AMERICAN LIBRARIES DIRECT
The e-newsletter of the American Library Association | April 16,
2008

Contents
U.S. & World News
ALA News
AL Focus
Booklist Online
Anaheim Update
Division News
Awards
Seen Online
Tech Talk
Actions & Answers
Calendar

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AL Buyers Guide

U.S. & World News

Popline logoLibrarians’ outcry returns “abortion” to federal health database
The March 31 discovery by an academic librarian that the administrator of the reproductive-health database Popline (Population Information Online) had placed the search word “abortion” on its stop list, or file of blocked terms, has led to the dean of Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health reversing the decision a scant five days later. Administered by JHU, Popline is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and contains more than 360,000 items about family planning and sexually transmitted disease. However, federal laws prohibit the use of federal funds for abortion advocacy....

Cover of The StarplaceFamily challenges two books over n-word
The parents of an 11-year-old student at the Hillsborough County (Fla.) School District’s Turner Elementary School in New Tampa announced in mid-March that they would seek the removal of two media-center novels that contain the n-word: The Land by Mildred Taylor and The Starplace by Vicki Grove. “I want them pulled,” said Darryl Brown, a doctoral student in education at the University of South Florida....

Artist's conception of the Bogoni Rare Books Addition to Friedsam Memorial LibraryUniversity library donors default, sue
Paul and Irene Bogoni, who had pledged $2 million for an addition to Friedsam Memorial Library at St. Bonaventure (N.Y.) University, have said that they will not pay the final $900,000 of their gift, and have filed a suit in State Supreme Court in New York County claiming that the university is not meeting the terms of the donation and demanding that the school either provide full accounting of the gift or return the money....

Jacobs to lead Gates Global Libraries initiative
Seattle City Librarian Deborah L. Jacobs, who oversaw the opening of the city’s acclaimed Rem Koolhaas–designed main library, is stepping down July 2 to become deputy director for global libraries at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She will begin at the Gates foundation on August 10....


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ALA News

Still of Loriene Roy in NLW video interview2008 State of America’s Libraries report
Libraries of all kinds continue to be engines of learning, literacy, and economic development in communities nationwide. Americans are acting on their conviction that school library media centers are a key element in delivering the kind of education the next generation needs in order to succeed in a global society, and public libraries are redoubling their efforts to serve linguistically isolated communities. These are among the findings detailed in the 2008 State of America’s Libraries report, released as part of National Library Week. Watch a video (7:58) of President Loriene Roy (above) and Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels discussing the state of America’s libraries....

New ALA home pageALA to unveil new website at Annual Conference
After an exhaustive analysis of member concerns, ALA will unveil a user-centered redesign of its website that promises to be better organized and easier to navigate. Users will get to see the revamped site during Annual Conference in Anaheim, California. The information architecture of the site has been completely revised based on user input from focus groups, one-on-one interviews, expert review, hands-on usability tests, online surveys, and guided walk-throughs....

National Library Week 2008 posterIt’s National Library Week number 50!
National Library Week, April 13–19, celebrates its 50th anniversary with the theme “Join the circle of knowledge @ your library.” This year’s honorary chair is the beloved entertainer Julie Andrews, known for her roles in such classic movies as The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins and as the author of such books as Thanks to You—Wisdom from Mother and Child....

Julie Andrews kicks off NLW in Los Angeles
Author and actress Julie Andrews kicked off National Library Week celebrations at the ArcLight Cinema in Hollywood April 12 during an event with the Los Angeles-based Wonder of Reading, a nonprofit organization that renovates and stocks Los Angeles public elementary school libraries. Joining her on stage were Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Dick Cook, chairman of the Walt Disney Studios....

ALA Second Lifers practice Tai Chi under the direction of Kay Tairov. Snapshot by Kay TairovNLW on ALA Island
As part of National Library Week, ALA has launched “Version 2” of its campus in Second Life. On April 15, Oberon Octagon (aka Donavan Vicha in ITTS) held court at Salon Huron to answer questions about ALA Island, its new design, its focus, and what virtual librarians and virtual members of ALA should know about Second Life. During the hour-long get-together, he presented those who designed and built the island with virtual certificates of appreciation. And later, in celebration of National Library Workers Day, Kay Tairov (aka Tina Coleman, ALA member specialist) provided participants an opportunity to stretch their avatar and experience the ancient benefits of Tai Chi (above)....

