Public libraries in Illinois now required to store anti-opioid overdose medications after a series of near-deaths; The Independent, December 28, 2025

 Isabel Keane, The Independent; Public libraries in Illinois now required to store anti-opioid overdose medications after a series of near-deaths

"A new state law will require all public libraries in Illinois to stock medications that can reverse opioid overdoses after at least one library in the state reported multiple overdoses each year.

The new law, which goes into effect January 1, will require all public libraries in the state to stock opioid overdose reversal drugs and allow trained staff to administer them in the event of a suspected overdose, the Illinois Department of Public Health said earlier this month."

Baltimore County reinstates 14 part-time librarians after abrupt mass firings; CBS News, November 15, 2025

Janay Reece, CBS News ; Baltimore County reinstates 14 part-time librarians after abrupt mass firings

"More than a dozen part-time librarians from Baltimore County who were laid off on Wednesday were reinstated Friday evening, according to the Baltimore County Public Library.

Baltimore County Public Library made the announcement just two days after laying off 14 part-time librarians...

"It was unsettling and humiliating..."

Curreri's decades-long career came to a halt Wednesday after learning she and more than a dozen others were being laid off.

"The HR representative told my manager that he should get me a bag, and we went to my desk and I packed everything up," said Curreri. "The representative did tell me I was not to speak to anyone in the library about what happened, because the CEO was going to be sending something out to let all staff know what was going on...It was really hard to walk out without being able to tell people what just happened, and to say goodbye.""

BPL IS YOUR LIBRARY; Virginia Theological Seminary, July 30, 2025

Virginia Theological Seminary; BPL IS YOUR LIBRARY

"That’s right! The library is for you.

For students and faculty, we offer an inviting context for theological exploration. Our collection, both digital and print, contains over a million expertly curated resources, and empowers users to engage with the church’s heritage and contemporary witness. In partnership with our main vendors, we have just released a new, more intuitive, interface for our main OneSearch catalog. Please give it a try and let us know what you think: https://library.vts.edu. Our physical spaces are designed to suit a variety of learning styles, facilitate group work, and host engaging programming. Librarians are always ready and eager to assist student or faculty research, whatever the topic, or however soon the deadline!

For staff, the library offers a collection to inspire professional development, from books on leadership or organizational management, to more practical matters like giving talks or being an effective steward of your time. All VTS staff automatically have full library privileges.

For everyone, we are a quiet, comfortable, air-conditioned (thanks facilities!) place to gather or reflect. Library staff will never judge your reading interests or skills in navigating the library, whether it’s your first or one-hundredth time here. There are nine friendly staff members with whom you can converse, vent, or discuss any issue under the sun. We are all constantly at work to improve your experience of using the library.

As you walk into the library, there is a sign at the circulation desk. It simply reads: “Please interrupt me, I am here to help.” Come and see us soon!

Vincent Williams, MAR, MPhil, MLIS
User Services Librarian"

Seattle libraries offer Narcan, fentanyl test strips to combat overdose epidemic; KOMO News, July 1, 2025

 Joel Moreno, KOMO News; Seattle libraries offer Narcan, fentanyl test strips to combat overdose epidemic

"Although library staff have had access to naloxone for emergency use since September 2022, they began providing naloxone and fentanyl test strips for patrons to access themselves in April 2025.

“I feel like the library is doing a good job of providing those resources, but I have personally not seen them, so I'm glad to hear that,” said Sarah Kilpatrick, who was checking out materials at the central branch.

The library's supply of Narcan is available on a self-serve basis. Patrons can simply stop by a library location and pick it up without the need to provide ID, proof of insurance, or a library card to receive the medications.

“I support the decision," said the man who asked not to be identified. "Although they definitely should, and I believe are required to, take a little information from the person they are giving it to, because it is a very expensive product."

Others thought the library was possibly going too far with the program and potentially enabling people’s addictions.

“Educating people, that's OK, but I don't think supplying is a good way,” said NK Das, who questioned giving away free supplies of overdose reversal medication. “The library can educate people about drug use or the misuse of drugs, but I don't think that's the right way of doing things."

Meanwhile, others thought the program should be expanded."

