatGPT scripting, his advice did inspire me to do this pet project. I was able to make a player controller script that both moves around and jumps using tags and layers, I did not even have to do the method of adding a ground check game object to my player like other tutorials I followed did. This is what I created: a very simple, 2D platformer where you can walk and jump around. The artwork is all from Canva, as I cannot draw/animate well.

You cannot hurt enemies or take damage as of right now, but the goal is eventually, using ChatGPT alone to make the scripts capable of doing so. Eventually creating a more fleshed-out 2D Platformer is the goal, but the fact that ChatGPT was able to create a decent player controller script, as well as enemy patrol scripts that work was impressive. I did not have to do the ground check game-object trick that so many of the player controller tutorials I saw utilized. Here is the catch- you have to know some C# to utilize it properly. You have to know how the
syntax works and what certain terms mean, otherwise just copying and pasting it directly onto Visual Scripting may cause compiler issues for your game, and make your game unplayable.

Here is an example of how I told ChatGPT to write the scripting.

using System.Collections;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using UnityEngine;
public class PlayerController : MonoBehaviour
{
public float moveSpeed = 5f;
public float jumpForce = 10f;
public AudioClip jumpSound;
private Rigidbody2D rb;
private AudioSource audioSource;
private bool isGrounded;
private void Start()
{
rb = GetComponent<Rigidbody2D>();
audioSource = GetComponent<AudioSource>();
}
private void FixedUpdate()
{
float moveInput = Input.GetAxisRaw("Horizontal");
rb.velocity = new Vector2(moveInput * moveSpeed, rb.velocity.y);
}
private void Update()
{
if (Input.GetKeyDown(KeyCode.Space) && isGrounded)
{
Jump();
PlayJumpSound();
}
}
private void Jump()
{
rb.velocity = new Vector2(rb.velocity.x, jumpForce);
isGrounded = false;
}
private void PlayJumpSound()
{
if (jumpSound != null)
{
audioSource.PlayOneShot(jumpSound);
}
}
private void OnCollisionEnter2D(Collision2D collision)
{
if (collision.gameObject.CompareTag("Ground"))
{
isGrounded = true;

Then, in Unity, all I had to do was edit the PlayerController script, or in the case of starting it from scratch, create a new script by clicking “add component” at the bottom.

Then just copy and paste it into Microsoft Visual Studio, save, add the jump audio sound, and then you are done.

The post How I Used ChatGPT to Make a Video Game first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

on May 4, 2023, with co-sponsorship by EBSCO and ALA.

The competition focuses on how libraries can support aspiring and existing small business owners, entrepreneurs, and other aspects of local economic development. This year, emphasis was on pitches related to local equity issues and marginalized populations. Five finalists were chosen to compete on Pitch Day from an initial pool of 30 applicants from the U.S. and Canada. Winners of the competition received cash prizes totaling $10,000, as well as opportunities for mentoring following the competition. The contestants each had 5 minutes to present their proposals, focusing on topics such as formerly incarcerated individuals, teen and young adult engagement, and resources for the legacy community in the cannabis industry. Following deliberation by a panel of judges and an attendee poll to determine the audience favorite, the 2023 winner of the ELC Pitch Competition was Hillary Peppers of the St. Louis County (MO) Library, with “Pitch Perfect: Empowering Encore Entrepreneurs.” This pitch focused on what libraries can do to provide assistance to entrepreneurs over the age of 55.  

With 12 years of experience in adult services, Peppers found that older entrepreneurs are at a greater risk of depleting their savings and endangering their retirement, and that the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges. To address this, Peppers pitched an 8-week workshop for entrepreneurs 55 years or older, focusing on combating ageism, use of technology, and leveraging life experience towards business operations—culminating in a community pitch competition and extension of memberships to the local Chamber of Commerce for all course participants. 