Gaming @ your library logoGaming @ your library on April 18
Hundreds of libraries throughout the country will attract new users by hosting gaming programs and events on April 18 in celebration of gaming @ your library, taking place during National Library Week. Public libraries are holding video tournaments and creating gaming clubs, bringing in gaming equipment and video screens, and providing a social experience not found elsewhere in the community. Check out the debut of Scott Nicholson’s Gaming in Libraries podcast series, and read Jenny Levine’s take on how gaming promotes reading....

ALA-APA's Jenifer Grady and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas. Credit: Teresa J. PotasiakChicago recognizes library workers
Cook County (Ill.) Treasurer Maria Pappas (right) presented ALA–Allied Professional Association Director Jenifer Grady with a certificate April 15 in honor of National Library Workers Day. Grady was recognized for her efforts to honor all library workers and to encourage communities to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers.

Circle of Wellness logoJoin the circle of wellness @ your library
On this website—rolled out for National Library Workers Day, April 15, by ALA President Loriene Roy and her former LIS student Henry Stokes—you can read inspiring stories about workplace wellness written by librarians and find out about online wellness resources. Special tools include a Workplace Wellness Inventory and a Wellness Passport....
School of Information, University of Texas at Austin, Apr. 15

Rettig to host advocacy planning session
ALA President-elect Jim Rettig is seeking member input to help plan his advocacy initiative on June 28, 1:30–3:30 p.m., at the ALA 2008 Annual Conference in Anaheim. The session, entitled “Advocating for All Libraries: Saving the Library Ecosystem,” will focus on the need for the library community to broaden its advocacy efforts. Respond by June 9 if you are interested in attending this planning session....

David Macaulay’s Arbuthnot Lecture
If you are unable to come to Madison, Wisconsin, to hear author and illustrator David Macaulay present the 2008 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture at 7–8 p.m. Central time, April 17, you can view a live video feed of the lecture (see the right-hand column of the website under “Information”). An archived version will be saved at the same site....
South Central Library System, Madison, Wis.

Hats off to the ALA staff
On April 11, President Loriene Roy and Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels presented 33 ALA staff members with certificates and gifts for service of 5, 10, and up to 40 years of service. Even though the largest number of people have 5 or 10 years of service, the average for this group is just about 15 years. But that’s because there are three with 40 years: Neida de la Torre (Member and Customer Service), Lois-Ann Gregory-Wood (support for ALA Council), and Bob Hershman (Publishing operations manager)....
ALA Marginalia, Apr. 11

AL Focus

Still from National Library Week video, Monkey WarsNational Library Week video: Monkey Wars
Imagine that there was a movie at your local multiplex called Monkey Wars: Part 6. Sounds like the greatest movie ever, right? But what would you do if you had not seen Parts 1 through 5? One solution is suggested in this celebration of National Library Week (April 13–19). Hint: Americans go to school, public, and academic libraries 50% more than they go to the movies. Starring Chicago comedian Shad Kunkle and shot in part at Morton College Library in Cicero, Illinois....

Still from National Library Week video, College Reference DeskNational Library Week video: College reference desk
“Can athlete’s foot catch on fire?” “Do you guys need any tutors for football?” “Do you have anything to eat?” These and other urgent academic library reference questions are answered in this final National Library Week (April 13–19) homage to the 72.8-million reference questions answered by academic librarians each year—that’s almost twice the attendance at college football games. Shot at Morton College Library in Cicero, Illinois, and starring Shad Kunkle, who grew up in Iowa, which gives him every right to wear that sweatshirt....

Booklist Online logo

The Serpent's Tale audiobookFeatured review: Books for youth
Franklin, Ariana. The Serpent’s Tale. Read by Kate Reading. Feb. 2008. 12 hr. Books on Tape, CD (978-1-4159-4725-8).
When King Henry II’s mistress, Rosamund Clifford, is poisoned, Eleanor of Aquitaine, the king’s estranged queen, is blamed. The country braces for civil war. The king summons Rowley Picot, the bishop of St. Albans, whose former lover and respected ally Adelia Aguilar (the mistress of the art of death) is called upon to help find the killer. Series fans who enjoyed Rosalyn Landor’s reading of Mistress of the Art of Death (2007), the first book in this series (also available from Books on Tape), will be pleased to discover that Reading’s performance is every bit as good. Her characterizations are vivid, and her light British accent is easy on American ears....