Tuskegee University Alumna Helps Push Through Patent and Trademark Resource Center Designation; Tuskegee University, December 19, 2024

 Thonnia Lee , Tuskegee University; Tuskegee University Alumna Helps Push Through Patent and Trademark Resource Center Designation

"Thanks to the dedication of Tuskegee University alumna Charesse Evans, Tuskegee University Libraries received official designation as a Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the federal agency responsible for protecting inventions, creative designs, and other innovations.

This means Tuskegee University can now provide trademark and patent assistance through our library staff.

“As a patent attorney and intellectual property professional with over two decades of experience, I am incredibly proud to have played a role in helping Tuskegee University achieve official designation as a Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC),” said Evans, a Senior Advisor to Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO. “This designation holds particular significance for me, both personally and professionally. Throughout my career, I have collaborated with numerous institutions across the country to support and protect intellectual property. It is an absolute honor to witness my alma mater become an integral part of this essential ecosystem that nurtures the brilliant minds being shaped at the university and within the surrounding community.”...

The Tuskegee University PTRC will support residents who want to patent an invention or register a trademark. The university team is trained to help inventors and small businesses find the information they need to protect their intellectual property."

Why US libraries are on the frontlines of the homelessness crisis; The Guardian, January 24, 2023

MacKenzie Ryan, The Guardian; Why US libraries are on the frontlines of the homelessness crisis

"“Many libraries have added social workers to their staff,” said Lessa Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozada, the American Library Association president, citing a trend that started in the past decade...

When Dowd trains library staff on de-escalation tactics, he hears a lot of comments like, “They didn’t teach me this stuff in library school,” he said. He says he teaches library staff to focus on the behavior they’re seeing. If someone is unhoused and caused a problem, then they have to deal with it. If a multimillionaire is in the library causing a problem, they also have to deal with it.""

Libraries are reimagining what public safety and access to resources look like; Prism, May 5, 2022

Tamar Sarai, Prism ; Libraries are reimagining what public safety and access to resources look like

"“People think libraries have changed so much, but really, we’re still doing the same things,” Fewell said. “We are making sure people have access to information and resources… connecting people [with what] they need: food, wound care, connecting to the WiFi because the only device they have to access the internet is their phone… We’re providing resources to get people the next thing that they’re looking for, and I love it.”

As libraries and library staff begin embracing new ways to serve their patrons and in doing so, promote alternative conceptions of public safety, pushback has followed. Local police have decried the initiatives as eroding relationships with law enforcement, and other patrons have argued that their libraries are becoming less safe and that their own needs are being neglected as marginalized community members find themselves increasingly welcome into the library’s branches. However, while providing more social services and even connecting with currently incarcerated people might expand the work of libraries, staff engaging in these initiatives argue that the work is simply a fulfillment of the library’s long-standing purpose to provide information and foster community."

Book-burning Pontypridd librarian jailed for thefts; BBC News, January 31, 2018

BBC News; Book-burning Pontypridd librarian jailed for thefts

"A librarian stole books from her workplace - including one on the Aberfan disaster - and tried to sell them online for up to £400.

Elizabeth Macregor, 57, burned several books in a bid to escape justice.

Macregor, of Hirwaun, stole hundreds of books from Pontypridd Library in Rhondda Cynon Taff.

She was jailed for eight months at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court after being found guilty of two counts of theft and perverting the course of justice."

Carnegie Library, recently in crisis mode, reports surplus, passes fundraising goal; Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 3/31/15

Tony Raap, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review; Carnegie Library, recently in crisis mode, reports surplus, passes fundraising goal:

"The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh had a $151,000 budget surplus in 2014 and exceeded its fundraising goal by $800,000, board members said Tuesday at their annual public meeting in Squirrel Hill...

The 19-branch library system had an operating budget of $30.59 million in 2014. Its expenses totaled $30.44 million, leaving a six-figure surplus.

“That really shows the library staff does an excellent job of managing the funds that are given to them to fund the library system,” said Greg Zovko, chair of the library's finance committee...

The state contributes about $3.3 million, but that funding has been flat the past four years, said Mary Frances Cooper, the library system's president and director.

The system's biggest expense is salaries and benefits, which total $18.39 million, or about 59 percent of its budget."