Month: March 2025
A Librarian of the Neapolitan Republic: Eleonora Fonseca Pimentel
“Eleonora Anna Maria Felice de Fonseca Pimentel was an Italian poet, librarian, and revolutionary connected with the Neapolitan revolution and subsequent short-lived Neapolitan Republic (also known as the Parthenopean Republic) of 1799, a sister republic of the French Republic and one of many set up in the 1790s in Europe…” Read the full essay at:
Open Session Call for Papers: Using Oral History to Document the Histories of Library Associations and Evolving Library Practice [IFLA]
Open Session Call for Papers: Using Oral History to Document the Histories of Library Associations and Evolving Library Practice
Library History Special Interest Group with IFLA Sections of Preservation and Conservation, Information Technology, Library and Research Services for Parliaments, Library Theory and Research, and the Kazakhstan Library Union
Session Theme:
A Focus on Diverse Communities and Ethical Preservation in the Digital Age
Libraries and archives play a pivotal role in documenting the histories of library associations, yet challenges persist in preserving these narratives—particularly those of underrepresented communities and born-digital records. This call for papers invites contributions that explore the opportunities and challenges of using oral history to document the histories of library associations and their evolving practices, with a focus on diversity, collaboration, and preservation in the digital age.
Call for Papers:
The IFLA Special Interest Group Library History, together with the IFLA Sections of Preservation and Conservation, Information Technology, Parliamentary Libraries, Library Theory and Research, (to be confirmed) and the Kazakhstan Library Union are seeking proposals for papers to be presented at a session to be held at the IFLA World Library and Information Congress in Astana, Kazakhstan, 18-22 August 2025. Papers should reflect the conference theme, “Uniting Knowledge, Building the Future”
Themes and Objectives
This call aims to advance discussions around oral history’s role in documenting library association histories, addressing critical questions such as (not limited to.):
- How can oral history initiatives overcome the tension between subjective memory and historical accuracy?
- What is the role of archivists as curators versus creators of records, particularly in oral history projects?
- How can libraries and archives ensure the preservation and accessibility of born-digital records?
Contributions are encouraged to address the following themes:
1. Oral history and archival theory
- How has oral history challenged and informed archival theory and practice over the past fifty years?
- What ethical, human-centered approaches can libraries adopt to integrate oral histories into their collections?
- Reconfiguration of the role of librarians and archivists in the development of oral historiography: from ‘custodians of knowledge’ to ‘creators of knowledge’
2. Diversity and sustainability in oral history projects
- Case studies highlighting oral history projects that document diverse and underrepresented voices.
- Examples of library and archival initiatives that connect with communities to preserve cultural and professional heritage.
- Models that ensure the sustainability of projects and programs that seek to document the history of the field.
3. Preserving born-digital content
- Challenges and best practices for managing born-digital records in the context of library association histories.
- Strategies for ensuring long-term access, curation, and stewardship of digital content.
4. Global perspectives on library association histories
- Insights from international organizations on the preservation of library professional association histories, as discussed at IFLA and other forums.
- Collaborative efforts across continents to document and share the histories of library and information science associations.
- Comparative regional studies: comparing differences in the development of library associations in Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America, etc.
5. Innovative approaches and future directions
- Exploring new methodologies for recording, preserving, curating and disseminating oral histories.
- The potential for interdisciplinary collaborations to address the evolving needs of the field.
- Exploring the indicators and methods for assessing the quality of oral history work
- Exploring the use of AI and machine learning in the preservation and analysis of oral histories.
- Discussing the role of digital tools in improving the accessibility and usability of oral history archives.
Why Participate?
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a global dialogue on documenting library association histories, addressing pressing issues in the preservation of oral and born-digital histories, and shaping future practices in the profession.
Submission Guidelines
Proposals should include a title, abstract (max. 300 words), and a brief biography of the author(s). Please submit your proposals to [insert contact email] by [insert deadline].