@ Visit Booklist Online for other reviews and much more....


Anaheim Update

The Travis Ranch School library collection in Yorba Linda has not been weeded in more than 20 years; volunteers can help weed and delete books from the database.Libraries Build Communities in Anaheim
ALA member-volunteers, through this day-long service project, continue to assist schools, libraries, and the local community in cities where ALA meets for Annual Conferences. Libraries Build Communities makes a huge difference to schools and libraries drastically affected by cuts in staff and budgets. Volunteer to help on Friday, June 27, by registering ($10 fee is contributed to local library funds). Participants choose from available projects and are provided with lunch and a T-shirt....

Other volunteer opportunities
There are many other opportunities for volunteering at Annual Conference: local committee booth, silent auction, and Scholarship Bash, for example. These are organized by the local committee, which is headquartered in the Anaheim Public Library. You don’t have to work there to help; all librarians are welcome. You should be an ALA member, so make sure your membership is up to date. Contact Carol Stone, director of the Anaheim Public Library and chair of the committee, who can direct you to the appropriate volunteer chair....
Annual Conference wiki


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Division News

Digital preservation defined
The ALCTS Preservation and Reformatting Section has prepared a definition of digital preservation. Growing out of a conversation held at the Digital Preservation Discussion Group at the 2007 ALA Midwinter Meeting, the definition was developed to promote an understanding of digital preservation within the library community, as well as among our allied professions and the user communities we exist to serve....

Become an ALA representative to IFLA
ACRL invites applicants to serve as ALA representatives to standing committees of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions for the term 2009–2013. There is currently one vacancy each in the following IFLA committees: Art Libraries, Information Literacy, Rare Books and Manuscripts, Science and Technology Libraries, Social Science Libraries, and University Libraries/General Research Libraries....
ACRL Insider, Apr. 14

AASL seeks presenter proposals for 2009
AASL is seeking presenter proposals for the 2009 ALA Annual Conference, to be held July 9–15 in Chicago. The deadline to submit a proposal is May 26. Content must address at least one of three areas of responsibility: learning and teaching, information access, or program administration....

Awards

Liana ZhouZhou wins Equality Award
Liana Zhou, director of the library and archives at the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction at Indiana University in Bloomington, has received the 2008 Equality Award. The award, donated by Scarecrow Press, honors an individual or group who has made an outstanding contribution toward promoting equality in the library profession. She was selected for her accomplishments in making the Kinsey collection more diverse and advocating for sex education and gender equality....

Molly RaphaelMolly Raphael wins Flemming Civil Rights Award
Molly Raphael, director of libraries for Multnomah County, Oregon, has been awarded the Arthur Flemming Civil Rights Award for her efforts to increase diversity in library employment, collections, and programming. The award is given by the Managers of Color affinity group of Multnomah County. Since Raphael’s arrival at the library in 2003, the diversity of library staffing has increased by 50%....


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Seen Online

Cover of Harry Potter LexiconRowling calls Potter lexicon alphabetical plagiarism
Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling flew to New York from Edinburgh to testify April 14 in a lawsuit against RDR Books, a small Michigan publisher, to stop the publication of Steven Vander Ark’s Harry Potter Lexicon, an encyclopedia based on his popular website of the same name. Rowling argued in Federal District Court in Manhattan that the proposed encyclopedia is a copyright infringement and little more than an alphabetical form of plagiarism. Vander Ark, a former school library media specialist at Byron Center (Mich.) Christian School, testified April 15 that he and his website staff members, including a teacher of Greek and Latin and two other librarians, had compiled the lexicon as a ready reference for Potter fans, because the books had no index or glossary....
New York Times, Apr. 15–16

