Announcing the Collection Advisory Committee of Evanston Public Library

November 9, 2020

(top l-r) Deshana Newman, Elizabeth Averyhart, Traci Powell (below l-r) Anya Tanyavutti, Candice Shakur, Chaga Walton

Evanston Public Library is pleased to announce the formation of the Collection Advisory Group of Evanston Public Library. Formed with Collection Development Manager Elizabeth Bird, the committee will aid in the purchase of materials for the Black community of Evanston, IL. Members of this group include Deshana Newman, Elizabeth Averyhart, Traci Powell, Anya Tanyavutti, Candice Shakur and Chaga Walton.

At this time suggestions from the group have led to a partnership with Afriware Books, an independent Black-owned bookstore that will provide the library with purchases in 2021. The group is also looking into the future formation of a Black Literary Festival as well as new ways to make the collections of EPL accessible and equitable, even in the midst of a pandemic.

If you are interested in receiving a monthly newsletter of the committee’s actions, please email Elizabeth Bird at ebird@cityofevanston.org.


Free vs. Easy: A librarian contemplates her obsession with her ereader

January 6, 2011

I like to think of my life as B.K. (Before Kobo), and A.K. (After Kobo). B.K. I was a healthy, happy woman who didn’t mind waiting for a popular book.  Now, A.K., I am shelling out the big bucks for Hunger Games, Freedom, and other best sellers. Since I bought a Kobo last August, the only books I have used in paper format have been cooking and dog training books.  For recreational reading, I simply prefer the convenience of the ebook, and if that means buying a book instead of reading a free paper copy then so be it.

Last October, my husband received an email from our credit card company, wondering if someone had stolen my credit card.  I had maniacally purchased five books at once from the Kobo ebook store and therefore my credit card company presumed my card had been stolen.  Even though I had purchased my ereader with every intention of checking out library ebooks, I found myself quickly rationalizing a $4.99 purchase, then a $7.99 purchase, and even a $14.99 purchase.  I never thought I would pay for so many books, and I wonder if our faithful library users will succumb to the same temptation I did. Continue reading “Free vs. Easy: A librarian contemplates her obsession with her ereader”


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