The audience choice award was given to Karly Feinberg of Baltimore County (MD) Public Library (BCPL), with “Clean Start: Supporting the Reentry Community.” Clean Start provides skills training, supplies, and insurance coverage for formerly incarcerated individuals with an interest in starting or working with a cleaning service. Clean Start builds upon BCPL’s flagship small business program, Entrepreneur Academy.  

Audience members were impressed with each of the proposals, reflecting that understanding potential community partners is key to success. One participant noted that “all of the libraries are very in touch with the needs of their communities.”  

All finalists are expected to provide a 3-month progress update and 6-month final report back to the ELC Community to share their progress with implementing their program ideas. These check-ins are designed to build accountability and foster relationship building within the ELC Community. Additionally, as libraries pilot these innovative new ideas, they bolster the entire field with lessons learned, promising practices, and opportunities to scale and sustain successful initiatives.  

Pitching is an important skill for entrepreneurs to effectively communicate their business ideas and goals. The same goes for library workers, who want to build successful communication skills and confidence to better connect with community stakeholders and program participants. Feinberg stated, “Events like the ELC Pitch Competition help showcase and inspire library professionals to rethink the role their library plays in local economic development, especially when it comes to marginalized populations in their community.” 

Congratulations to the finalists on successful pitches! 

Final Rankings: 

1st Place ($4,000):  

Hillary Peppers, St. Louis County Library (MO) 

“Pitch Perfect: Empowering Encore Entrepreneurs” 

2nd Place ($2,500) & Audience Choice award ($1,000): 

Karly Feinberg, Baltimore County Public Library (MD) 

“Clean Start: Supporting the Reentry Community” 

3rd Place ($1,500): 

Jennifer Byrnes, Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County (NY) 

“The Accidental Cannabis Czar: Helping Patrons Navigate the Legal Cannabis Industry” 

4th & 5th Place (tied- $500): 

Matt McNally, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District (NV) 

“Teen Tycoons” 

Emily Tobin, West Bloomfield Township Public Library (MI) 

“Community Business Works” 

The post ELC Pitch Competition Showcases Library Services to Support Small Business Communities  first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

The event site states, “hip-hop’s impact and influence have reached beyond music throughout culture, from fashion to film to literature and more. Join us this spring and summer as the library celebrates the legacy of hip-hop with programs, reading recommendations, and more, culminating in a celebration in August. Information about events and resources can be found here, https://www.nypl.org/spotlight/hip-hop-50.   

Genre Booklists
https://www.nypl.org/books-more/recommendations/hip-hop/adults  

Ideas to celebrate Hip Hop Legacy and Development at Your Library
https://www.nypl.org/events/hip-hop  

Video content from The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
https://www.youtube.com/@TheSchomburgCenter  

There are many more ways to celebrate and also learn more about Hip Hop’s story. Start with these resources to see the contributions and impact of Hip Hop Artists and fans. 

Watch the first Hip Hop Movie, Wild Style released in 1983, free on TubiTV 
https://tubitv.com/movies/491731/wild-style  

Read up on XXL’s Top 25 Impactful Hip Hop Producers 
https://www.xxlmag.com/hip-hop-producers-impact/  

Check out BET’s Anniversary Page 
https://www.bet.com/topic/hiphop50thanniversary  

Listen to NPR’s Podcast: 50 Years of Hip Hop 
https://www.npr.org/podcasts/1152139160/50-years-of-hip-hop  

Watch the PBS “Fight the Power” Series 
https://to.pbs.org/3UZzesC  

Learn the Impact on Education  
bit.ly/41TCubw 

Learn the Impact on Fashion 
How Hip-Hop Changed Fashion: 50th Anniversary Retrospective – WWD  

Check Out Books from Goodread’s Curated Reading List 
The Definitive List of Hip-Hop Books (143 books) (goodreads.com)  

Attend Can’t Stop Hip Hop -A Conference to Celebrate & Elevate the Power of Hip Hop (in) Education Held at the Harvard Graduate School of Education 
https://www.cantstophiphop.org/ 

Take some Masterclasses 
NAS teaches storytelling —  https://www.masterclass.com/classes/nas-teaches-hip-hop-storytelling  

