Author Archive: Larra Clark

Students in the Soufrière (St. Lucia) Young Authors project work on their projects during the weeklong workshop.

Soufrière Young Authors Project

By Larra Clark | April 28, 2017

The Soufrière Young Authors project has published six books since its first workshop in April 2016. Its goal is to produce all of its students’ books and distribute them widely on the 27-mile-long island. Peace Corps volunteer Grace Kilbane and Soufrière Public Library Librarian Catherine Prospere developed the project as a way to increase literacy … Continue reading Soufrière Young Authors Project →

Attendees at the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions Global Vision Workshop, April 4-5, in Athens, Greece.

IFLA Seeks Global Vision for Libraries

By Larra Clark | April 13, 2017

“Today we begin a very important journey,” said IFLA President Donna Scheeder, stating that the issues facing libraries today require “individual commitment to a collective and joint response to achieve a common vision. If we are to succeed, we must act.” The opening speaker for the President’s Meeting, Dave Snowden, founder and chief scientific officer at … Continue reading IFLA Seeks Global Vision for Libraries →

Marijke Visser, associate director of ALA's Office for Information Technology Policy, looks on as students build Kano computer kits at the ConnectHome anniversary event.

ConnectHome Marks One-Year Anniversary

By Larra Clark | July 21, 2016

The public–private partnership brings together internet service providers, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector to narrow the digital divide for families with school-aged children who live in HUD-assisted housing. It builds on the ConnectED initiative to connect 99% of K–12 students to high-speed internet in classrooms and libraries by 2018. In a July 14 media … Continue reading ConnectHome Marks One-Year Anniversary →

ALA at SXSW: A Preview of Events in Austin

By Larra Clark | March 8, 2016

The Center for the Future of Libraries takes the stage March 8 at SXSWedu with “Hacking Education through Libraries,” and Director Miguel Figueroa will be joined by school library leaders to explore ways that librarians can be change agents and address such issues as equity, access, social justice, free-ranging learning, and development of new literacies. … Continue reading ALA at SXSW: A Preview of Events in Austin →

Screenshot from Queens Library's Virtual Library.

Discovery and Delivery: Keep Calm and Make It Real

By Larra Clark | December 7, 2015

Watson joined Queens three years ago as chief innovation and technology officer under his motto of “keep calm and make it real.” Learning about the progress he and his team have made over that time was exhilarating. Taking lessons from his time at Ingram, Borders, and the US Department of Agriculture, Watson focused on breaking … Continue reading Discovery and Delivery: Keep Calm and Make It Real →

Empowering Libraries to Innovate

By Larra Clark | June 18, 2015

At the same time, ALA and libraries have been exploring additional options for empowering our users to discover and publish digital content, considering privacy and preservation concerns, and expanding the lens of focus to other forms of digital content. The most recent round of John S. and James L. Knight Foundation challenge grants intersects in … Continue reading Empowering Libraries to Innovate →

Latest Library Links

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Alex Gangitano writes: “Down a corridor inside the LC’s Thomas Jefferson Building, a code just for members of Congress guards a special room. Even lawmakers’ spouses can’t walk into the Congressional Reading Room alone. But when a member of Congress unlocks the door, it opens to a private space staffed by a Congressional Research Service employee, there to answer questions and assist members seeking materials. The room is stocked with periodicals, books, desks, and computers.”

Roll Call, Oct. 19
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Elizabeth Gettins writes: “There is a mystique surrounding libraries with old rare books, and the Library of Congress is no exception. Just think of all the dark and vast vaults of the Rare Book and Special Collections Division that are closed to the public and imagine what undiscovered treasures they hold. Now, thanks to the digital age, the stacks are open and searchable—everyone can access these untold treasures through our newly released web portal.”

Library of Congress Blog, Oct. 20
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Alice Randall writes: “A school board sparked outrage in mid-October when it voted to cut To Kill a Mockingbird from 8th-grade reading lists in Biloxi, Mississippi. Some people complained that the book’s language made them uncomfortable. While the backlash was swift, those who blindly defend the book are missing an important point. If the criteria for inclusion was simply whether the novel provokes tough discussions, Harper Lee’s opus belongs in as many classrooms as possible. But that is not the only question.”

NBC News: Think, Oct. 19
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On October 19, New York’s three library systems—New York Public Library, Queens Library, and Brooklyn Public Library—forgave all fines for children 17 and under and unblocked their library cards. The one-time amnesty is underwritten by the JPB Foundation, a philanthropy that supports civic causes, which will make up $2.25 million of the shortfall in revenue from the forgiven fines. The amnesty “is a dramatic way to message to kids and young adults that we want you back, and we want you reading,” said NYPL President Anthony Marx.

New York Times, Oct. 18
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Laurie Putnam writes: “Librarians and journalists can be powerful allies. As a librarian who writes, I see every day that the substance of our work, in the library and the newsroom, is formed of similar elements. Questions and answers. Connections and community. Thoughtful research and accurate information. The library, as WBEZ Chicago’s Curious City discovered, is ‘ground receptive to any kind of curiosity,’ a source for story ideas, audience engagements, and research support.”

Local News Lab, Oct. 19
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The deadline to register for the 2018 ALA-sponsored tour to Cuba has been extended to December 1. Join ALA on another seven-day tour to Cuba, March 3–10, 2018. The tour includes visits to UNESCO historical sites in Havana, Cienfuegos, and Trinidad, along with interactions with Cuban artists, musicians, and writers. There will be several opportunities to visit Cuban libraries in different cities.

International Relations Office, Oct. 19
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On October 19, the Library of Congress launched the Congressional Data Challenge, a competition asking participants to use legislative data sets on Congress.gov and other platforms to develop digital projects that analyze, interpret, or share congressional data in user-friendly ways. Submissions can be interactive visualizations, mobile or desktop apps, a website, or other digital creations. Entries will be evaluated on usefulness, creativity, and design. Entries are due April 2 and must be submitted through the Challenge.gov platform.

Library of Congress Blog, Oct. 19

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