FIFA madness

Some fans are paying more than $2,000 to see the FIFA games in person.

Others are watching on TV and maybe buying a memorable item. Even CVS has FIFA World Cup items for sale, including FIFA turnover chains. 

Developed by Manny Diaz of the Miami Hurricanes' defense team, the turnover chain was designed to boost the Miami team's morale. 

A turnover chain is now widely used in other sports to award standout defensive plays. 

The 2026 FIFA is a historical event because for the first time there will be 48 teams instead of 32. 

The games will be hosted in 16 cities across North America. 

For more information, choose FIFA World Cup: The Official Guide. 

MIT to Close Its Libraries

  

Source: https://libraries.mit.edu

MIT announced the closing of the Barker and Dewey Libraries this Spring. MIT cites a 300-million-dollar shortfall. The Rotch Library is not yet closed, but it is also expected to close.

The change is visible on the Barker website. Their website states, “As of March 30^th, 2026, Barker Library stacks and service desk are closed.” 

The website also states that its numerous study rooms will remain open and that the libraries’ collections will be available by request. 

The library collection will become closed stacks, with only its significantly reduced library staff having access. 

The Dewey Library will be shut down in June 2026. Due to budget constraints, MIT will also gradually reduce its funding of the Wunsch Conservation Lab. The Wunsch Conservation Lab preserves and archives materials. 

The libraries’ closing is consistent with the view that digital materials can and should replace physical copies of works.  According to The Tech, MIT believes library staff cuts and library closings are necessary because MIT is a “digital first” university.

Without a doubt, MIT is well known for its digital collection. MIT Libraries have 478 online databases and 55,000 electronic titles. According to MIT Technology Review, the libraries hold 13.1 digital items comprising 9.3 terabytes of memory.

Elizabeth Cavicci, researcher and alumna, strongly denounced the decision to close three of the university’s libraries. In MIT’s faculty newsletter, she writes that the closing “demonstrates a significant retreat from…commitment to truth and knowledge.”

Though she and many others are opposed to the plan, their objections were not heard.

MIT is one of the U.S.’s premier research institutions. Undoubtedly, other institutions will follow suit.

Data Literacy for Everyone

                 Photo by Conny Schneider on Unsplash 

Data Literacy is the ability to read, analyze and communicate with data. 

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis free course is a wonderful way to get up to speed on data literacy. This course is for librarians, educators, and anyone interested in learning more about Data Literacy. 

The "Data Literacy for Librarians" course explains how to effectively use FRED.

Download data easily from a graph or FRED map, create a data list, or publish a data list. 

Data Literacy for Librarians. Free Course. 

Data Literacy for Librarians - Credly

Thank You For Your Service

Thank You For Your Service by David Finkel

David Finkel takes a dark topic, soldiers returning from duty with PSTD and other injuries, and turns it into something starkly beautiful. The book is filled with haunting stories.

For instance, James Doster makes a fateful decision. Doster gives Adam Schumann his chance to Skype his family because he feels Schumann needs the time more than he does.

Because he earned Doster's spot, Schumann misses a mission that blows up Doster's Humvee. Adam feels horribly guilty. He was the one, after all, who was best at spotting bombs.

Michael Emory, shot in the head, is paralyzed down the left the side. Adam rescued him by carrying him down a flight of stairs. Emory keeps his helmet and uses it as a Halloween candy bowl.

Then there's Tausolo Aietti who sees the soldier he didn't save every night in his nightmares.

Written in a frank, engaging style, Thank You For Your Service is incredibly moving. 

 
Thank You for Your Service was made into a 2017 film by director, Jason Hall. 

David Finkel describes his writing process in niemanreports.org

https://niemanreports.org/david-finkel-and-the-art-of-immersion-reporting/

Free job training--Job Skill Share

According to CNBC, students are replacing college degrees with online certificates in increasing numbers. 

Certifications vary widely in terms of cost and completion time.

So, the critical question to ask yourself is--which one to choose?

First, find websites that rank certification programs like JobCertifications.com. Best Job Certification Programs | JobCertifications.com lists job certifications that teach in-demand skills. 

U.S. News has started ranking certification programs, 20 Certification Programs for Careers That Pay Well | Careers | U.S. News.

Job Skill Share, Job skills for IT Professionals - IT Skills Training, offers FREE training for a three-month trial period. This is one of the longest free trial periods I have seen. Job Skill Share's certifications are all IT-related. 

Sources:

More students are forgoing four-year college, new reports show

Hubspot for Beginners--Contact Forms and Quick Reports

Thalita Milan also explains how to create and customize contact  forms in "Hubspot for Beginners." 

She demonstrates how to use "Quick" and "Advanced Filters" to create simple reports.

She also explains when it's better to use "Segments and Lists" rather than reports. Unlike reports, lists can be "active," which  causes items to be dynamically added to the list.  

Record customization gives users control over what is included in records. 

She explains how to best use Hubspot's built in Ai feature, Breeze. 

Hubspot for Beginners Part 1.

Hubspot for Beginners Part 2. 

Scarborough Faire for Family Fun

 

There’s still time to go to the Scarborough Faire in Waxahachie, TX.  Themed weekends began on April 4 and will continue through May 25. I went during the “Celtic weekend,” where I encountered several fair goers dressed in kilts. 

Plenty of other themed weekends, e.g., “Flights of Fantasy” and “Legends of the High Seas,” are available.

At the Scarborough Faire, there’s something for everyone--jousting, live performances, crafting, and tarot reading. Fairgoers can rent costumes, have their faces painted, or have their hair braided.

The tagline on the Scarborough website says, “Step Back in Time,” but it’s really an immersion in a cosplaying fantasy world. I saw someone dressed as the Goblin in Labyrinth. He had his hair styled like David Bowie in the film and wore leather pants.

Someone called out, “You’re not taking my baby brother.” He smiled and played along. “We’ll see about that,” he said.

Everyone had their own vibe. Some came in suits of armor, Renaissance gowns, and other typical costumes, but still others dressed however they wanted.