90 Minutes
Important dates & deadlines:
- 30 April, 2025– Deadline for submission of proposal abstract
- 13 May, 2025 – Notification of acceptance
- 20 July, 2025 – Submission of Full-Text of Paper
- 20 July, 2025 – Deadline for submission of presentation slides
Submission guidelines
We invite submissions of research papers, case studies, and reflective essays that align with the themes above. Join us in advancing the historical and cultural preservation of our profession, ensuring that diverse voices and digital records are not only documented but celebrated for generations to come.
Proposals should include:
- Title of proposed presentation
- Abstract of proposed paper (no more than 300 words)
- Name of presenter plus position and/or title
- Employer / affiliated institution
- Contact information including email address, telephone number
- Short biographical statement of presenter
Send proposals via email to: IFLA LIBHIST SIG <iflalibhistsig@gmail.com>
Use subject line: WLIC 2025 LIBHIS-SIG
Please note:
- At least one of the paper’s authors must be present to summarize the paper during the program in Astana. Abstracts are to be submitted only with the understanding that the expenses of attending the conference will be the responsibility of the author(s)/presenter(s) of accepted papers.
- The language of the session is expected to be English.
- All papers presented at the WLIC 2025 will be available online under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.
- All papers must be unpublished and not previously presented.
- Authors must disclose whether they submit this proposal to another WLIC 2025 session.
- Authors of accepted papers must complete the IFLA Authors’ Permission Form.
- All expenses, including registration for the conference, travel, accommodations, etc., are the responsibility of the authors/presenters. IFLA does not provide any financial support.
Congress Participation Grants
A list of opportunities for support is available on the Grants & Awards webpage.
Professor
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Center for Global Studies, Director
International and Area Studies Library, Head
IFLA Journal, Editor
Affiliate Faculty:
Center for East Asian & Pacific Studies
European Union Center
Phone: 217.265.7518
Email: swwitt@illinois.edu
Orchid ID: 0000-0001-5931-4774
Lost manuscript of Merlin and King Arthur legend read for the first time after centuries hidden inside another book [BBC]
Free Virtual Talk: The ALA Archives and Communities of Faith [Cara Setsu Bertram, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign]
Don’t miss this free talk by Cara Setsu Bertram, American Library Association Archives Program Officer!:
The ALA Archives and Communities of Faith
Description: An exploration of religions and religious identities within the archival record of the American Library Association.
Registration Link:
https://ccb.ischool.illinois.edu/events/2024-2025-programming
Part of the 21st Century Religion and Culture in Youth Literature series from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Center for Children’s Books
New York City Virtual Antiquarian Book Fair 5/01-5/03, 2025
Resources on IMLS History [Dr. Kathleen McCook]
The federal government in the United States recently announced cuts to the funding of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and the American Library Association (ALA) has created a FAQ sheet about the impact on library services.
Many thanks to Dr. Kathleen McCook for assembling the resources below about the history of IMLS:
Joeckel, Carleton B. (1936) “The New Federal Library Agency.” Bulletin of the American Library Association 30, No. 7 (July): 529.
JOECKEL, CARLETON B. “The Federal Government and Post-Defense Planning for Libraries.” ALA Bulletin 35, no. 12 (1941): 651–52. http://www.jstor.org/stable/25690886.
American Library Association. “Post-War Standards for Public Libraries, Prepared by the Committee on Post-War Planning… Carleton Bruns Joeckel, Chairman.” ALA bulletin. 37 (1943).
Joeckel, C.B. & Winslow, A. (1948). A National Plan for Public Library Service. Chicago: American Library Association.
Knight, Douglas N. and Nourse, E. Shepley; Libraries At Large: Tradition, Innovation, and the National Interest, New York, R. R. Bowker, 1969.
Molz, Redmond Kathleen. Federal Policy and Library Support. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press, 1976.
Mathews, Virginia H., Center for the Book., and White House Conference on Library and Information Services Task Force. Libraries, Citizens & Advocacy: The Lasting Effects of Two White House Conferences on Library and Information Services /. White House Conference on Library and Information Taskforce, 2004.