Bridgeport library budget on the chopping block
Bridgeport, Connecticut, Mayor Bill Finch’s proposed budget cuts $1.1 million, giving the city library $2.9 million, the lowest allocation since 1991, library officials have said. The library’s current budget is $4 million, and City Librarian Scott Hughes said he asked for a conservative $5.1 million. Anything less would force massive layoffs and closing of branches except for the one downtown, Hughes told the city council’s Budget and Appropriations Committee April 11....
Bridgeport Connecticut Post, Apr. 14

Butterflies send a message to Charlotte County officials
Charlotte County, Florida, library patrons are sending county leaders a message: No more budget cuts. The Friends of the Mid-County Regional Library presented commissioners April 8 with 2,000 letters from residents asking for last year’s funding levels. The next day, about 80 children and adults met in the library and, following a tribal wish-making tradition, each released a butterfly in the outdoor atrium to demonstrate their support....
Sarasota (Fla.) Herald-Tribune, Apr. 10

Teens come to library for soap, snacks, homework help
Youth Services Librarian Jennifer Teitelbaum knows how to bring teens into the Spring Valley branch of the San Diego (Calif.) Public Library. A soap-making class drew about 25 to the library, where teens could make their snowman-shaped soap purple and smell like coffee or make surfboard soap with a plastic spider in the center. A selection of molds, colors, charms, and scents were offered so teens could inject some personality into their soap....
San Diego (Calif.) Union-Tribune, Apr. 10

He wrote 200,000 books, sort of
Philip M. Parker, professor of management science at INSEAD, has generated more than 200,000 books, making him, in his own words, “the most published author in the history of the planet.” Parker has developed computer algorithms that collect publicly available information on a subject—broad or obscure—and, aided by his 60 to 70 computers and six or seven programmers, he turns the results into books-on-demand in a range of genres. Many have sales in the dozens, often to medical libraries collecting nearly everything he produces....
New York Times, Apr. 14

Cover of one volume of UNESCO's L'histoire generale de l'AfriqueThousands of UNESCO cultural books destroyed
For more than two decades, 250 historians and specialists labored to produce the first six volumes of the General History of Latin America, an exhaustive work financed by UNESCO. Then in 2004–2005, UNESCO paid to destroy many of those books and nearly 100,000 others by turning them to pulp. UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura said it was “completely incomprehensible and inappropriate” that some of the organization’s “most important and successful collections” were ordered destroyed. Several irate African and Latin American ambassadors said libraries and schools in their impoverished countries would have been eager to receive comprehensive history books....
Washington Post, Apr. 12

Iraq’s ruined library soldiers on
R. H. Lossin writes: “Five years ago this week, U.S. troops stood by as looters sacked the Iraq National Library and Archives—one of the oldest in the world. Despite the sack of a major cultural institution and the collapse of the society around it, the library struggles on, continuing a long tradition of resurrection from the ashes of war. But efforts at book donation have become ever more challenging as the security situation worsens.”...
The Nation, Apr. 9

Rachel Weisz is a librarian in The Mummy18 cinematic trips to the library stacks
Joy Piedmont identifies 18 movies where significant scenes play out in a library, from Desk Set (1957) to Jumper (2008). In The Mummy (1999), she writes: “We first glimpse librarian Evelyn Carnahan (Rachel Weisz) in a less than adventurous moment, but her reaction after toppling several bookcases (‘oops!’) reveals her sense of fun.”...
Entertainment Weekly, Apr. 14

Experts seek clues to book deterioration
A researcher from Strathclyde University has teamed up with the British Library to design a method of “smelling” the chemicals given off by decaying paper, hoping the technique will lead to an easy way to test the health of valuable or ancient books and ensure their survival. Jim Levicki, a postdoctorate researcher at the university’s department of pure and applied chemistry, is working to isolate these chemical markers of degradation—the smell of which will be familiar to anyone who has inhaled the musty air of old bookshops....
Glasgow (U.K.) Sunday Herald, Apr. 13

South African library to reprint indigenous books
The National Library of South Africa in Pretoria will publish out-of-print indigenous language books and has called on the public to help identify titles. The library and the Department of Arts and Culture are spearheading the process in a bid to reduce illiteracy and promote the culture of reading and writing....
BuaNews, Apr. 15


