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Merrilee Proffitt

@merrileeiam.bsky.social
474 followers 161 following 160 posts

Democracy's Library @ the Internet Archive | Library and archives leader | People at the center of all I do; DEI advocate and practitioner

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Reposted by Merrilee Proffitt
James R Jacobs @freegovinfo.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Final report of @archive.org Information Stewardship Forum 2026: Creating Community and Purpose Around US Government Information. Thanks @merrileeiam.bsky.social and everyone who attended. Hope there will be a 2027 forum!! archive.org/details/ia-i...
archive.org
Information Stewardship Forum 2026: Creating Community and Purpose Around US Government Information
A report from the inaugural Information Stewardship Forum, a three-day convening hosted by the Internet Archive in San Francisco on March 18–20, 2026, that brought together 120 people working to prese...
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Great news for state / local government and digital preservation. Best of all we are building a community around this work! I will be touching on this in my presentation for the Federal Depository Library Conference tomorrow! #DemocracysLibrary
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Internet Archive @archive.org · 09/09/2026
Public data needs more than preservation. It needs to remain usable. 🏛️ THE FIGHT FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD examines how civic society can preserve threatened government data & keep it useful. futureknowledge.transistor.fm/episodes/the... 🧵
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Such a dream to be in conversation with @csmarcum.bsky.social and @freegovinfo.bsky.social !
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Beginning in January 2025, we witnessed an unprecedented removal of material from U.S. federal websites — public documents gone from public view almost overnight. I've written about the End of Term Archive and it's importance for Democracy's Library. 👇 blog.archive.org/2026/08/24/a...
blog.archive.org
Archiving Democracy: How the U.S. End of Term Web Archive Preserves Government History | Internet Archive Blogs
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infoDOCKET @infodocket.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
As Federal Agencies Delete Public Records, New Toolkit Helps #Journalists Find Criminal Legal #Data Before It Disappears (via @ccrjustice.org; @justjournalism.bsky.social) ccrjustice.org/home/press-c... #researchtools #publicrecords #legaldata #usgov
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Help build on collections in Democracy's Library, and create something new and cool based on Canadian government publications. Apply for the the AI Builders Fellowship: a $5,000 award for anyone, anywhere in the world, to spend six weeks turning a massive public archive into something new.
internetarchivecanada.org
Internet Archive Canada and BC + AI Launch the AI Builders Fellowship – Internet Archive Canada
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Happy Canada Day!! 🇨🇦 Celebrate by learning about the work of Internet Archive Canada. "Canada’s breadth, in a search box." internetarchivecanada.org/2026/07/01/w...
internetarchivecanada.org
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Antoine @ant.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Gov. Doc. Librarians set the record in The Fight for the Public Record. A chat on accessible public information amid political and technological change. Happening live now, starts ~1hr With @merrileeiam.bsky.social & @freegovinfo.bsky.social & @csmarcum.bsky.social & @authorsalliance.bsky.social
eventbrite.com
The Fight for the Public Record (Future Knowledge Podcast)
Confronting a growing crisis: Who is responsible for preserving the public record and what happens when it disappears?
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Please come! Looking forward to being in dialogue with these great colleagues and talking about Democracy's Library.
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
My presentation on Democracy's Library at the @archive.org from the Spring @cni-org.bsky.social meeting is now available! If you want to learn more about my work, I'm the first 15 minutes of this recording. www.youtube.com/watch?v=9--u...
youtube.com
Sustaining the Public Record: Collaborative Stewardship of Government Information and Research Data
YouTube video by CNI: Coalition for Networked Information
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Reposted by Merrilee Proffitt
Internet Archive @archive.org · 29/04/2026
2️⃣/4️⃣ The Call to Action was developed through the March 2026 Information Stewardship Forum in support of the Internet Archive’s Democracy’s Library program, calls on institutions and individuals to commit to preserving the public record.
