News from the Field
Library of Virginia Selects Baskervill to Design Building Renovation
The Library of Virginia has selected Richmond-based architectural firm Baskervill to lead the schematic design of a transformative renovation of its building in downtown Richmond, located at 800 East Broad Street. The multiyear project will reimagine 112,749 square feet on the library’s first and second floors to improve the visitor experience, focusing on accessibility, flexibility, and community engagement. Baskervill will be joined on the project by Shepley Bulfinch, a Boston-based architecture firm renowned for library design, to implement a design phase that will include extensive stakeholder engagement.
The renovation will address a number of priorities designed to enrich public use and support a modern, safe, and welcoming visitor experience. These include upgrades to conference and event facilities to support increased use and modern broadcasting capabilities; reconfiguration of reading rooms to reflect the changing nature of research and scholarship; consolidation of service points for improved efficiency and user experience; enhancement of exhibition areas, including the creation of a new permanent “Virginia Experience” gallery; and relocation of the café space and the gift shop to activate the street level and invite greater public interaction.
Planning is underway, with detailed design and preconstruction efforts expected to continue through 2027. A phased construction schedule is targeted to begin in early 2028 and continue for approximately two and a half years, with a focus on maintaining continuity in public services and staff operations.
ALA Celebrates 150th Anniversary
The American Library Association (ALA) officially launched its 150th anniversary year in January 2026, marking a century and a half of empowering library professionals, advancing access to knowledge, and protecting the freedom to read. Founded in 1876, ALA has advocated for all libraries and library workers to ensure equitable access to information for all.
“Libraries are lifelines, shared public spaces, and engines of opportunity,” said ALA President Sam Helmick. “This milestone year is a moment to inspire, to rally our members, and to invite all library professionals and advocates into the shared mission of shaping the next 150 years for our libraries.”
ALA began 2026 with key flagship events, kicking off with the 2026 Youth Media Awards, honoring outstanding books, videos, and materials for children and teens. Celebrations will continue throughout the year, including the annual observance of National Library Week, April 19–25, led by 2026 Honorary Chair Mychal Threets, award-winning librarian and “Reading Rainbow” host; a 150th anniversary celebration at the ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition June 25–30 in Chicago; and a special commemoration of ALA’s official birthday on October 6, coinciding with the annual observance of Banned Books Week. Learn more about the celebrations at https://ala150.org/.
OCLC Introduces AI Cataloging Tools
OCLC has added powerful new artificial intelligence (AI) features to its WorldShare Record Manager and Connexion cataloging applications. These updates help catalogers by automatically suggesting classification numbers and subject headings, saving time and improving accuracy. Catalogers can now see AI-generated suggestions for Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) numbers, Library of Congress Classification (LCC) numbers, and Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) as they create or edit records. The system draws on WorldCat data—built from hundreds of millions of library records—to make these intelligent recommendations. This innovation is part of OCLC’s broader effort to apply AI responsibly across its services. OCLC already uses AI to identify duplicate records in WorldCat, provide reading recommendations on WorldCat.org, and speed up resource sharing by connecting users to the best available copies. Learn more at https://www.oclc.org/en/artificial-intelligence.html.
Clarivate Launches Library Innovation Awards
Clarivate has announced the launch of the inaugural Clarivate Library Innovation Awards, an annual program designed to recognize and support innovation by academic, national, and public libraries worldwide. In a time when libraries face unprecedented challenges—from evolving digital demands and budget constraints to shifting community needs—the Clarivate Library Innovation Awards will demonstrate the resilience, creativity, and impact of library professionals. The awards will celebrate inspiring projects, innovations, or transformational initiatives that have made a tangible impact on librarians, patrons, students, or communities. Submissions are encouraged to highlight achievements in community outcomes, patron engagement, student success, operational excellence, digital inclusion, accessibility, sustainability, or other areas central to library missions. Finalists in each category will receive all-expenses-paid attendance for two library staff members at Clarivate international user group conferences in 2026, where they will be announced and recognized on stage. Learn more at https://exlibrisgroup.com/clarivate-library-awards/.
Nursing & Allied Health Reference Source Now Available from EBSCO
EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO) has launched Nursing & Allied Health Reference Source, a new full-text resource offering a vast collection of material that will support the research and education needs of individuals across the health care and social services fields. Tailored for researchers and students of nursing, allied health, social work, occupational therapy, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and other related fields, this new resource provides comprehensive content, an intuitive interface and covers a broad range of subjects.
Nursing & Allied Health Reference Source features essential reference content, including evidence-based care sheets, clinical reviews, drug information, exercise sheets, skills with in-context images and videos, quick lessons, and research instruments. The resource provides access to an extensive array of topics, ranging from clinical procedures and physical therapy to risk management and nutrition. Other topics covered include core measures, diseases and conditions, interventions, nursing leadership, regulatory topics, respiratory therapy, and speech-language pathology. Learn more at https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases/nursing-allied-health-reference-source.
Call for ACRL ALSGS Notable Works Submissions
The ACRL Academic Library Services for Graduate Students Interest Group’s (ALSGS) Notable Works for Library Support of Graduate Students Working Group seeks nominations for our biannual Notable Works List. The project goal is to recognize and showcase excellent professional contributions that inform the work of library colleagues who support graduate students. Submissions can include projects and publications by library workers or by researchers in related fields who shed light on important elements of serving graduate students. The deadline for submissions is April 10, 2026, and complete details are on the ALSGS LibGuide at https://acrl.libguides.com/als4gsig/home. 
Tech Bits...
TheirStory is an online platform specifically built for the collection, organization, distribution, and preservation of oral history projects. Subscribers can use it for video recording and avail themselves of TheirStory’s other features, including AI tools for transcription and indexing. The platform’s editing features are limited to creating clips from longer recordings and remixing. Projects can be shared through multiple apps, including YouTube, Instagram, and Vimeo.
TheirStory offers pricing options for individuals and institutions but does not publish specifics on their website. Several academic institutions have partnered with TheirStory to collect and publicize oral histories, like the University of Connecticut, whose Dr. Fiona Vernal used the platform to collect and organize oral histories of West Indian, African America, and Puerto Rican immigrants to Hartford.
TheirStory
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