1996
Museum and Library Services Act of 1996
The Museum and Library Services Act (MLSA) of 1996 established the Institute of Museum and Library Services within the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities. The new agency combined the Institute of Museum Services, which had been in existence since 1976, and the Library Programs Office, which had been part of the Department of Education since 1956. It authorized federal funding for IMLS through FY 2002. IMLS would comprise the Office of Library Services (OLS) and the Office of Museum Services (OMS). Timeline | Institute of Museum and Library Services (Wayback)
IMLS At 20 | Institute of Museum and Library Services (in wayback machine)
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Kathleen de la Peña McCook
Distinguished University Professor
School of Information
University of South Florida
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The Wikipedia page on IMLS is also undergoing frequent updates during this time: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_of_Museum_and_Library_Services
Women Played a Pivotal Role as Scribes of Medieval Manuscripts, Research Reveals [Artnet]
Call for ALA 150th Oral History Planning Committee Members
ALA turns 150 next year!
LHRT is partnering with the ALA 150th Commemorations Steering Committee to develop an oral history program. We’re currently forming a planning committee to focus on this. The plan is to launch the program at the 2025 annual meeting in Philadelphia, have it in full force at the 2026 in Chicago, and potentially continue through 2027. The Steering Committee includes ALA staff and the ALA Archivist, both committed to the long-term viability.
Planning committee members activities will include: helping compose interview prompts, disseminating calls for contributions, and assisting in ensuring that the histories collected speak to the variety of libraries, librarians, and experiences with ALA.
Interested in serving as LHRT reps on the planning committee? Email me (henlear@miamioh.edu) by Monday 31 March; I’ll forward self-nominations to the Steering Committee. The call for volunteers is open to non-ALA members at this time, but please self-identify.
Other ways to contribute will be shared as they arise.
Alea
Histories of Canadian Libraries
Celebrate the rich and distinctive history of Canadian libraries by exploring these links! These are only tiny number of the available sources, please add more you might know of using the Comments feature…
Canadian Library History Blog (Lorne Bruce)
https://libraries-today.blogspot.com
A long-standing site for the history of libraries and librarians in Canada. Published by Lorne Bruce, former head of the Archival and Special Collections at University of Guelph and author of several books on Canadian library history.
Margaret Beckman, Moshie Dahms, Lorne Bruce, “Libraries”, The Canadian Encyclopedia
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/libraries
Excellent overview of each type of library by the top historians of Canadian librarianship.
Virtual Tour of Library of Parliament in Ontario, Canada, Encyclopedia Britannica
https://www.britannica.com/video/Library-of-Parliament-Ottawa-Canada-Ontario/-208859
Take in the awe-inspring design.
McGill University Libraries Virtual Tours
https://www.mcgill.ca/library/branches/hssl/virtual-tour
Interactive 3D tours of one of Canada’s venerable university libraries.
Bibliography of Library History, 1990-2022
Scroll through this search in LHRT’s Bibliography for “Canada”
Kathryn Hennan, A Timeline of Indigenous Librarianship in Canada, School of Library and Information Studies, University of Alberta
Extensive chronology of librarianship in Indigenous communities.
Paola Picco, M. A. 2008. “Quebec’s Public Libraries: An Overview of Their History and Current Situation.” Public Library Quarterly 27 (2): 139–50. doi:10.1080/01616840802114945.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01616840802114945
Consultez votre bibliothèque locale pour accéder à cet article clé sur les bibliothèques du Québec |Check your local library for access to this key article on Quebec’s libraries.
Peter F. McNally, Readings in Canadian Library History, Canadian Library Association.
1986–https://archive.org/details/readingsincanadi0000unse_m8z3/page/n5/mode/2up
1996–https://archive.org/details/readingsincanadi0000unse_m8z3/page/n5/mode/2up
Bibliography for Canadian library historians. Create a free Internet Archive account to access.
Your TV Niagara, The Canadian Library
Description: “The Canadian Library (TCL) is a grassroots art installation project that will act as a memorial to all Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls (MMIWG) and Children.” Project involves covering Canadian library books with Indigenous fabrics, great example for libraries in other countries!
