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 an Association of Research Libraries Post by Katherine Klosek: Research libraries are committed to making information resources as broadly accessible as possible, regardless of users’ abilities or disabilities, but copyright law has played a role in prohibiting  the international exchange of accessible books and other materials. Globally, fewer than 10 percent of publications are […]

Note: The service discussed in the article below should not be confused with the TLDR paper summarization service provided by the wonderful Semantic Scholar database. From The Verge: Academic writing often has a reputation for being hard to follow, but what if you could use machine learning to summarize arguments in scientific papers so that […]

From a Blog Post by Archivist of the United States, David Ferriero: In keeping with the recommendations from my Task Force on Racism, NARA chartered the Reparative Description and Digitization Working Group in July of 2021. Since then, the Working Group has been reviewing guidance, standards, and processes relating to reparative archival description as well […]

UPDATE: Analysis and Comment on the News Below by Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe (via The Scholarly Kitchen) From an Elsevier Post by Rose L’Huillier: ScienceDirect is the home of Elsevier’s journals, books, and titles from our society partners. Over 15 million researchers worldwide use the platform to stay on top of research in their field, find […]

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.

One Step Too Far by Lisa Gardner leads holds this week. Two LibraryReads and five Indie Next selections publish this week. The February LibraryReads list is out including top pick, The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley. People's book of the week is Joan Is Okay by Weike Wang. The Great First-Half 2022 Book Preview from The Millions is out now. Memoirs by Brian Cox, Valerie Bertinelli, Larry Miller, and Jamie Lynn Spears are buzzing. Interviews arrive with Valerie Bertinelli, David Sanchez, Brian Cox, Larry Miller, and T.S. Elliot award winner Joelle Taylor. Marvel’s Moon Knight gets a trailer. Plus, Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way turns 30. 

Alma Katsu is an internationally award-winning novelist. The Hunger is one of NPR’s 100 favorite horror stories, and The Deep was nominated for the Stoker and Locus awards for best horror novel. Red Widow draws on her career as an intelligence officer, and her latest novel, The Fervor, is a horror novel set in a Japanese internment camp. LJ caught up with her to talk about writing, the power of horror fiction, and authors who inspire.

Technological and social changes have revolutionized librarianship, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the country, librarians have become local community leaders on issues like diversity, equity, and the fight against disinformation. 

The University Library is an essential partner in teaching and learning, research, and community engagement at CSUSM. Using statistical gathering, various means of assessment, and in-depth studies, the University Library gains insight into its patrons’ needs and evaluates its success in supporting those needs.