Nick Tanzi

What works to engage library non-users

Interesting research that seeks to understand library non-users in England and explores potential approaches, services, and offers that could encourage greater use. Worth checking out! #libraries www.gov.uk/government/p...

"Pizza Parties Don't Fix Burnout": The State of Librarian Mental Health Library workers are feeling increased pressures to be everything to everyone, and the impact on their mental health matters.

"This crucial sociopolitical and cultural moment for #libraries presents an opportunity that the field has not yet adequately addressed: how to effectively care for, support, and accommodate the #mentalhealth and safety needs of its most valuable asset — its people." bookriot.com/the-state-of...

Library Tech Trends for 2026 - The Digital Librarian The year 2026 will see libraries face new and familiar challenges from generative AI, increasing cybersecurity threats, and continued adaptation in response to community needs.

Sharing my thoughts on tech trends for libraries for 2026.
the-digital-librarian.com/2026/02/03/l...

Legler Regional Library is Chicago's first food pantry within a public library Legler Regional Library serves Garfield Park, an area where food insecurity is widespread. The food bank expands the library's mission as a community resource and will offer essential foods two days a...

Legler Regional Library is home to Chicago’s first food pantry located inside a public library and now provides fruits, vegetables, dairy, and other essentials to approximately 600 households each month. chicago.suntimes.com/food-drink/2... #library

Library Legislation Updates to Begin 2026 Catch up on the latest in library legislation from across the country, as well as be inspired to take action against censorship this year.

A roundup of the latest library legislation from across the USA. #library bookriot.com/library-legi...

2026 Library Marketing Predictions: What Will Matter Most This Year Photo courtesy Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library Key Takeaways: Authenticity will be a strategic advantage: In an AI-saturated world, libraries that showcase real staff, patrons, and ge…

Angela Hursh is one of my go-tos for marketing advice, so it was a real honor when she asked me to contribute to this piece on library marketing predictions for 2026! #libraries #marketing
superlibrarymarketing.com/2026/01/19/2...

The Hidden Cost of Service: Library Students' Crushing Debt - Liblime LibLime support couples the concept of open development with the security of outstanding customer service relieving libraries of the need to have expensive technical resources on staff.

"...between degree costs and career earnings, aspiring librarians face an untenable choice: abandon their calling or accept decades of financial hardship in service of the public good." #library
liblime.com/2025/12/27/t...

Brown: High costs? Budget cuts? Even more reason to protect public libraries. "For me and legions of library patrons from all walks of life, what’s happening these days feels personal," Aaron Brown writes.

"When we reduce #library access, we aggravate our most pressing challenges: increased social isolation, inaccurate information, barriers to new technology and a higher cost of living." www.startribune.com/public-libra...

Post-B&T, Vendors Jostle for the Library Market The wholesaler’s departure presents a challenge, and a boost, to its former competitors.

"#Libraries of all sizes needed new places for their materials when wholesaler Baker & Taylor closed late last year, and vendors are trying to meet the demand."
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

American Libraries American Libraries - January/February 2026

The January/February 2026 issue of American Libraries Magazine is now available as a free digital edition. #libraries
digital.americanlibrariesmagazine.org/html5/reader...

What Can You Do When the Digital Key Won’t Turn? Visit a Library. Recent outages of Amazon Web Services and Cloudflare are a stark illustration of our digital vulnerabilities. They are also an opportunity for libraries to remind users of their resilience.

"During digital outages, librarians’ expertise in reference and information literacy only increases in value." #Libraries katinamagazine.org/content/arti...

The U.S. Government Accountability Office has released a major national study on the condition of public #libraries, highlighting the need for greater investment in library facilities:
www.gao.gov/products/gao...

AI Slop Is Spurring Record Requests for Imaginary Journals The International Committee of the Red Cross warned that artificial intelligence models are making up research papers, journals and archives

"AI models not only point some users to false sources but also cause problems for researchers and librarians, who end up wasting their time looking for requested nonexistent records." #AI #libraries
www.scientificamerican.com/article/ai-s...

The 173 Best Book Covers of 2025 Per Literary Hub tradition, I am pleased to present the best book covers of the year—as chosen by some of the industry’s best book cover designers. This year, I asked 52 designers to share their fa…

Literary Hub has published a list of the best book covers of 2025. Have a look! #publishing #libraries
lithub.com/the-173-best...

More Than ‘Dusty Books’: Why School Libraries Are Essential Infrastructure (Opinion) Administrators wrestling with learning loss rarely turn to librarians. That’s a strategic mistake.

"...despite their proven impact, school #libraries remain one of the most overlooked assets in K–12 #education."
www.edweek.org/teaching-lea...

Disney signs deal with OpenAI to allow Sora to generate AI videos featuring its characters | TechCrunch Disney says that alongside the agreement, it will "become a major customer of OpenAI," as it will use its APIs to build new products, tools, and experiences, including for Disney+.

"The Walt Disney Company announced on Thursday that it has signed a three-year partnership with OpenAI that will bring its iconic characters to the company’s Sora #AI video generator."
techcrunch.com/2025/12/11/d...

