Libfocus Link-out for February 2025

Welcome to the February edition of the Libfocus link-out, an assemblage of library-related things we have found informative, educational, thought-provoking and insightful on the Web over the past while.

Inside the race to archive the US government’s websites.
Scott J. Mulligan for MIT Technology Review looks at the organizations working to preserve vital climate, health, and scientific data before it’s gone for good, amid a US Government takedown.

News Literacy Week in an Emotionally Inflamed Environment
Kara Yorio for Student Library Journal looks at News Literacy Week off the back of a News Library Project survey assessing teen information attitudes, habits, and skills.

AI-Generated Junk Science Is a Big Problem on Google Scholar, Research Suggests
A recent investigation of the academic search engine highlights the pervasive issue of AI-generated text in academic literature, especially regarding controversial topics, reports Isaac Schultz on Gizmondo.

Report: cheaper ebooks for libraries could "revolutionise the promotion of reading"
This report by UK based charity Libraries Connected finds that patrons who borrow ebooks from public libraries are more likely to become ebook buyers. The report also calls for more flexible ebook licensing that would enable new forms of book groups.

Decolonizing my Library: Collaborating with Underrepresented Communities
In this post, Edgardo Civallero explores the importance of libraries as allies in marginalized communities’ struggles for representation, and how we can actively engage with underrepresented voices to ensure our collections reflect the richness and diversity of the societies we serve. Collaboration is key in this effort — by partnering with those on the margins, libraries can challenge exclusionary practices and contribute to creating a more inclusive knowledge ecosystem.

Why do historians go to archives? Hasn’t everything already been digitized?
Despite living in a world of infinite digital content, digital content options for historians can be hit-or-miss. In Contingent Magazine, Mark Reyes explains that digitisation isn’t always an option for organisations due to costs, staff and time constraints and copyright requirements. Historians travel to archives to access a greater part of the material stored there, to draw on the archivist’s expertise and to make connections that will highlight their own research.

Five low-stress roles that pay well
Esther Taunton lists five 'low-stress, well-paid and potentially fulfilling' jobs in this article for Stuff. Number one on the list is...yes you've guessed it, librarian!

My 'right well-beloved Valentine'
In this blog post for the British Library, Becky Lawton looks at the 1477 letter that is thought to be the earliest surviving Valentine’s love letter.

Making Discovery Easy: Designing a Better Library Search Experience
A blog post from Suzan Karabakal at University of Michigan Library outlining recommendations to consider when designing your Library Discovery Interface.

LPC Investigates Publishing Platform Accessibility
Melanie Schlosser and Shannon Kipphut-Smith detail the early stages of a project focusing on the evaluation of Library Publishing Platforms and accessibility standards.

Nebraska University Libraries shifts approach to academic publishers
The University Libraries is altering its approach to large-scale agreements with major academic publishers. As of January 2025, the University Libraries no longer subscribes to Springer journals as part of a mass, bundled "big deal" package. The decision stems from the University Libraries’ strategic framework which prioritises flexibility, cost-effectiveness and the exploration of new information resources.

Some Thoughts on Showing Up for Students and Overcoming Discouragement.
Academic Librarian Jonathan Rowe describes his approach to showing up for his students this year in this ACRLog. This includes listening with intention and empathy, reinforcing his information expertise, employing principles of trauma-informed teaching and modelling vulnerability and authenticity.