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Tech Talk

San Francisco buildings in Google Earth 3D modeNew Google Earth release
Google Earth 4.3 (beta) is now available for downloading. You can download it from the Google Earth download page. The Google Earth website has been updated, and the User Guide now reflects 4.3 tips. New features include day/night lighting effects, a street view layer (like Google Maps), new and faster 3D models, new navigation gadgets and controls, and imagery dates. Watch a video demo....
Google Earth Blog, Apr. 15

3D camera will allow you to control your avatar with hand movementsControl your Second Life avatar with a 3D camera
Linden Labs Chair Mitch Kapor has a new project: creating hands-free, 3D navigation for Second Life using a 3D camera that tracks your body geometry, allowing you to fly around in-world in much the same way you’d ride a Segway, by leaning back and forth. Just lift your arms above the waist to fly....
Hands Free 3D

FixYa logoFixYa
Social networking meets technical support with FixYa, a social networking site dedicated to helping people with their computer and gadget problems. Recent solutions and problems, as well as a plug for the top experts, can be found on the homepage. You can search for both products and solutions, or browse by manufacturer to find the help you need. The site also lets you register and store all of your product warranty and support information in one place....
Librarian in Black, Apr. 14

Updated web browsers: Which one works best?
Apple’s Safari, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, and Mozilla’s Firefox are battling to win the nod as your browser of choice. So which one should you use—Safari 3.1, Firefox 3, or Internet Explorer 8? Apple’s latest offering preserves the company’s signature focus on clean design and smooth usability, but it lacks any phishing or malware filters. Version 3 of Firefox represents a big step forward, but IE8 remains a work in progress....
PC World, Apr. 13

15 best freeware apps for Mac users
Here are 15 essential free applications for OS X. Keep them handy on a CD or DVD for the next time you do a clean install—they’re that good. For more resources, make sure to check out the Mac shareware category. Included in the list are Quicksilver, Adium, TextWrangler, Gimp, Azureus, GeekTool, and Burn....
Best of the Web

On the road to the Semantic Web
Dan Farber writes: “The Semantic Web has been just around the corner for a few years. It turns out that bringing a semantic layer of metadata to the internet is like climbing a mountain in flip-flops. On April 15, Semantic Web mountain climbers Powerset, Radar Networks, and Metaweb participated in a salon at Powerset’s San Francisco office, where I talked with them about their product plans.”...
Outside the Lines, Apr. 16


AL Buyers Guide ad

Actions & Answers

The EPA seeks your comments
The Environmental Protection Agency has launched a National Dialogue on Access to Environmental Information, a project that will help the agency develop a strategy to improve access to its diverse body of environmental information. Through June, EPA is inviting comments on its public discussion board or via email. This is a wonderful opportunity for users of EPA materials to make sure the agency knows what kinds of environmental information you need today and in the future....
Environmental Protection Agency, Apr. 11

Connecting to Collections Bookshelf logoLast call for Connecting to Collections Bookshelf
Museums, libraries, and archives are encouraged to fill out the simple online form to apply for the IMLS Connecting to Collections Bookshelf. The Institute of Museum and Library Services plans to distribute the bookshelf to institutions in each of the nation’s 435 congressional districts. It includes an essential set of books, online resources, and a user’s guide that can profoundly impact the ability of small libraries and museums to care for their collections. The deadline is April 30....
Institute of Museum and Library Services, Apr. 14

Library card application forms in 15 languages
The Connecticut State Library has translated library card application forms into 15 languages and is making them available for libraries to use. Each translation is in both Word and PDF format so that libraries can copy and paste needed fields into their local forms. Languages include Albanian, Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Urdu, and Vietnamese....
WebJunction Connecticut

A librarian for Joint Task Force Guantanamo browses through the detainee library Arabic-language collection here in Camp Delta. Photo by PO2 Nat MogerInside the Guantanamo library
Detainees at Joint Task Force Guantanamo have a minimum of two hours of recreation time per day, which can include library privileges. Navy PO2 Nat Moger writes: “Detainees have access to a library of more than 6,000 items, from books and magazines to DVDs and CDs. Managing this is a dedicated librarian, known as ‘Julie.’ Like every job at the JTF, this one is more complicated than it looks. ‘I don’t know if this is a result of our English program, but our dual-language books have been popular lately, and for the most part they’re romances,’ said Julie.”...
Joint Task Force Guantanamo, Apr. 8

