Becky Lomax

1 month ago | americanlibrariesmagazine.org | Megan Bennett |David Alvarado |Becky Lomax

Jenni Diaz Garcia writes: “After sending out what felt like her hundredth job application, Rachel refreshed her inbox, waiting for any sign of hope. For nearly a year, she cast her resume into the depths of the job market, hoping for a bite—any bite. The process was exhausting, demoralizing, and, at times, surreal. As a queer MLIS graduate who went straight from undergrad to grad school, she knew the job search wouldn’t be easy.

Nov 1, 2024 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org | Cass Balzer |Becky Lomax

What would you do to keep your child clean, dry, and healthy? Skip meals? Miss bill payments? Take on an extra job? For nearly half of US families with young children, the answer is: all of the above and more. A National Diaper Bank Network study found that in 2023, an unprecedented 47% of families with young children nationwide struggled to afford diapers—a drastic increase from 2010, when 33% of families reported diaper need.

Nov 1, 2024 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org | Rosie Newmark |Becky Lomax

On a Wednesday in February 2023, anyone stopping by the North Branford Senior Center in Northford, Connecticut, might have expected to hear big-band music or golden oldies, not Disney songs. But that was before the 4th-graders got there. “There’s so much that we share / That it’s time we’re aware / It’s a small world after all,” several older adults sang along with students, who were visiting from nearby Totoket Valley Elementary School (TVES) as part of an intergenerational book club.

Nov 1, 2024 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org | Tess Prendergast |Becky Lomax

I will never forget the surprised look on one mom’s face during storytime when I dropped a tip—technically called an aside—about how rhyming helps babies differentiate sounds and prepares them for reading. “You mean that all this singing will help her in school?” she asked. “I thought we were just doing this for fun!”Early literacy activities are certainly fun—but also valuable.

Nov 1, 2024 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org | Becky Lomax

Using Universal Design for Learning and Web Content Accessibility guidelines can help in creating more inclusive education for all students.