Includes reviews of 12 books by or about our state, ranging from mountain music to island dialects

Wicked problems like climate change and health inequities demand cross-sector, interdisciplinary responses. This piece explores how libraries—often overlooked as agents of change—can become ecosystems for systemic transformation. By adopting an intersection mindset and embracing practices from high-impact nonprofits, libraries can catalyze collaboration, nurture adaptive thinking, and empower communities to act. Positioned at the crossroads of knowledge and action, libraries are uniquely suited to help society navigate its most complex challenges.

Titles, abstracts, and advisors are listed for masters theses and doctoral dissertations from summer 2023 to spring 2025.

The Spring 1993 issue, Volume 51, Number 1, launched a new column titled “Lagniappe*/North Caroliniana,” compiled by Plummer Alston Jones, Jr. (Al later served as editor of North Carolina Libraries, from 2001 to 2005.) The editor’s note introducing the column stated that it was to complement North Carolina Books and that it would include reviews of “various non-book formats.” This first column provided a review of PERSI, an index for genealogy and local history published by the Allen County Public Library Foundation, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. PERSI is still online, searchable by name, place, or article keyword: https://www.genealogycenter.info/persi/. Other early articles from the column introduced the State Library’s Internet Information Project, described four favorite NC travel and general interest magazines, and reviewed a handful of recordings from the NC Folklife Institute on instructional media for public school lessons on African American and Native American Cultures in North Carolina. Other the years, Lagniappe has broadened its focus to include online resources, special collections from across the state, and other “extra or unexpected gifts or benefits.” We continue Lagniappe with that same aim to uncover new and interesting discoveries for readers of North Carolina Libraries.

This article summarizes and synthesizes the findings of several studies the authors conducted about school librarians 'perception of graphic novels. Censorship behaviors, both direct and indirect, are discussed, as well as the motivations for these actions, which include fear, external pressures, and discomfort and unfamiliarity with the format. Suggestions for creating a climate more conducive to students' right to read are offered.

While it is crucial to prepare for tragic and unavoidable life events, this vital endeavor may not be completed, or even initiated, due to procrastination, family disputes, or anticipatory grief. To overcome these challenges, UNC Charlotte's J. Murrey Atkins Library employees, who chose to participate in Self-Selected Group Development (SSGD) “Life Events” activities, achieved their personal-planning goals, such as purchasing term life insurance, generating home inventories, designating new power of attorney agents, and writing wills. Moreover, the group’s social component fostered camaraderie from different service areas around the library. This article presents an overview of the “Life Events” activity structure and describes the various topics, which were addressed during orientations and regular meetings. Should other librarians be inspired to organize similar activities for their colleagues, those participants committing to these worthwhile tasks will have the peace of mind knowing important plans are settled prior to an unfortunate event.

A brief introduction to the contents of Volume 83, Number 2.

Pitt Community College Librarians describe their partnership with their Early College High School students and teachers, and share ideas they learned from peers while presenting at the North Carolina Community College Library Association's annual conference in February 2025.