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infoDOCKET @infodocket.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Event Report: Information Stewardship Forum 2026: Creating Community and Purpose Around US Government Information (via @archive.org) blog.archive.org/2026/04/28/i... #libraries #govinfo
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
On 1 May, it is my pleasure to join James R. Jacobs (US Government Information Librarian, Stanford University) for a discussion about the Preservation of Government Information Call to Action publicinformationtrust.org For more information godort.libguides.com/fridaychats #govinfo
publicinformationtrust.org
Preservation of Government Information: An Information Stewardship Call to Action
Endorse the call to action to preserve U.S. government information. For libraries, archives, and information professionals.
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
This librarian loves working at @archive.org !
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Reposted by Merrilee Proffitt
Internet Archive @archive.org · 21/04/2026
🧵 The covers of local government documents reveal how public institutions saw themselves and how they wanted to be seen. See the covers, preserved in the California Local Government Documents Collection ⤵️ igs.berkeley.edu/news/reading... @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social
Illustrated cover titled “Comprehensive General Plan, Pomona, California.” A stylized suburban house sits in the background, with banners and a monument labeled “Pomona.” In the foreground are painted portraits of diverse people, a construction worker with equipment, and a small group of residents, all rendered in warm, textured tones. (1976)Cover of a document titled “Resource Directory, SF Dept Social Services, Community Services, January 1975.” The black-and-white illustration includes cartoon drawings: a doctor holding a stethoscope to a patient, a person holding a “Fight Poverty” sign near a government building, a teacher pointing at a chalkboard with math symbols, a scout holding a bugle next to a tent contsining a sleeping person, and a woman and a child standing before a smiling person seated behind a desks, all arranged around the title.Light blue document cover titled “Part IX Housing Element, San Diego County General Plan – 1990.” The center features a childlike black line drawing of a house with a rounded roof, a window with a person inside, a door, and a pumpkin. The sky includes simple smiling sun figures and a flower, with “SHANNON” written vertically at right. An "Adopted by Board of Supervisions" stamp appears at bottom right.
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Matthew Noe @noethematt.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
From a fellow librarian, trustee, and patron, sending solidarity to library workers across the world on National Library Workers Day Libraries work because we do ✊️
Selfie of Matthew throwing a peace sign in front of a mug saying Libraries work because we dk
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
I'm excited to share that we've made a collection of historic Supreme Court Records and Briefs available via @archive.org I've written a blog post where I go into detail about the importance of this collection. blog.archive.org/2026/04/20/u...
blog.archive.org
U.S. Supreme Court Records and Briefs: The Arguments That Shaped America, Now Freely Available | Internet Archive Blogs
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Reposted by Merrilee Proffitt
Internet Archive @archive.org · 20/04/2026
📝 Planning your week, San Francisco? 🌁 Join us Thursday for the VANISHING CULTURE book launch! 📖 This new report from the Internet Archive raises awareness of what is at risk and what we can do about it. 📅 Thu, April 23 🕠 5:30 PM 📍 300 Funston Ave, SF 🎟️ www.eventbrite.com/e/vanishing-...
A promotional banner for the Vanishing Culture Book Launch at the Internet Archive. On the left, bold text reads "Vanishing Culture Book Launch, Thursday April 23, Doors @ 5:30pm, Program @ 6pm, Internet Archive, 300 Funston Ave., San Francisco." On the right, a graphic illustration depicts cultural artifacts including a VHS tape, an open book, a film reel, a vinyl record, and a CD, all dissolving into a cascade of black and white pixels, evoking the loss of digital and physical media. A pixelated pointing hand cursor and the word "SAVE" appear at the bottom, alongside the Internet Archive logo.