QuestLove teaches music curation and DJing — https://www.masterclass.com/classes/questlove-teaches-music-curation-and-djing  

Browse Kennedy Center’s Education Page  — bit.ly/3LnGzzb 

The post NYPL Celebrates 50 Years of Hip-Hop first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

DISTRIBUTING AND/OR EXCHANGING SEEDS

Seed collections range from seed distribution to seed exchanges. Distribution refers to collecting and distributing retailer-sourced or donation-sourced seeds. Creating an exchange is a larger endeavor that includes accepting seeds to curate and share later. 

Cleveland Public Library highlights their partnership with the Cleveland Seed Bank and how they distribute and promote sharing in the community. 

Augusta County Public Library, in Virginia, distributes and collects seeds. 

After attending a conference session in 2016, Rachael Phillips, Adult Services Manager at Augusta County Library, was eager to begin. “I was interested in the historical aspect of saving seeds. We focus on sustainability,” she said. Phillips’ community cherishes their history and the connection with food and growing. “It took about a year to get going, after doing research,” Phillips added. After seven years, the project became self-sustaining, with a jump-start after the Covid-Pandemic. Seeds are now available at all seven library locations. “I would encourage anyone thinking about it to start. It is a low-stakes project and patrons love it,” Phillips added.  

GROWING YOUR OWN SEED LIBRARY

Dig up information to see if there is a current program in your area. There may be a partner willing to include your location as a pick-up/ drop-off point or provide information on local resources. Most importantly, ensure your project complies with state agricultural law, created to properly regulate seeds and distribution. Common partners in current seed libraries are: 

•  Master Gardeners
• Universities with an extension program, like program at University of MD: 

Sprouting a collection with no partners is also doable. Do you know the difference between a conventional and heirloom seed? Do you have a green thumb on staff? If not, the following resources provide materials and training videos to help you decide the scale and purpose of your project.
 

• Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library 
• BASIL Project 
•  Illinois Library: Seed Library Research Guide 

Any type of seed library would benefit from some common materials, according to Richmond Grows resource website. 

• Cabinets for seeds 
• Seeds  
• Labels for the outside of the drawers
• Labels for dividers (in drawers) 
• Dividers for diverse types of seeds  
• Wooden dividers for the drawer  
• 1-2 stamps for checking in and out 
• 1-2 stamp pads 
• Envelopes for borrowing seeds  
• A ledger (either online or in-person) for checking out and donating/returning seeds. 

PROGRAM AND MARKETING IDEAS

Once the collection is ready, you’ll want to let people know through marketing, creative programming, or both. Here are some ideas from seasoned and newer programs.

Create a state-wide program initiative like One Michigan One Seed. 

Offer series of educational programming from expert partners like, Penn State Extension Master Gardener Program. 

Celebrate National Seed Swap Day like Carroll County Public Library in Maryland. 

Talbot County Free Library in Maryland maintains a Seed Library Facebook group. 

GRANTS

According to Phillips, seeds and a logbook are all you really need to get started. But if you’re looking for more funds or freebies, check out the following organizations. 

 Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant  – Applications re-open in December 2023 

Native Seed Community Seed Grant 

Seedsavers Exchange 
 
 

The post Sowing Seeds for Community Impact first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Ultimately, every organization should look toward its mission statement when determining the rationale of its actions. Not one library mission statement I have read includes “provides fun.”Here are some examples from larger public library systems across the country. The Los Angeles Public Library System exists to, “provides free and easy access to information, ideas, books and technology that enrich, educate and empower every individual in our city’s diverse communities.” In Chicago, the public library system is there to, “welcome and support all people in their enjoyment of reading and pursuit of lifelong learning. Working together, we strive to provide equal access to information, ideas and knowledge through books, programs, and other resources. We believe in the freedom to read, to learn, to discover.”  The New York Public Library’s mission is to, “advance knowledge, and strengthen our communities.”  Fun does not appear in any of them.

