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Weekly News Digest
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June 10, 2025 — In addition to this week's NewsBreaks article and the monthly NewsLink Spotlight, Information Today, Inc. (ITI) offers Weekly News Digests that feature recent product news and company announcements. Watch for additional coverage to appear in the next print issue of Information Today.
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Clarivate Becomes the First Sponsor of the ALA Public Supporter Program
Clarivate, which has a decades-long partnership with ALA, announced that it will be the first sponsor of the ALA Public Supporter Program, “which engages the public in supporting libraries and library professionals [by providing them] with access to valuable information and resources about library advocacy, news, and ways to get involved in protecting libraries. The program aims to bolster ALA’s efforts to ensure libraries continue to provide essential services and resources to communities, promoting literacy, education, and access to information.” Clarivate’s support runs for 2 years. For more information, read the press release.
PEN America and the Florida Freedom to Read Project Release Report on Book Banning
by Barbie Keiser On June 3, PEN America and the Florida Freedom to Read Project issued a report on how Florida’s “parental rights” agenda has influenced book banning and censorship and could serve as a blueprint for federal policy. “The Blueprint State: Lessons From Parents Left Behind by ‘Parental Rights’ Policies in Florida” illustrates that the seeds of the federal administration’s approach to “ideological control of education under the guise of advancing ‘parental rights’” started in 2021 when the Sunshine State began to grant “‘parental rights’ … not into the hands of all parents but to a particular segment of citizens—some not even parents but community members.” “The Blueprint State” provides warnings based on the experience in Florida. It explains how some Florida school districts’ opt-in policies “limited students’ access to libraries until their parents approved it.” In contrast, opt-out policies “defaulted to full library access for all students until a parent requested limitations for their own children.” In another example, Seminole County’s local Moms for Liberty chapter “pressured decision-makers within the district to review books removed in other districts in the state. If a title in Seminole’s collection matched a book on the state-compiled list, it subsequently faced removal or restriction. … [E]ven if parents wanted to object to these state-list driven removals and restrictions, they could not.” The report offers suggestions for those who wish to defend the right to read. It includes a description of what we can expect to see in First Amendment challenges, policies requiring libraries to segregate books, efforts by state and local governments to mandate what titles can be purchased and displayed in collections, and even attempts at “criminalizing librarians and educators” who cross the line. Ways to get and stay engaged include joining grassroots organizations that protect the freedom to read, contacting elected officials, or hosting events to raise local awareness of the issue. There is also a description of how to hold a book exchange where participants “share what they loved about the book they brought” and discuss concerns about book bans and censorship. The Florida Freedom to Read Project was established in 2012 in response to the growing prevalence of book challenges in the state. PEN America, part of PEN International, was founded in 1922 “to ensure that people everywhere have the freedom to create literature, to convey information and ideas, to express their views, and to access the views, ideas, and literatures of others.” The organization’s website says that it “tracks book bans and fights censorship in public schools and libraries across the country.”
Bibliotheca Unveils the selfCheck 2500 Compact Self-Service Kiosk
Bibliotheca will introduce the latest addition to its selfCheck portfolio, the selfCheck 2500, at the ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition in Booth 1705. It’s “a new compact kiosk that streamlines borrowing, account management, and access to library services. Designed for institutions where space is limited and efficiency is paramount, the 2500 offers a full suite of self-service features in a sleek, small-footprint design.” The selfCheck 2500 “is suited for small or high-traffic library settings, while an anti-glare touchscreen improves screen readability across various lighting conditions.” In addition, it’s “designed for long-term adaptability. Its modular design simplifies maintenance and paves the way for future upgrades, providing libraries with a system that can adjust to their changing demands.” For more information, read the press release.
GetFTR Plans a Webinar on Its History, Use Cases, and Road Map
GetFTR is hosting “Five Years and Counting! A GetFTR Update Webinar” on June 26, 2025, at 10 a.m. EDT. “Whether you are completely new to GetFTR or an expert at recounting its many use cases, come along for an update and discussion,” GetFTR notes. “After a quick intro for the beginners, we’ll hear from a publisher and an integrator about their experience and why utilizing GetFTR made sense for them. We’ll also get a sneak peek at the upcoming roadmap.”For more information, read the info page and the LinkedIn post.
BiblioCommons Shares Details on Its Next BiblioCon Conference
BiblioCommons opened registration for its BiblioCon ’25 conference, an annual event designed to connect public library staff across roles, departments, and geographies. This year’s BiblioCon will be held Oct. 8–10, both in-person in Toronto and virtually. “Attendees will explore strategies for engaging patrons, advancing digital services, and building a stronger online presence for their libraries. For those unable to travel, the virtual experience offers live access to key sessions on days one and two, providing flexible options to participate,” BiblioCommons shares. “This year’s theme, The Future of the Online Library Experience, places a spotlight on the evolving role of digital services in public libraries. As libraries strive to meet community expectations in a rapidly shifting digital landscape, BiblioCon ’25 will explore how to stay ahead of emerging trends in AI, eReading, and personalization. Sessions will highlight strategies for delivering creative readers’ advisory services, building websites that reflect community needs, and creating personalized digital experiences that increase engagement.” For more information, read the press release.
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Brandi Scardilli
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