Council II: Financial Impact of Equitable Electronic Access under Review

June 28, 2011

ALA’s governing Council referred the report from the Presidential Task Force on Equitable Access to Electronic Content (EQUACC) to the Budget Analysis and Review Committee during its second session at Annual Conference (Council Document #41.1). The task force was directed to study the challenges and potential solutions for libraries regarding improved electronic content access, distribution and preservation systems, and infrastructure.

EQUACC offered several recommendations including: the provision of staff and financial resources for an environmental scan on the current state of affairs; economic analysis of licensing models for e-content; and resources allotted to the Public Information Office to publicize library and e-content issues. Specifically, the group requested funding for a two-day meeting at a cost of $20,000, a total of $1,000 for educational webinar trainers, and $15,000 for a “Project Do-Over” strategy meeting as well as a permanent home for issues regarding equitable access to electronic content within the ALA structure. The task force also recommended that the group’s work be extended to the 2012 Midwinter Meeting at a cost of $50,000 to oversee their transition into a permanent advisory committee.

Council also approved policy revisions in accordance with the Strategic Plan 2011–2015 from the Policy Monitoring Committee (CD#17.1) and two measures from the Constitution and Bylaws Committee regarding the withdrawal of candidates during the election process and voting during virtual membership meetings (CD#25.1.)

Three items from the Committee on Organization also moved forward: revising the charge of the ALA–Children’s Book Council Joint Committee, creating the Games and Gaming Round Table, and a move asking the executive director and BARC to implement a pilot study on modification of the member-volunteer forum to include electronic participation (CD#27.2).

An amended resolution on revised guidelines for the ALA Intern program from the Orientation, Training, and Leadership Development Committee (CD#50) also passed.

Tagged Under

26m

Kiara Alfonseca writes: “Samira Ahmed, an author of young adult and middle-grade literature, never expected to hire security for events, travel under an alias or face cancellations at schools and libraries. Ahmed told ABC News she faces threats and book bans over her novels—including Internment and Hollow Fires—which have caused a firestorm of criticism for tackling complex issues about race, oppression and politics. Titles highlighting Asian American cultures have been targets among the long and growing inventory of books singled out by critics, prompting concerns about representation in literature.”

ABC News, May 2
4h

Susan D. Ballard and Sara Kelly Johns write: “As school librarians, we are always rethinking how to convey who we are and what we do. To compete and remain viable, we need to work on our brand identity. The feelings and impressions that members of our school community have when they think of our library, and their memories of interactions they’ve had with us—positive or negative—are our school library’s brand. The goal is not so much to transform the school library’s image as it is to build credibility through ongoing improvement and exemplary brand behavior.”

American Libraries feature, May
3d

Cara S. Bertram writes: “As we look forward to book award ceremonies at the ALA Annual Conference in San Diego this summer, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the history of one of the most prestigious children’s book awards, the Caldecott Medal. The idea was first presented in 1935 in a letter by Frederic G. Melcher,” who had established the Newbery Medal in 1921. Melcher’s suggestion was prompted when Professor May Hill Arbuthnot of Western Reserve University in Cleveland communicated the concern that the Newbery was not recognizing literature for the youngest children.

American Library Association Archives, Apr. 29
3d

Kristi Kellogg writes: “Images are an essential component of online content—and it’s obvious why. Images aren’t just pretty—they’re powerful marketing tools that help you stand out. Whether you’re creating a social media post, a webpage, an ebook, a blog post, or something else, adding visuals goes a long way in improving the overall user experience. However, you can’t just pull images off the internet and use them—and it’s your responsibility to determine if and how you can use the image without breaking the law.”

Search Engine Journal, Apr. 6
4d

Rachée Fagg writes: “Reading, a gateway to knowledge and empowerment, serves as the cornerstone of education worldwide. However, for English as a Second Language (ESL) students, the journey of mastering this essential skill can present unique challenges. Traditional reading materials, laden with text, often intimidate and discourage ESL learners, hindering their progress. Wordless books, as the name suggests, eschew conventional text in favor of vivid illustrations that narrate compelling stories. By relying solely on visuals, these books transcend language barriers, inviting readers of all ability levels to embark on imaginative journeys.”

ALSC Blog, Apr. 26
4d

Keahi Adolpho and Stephen G. Krueger write: “This comprehensive review illuminates the current state of scholarly literature on trans and gender diverse inclusion in libraries, with the intention to provide a foundation and identify gaps for further research. We found that, with the exception of works on archives and cataloging, little scholarly literature goes beyond introductory talking points on basic information about trans and gender diverse people. We conclude with a call for much more in-depth research on this essential topic.”

In the Library with the Lead Pipe, Apr. 24
5d

Allison Escoto writes: “There’s no doubt about it. Librarianship can be a demanding career path, and the quest to find just the right work-life balance while managing stress is perennial. This eclectic collection of books speak to that delicate balance by covering the importance of wellness, preventing burnout, practicing mindfulness, and essential self-care practices.”

American Libraries column, May