Terra Dankowski

Sep 3, 2024 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org | Terra Dankowski

Every year, the American Library Association (ALA) recognizes the achievements of more than 200 individuals and institutions with an array of awards honoring their service to librarians and librarianship. Winners are chosen by juries of their colleagues and peers and embody the best of the profession’s leadership, vision, and service as well as a continued commitment to outreach and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).

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.

Sep 3, 2024 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org | Terra Dankowski |Toni Lombardozzi

There are a lot of moving parts and milestones to consider before starting a construction project. It may be difficult to determine where to begin. Predesign is all the preparation and planning that needs to happen before you even start thinking about design and construction implementation.

Sep 3, 2024 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org | Linda W. Braun |Terra Dankowski

My previous column, “Committing to Equity,” discussed how library staffers should approach centering equity authentically when creating programs and services for youth and families. In this column, I’d like to highlight some foundational principles of codesign and how they can make our offerings more accessible to the audiences we wish to reach.