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Leslie Street @lesliestreet.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Really happy to have done a very small thing to help make the Supreme Court's historical records and briefs freely available. Thank you to the @archive.org for doing the hard part. blog.archive.org/2026/04/20/u...
blog.archive.org
U.S. Supreme Court Records and Briefs: The Arguments That Shaped America, Now Freely Available | Internet Archive Blogs
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
#worldartday! A mosaic bench from Aruba to lift your spirits. archive.org/details/ANA-... #democracyslibrary
archive.org
Route 08: Green Corridor - San Nicolaas Art - Brug Green Corridor, 2016-08-07 (Proyecto Snapshot) : Archivo Nacional Aruba : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
<< previous image || next image  >>Route 08: Green Corridor - San Nicolaas Art - Brug Green Corridor, 2016-08-07 (Proyecto Snapshot)
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Reposted by Merrilee Proffitt
Internet Archive @archive.org · 12/04/2026
“We are collateral damage.” - Mark Graham, Wayback Machine When preservation is caught in the crossfire, it’s not just libraries that lose—it’s the public’s access to history, knowledge, and truth. The web shouldn’t disappear behind closed doors. ➡️ www.sfexaminer.com/news/technol...
sfexaminer.com
Publishers’ AI battle hits Internet Archive
SF organization losing access to some news content
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Thought you guys might be interested in this Apollo 17 sizzle reel from 1973 - the last moon mission prior to Artemis! Captured by NASA, preserved and made available by @archive.org! archive.org/details/Apol... #NASA #artemis #artemisii #democracyslibrary
archive.org
Apollo 17 Highlights : NASA : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
APOLLO 17 AUDIO HIGHLIGHTS CREW: Eugene A. Cernan, Ronald E. Evans, Harrison H. Jack Schmitt LAUNCH: December 7, 1972 SPLASHDOWN: December 19,...
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Internet Archive @archive.org · 12/03/2026
How did Mickey Mouse go from borrowing hit songs to building Disney’s musical legacy? 🎶 1930 Mickey Mouse comic strips referenced popular tunes, then Disney introduced its own “Minnie’s Yoo Hoo,” marking the shift from borrowing music to creating it. Learn more 👇 blog.archive.org/2026/02/24/m...
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Department of Justice memo - use AI instead of human translation to support non-English audiences. www.nextgov.com/digital-gove...
nextgov.com
Justice pushes agencies to use AI-assisted translations, when offering them at all
The July 14 memo encourages agencies to determine which services would be better operated exclusively in English and to make use of AI where translations are needed.
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Reposted by Merrilee Proffitt
Internet Archive @archive.org · 03/01/2026
Now that these works have entered the public domain, put them to good use in our annual Public Domain Film Remix Contest: blog.archive.org/2025/12/01/2... Submit your short film by 11:59pm PST on January 7.
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Internet Archive @archive.org · 31/12/2025
⏰ 12 HOURS TO GO 👀 When the new year begins, so does #PublicDomainDay2026. At 12:00 a.m. ET, iconic books, films, and music move into the public domain—and we’ll be sharing highlights #here all night long. 🔔 Set your reminder ➡️ blog.archive.org/public-domai...
Original 1930 illustrated cover of The Little Engine That Could: a small blue steam engine pulls a curved train uphill through snowy mountains, hauling brightly colored red and yellow cars filled with toys and animals—including a giraffe, elephant, and teddy bear—under the bold title text “THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD” at the top.
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 26/12/2025
A preview of coming attractions! In addition to our January 1 countdown, look out for our Public Domain Day celebration, in person and virtually!
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
I am on the committee for the SAA Brenda S. Banks Travel Award given annually to archivists of color who would like to become active in SAA. It provides generous travel support and a years membership in SAA. Please share in your networks and with those that might be our next recipient!
www2.archivists.org
Brenda S. Banks Travel Award | Society of American Archivists
Society of American Archivists
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Reposted by Merrilee Proffitt
Daniel Swain @weatherwest.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
In case you missed it live, a full recording of my rapid-response livestream regarding news surrounding the proposed imminent and sudden dismantling of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) is now available.
youtu.be
Special rapid response stream re: proposed dismantling of National Center for Atmospheric Research
The latest in a recurring series of live, virtual, & interactive "office hours" hosted by Dr. Daniel Swain on various topics related to extreme #weather and #climate. 12/17/2025 topic: This will be a special emergency livestream to discuss the context and broader implications of breaking news last n
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Reposted by Merrilee Proffitt
Internet Archive @archive.org · 16/12/2025
🎬 The 2026 Public Domain Film Remix Contest is on! Celebrate Public Domain Day by remixing the past—using at least one item entering the #publicdomain on Jan 1, 2026, in your 2–3 minute film submission. 📅 Deadline: Jan. 7, 2026 💰 First prize: $1,500 ℹ️ Details: blog.archive.org/2025/12/01/2...
