The LC Labs department of the Library of Congress recently published a comprehensive report on its Humans-in-the-Loop initiative, which crowdsourced volunteers to train a machine learning (ML) tool to extract structured data from one of the library’s digital collections. It also explored the intersection of crowdsourcing and ML algorithms more broadly. The project resulted in a framework that will inform future crowdsourcing and data enrichment projects at LC, and the report offers other libraries and cultural heritage institutions insights and advice for developing engaging, ethical, and useful crowdsourcing projects of their own.

With increased attention to the needs of sober and sober-curious drinkers, Dry January, and a growing respect for individual dietary restrictions, bartenders and spirit makers alike have taken note of the demand for non-alcoholic cocktails offering the same level of sensory and social experience as their higher proof counterparts. They go by many names, meant to evoke respect and innovation in the drinks and spirits industry: zero-proof, no-proof, alcohol-free, virgin, teetotalers, soft drinks, temperance drinks, neutral, 0% ABV (alcohol by volume), and more.

With tributes to the late Stephen Sondheim coming thick and fast in the wake of his late November death, Rick Pender, author of The Stephen Sondheim Encyclopedia (Rowman & Littlefield), discusses his new book, his research process, what it was like corresponding with Sondheim, and the enduring appeal of the Broadway composer.

LJ’s Best Books of 2021 celebrate titles to treasure, indelible works that build and shape collections. They offer reads of solace and community, insight and joy. These 144 titles across 15 categories highlight the essential books of the year

COVID shifts drove falling print circ and rising ebooks. But will it last? LJ's 2021 Materials Survey looks at some of the last year's trends.

This is the 13th year of the LJ Index of Public Library Service and Star Library ratings. The 2020 scores and ratings are based on FY18 data from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Public Library Survey (PLS). Because of that delay, they don’t reflect the impact of the coronavirus; that won’t be reflected in the data until 2022. The big news in this year’s edition is that successful retrievals of electronic information (e-retrievals)—measuring usage of online content, such as databases, other than by title checkout—joins the six other measures that determine the LJ Index.

Whether librarians are providing services in-person or virtually, reference has changed with the pandemic.

Library Journal’s annual Placements & Salaries survey reports on the experiences of LIS students who graduated and sought their first librarian jobs in the previous year: in this case, 2019. Salaries and full-time employment are up, but so are unemployment and the gender gap; 2019 graduates faced a mixed job market even before the pandemic.

From the European University Association: This report specifically presents the findings on Open Access from EUA’s 2020-2021 Open Science Survey. How do universities monitor Open Access activities? How are universities preparing for the implementation of Plan S, which will apply to all Horizon Europe funding recipients? What major steps have universities recently taken to further […]

From MIT Press: The MIT Press Open Monograph Model: Direct to Open, a new white paper published by Chain Bridge Group and the MIT Press, describes a collective model for supporting the open dissemination of scholarly monographs. The report examines the context for designing the framework and explains the logic behind the model’s design. [Clip] […]

From a UNC Libraries Blog Post: Since 2019, experts at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s University Libraries have investigated the use of machine learning to identify racist laws from North Carolina’s past. Now a grant of $400,000 from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation will allow them to extend that work to two […]

From a Joint Announcement (via ARL) or ALA: The Joint ALA/ARL Building Cultural Proficiencies for Racial Equity Framework Task Force seeks feedback from the library community on the initial draft framework. Library workers can submit feedback on the CommentPress site of the associations’ Cultural Proficiencies for Racial Equity Framework. Please provide feedback on the draft […]

When the long-awaited COVID-19 vaccines began to roll out in mid-December 2020, their distribution was immediately complicated by a shortage of doses and widespread uncertainty about who would be given priority. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued suggested guidelines for phased allocation. When it was not yet clear who would be next, many library workers, leaders, and associations began advocating for public facing library workers to be vaccinated as soon as feasible.

In the messy middle of the pandemic, library leaders share how things have changed since March 2020, their takeways, and continuing challenges.

Whether librarians are providing services in-person or virtually, reference has changed with the pandemic.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of books on the subject has been increasing exponentially. This introductory list, which will be updated regularly, is meant to help collection development librarians get started on determining which books work best for their collections.

LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read One Step Too Far by Lisa Gardner.

From family life to coming of age, fun fiction for everyone. 

From the Civil War and the Haitian Revolution to World Wars I and II. 

Politics, business, and science.