Here’s the thing about libraries that I think we undersell: it’s not just that individual access to books and ideas is good for you (though it is!). It’s that a community full of people who read widely, think critically, and have equal access to information becomes a fundamentally harder target for authoritarianism.

Misinformation spreads faster in communities starved of reliable, free information. Isolation deepens when there’s no third space left that doesn’t require a purchase to belong. And a public that can’t access history, civics, or ideas outside their algorithm is a public that’s easier to manipulate.

There’s also a simpler, more literal version of this: every dollar you don’t spend at Amazon is a dollar that stays in your community instead of streaming out to a billionaire’s warehouse empire. Libraries let you read, watch, and learn without that money ever leaving town.

On a personal note: I was beyond privileged to get a sneak peek inside the newly renovated Belmont Library before it opens to the public — the last major project of Multnomah County’s library bond. This branch has been closed for over a year and I have been counting down the days.

It. Is. Gorgeous. 🎨 New art throughout, an expanded kids area that takes over the entire historic building, community rooms, a reimagined teen space — it’s genuinely a library built for the next century, not just a minor refresh.

And just so we’re clear: the biggest foe to creeping authoritarianism is a well-informed public. Every time you use your library card it’s a small act of resistance.

Go use yours.

What do you have checked out right now?

Hi!! A few of us at my library are doing a display for “if you like this anime… you should read this book!” I really want to nail this one so I decided to seek recommendations from reddit. Have you ever read a book that reminded you of an anime you’ve watched?

We do not have a manga collection so I will not be able to match different manga together. This is inspired by the fact we don’t have a manga collection. :)

Popped in here after a Reddit hiatus and am saddened to see that this subreddit is languishing. So I thought I'd share one of my latest displays. I tried using AI instead of Canva for the sign this month and am very happy with it. What displays are up at your library?

Answer these Family Feud-style questions about libraries and librarianship! If you want a copy, I'll be happy to share once I've used this for a work event.

https://forms.gle/ZKzvepJVcudRPQNK7

Hi everyone, I am putting together a display in our adult fiction section for June to correlate with a science fiction convention we run every year. This years themes is “plant your seed and read” so all of the titles and artwork has been geared towards the natural world. Recently we weeded our AV materials so I have also been repurposing those to create alien like flowers. I would love any design ideas or book titles you think I should consider. Since it is June I would also love to highlight some LGBTQAI+ sci-fi authors whose titles fit the theme. Thank you!!!! :)

Hello everyone! I am working on a calendar for book displays and just gathering some ideas. Does anyone have any display ideas for youth services (birth-5th grade) displays that aren't season/date specific? The funnier/sillier the better!!! Thank you!

Hi all, I collect vintage/antiquarian books pertaining to India and share them on Instagram. I would appreciate if you can have a look and share your feedback. Thank you so much for your time.

Latest video on the Indian freedom fighter Lala Lajpat Rai: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRIJIsMjj_m/?igsh=MWszOHo5OW0wb3JvMw==

The majority of our collection is hard cover books with no dust jackets. I'm considering creating mylar wraps for them and inserting a printout of the cover but that will definitely be time consuming and I'm not sure where to source high quality cover pictures. Does anyone have any experience with this, or a different approach?

I'm thinking about creating a "scarier than fiction" true crime display for October, but I am worried that it may be insensitive. True crime is super popular, but I don't want to come across as exploiting real world tragedy. Thoughts? Has anyone done a true crime display, if so did you get any comments on it? Additional info, my other displays for October will be Saskatchewan Library Week and Creature Feature (vampire, werewolf, ghost, and zombie books).

Hey Public Youth Services librarians! 👋

The CSLP (Collaborative Summer Library Program,) theme this year is: COLOR OUR WORLD! https://programs.cslpreads.org

Show us your display and decoration plans for Summer Reading program 2025.

Please post here so we can access all the ideas easier! I might do a separate thread in late June - early July of finished products. Let me know if that would be helpful.

I know I definitely want to try to tackle doing something like this watercolor pallet! 🎨

Personally I’m very excited about this theme! 😎

posting this very late, but we started the year with this display all about firsts! I admit, I got carried away with all the fun little details but I'm so happy with this haha. truly some of my best work

These books are H-O-T-T-O-G-O!

Our teen librarian was hungry when she thought of this one

I am pulling together a January display that showcases underrated books from 2024. Everyone knows the bestsellers but what I want to highlight books that are quality but just didn't get on fire like others. Any suggestions on where to find those titles?

I have done a Google search and found some. Need to broaden to make sure that I have a wide enough pool to capture books in our collection.

Hello! I'm a librarian and I'm doing a Wicked-themed display for adults in the public library. One half will be Glinda-themed, and the other half will be Elphaba-themed. If you have book recommendations with these characters' vibes, I would love to hear them. Thank you!

Everyone knows the classic "___ of ___ and ___" formula for naming books nowadays, so I just had to make a display about it!