We here at The Library Ladies are occasionally approached by readers with questions and suggestions about things that we could write about on this blog. While it’s true that reviews and reader’s advisory are some of the main points that we like to make here, we also try to keep up with current trends in the library world. Something that is becoming more and more prevalent within literary circles and realities is the concept of self publishing. Some authors decide to take the route of publishing and promoting their work on their own, and with more and more services cropping up it is becoming more and more common. One question raised is how do libraries factor into this newish trend? How can self-published authors get their books into libraries?

Okay, honesty time! I am neither a cataloger or a selector at the library that I work for, so this is…

After I opined strongly about Trump’s abominable behaviour toward Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, I began to wonder how the people of Canada viewed the incident.  I asked Canadian friend John if he would write a guest post for me, and he graciously agreed.  Thank you, John!

Trump’s Treatment of Trudeau – A Canadian Perspective

By John Fioravanti

For many months since the inauguration of Donald Trump, I have watched him behave poorly as he played to his base of supporters. I am dismayed that his enablers in the GOP party in Congress refuse to exercise their constitutional duty to oversee his decisions that are often based on ignorance of the facts and outright lies. I don’t think Donald Trump has many supporters or admirers in Canada.

Figure 1: President Donald Trump at the G7 Summit 2018

To be honest, I am a supporter of Canada’s Liberal Party, which is…

The Federal government is in the process of revising the Copyright Act. If you don’t think that matters to writers, think again.

I’m always surprised to see blank stares on writers’ faces when I launch into a speech about copyright. Some of them aren’t clear why copyright really matters. Others aren’t sure what copyright even is. Fair enough—it’s not the sexiest topic in the writing world. But even if you don’t notice it, it’s fundamental to our business.

Here’s why. I am a non-fiction author of six books and a magazine writer. To earn my living I sell the right to use my work, either to publishers who pay me advances and royalties or to magazines who pay me fees to publish my articles. For most of my twenty-five-year career, this revenue has constituted most of my income.

Simply put, copyright law is what makes it possible for me to…

(https://en.wikipedia.org)

“There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear and want and that they can grow up in peace.”

                                                                             Kofi Annan

(https://en.wikipedia.org)

“If our American way of life fails the child, it fails us all.”

                                                                            Pearl S. Buck

(https://pixabay.com)

“Children are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.”

                                                                            John F. Kennedy

Thanks to the media outlet Propublica, we have access to the above video. Please be aware that the sound of the children’s wailing as they are being separated from their parents seeking asylum at the US southwest border, are heartbreaking.

This is a new protocol that was started with President Donald Trump’s Attorney General Jeff Sessions with his April 6, 2018 memo. As per Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the president can end this practice of separating children from the parents with one phone call. Telling the migrants to apply for asylum at the US designated points of entry is not a realistic direction as most peoples are being turned away. There are stories about peoples waiting weeks to gain entry.

As per international law, it is NOT illegal for peoples fleeing danger, persecution, war like circumstances, to ask for asylum.

Any other republican talking point other than the above…