Poster for the Internet Archive's 2026 Public Domain Film Remix Contest, featuring the "Lockette," a cartoon character with an open lock, seated in a director's chair, legs crossed, and holding a megaphone. Projected on a screen to her right is a frame from the 1930 film "King of Jazz". Illustrated by Freya Morgan.
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
🕎 This year it seems more important than ever to light a candle in the dark. 🕎
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Internet Archive @archive.org · 16/12/2025
On the 3rd night of Hanukkah, we share this 1950s photo of Jewish American war veterans gathered around a menorah. 🕎 The preservation of images like this links the past to our present & shows how traditions endure across generations. 📸 archive.org/details/cala... #Preservation #Holidays #Veterans
People in military uniforms and suits gather around a menorah, with flags in the background. The uniformed man in the center is lighting the third candle of the menorah while other men and one woman are gathered around him, part of the Jewish War Veterans of the USA. Photo by Bernard M. Cohn.
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
An example of Democracy's Library in action, thanks to the Institute of Governmental Studies (IGS) UC Berkeley. Over 6,000 municipal documents digitized and available in @archive.org - "essential sources for understanding California’s civic past and present." igs.berkeley.edu/news/library...
igs.berkeley.edu
The Library Corner - Fall 2025 Recap Edition | Institute of Governmental Studies
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
Oh hey it's me! Happy to be at @archive.org !
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
New job alert! Thank you @archive.org @brewster.kahle.org and @chrisfreeland.com for this nice write up! blog.archive.org/2025/11/18/m...
blog.archive.org
Meet Merrilee Proffitt, Director of Democracy’s Library US | Internet Archive Blogs
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Happy Halloween! Kate James has a round up of werewolf resources that will leave you howling for more—all available in WorldCat, of course! I learned a new word! Lycanthropy. hangingtogether.org/werewolves-i... #libraries #spooky #werewolves #lycanthrope
hangingtogether.org
Werewolves in WorldCat - Hanging Together
If you enjoy a good werewolf story, read on for a description of some resources that will leave you howling for more—all available in WorldCat, of course!
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
Final post with findings from the OCLC RLP AI and Metadata Workflows Working group. It recaps what we learned over months of discussions. Our findings? AI can enhance metadata work—but only with care. Learn how libraries (and OCLC) think about balancing innovation with quality and ethical practice.
hangingtogether.org
Striking the right balance: Opportunities and challenges of AI in metadata workflows - Hanging Together
AI can enhance metadata work—but only with care. Learn how libraries can balance innovation with quality and ethical practice.
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
The third blog post in our AI and metadata workflows series is here. Read and find out -- can AI help to manage institutional repository metadata? From improving deposit workflows to cleaning up legacy data, explore how AI might support IRs while keeping human expertise front and center.
hangingtogether.org
Examining the role of AI in institutional repository workflows - Hanging Together
Can AI help to manage institutional repository metadata? From improving deposit workflows to cleaning up legacy data, explore how AI might support IRs while keeping human expertise front and center.
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
Pleased to share the recording from the first of three webinars in our Reimagining Descriptive Workflows series, featuring @ellycope.bsky.social, Ceilan Hunter-Green and @kats23.bsky.social speaking to building institutional capacity for reparative description through collaborative approaches.
oclc.wistia.com
Reimagining Descriptive Workflows building institutional capacity through collaborative approaches at Manchester and Leeds universities
Transforming descriptive practices requires more than good intentions—it demands strategic planning, institutional support, and practical implementation frameworks that can be sustained over time. Thi...
