By Ann Lehue, MSIS, Manager, Collection Development Programs Read More  

By Laura Barkema, MLIS, Collection Development Librarian Read More  

Debbie Davenport, MLS, Collection Development Librarian
Imagine with me, just for a moment, that you are sitting in your favorite movie theater. You have just chosen the perfect seat and have gotten comfortable with your snack and beverage, anxious for the film of your choice to begin. The lights dim, and the people around you get quiet. The previews are just beginning. Now close your eyes and listen. What do you hear? Voices of the characters. Movement. The breathing of the person next to you. Go deeper and listen to the background of the film itself. Aha and eureka! You’ve detected the siren’s song! Music is underlying the emotion, the action, the drama. It’s driving the impact of the film and is the vehicle to your very soul. Guess what—it happens in your reality as well.  Read More  

Tune in as we interview the President and CEO of the Urban Libraries Council, Susan Benton, on the powerful library innovations that are raising up communities and impacting lives. Read More  

Written by: Kevin Watson, Press 53 Publisher
Social Media is crowded with users who all seem to be screaming for attention. Reading your own newsfeed is like reading the stock market ticker that scrolls across the bottom of your TV: you see a post, consider it for a moment, and then move to the next item. Paying $20 to promote a post will get your number of views up, but the results can be disappointing. Yet, Press 53 has found a way to use Facebook to build a community and, therefore, marketing team to help us sell more books. Read More  

Written by Tricia Bengel
I, like many of you I am sure, started my library working career as a Page.  I was a Page in my hometown Carnegie library for several years during high school and college.  During that time, in addition to being able to look at any book and guess the Dewey Number, I had really strong calf muscles from hustling up and down steep steps on marble floors. What we did have was very tall shelves, very uncomfortable wooden chairs and absolutely no books written just for teenagers beyond a few Judy Blume and some horrid Sweet Valley High.  I still found the library magical and was constantly awe inspired by the stories it held.  Read More