In every example, the ideas of lifelong education, free access to information/resources, and enriching either individuals or communities are present. Revisiting the library’s mission statement is a good way to ensure that your activities are supporting your institution. Public libraries are lofty institutions that represent the best of a democratic society. Public libraries are the peoples’ university. Public libraries are at a community’s center of education, business, and community. Choosing to view library programs as just fun detracts from the value that libraries bring to their communities. Public libraries contribute to the economic success and cultural value of their locations.

It is imperative to remind people that the programs offered at the library are important to the community. Focusing on fluff and fun can diminish the substance behind what the library is trying to accomplish. How we think about and what we associate with public institutions, informs our responses to their challenges and needs. When a library says that they need money for programming, do we want the community to think that they are propping up a crafts class or movie night? No, we want to emphasize the practical real world benefits of library program, which might happen to include crafting or films, but that also support literacy, personal development, and social opportunities.

Fred Rogers is known for his work with educational programming and is known to say that, “play is the work of children.” I think that is a valuable way to think about learning. Play is definitely the work of children, but it is also the work of adults. Play is how we acquire new skills. Play is how we socially interact with each other. Play is how we apply abstract concepts to concrete actions. Should library programs be fun? Absolutely! Fun is a great way to attract patrons and to have them learn new things. I believe that programs should be fun, but that we should orient our programs to reflect our mission and that we should be intentional about what we are trying to do for our patrons.

I understand the appeal of just relaxing and having fun, but librarians need to come at programming with the same rigor as collection development. Yes, Patterson, Baldacci, and Evanovich are super popular and circulate, but if circulation were the only criteria, then we would all have the same collection. When we think about programming we need to think beyond what is popular and what will circulate. We need to focus on what we want our patrons to learn and then we must find ways to turn that lesson plan into play time. Should public libraries offer programming that is just for fun?  No, but the programming that we do offer ought to be fun anyway!

The post Adding Fun to Your Library’s Programming first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

RESOURCES FOR THIS PODCAST

PLA Public  Libraries and Workforce Development

Measures That Matter: IMLS, COSLA to Explore Link Between Public Libraries, Workforce Development, and Community Wellbeing

Kenton County (KY) Public Library – Career and Job Services

Kenton County (KY) Public Library Receive Grant to Help People Get Back to Work

Kenton County (KY) Public Library – Northern Kentucky Accountability Group

Workforce Development at the Kenton County (KY) Public Library – YouTube Video

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

Grow Northern Kentucky

Career Navigators @ Kenton County (KY) Public Library

Program at LibLearnX 2023, Saturday, January 28, 2023 – Career Navigators in Libraries: a Person-Centered Emerging Service Model – https://www.2023.alaliblearnx.org/

The post FYI Podcast: Workforce Development in Public Libraries first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

I’ve always been a gamer my entire life, but I never knew how to get into the gaming industry. I
ended up becoming a librarian instead. Born and raised in the Bronx, where our borough has
historically been neglected, the arts and STEM even more so. I thought I had to become
fluent in Japanese, learn to code, and move to Japan in order to create the video game of my
dreams, which would be something as classic as Final Fantasy 7, or Metal Gear Solid to many
gamers.

Once I started playing Dreams and doing the tutorials I saw how easy and fun it was to make a
game on this platform. I enjoyed making Frozen/Sailor Moon-inspired games with my daughter.
I even made a spiritual recreation of the library greenhouse I had done years ago. Once I felt
comfortable with Dreams, I thought “let’s try using the software the actual experts in the gaming industry use.” So, I started to learn Unreal Engine. I learned how to make my character walk
using the visual scripting language, Blueprints. It looks difficult at first, but over time it became much easier. Then I discovered Lindenwood University’s MA in Game Design program. I told
myself, why not? My employer has tuition assistance, and school is going to force me to keep at
this game design work. Let’s do it!