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Helen Williams @helskrw.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
First in a new blog post series from OCLC summarising the discussions of Metadata Managers as we explored the challenges and opportunities of AI in metadata creation and management.
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Amazing recap of today's webinar. Two more sessions upcoming in this series! Thanks to all our presenters and to @emmabooth.bsky.social for the reportage in real time!
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
📢New blog post! Backlogs and beyond: AI in primary cataloging workflows Facing cataloging backlogs, legacy metadata issues, and language challenges, libraries are exploring how AI may offer practical support—while keeping human expertise central. (🎉Me, celebrating the OCLC RLP!) #AIandLibraries
hangingtogether.org
Backlogs and beyond: AI in primary cataloging workflows - Hanging Together
Facing backlogs, legacy metadata issues, and language challenges, libraries are exploring how AI may offer practical support—while keeping human expertise central.
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Lorcan Dempsey @lorcand.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
Nicely said. This was a central theme of my course on collaboration and the value of consortia > Time and again, connections to trusted peers have proven to be every bit as essential as all the other types of infrastructure we depend upon to do our jobs. buff.ly/ru6fpPR
hangingtogether.org
Rising to the challenge: How the SHARES resource sharing community navigated a global disruption to international shipping - Hanging Together
When international ILL shipping faced an unprecedented disruption, the OCLC RLP SHARES community turned confusion into collaboration, crafting creative solutions to keep library materials moving…
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
Global shipping chaos? No problem. When international ILL faced an unprecedented disruption, the SHARES community turned confusion into collaboration, crafting creative solutions to keep library materials moving across borders. 🌍📚 New blog post tells the tale! #ResourceSharing #Libraries #OCLCRLP
hangingtogether.org
Rising to the challenge: How the SHARES resource sharing community navigated a global disruption to international shipping - Hanging Together
When international ILL shipping faced an unprecedented disruption, the OCLC RLP SHARES community turned confusion into collaboration, crafting creative solutions to keep library materials moving acros...
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
Global shipping chaos? No problem. When international ILL faced unprecedented disruption, the SHARES community turned confusion into collaboration, crafting creative solutions to keep library materials moving across borders. 🌍📚 Find out more in a new blog post #ResourceSharing #Libraries #OCLCRLP
hangingtogether.org
Rising to the challenge: How the SHARES resource sharing community navigated a global disruption to international shipping - Hanging Together
When international ILL shipping faced an unprecedented disruption, the OCLC RLP SHARES community turned confusion into collaboration, crafting creative solutions to keep library materials moving acros...
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Lisa Carter @lisarcarter.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
Over the last 50 years, Chicana transformed the way we analyze and write history as well as who is included in U.S. history. @umichlibrary.bsky.social hosts a digital collection of oral histories you can view in The First 100: Chicanas Changing History archival project. quod.lib.umich.edu/f/first100
quod.lib.umich.edu
Index | The First 100: Chicanas Changing History | University of Michigan Library Digital Collections
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
When you already loved using M dashes in your writing...
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
Check out this new blog post from Dennis Massie highlighting how our amazing OCLC RLP SHARES community members on resource sharing teams work to boost accessibility in libraries! 💡📚 Must-read blog post on ILL, alt formats & inclusive partnerships. 🙌 #LibraryAccessibility #ILL #AccessForAll
hangingtogether.org
Roles for resource sharing practitioners in making library materials accessible - Hanging Together
The OCLC Research Library Partnership and the SHARES resource sharing consortium are connecting library professionals to share strategies for improving accessibility. Read highlights from a recent web...
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Merrilee Proffitt @merrileeiam.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
🌟 New OCLC RLP leadership roundtable findings are out! 50 leaders from 43 institutions shared real challenges & actionable solutions for leading through uncertainty. Key takeaway: effective leadership = strategic thinking + genuine care for people. Click to the blog for more! #libraryleadership
hangingtogether.org
Leading through uncertainty: Fostering morale and connection in challenging times.
Library leaders from RLP institutions share insights about leadership in times of austerity and uncertainty. Explore operational adaptation and planning strategies that can strengthen morale and organ...
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