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The Scoop

Tracy Kidder interview

AL Focus catches up with author Tracy Kidder before his Auditorium Speaker Series presentation at the 2009 ALA Annual Conference. Kidder discusses his new book, Strength in What Remains, as well as his ideal vision for libraries--and you will want to hear what he calls libraries and librarians. More ALA videos at alfocus.ala.org.
July 27, 2009
Christie Hefner Interview

Before her Opening General Session speech at the 2009 ALA Annual Conference, American Libraries spoke with former Playboy Enterprises CEO Christie Hefner about her message to librarians, her memories of Judith Krug and the important First Amendment battles they fought, and what helped her to succeed in what some would call a man's job. More ALA videos at alfocus.ala.org.
July 21, 2009
Wanda Urbanska Interview

After her speech at the 2009 ALA Annual Conference, Simple Living host Wanda Urbanska spoke with American Libraries editor Leonard Kniffel about her work with libraries and how librarians can advocate for green choices to administrators charged with monitoring the bottom line. More ALA videos at alfocus.ala.org.
July 21, 2009
Wanda Urbanska at the 2009 ALA Annual Conference

Wanda Urbanska's complete Auditorium Speaker Series presentation at the 2009 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago. Urbanska discussed the "disease" of overconsumption and the idea of simplicity as a lifestyle, and offered suggestions for how to incorporate these ideas into libraries--and help the environment at the same time. The presentation includes a brief question-and-answer segment, which evolved into discussion on how to advocate for environmentally friendly options to administrators who are charged with focusing on the bottom line. More ALA videos at alfocus.ala.org.
July 21, 2009
Sylvia Ivie at the Coretta Scott King Book Awards

Sylvia Ivie, presenter of the first Coretta Scott King Book Awards, spoke to AL Focus at the 40th anniversary celebration about what the Awards have developed into and why they're still necessary. More ALA videos at alfocus.ala.org.
July 20, 2009

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Membership Sends Gay Marriage, Antiwar Resolutions to Council
July 20, 2009
Carl Kasell Backstage at Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me!

NPR newscaster and official judge and scorekeeper for Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me! Carl Kasell spoke to AL Focus before the July 9 taping of the show, which was attended by 500 librarians. Topics included the NPR library, the First Amendment, his use of libraries as a child, and Charles Kuralt. More ALA videos at alfocus.ala.org.
July 20, 2009
Dan Kraus at the Live @ Your Library Stage

AL Focus caught up with Dan Kraus, the founder of AL Focus, current editor with Booklist magazine, and author of the forthcoming novel The Monster Variations, after his reading on the Live @ Your Library Stage at the ALA Annual Conference. Dan discusses his new book as well as the experience of being on the other side of the AL Focus cameras. More ALA videos at alfocus.ala.org.
July 20, 2009
NMRT Resume Review Service

Sarah Johnson, a reviewer for NMRT's Resume Review Service, discusses the program and how to participate in it, as well as some of the common resume mistakes she sees. More ALA videos available at alfocus.ala.org.
July 20, 2009
Membership Sends Gay Marriage, Antiwar Resolutions to Council
July 20, 2009
American Libraries Advisory Committee Looks to 2010 and Beyond
July 18, 2009
American Libraries Advisory Committee Looks to 2010 and Beyond
July 17, 2009

Latest Library Links

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Tony Lombardozzi writes: “There are a lot of moving parts and milestones to consider before starting a construction project. It may be difficult to determine where to begin. Predesign is all the preparation and planning that needs to happen before you even start thinking about design and construction implementation. Predesign may be the most difficult stage for staff because the project is still abstract, but the project will progress more smoothly if you can articulate your wants and needs. Predesign is split into four areas: needs assessment, program development, budget development, and project delivery preparation.”

American Libraries Trend, Sept./Oct.
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Paula Mauro writes: “While Banned Books Week ended on September 28, writer, director, producer—and Banned Books Week honorary chair—Ava DuVernay stresses the importance of continuing the work of amplifying marginalized voices. ‘This banned book effort is an agenda by people who want to make some of us less free, to silence the voices of some of us,’ DuVernay tells American Libraries. ‘We can overcome this, but we have to work together.’ DuVernay recorded a video conversation with Banned Books Week Youth Honorary Chair Julia Garnett.”

AL: The Scoop, Oct. 2
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On October 3, the ALA Executive Board released a statement on what library professionals can do to support communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The full statement highlights opportunities to donate to local relief efforts and the ALA Disaster Relief Fund, which will distribute funds in cooperation with ALA chapters, volunteer time to local libraries and relief organizations, and advocate for policies and funding to ensure libraries can continue critical work during and after disasters.

AL: The Scoop, Oct. 4
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Florian Kastner writes: “JPG was developed to compress photos with lossy compression, which greatly reduced file sizes–a decisive advantage in the early days of the internet when storage space and bandwidth were still scarce resources. With the enormous progress in computer and software technology, the possibilities for image compression have also developed further. Today, modern image formats offer far better compression without compromising image quality. For many photographers, designers, and website operators, it’s becoming increasingly unattractive to rely on the outdated JPG format.” AVIF, JPEG XL, WebP, and HEIC/HEIF are likely to take its place.

PC World, Sept. 27
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Nick Dedeke writes: “In an earlier article, I discussed a few of the flaws in Europe’s flagship data privacy law, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Building on that critique, I would now like to go further, proposing specifications for developing a robust privacy protection regime in the US. If a country like the US developed a different privacy approach, it would bring choice and a new perspective into this important segment of protection of the privacy of data subjects.”

Ars Technica, Sept. 28
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Brian Stephens writes: “Lack of high-speed internet is a significant problem in almost 75% of communities served by the nation’s K–12 schools, according to Funds For Learning’s annual E-Rate Applicant Survey. A key change to the E-rate program’s rules aims to narrow the ‘homework gap’ by making Wi-Fi hotspots that schools and libraries loan to students and patrons eligible for E-Rate discounts. For funding year 2025, Wi-Fi hotspots are eligible for Category One discounts. However, schools and libraries must follow a slew of requirements in order to take advantage. Here’s a closer look.”

THE Journal, Sept. 24
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Danielle Costello writes: “Unsurprising to anyone who has ever known me, when I think about my favorite games, I have a very hard time deciding on a rank order. Favorites to me exist on a wide, joyful, and ever-increasing plane. Since I’m hoping to keep this list to a reasonable length, I’m sharing some of my favorite categories of games and some standout examples. Please enjoy!” The list includes examples of board games, role-playing games for groups and individuals, and video games in several genres.

ALA Games & Gaming Round Table, Sept. 30

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