A Gathering of Readers
An online celebration of indigenous children’s reading and culture, A Gathering of Readers, is taking place during National Library Week. Some 30 schools that serve Native children around the world are participating. The website suggests activities for kids and teens, information on indigenous authors, and background on how schools promote reading and culture....
School of Information, University of Texas at Austin

LC and History join forces
The Library of Congress and History (formerly The History Channel) have joined forces to create a multimedia partnership to showcase the library’s collections to the vast audience of the History brands, including the History channel, history.com, and other television properties. The partnership will also bring historical content to more than 200,000 teachers across the country who use the channel’s branded educational materials....
Library of Congress, Apr. 14

History Connections: The Presidential ElectionABC-CLIO History Connections resource books
History teachers can take advantage of events in 2008 with two new resource books from ABC-CLIO. Developed by leading historians and educators, History Connections: The Presidential Election (right) and History Connections: The Olympics offer teachers complete classroom-ready thematic units for engaging students in thinking critically about the context and content of the historical events that are unfolding in their own lives....
ABC-CLIO, Apr. 15

ARBAonline free during NLW
Libraries Unlimited is providing free access to ARBAonline during National Library Week, April 13–19. Derived from the trusted reference standard American Reference Books Annual, ARBAonline features 18,000+ reviews of reference works published since 1997. You will be asked to register, then simply click the product title from the title list. For subsequent visits during the week, just enter your email address.

Project Euclid logoCornell and Duke to enhance Project Euclid
Cornell University Library and Duke University Press have established a joint venture to expand and enhance the services of Project Euclid, an online information community for mathematics and statistics resources from independent publishers. Starting in July, Duke will work to broaden and deepen Project Euclid’s subscriber base, and Cornell will continue to support the IT infrastructure and assume responsibility for archiving and preservation activities....
Cornell University Library, Apr. 14

The Bearded Pigs play in LondonBand names for librarians
If you were in a band with a bunch of other librarians, what would you call it? Would you refer to your profession in the title? Tyler Rousseau started off with: “Personally, if I were to be in a rock band with fellow librarians, I would go with The Dewey Decibel System. If it were an alternative band, I think I would favor Mending Potter’s Spine.” Other commenters chimed in, including a real librarian band called The Bearded Pigs (above)....
Library Garden, Apr. 14

Still from Empty Pockets library sketchThe Empty Pockets library PSA
Australian comedy duo Empty Pockets (Matt Parkinson and Matthew Quartermaine) from the TV series The Big Gig (1989–1991) engage in wild slapstick to plug the public library in this video (1:25): “Come on down to the public library; it’s the hippest club in town.”...
YouTube, Apr. 11

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ALA Annual Conference logo

ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, California, June 26–July 2. Preliminary program information and descriptions are available.

Duck for President poster

When Duck gets tired of working for Farmer Brown, his political ambition eventually leads to his being elected president. Illustrate the importance of voting with this colorful poster and bookmark from Betsy Lewin and Doreen Cronin’s beloved book Duck for President. This is a great tool to teach youngsters about the election process. NEW! From ALA Graphics.


In this issue
April 2008

Cover of April 2008 issue of AL

Going for the Green

Library Design Showcase

Makeover at the Mansion

Learning Side by Side

Homegrown Superstars Say READ to Succeed

National Library Legislative Day 2008 button

Mark your calendars: There is less than a month remaining until National Library Legislative Day, May 13–14. Each year, hundreds of library supporters come to Washington to talk with their members of Congress about the needs of their libraries. NLLD is a two-day event featuring advocacy and issue training sessions, talks from Capitol Hill insiders, and a visit to Congressional member offices on Capitol Hill.

Career Leads from
ALA Joblist logo

Library Development Bureau Head, New Mexico State Library, Santa Fe, oversees the work of staff as they provide consulting in best management and librarianship practices, administer the Librarian Certification exam, manage and promote the summer reading program for children, assure that tribal and public libraries meet requirements for the annual distribution of state aid funding, and provide technical support and training for computer and network technologies....

@ More jobs...

