When Shared Space No Longer Feels Shared

What happens when age bias shows up in one of society’s most inclusive spaces?
In many small libraries, limited space forces tough choices—but when seniors are treated as unwelcome intrusions instead of valued community members, something vital is lost.This article explores the quiet but painful ways older adults are being edged out of public life—even in libraries, where everyone is supposed to belong.

A moving episode of North of North shows what’s possible when generations come together with respect and joy. Let’s reclaim our shared spaces and remember that community means making room for everyone. Continue reading When Shared Space No Longer Feels Shared

The Gentle Power of Gardening: Learning, Self-Care, and Community Resilience

Gardening for Mental, Emotional and Social Growth Spring is the perfect season to turn your little corner of the world—whether it’s a backyard, balcony, or window box—into a place of wonder. No matter your age or background, gardening offers something meaningful for everyone. It’s a joyful learning experience for children, an act of self-care for adults, a way to connect with nature, and a powerful … Continue reading The Gentle Power of Gardening: Learning, Self-Care, and Community Resilience

Library Gardening Programs: an Informal Learning Experience

Motivated by the COVID-19 pandemic protocols, in August 2020, I embarked on what I believed at that time would be a relatively simple project.   My goal was to provide a more amenable outdoor seating area at a small public library branch by renovating its Reading Garden and landscaping outside the main entrance.  However, to justify the expense of purchasing plants, shrubs, and soil, my Manager … Continue reading Library Gardening Programs: an Informal Learning Experience

Library of Shadows: a game design

This game design document describes a free online game designed to help players improve their search skills in library catalogs and other library discovery systems. It blends the characteristics of educational and board games with elements from the strategy and survival genres. The goal is to work as a team to traverse the Library while circumventing the monsters hiding in and impersonating shadows. Library of … Continue reading Library of Shadows: a game design

Women in the African American Civil Rights Movement: A Review of the Library of Congress Digital Library Collection

excerpt from a library collection review written on April 21, 2019 Whenever there is a general discussion about the women involved in the African American Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s-60s, a few prominent names such as Rosa Parks, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Coretta Scott King are mentioned. However, as in any movement, there were numerous others who worked quietly in offices, marched in protests, … Continue reading Women in the African American Civil Rights Movement: A Review of the Library of Congress Digital Library Collection