While there are many botanical gardens across the United States, only one has the distinction of being a tropical botanical garden chartered by the U.S. Congress: the National Tropical Botanical Garden, located in Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi.

Between September 22 and 28, the nation’s library community once again “celebrates” Banned Books Week, an annual event established in 1982 by the American Library Association (ALA) to profile acts of censorship and book banning in schools and libraries across the nation. Beginning with a “Library Bill of Rights” that ALA adopted in 1939, library leaders worked hard during the 20th century to hone a national image as defenders of intellectual freedom, opponents of censorship, and proponents of the freedom to read. But between 1939 and 1982 that image evolved to become an information silo of librarianship’s own making, one that was silent on or indifferent to issues of race and libraries.

During Banned Books Week, this year September 22–28, LJ has seen a wide range of libraries celebrating the right to read in their communities: public, K–12, and academic; urban and rural; large and small—and, now, little. Little Free Libraries, the birdhouse-sized book exchange structures scattered across neighborhoods around the world, have joined forces with the American Library Association (ALA) and PEN America to encourage the distribution of banned books in the areas they’re needed most.

Two and a half years after launch, Books Unbanned has continued to grow as a vital resource for people in schools and communities where book challenges otherwise put content out of reach.

From the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA): The Strategy provides a structure and reference for the work of IFLA, including of course its roughly 60 volunteer groups. As our survey work for its preparation has underlined, it can also be a tool and stimulus for IFLA’s members in preparing their own plans. […]

From The Shreveport-Bossier City Gazette: Digging through unique and iconic bits of digital Louisiana history has just gotten a lot easier, thanks to a digital collaboration. After 15 years in the works, Louisiana Public Broadcasting and the Louisiana State Archives are now part of the relaunch of the Louisiana Digital Media Archive. LPB says it is […]

An Evaluation of Cutting-Edge AI Research Tools Using the REACT Framework (via CIL) Google Lens Has A Brilliant New Feature That Lets You Search the Web With a Video (via BGR) Microsoft’s Copilot AI Gets a Voice and the Ability to See Websites You Browse (via Engadget) ||| Many More Details via MSFT Blog Post […]

Canada Buying Print Books in Canada 2023 (via BookNet Canada) Dictionaries 200 New Words and Definitions Added to Merriam-Webster.com (via M-W) Ex Libris Ex Libris Introduces Specto, an AI-Powered Digital Asset Management Solution Prisons/Jails San Francisco Public Library and hoopla Bring Free E-Resources to County Jails (via CIL) Reading Freedom to Read Community Day of […]

AI provides a new level of destructive capability to undermine trust in government and public institutions, and unfortunately yes, even in libraries. This episode focuses on these AI tools, their corrosive effects, and ways that libraries and librarians can help to repair the damage.

TikTok! Used regularly by over half the US population, why do so many either love or loathe TikTok? Is it simply a fun and terrific platform for creating, sharing, and consuming content? Is it an addictive, mental health hazard destroying America’s youth? Is it a major national security threat of Chinese infiltration? Is it all of the above…and more?

In this episode, we return to one of our favorite topics– the new AI. But rather than focus on the latest “gee whiz” or OMG capabilities, we turn to the societal implications and impact side of the topic.

The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak leads holds this week. Also getting buzz are titles by Sophie Kinsella, Patricia Cornwell, Melania Trump, and James Patterson and Brian Sitts. Five LibraryReads and five Indie Next picks publish this week. The Millions releases “The Great Fall 2024 Book Preview.” Salman Rushdie announced he will publish a series of novellas, his first works of fiction since his stabbing in 2022. And novelist Robert Coover has died at the age of 92.

Library Journal is proud to announce a new partnership with the “Libraries Lead” podcast. Hosted by Mike Eisenberg (Professor and Dean Emeritus, U. of Washington iSchool), David Lankes (Virginia & Charles Bowden Professor of Librarianship, University of Texas at Austin), and Beth Patin (Assistant Professor, Syracuse University's School of Information Studies), the show explores the various social, cultural, and technological issues shaping (and being shaped by) libraries and librarians. New episodes drop monthly, and past episodes are now available at librarieslead.libraryjournal.com.

The finalists for the Cundill History Prize are announced, the winners of the Ned Kelly Award for Australian crime writing, the shortlist for the Endeavour Award for SFF by Pacific Northwest authors is announced, and the winners of the Rhysling Awards for speculative poetry are announced. The Garnett Girls by Georgina Moore wins an Isle of Wight Book Award. A federal judge has ordered an Arkansas library to stop segregating controversial books into special “social sections.”

The shortlist for the Goldsmiths Prize and the finalists for the Writers’ Trust of Canada Balsillie Prize for Public Policy are announced. Reese Witherspoon announces her first novel, a thriller cowritten with Harlan Coben and due out next fall. Plus, new title bestsellers and interviews with Ta-Nehisi Coates, Kate McKinnon, Lola Milholland, and Kate Conger and Ryan Mac.