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Welcome to Check Your Shelf. Please note that this newsletter mentions both the LJ Library of the Year controversy and JKR’s transphobic remarks, both of which have made for a really crappy start to Pride Month for a lot of people. I wish I had better news to report on.
Libraries & Librarians
News Updates
- There was a lot of controversy around Library Journal selecting the Seattle Public Library as its Library of the Year, particularly around the anti-trans programming that the SPL allowed to happen inside its building. This is LJ’s statement explaining why they stand behind their choice for the SPL as Library of the Year, followed by the editor-in-chief’s letter responding to the backlash and promising to do better…except they still stand behind the award.
- ALA releases its survey about the effects of the pandemic on library services.
- The Authors Guild has asked Congress to provide $2 billion in COVID financial relief to libraries.
Worth Reading
- School libraries and antiracism.
- Prioritizing staff mental health while reopening.
- What’s lost in a furlough?
- Public librarians reflect on whether or not to stock Narcan.
- Camel. Library. I want a camel library!
Book Adaptations in the News
- The Hate U Give is now streaming for free on all platforms.
- New trailer for Lovecraft Country.
Books & Authors in the News
- Ibram X. Kendi has been hired by Boston University to lead the BU Center for Antiracist Research.
- I’m not going to link to any of J.K. Rowling’s transphobic tweets or web essays, but I will link to Daniel Radcliffe’s response.
Numbers & Trends
- The Amazon best-sellers list is dominated almost entirely by books on race.
- Nordic noir may be the next big trend on TV.
Award News
- The Desmond Elliott Prize has shortlisted three black debut authors.
- The International Booker Prize’s new announcement date is August 26th.
- CWA Dagger Award longlists have been released.
- The Shirley Jackson Award and Anthony Award shortlists have been announced.
- Oyinkan Braithwaite’s amazing debut My Sister, the Serial Killer has been nominated for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Prize.
Bookish Curiosities & Miscellaneous
- The Seattle Times announces a summer reading bingo card for kids that you can download from their website.
- A Frankenstein museum has been approved for the city of Bath in the UK.
On the Riot
- Best summer reading programs for kids & teens in 2020.
- What makes a good summer reading program?
- Authors, austerity, and the UK’s Save Our Library’s campaign.
- How to read Kindle books on a PC or Mac.
- A more in-depth look at the move from the RITAs to the Vivian.
- What happens to our brains when we read?
Fingers crossed for everyone starting curbside services next week (including me!) Let’s hope next week is better than this one.
—Katie McLain Horner, @kt_librarylady on Twitter.