I made the first game I ever made for my Game Development class, “The Map of the
Missing Library Books.” I wanted to make a video game about librarians, and about what we
do every day. Often, when searching for books on hold, it’s like a game in that you
have to now try to guess where the book could be.

During my tenure at Lindenwood, I had to write a research paper in which I picked the topic to
be libraries and gamers. I read Hideo Koijma’s “The Creative Gene,” in which I realized my hero,
is a librarian. Think about it, he recently released a booklist. Who else talks
about books like that? Librarians. I also realized while reading his book that Kojima needs a
successor. And perhaps as a librarian, maybe I could be the one to train and empower
that person. For all I know, maybe they are from the Bronx just like me, but don’t have the resources or don’t feel empowered to do so. I don’t have to create video games, I just have to
teach others how to make their own.

And this is how King Pangnapa was born, my fictional King of the Librarians.  I wanted to make a video game that redefines what it means to be a librarian in the 21st century. I wanted to make a
video game that shows that no, we don’t just sit and read books all day, we are community
leaders, and we are the deliverers of information in the age of misinformation. Amateur, yes, and I made this knowing in the future I will have to make a remake, but in a span of eight weeks I was able to learn enough to be able to create my own story, and that is the story of King Pangnapa.

I write this to inspire all my librarians to listen to that artist within, if you have a dream or
passion, pursue it! The number of friends and people I met in the gaming industry, and the
support I’ve received, have been incredible and amazing. I am truly grateful to everyone, and
I’m looking forward to the day King Pangnapa is released.

The post Librarian Turned Game Designer first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

ALA also supports a multitude of useful subgroups such as the Public Library Association
(PLA), the Programming Librarian, or I Love Libraries. Each of these organizations or websites also provides free materials. PLA created the Every Child Ready to Read program that revolutionized
early literacy efforts as well as Project Outcome, which provides materials for tracking impact
within the community, and Digital Learn to teach digital skills. The Programming Librarian
doesn’t just offer lesson plans for programs, but also has free webinars and I Love Libraries
provides a lot of information that supports libraries such as a library savings calculator, which
allows librarians to put a dollar amount to the savings and resources provided by the library.

Each state also has a state library and archives. Their aim is to effect change at the state level
and many public libraries are familiar with state aid, but they do offer other forms of
support from grants to training opportunities to webinars. Find your state library association
here. I also recommend investigating resources from other state associations, which can provide
new ideas for new initiatives. For example, the Pennsylvania
Library Association has an initiative, PA Forward, that discusses the five literacies that all
libraries support.

Government websites are also very helpful; some of my favorites include the U.S. Government
Publishing Office, Ben’s Guide to the U.S. Government, Money Smart Week, and the National
Network for Libraries of Medicine. I also recommend checking out other educational
departments in the government, such as NASA. NASA provides educational displays, speakers
(who can Skype for free), lesson plans, and live coverage of events such as the Great American
Eclipse in 2017. Acquiring eclipse glasses for the event was expensive and challenging for many
libraries, but NASA had a live feed that I televised for patrons. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are an excellent source for statistics and health information.

There are many literacy groups that are natural partners for public libraries. I have included national groups in this post, but there are many regional and local literacy groups that could make strong partners for public libraries. The American Literacy Council has a lot of resources that work with readers of all ages. I have worked with the National Center for Families Learning on a grant project for Camp Wonderopolis and found them supportive to work with. Reading is Fundamental is a well-known program in the United States, but other groups that work with children’s literacy include Reading Rockets, Annie E. Casey Foundation, and the Children’s Literacy Initiative. There are many groups who have missions along the same lines as the public library. These groups can provide financial support, lesson plans, training, information and statistics, and displays. I have included links to many useful websites, but within your state, county, and community are a few more potential partners for your library:

The Smithsonian Institute
Lego Lesson Plans
Lego Master Educators
Society for American Archaeology
Harwood Institute
Code
National Institutes of Health
US Department of Agriculture
STEM Resource Finder

The post Public Libraries Need Partnerships first appeared on Public Libraries Online.