Leonard Kniffel's blog

For American delegates, the annual conference of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) traditionally begins with a pep talk, officially known as “Caucus: U.S.A.” The August 10 meeting was an opportunity for old friends to reunite and for first-time delegates to get the lay of the land—in this case Gothenburg, Sweden—from seasoned IFLA-goers who are serving on the Governing Board, Professional Committee, or on committees in the federation’s five divisions: Library Types, Library Collections, Library Services, Support of the Profession, and Regions.

OCLC issued a statement August 5 calling the lawsuit filed by SkyRiver Technology Solutions and Innovative Interfaces July 29 a “regrettable action” that is “without merit.” The statement from OCLC in full:

Kathleen Imhoff, who was fired by the board of the Lexington (Ky.) Public Library last July 15 after months of squabbling over the details of her expense accounts over the previous five years, notified American Libraries that she has filed suit after the board failed to settle her claims for pay and to apologize publicly.

SkyRiver Technology Solutions has filed suit (PDF file) in the U.S.

Sponsored by American Libraries, yesterday’s Office for Research and Statistics webinar offered an hour-long look at the 2009-2010 Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study, published as the Spring 2010 AL digital supplement. Researchers Denise Davis, ORS director, and John Carlo Bertot, professor and director of the Center for Library and Information Innovation at the University of Maryland, presented, with ORS Project Manager Larra Clark moderating.

Friends, family, and colleagues, including new division presidents, helped Roberta Stevens of the Library of Congress celebrate her inauguration as 2010–2011 president of the American Library Association. Instead of a traditional presidential speech, Stevens turned the podium over to four of her favorite authors: Marie Arana, Brad Meltzer, Sharon Draper, and Carmen Agra Deedy.

Sony made the surprising and welcome announcement this morning that “today, in recognition of National Library Advocacy Day, Sony is reaffirming its commitment to work with libraries by unveiling the Reader Library Program.”

Some 1,100 guests reveled last night at the annual Newbery-Caldecott Banquet at the Washington Hilton. The revelry was about books, specifically this year’s winners of the coveted Caldecott and Newbery Medals, Jerry Pinkney and Rebecca Stead.

What makes the banquet special is the opportunity for fans—among them members of the award selection committees and the editors and publishers who make the books happen—to hear the acceptance speeches of the accomplished illustrator and author who won the prizes, which were announced January 18.

Reminiscing with a sizable audience of early risers, Marlo Thomas this morning previewed her forthcoming book from HarperCollins, Growing Up Laughing, with jokes and stories about her life as the daughter of comedian Danny Thomas. With the likes of George Burns and Bob Hope frequently showing up in her living room, said Thomas, laughter became “the cushion for life,” she said, noting that her father said adults should laugh 75 times a day, as children do.