Anne Ford

Sep 3, 2024 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org | Anne Ford |Terra Dankowski

Sonya Knisley, head of children’s services at Clark County (Ohio) Public Library (CCPL), has seen it happen over and over again. Someone walks into her location and applies for a library card—with one obvious aim. “As soon as they get their card, they immediately place a hold on a ghost-hunting kit,” Knisley says. Like many libraries, CCPL has begun loaning out collections of specialized electronic items said to help seekers of the supernatural track down spirits.

Sep 3, 2024 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org | Anne Ford |Terra Dankowski

From outside, Downtown Reno Library of Washoe County (Nev.) Library System looks like a big square brown box. “There’s no pizazz out front,” says Kristen Ryan, branch manager. So when people walk inside and find a lush central atrium with an abundance of philodendrons, spotted begonias, and other greenery; several towering trees; and a reflection pool, they tend to gasp the same thing: “Oh my god, look at all the plants!”Hewitt C. Wells, the library’s architect, wanted to build it in a park.

Jul 24, 2024 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org | Anne Ford

San Diego’s dreamy weather and landscape were no match for the sunny disposition of library workers and advocates reuniting under a shared mission at the American Library Association’s (ALA) 2024 Annual Conference and Exhibition. A total of 13,532 people registered for the event, which was held in the city’s convention center June 27–July 2.