Election 2008 logo

As of April 15, 13,262 (more than 22% of eligible voters) have voted in the ALA election, including 12,045 who voted online and 1,217 who voted with a paper ballot.
    The final reminder will go out on Monday, April 21, to those voting on the Web. If you have parked a ballot (spent some time reviewing candidates, started marking your ballot and then needed to do other things) it’s time to unpark. Parked ballots have not been cast. Polls close April 24.

Digital Library of the Week

University of Delaware President Hullihen trundles off the first wheelbarrow of dirt during the first day's work on the Memorial Library, University of Delaware, Newark, December 11, 1923.

The University of Delaware Postcard Collection consists of more than 2,000 postcards of Delaware and nearby areas. The postcards date mainly from the end of the 19th to the mid-20th century. Most of the cards in the collection were commercially produced and represent well-known Delaware buildings, monuments, and views, such as the State Capitol in Dover, Wilmington’s downtown buildings and historic structures, and Rehoboth’s beaches and boardwalks. A number of the cards, though, document small-town life in Delaware, including street scenes and domestic buildings. The collection also contains images of places outside the state, most notably Longwood Gardens in nearby Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Some of these images may not exist in any other format. The captions and written messages on the back of the cards contain a wealth of information about the image on the front and can illuminate many attitudes and interests of the past.

Do you know of a digital library collection that we can mention in this AL Direct feature? Tell us about it.


Public Perception
How the World
Sees Us

“Had I the power, I would scatter libraries over the whole land, as the sower sows his wheat-field.”

—American educator Horace Mann. quoted in James Jesse Burns, Educational History of Ohio (Columbus, O.: Historical Publishing, 1905), p. 425.


Cover of Library Technology Reports 44:3, Gaming and Libraries Update

In this issue of Library Technology Reports, Gaming and Libraries Update, Jenny Levine focuses on unique videogame services that libraries are implementing: “We will hear from nine innovators in the field, each of whom spent 2007 taking gaming in libraries in new directions, providing inspiration and leadership.”

Ask the ALA Librarian

New career searcher

Q. Are there libraries that offer training and support services to ex-offenders seeking career opportunities, or that provide other employment resources? Are there model programs that address these needs in local library systems—such as inviting ex-offenders in for assessment or training in résumé writing and interviewing skills, and job referral?

A. An article recently appeared in Public Libraries that focuses on this very issue: “Public Libraries and the Ex-Offender” (PDF file), by Brendan Dowling, Nov./Dec. 2007, pp. 44–48. In addition, ALA's Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS) offers a selection of resources on library services to incarcerated people and ex-offenders. ASCLA sponsors the Library Services to Prisoners Forum for its members and has established standards for serving the incarcerated. See more at the ALA Professional Tips wiki.

@ The ALA Librarian welcomes your questions.

Likely Stories, the Booklist blog by Keir Graff

Calendar

May 13–14:
National Library Legislative Day,
Washington, D.C.

May 15–17:
Center for Information Policy Research,
conference, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. “Thinking Critically: Alternative Perspectives and Methods in Information Studies.” Contact: CIPR.

May 16–21:
Medical Library Association,
Annual Meeting, Chicago. “Connections: Bridging the Gaps.”

May 18–23:
Texas A&M University,
7th Annual Workshop on the History of Books and Printing, College Station.

May 20–23:
Computers, Freedom, and Privacy Conference 2008,
Omni Hotel, New Haven, Connecticut. Contact: CFP.

May 21–24:
Canadian Library Association,
Annual Conference, Vancouver, British Columbia. “Libraries and Publishing 3.0.”

May 26–30:
Canadian Health Libraries Association,
Annual Conference, Halifax, Nova Scotia. “Navigating the Seas of Change.”

May 27–30:
International Association for Social Science Information Services and Technology,
Annual Conference, Stanford University, California.

May 28–30:
Society for Scholarly Publishing,
Annual Meeting, Boston. “Empires of the Mind: Inventing the Future of Scholarly Publishing.”

May 30–
June 3:

Seminar on the Acquisition of Latin American Library Materials,
Annual Meeting, New Orleans. “Encounter, Engagement, and Exchange: How Native Populations of the Americas Transformed the World.”

June 1–6:
Association of Caribbean University, Research, and Institutional Libraries,
Rose Hall Resort, Jamaica. “The E-Librarian: Innovation, Ideas, and Inspiration.”

@ More...


Contact Us
American Libraries Direct

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