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Welcome to Check Your Shelf. Now that we’re moving past the election, the realization that we still have a lot of COVID to deal with in our communities. Please continue to wash your hands, wear a mask, socially distance, and remember to get a flu shot! (I’m getting mine today!)
Libraries & Librarians
News Updates
Despite COVID concerns, library ballot measures did well in this election cycle!
Chicago Public Library says that eliminating fines was a smart move, which is good news for the London (ON) Public Library, which just voted to eliminate fines for their own patrons.
Penguin Random House is extending its temporary licensing agreements on eBooks and digital audiobooks for libraries through March 31st, 2021.
YALSA releases its updated 2019 list of Outstanding Books for the College Bound & Lifelong Learners.
The Vatican enlists bots to protect its library from hackers.
Cool Library Updates
Summer Scares is back to celebrate horror in libraries!
Check this out! Pandemic library take-home kits.
UK author Jeremy Cameron transformed his garage into a lending library that’s always open to everyone in the village of Norfolk.
Worth Reading
A look at how schools and libraries can do better about teaching Indigenous history and stories.
In case it wasn’t already clear, here’s why banning books is problematic.
Inside the New York Public Library’s last secret apartments.
Book Adaptations in the News
Joe Hill’s novella The Black Phone will be adapted for film.
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh is being turned into a TV series.
Hugh Laurie and Emilia Clarke are part of the voice cast for the upcoming animated adaptation of Terry Pratchett’s The Amazing Maurice.
Jeff Vandermeer’s upcoming Hummingbird Salamander will be adapted as a Netflix series.
The BBC is producing a miniseries adaptation of Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh.
Hulu cancels Castle Rock after two seasons.
A lawsuit has been filed against Paramount Pictures to transfer the rights to Breakfast at Tiffany’s back to Truman Capote’s estate.
Producers of The Enola Holmes Mysteries on Netflix push back against the lawsuit filed by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s estate.
Netflix announced that season 3 of You is in production.
Netflix India released a trailer for Mismatched, which is based on the YA novel When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon.
10 Hallmark Christmas movies you probably didn’t know were based on books.
Stephen King talks about how to properly adapt his books.
Books & Authors in the News
Courtney Milan, Alyssa Cole, and the writers behind Kit Rocha have launched the fundraiser Romancing the Runoff, which is soliciting donations for the runoff Senate election in Georgia in January. They’ve already raised EIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLARS!
Remembering the beloved Alex Trebek, who died on Sunday.
Numbers & Trends
For you infographic fans, here’s a look at the world’s reading habits in 2020.
Award News
Camilla Pang, age 28, won the Royal Society science book prize for her debut Explaining Humans, making her the youngest writer ever to win the prize, as well as the first winning author of color.
More award firsts: Walter Mosley will be the first African American writer to receive the Distinguished Contribution to American Letters from the National Book Foundation.
Raven Leilani’s debut novel Luster wins the $50,000 Kirkus Prize.
Pop Cultured
Following lingering allegations of domestic abuse, Johnny Depp is leaving the Fantastic Beasts franchise, at the request of Warner Brothers.
O: Oprah Magazine recommends 20 book podcasts to listen to.
Bookish Curiosities & Miscellaneous
The Root launches its first bookish podcast with It’s Lit!
Thanks to Powell’s Books, you too can smell like a bookstore.
On the Riot
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, here’s a look at the history of dust jackets.
The best ereaders you can buy in 2020.
Are you really a library employee if you don’t have a huge collection of bookish socks? Well, here’s your ultimate guide if you need to up your sock game.
10 non-ALA book awards for children and YA books.
Why this reader still uses, and likes, Goodreads.
What happens when a community loses its newspaper?
Stay healthy, everyone. I’ll see you next week.
—Katie McLain Horner, @kt_librarylady on Twitter.