Cover of the 2025 Urban Library Council Library Insights Report. It is dated November, 2025. In the top left corner of the report is the Urban Libraries Council's logo, which is three triangles of increasing height, overlayed on each other; a blue triangle, gold triangle, and an orange triangle.

The Urban Libraries Council has released their 2025 Library Insights Report, which "captures how urban #libraries are evolving to meet community needs. www.urbanlibraries.org/files/2025-L...

How Getting a Library Card Is a Salute to Democracy | Nonprofit Quarterly | Civic News. Empowering Nonprofits. Advancing Justice. Public libraries are accessible for many Americans. Now, they strive to represent civil values in their pursuit of authentic democracy.

"...now, more than ever, we can appreciate how fiercely #libraries strive to represent our values in their pursuit of authentic democracy."
nonprofitquarterly.org/how-getting-...

Fascinating & hilarious talk from @ntanzi.bsky.social

Libraries & AI by way of the twilight zone & the idea that a book is a vessel- a delivery mechanism.

Change is a feature of our service and providing access & information is part of our commitment to digital equity #LAIBooktotheFuture25

4 picture collage. There is a photograph of a speaker at a podium, two photos of a conference room, and a final photo of a speaker with a large projector screen. The screen displays three Lego blocks stacked on top of each other. They are labeled "policy, programs, services."

Photo of the exterior of Denver Public Library, central branch.

Photo of a large conference room with people seated at small tables, banquet style.

Photo of a program booklet for Library Journal Directors' Summit. Laid on top is a speaker's name tag for Nick Tanzi.

I recently traveled to Denver to speak at the Library Journal Directors' Summit.

As an added bonus, I got to have dinner with my cousin and his girlfriend, who had just moved to Denver the week before!

Libraries are public health hubs The roots of community health and wellness extend out into the 9,000 or so public libraries across the U.S., writes Katherine O'Malley. But the Trump administration has moved to end federal funding fo...

Good new article on how public libraries are a key part of public health infrastructure, and need to be supported as such. www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/...

PLA Releases Results from the 2024 Public Library Staff Survey The Public Library Association (PLA) has released the 2024 Public Library Staff Survey report. The annual surveys since 2020 have followed a rotating series of topics—Technology, Staff, and Services f...

Hot off the press: @ala-pla.bsky.social has published their Public Library Staffing Report: Results from the 2024 PLA Annual Survey. #libraries
www.ala.org/news/2025/08...

Addressing AI-Generated Materials in the Library Collection - The Digital Librarian Generative AI is reshaping the publishing industry—and libraries are beginning to notice the impact on our collections.

A look at the impact of generative AI on library collections. I included some examples of library collection development policies that address AI-generated materials. #library #ai
the-digital-librarian.com/2025/08/05/a...

Just saw @ntanzi.bsky.social 's excellent account of the quandaries librarians face with AI-generated books. Will definitely cite some of his examples in my webinar tomorrow the-digital-librarian.com/2025/08/05/a...

Mellon Foundation The Mellon Foundation makes grants to actively unlock the power in the arts and humanities that helps connect us all.

The Mellon Foundation has announced the appointment of Dr. Carla Hayden as a senior fellow.

As part of the Foundation’s fellowship, Dr. Hayden will "serve as strategic counsel on the advancement of libraries, archives, and the broader public knowledge ecosystem."
www.mellon.org/news/mellon-...

FEATURE - Ebook Availability, Licensing, and Pricing in Canada and the U.S.: A Follow-Up Study The current study’s focus on bestsellers and notable fiction and nonfiction provides a fairly accurate idea of what librarians face when selecting and maintaining digital content in 2025.

A follow-up to a 2018 study assessing the availability, licensing, and pricing of #library #ebooks in the U.S. and Canada.
www.infotoday.com/cilmag/jul25...

Worse Than Nothing New poll shows voters overwhelmingly oppose GOP proposal to ban states from regulating AI

"A recent Gallup poll found that Republicans and Democrats overwhelmingly agree that the government has a responsibility to reduce potential #AI harms, from national security to data privacy to job loss."

American Libraries American Libraries - June 2025

The June 2025 issue of American Libraries Magazine is now available as a free digital edition. #libraries

Rooted in connection: Libraries designing for belonging and community Despite living in an age of unprecedented digital connectivity, people are feeling the increasing effects of loneliness and isolation. These challenges extend beyond individuals, weakening the health,...

"#Libraries have always been more than just places to house books—they are spaces where community connection and belonging can thrive."
www.webjunction.org/news/webjunc...

CT Libraries Hail Passage of Ebook Licensing Legislation | CT News Junkie Library groups in the state are hailing passage of a bill they say would protect them and their patrons from “predatory” publishing industry practices on ebooks and audiobooks.

"Library groups in the state are hailing passage of a bill they say would protect them and their patrons from “predatory” publishing industry practices on ebooks and audiobooks." #libraries #publishing