> Why the Almanac of American Politics remains an essential read amid today’s fractured political climate https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2025/almanac-of-american-politics-2026-political-profiles-insights/

I thought we ought to have this in our library, but we don't. We probably won't either since my superiors basically want to decimate the reference collection (but that is another story).

> SF-Based Internet Archive ( @internetarchive ) is Now a Federal Depository Library. What Does That Mean?
https://www.kqed.org/news/12049420/sf-based-internet-archive-is-now-a-federal-depository-library-what-does-that-mean

In some #library good news.

Random thoughts: I'd not mind taking that one course on ASL for librarians, but I'm not sure I could justify the cost to my superiors. After all, it's not #AISlop related nor glamorous, just basic #ReferenceDesk skill (that I think would be useful).

Side note: #CosmicJoker is messing with me today. Just got a variant on the "I need a book, and it has a red cover" question. This will take a while...maybe.

Hey, the dictionary officially recognizes #AISlop

> Slop added to Cambridge Dictionary, as AI redefines language
https://www.cambridge.org/news-and-insights/cambridge-dictionary-tracks-new-ai-words

#ReferenceDesk #AI #tech #dictionaries #books #reading #literacy #bookstodon

@bookstodon

> "On Immigration: Essential Reading from University Presses."
https://digitaldigest.up.hcommons.org/2025/06/23/on-immigration/

May need to look at this a bit more closely later for possible collection development at our library.

#books #reading #immigration #ReferenceDesk #resources #academia #HigherEd #list #bookstodon

@bookstodon

Got variant of "I need to find a book" and all I remember is "the book is blue." In this case, client just did not recall the author, but knew the book, so I was able to narrow things a bit to get the right translation; they wanted a specific translation.

Of possible interest for some. Link to document included.

> A Practical Security Handbook: No Trace Project edition https://www.anarchistfederation.net/a-practical-security-handbook-no-trace-project-edition/

Of possible interest for some. I saved this list to look over later for possible #TBR.

> Reading for Seekers. Pagan and Witch Books for Coven Seekers
https://www.mandragoramagika.com/post/reading-for-seekers by Mandragora Magika

Of interest for some:

> ACRL announces the publication of The Open Science Cookbook, edited by Emily Bongiovanni, Melanie Gainey, Chasz Griego, and Lencia McKee, a collection of lesson plans and activities for supporting openly accessible, reproducible research.
https://acrl.ala.org/acrlinsider/the-open-science-cookbook/

Book can be purchased, but there is also an open access free edition you can download.

As we say in Spanish, "he dado más vueltas que un trompo." (I've gone around/spun more than a spinning top, i.e. been running busy today). Part of it is my student workers needing things, fine part of the job. But there is administrivia to do. Slowly but surely.

Of interest for some. I've read 6 so far, the latest being 'Love and Rage,' review coming to the blog soon.

> A Socially Engaged Buddhist Witch Reading List
60+ Books on Abolition, Mutual Aid, Matriarchy, and Spiritual Practice for Building a Better World
https://constantcraving.substack.com/p/a-socially-engaged-buddhist-witch

Once in a while, going directly to a source and speaking to a person will get an answer quicker than email or phone. Random thought part of some idea on reference work I may need to write about at some point.

Working virtual reference at #ReferenceDesk. When does the fancy pants database I need decide to not work? When I have a faculty member online I am trying to help.

Some "kicking" the engine and I got them what they needed, but I am giving certain vendor provider the #EvilEye.

Of possible interest for some, especially #librarians.

> For The People Newsletter Vol. XXVIII. For everyone working to strengthen and expand public libraries
https://librariesforthepeople.substack.com/p/for-the-people-newsletter-vol-xxviii

I am an academic librarian, and I do find things of interest every time I read the newsletter. This month, registered for couple of the webinars announced.

Week of final exams. They end tomorrow. By now, students should be hunkering down, finishing up tests, papers, projects, etc. Some however cut it close. Just got a virtual reference query for a pretty complex research question. Someone will be burning midnight oil. Yea, I got them the help they needed now.