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The Scoop

ALA Presidential Candidate Question Responses: Stevens on Social Media

ALA Presidential Candidate Roberta Stevens responds to Carolyn Wood's question on how ALA can harness the power of social media for library advocacy. More ALA videos at alfocus.ala.org
March 12, 2009
ALA Presidential Candidate Question Responses: Oliver on Social Media and Advocacy

ALA Presidential Candidate Kenton Oliver responds to Carolyn Wood's question on how ALA can harness the power of social media for library advocacy. More ALA videos at alfocus.ala.org.
March 12, 2009
ALA Presidential Candidate Question Responses: Oliver on E-participation

ALA Presidential Candidate Kenton Oliver responds to Tom Peters's question on how ALA can enable participation without travel. More ALA videos at alfocus.ala.org. Question:
March 12, 2009
ALA Presidential Candidate Question Responses: Stevens on E-participation

ALA Presidential Candidate Roberta Stevens responds to Tom Peters's question on how ALA can enable participation without travel. More ALA videos at alfocus.ala.org.
March 12, 2009
Playing Games in Nebraska
March 6, 2009

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Ann Brashares interview

Booklist sat down with author Ann Brashares to talk about her new book "3 Willows" and how it compares to her bestselling "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" series. Brashares opens up about the chances of the new book expanding into a series, how hard it is to let go of beloved characters, and how she likes to imagine her characters' lives at age 4, 14, 40, and beyond.
March 4, 2009
LJ Index: Too Much Too Late
March 3, 2009
Freedom to Read Foundation Midwinter Author Event Featuring Lauren Myracle

Author Lauren Myracle was the featured speaker at the Freedom to Read Foundation's Midwinter Author Event, held January 25 at the Tattered Cover Book Store in Denver
February 18, 2009
2009 Midwinter Meeting Overview

From Denver comes coverage of ALA's 2009 Midwinter Meeting. Included are the announcement of this year's Newbery Medal-winning book, sights from the exhibit hall, the annual "View from the Top" discussion panel, conversations with former ALA President Carol Brey-Casiano and former Colorado State Senator Ken Gordon, and ALA Immediate Past President Loriene Roy discussing the forthcoming PBS series We Shall Remain. More ALA videos available at alfocus.ala.org.
February 17, 2009
ALA Youth Media Award Winner Notifications

Before the Newbery, Caldecott, King, and ALA's other prestigious youth media awards were announced at the Midwinter Meeting in Denver, the selection committees crowded into tiny private rooms to call the honorees. This year, AL Focus was invited to capture some of those happy calls and reactions. More ALA videos available at alfocus.ala.org.
February 11, 2009
President Obama Says It Again
February 10, 2009
Midwinter 2009: Steve Vander Ark Interview

AL Focus caught up with Steve Vander Ark, author of The Lexicon: An Unauthorized Guide to Harry Potter Fiction and Related Materials, and co-author Lisa Bunker, in the exhibit hall at the 2009 Midwinter Meeting. More ALA videos available at alfocus.ala.org.
February 9, 2009

Latest Library Links

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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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Catherine Hollerbach writes: “Library workers are finding the joy in library work they have missed over the past few years. What is more joyous than finding that book you read as a child and sharing it with your kids? Or finding just the right story that pulls on your heartstrings or takes you on an adventure? Sometimes, it’s a song in storytime that brings on a smile or a chance to learn about a fantastic wine or how to fix a car.”

Public Libraries Online, Sept. 25
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Matthew Gault writes: “In a time of devastation and loss, some people in Asheville, North Carolina, are turning to the public library for comfort and communication [after Hurricane Helene]. Cell services have created a communications blackout in much of the state, but Asheville’s downtown library is offering something incredible: free Wi-Fi.” ALA’s is accepting donations to its Disaster Relief Fund; the Chapter Relations Office is collaborating with state chapters in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina to identify affected libraries and facilitate the distribution of money from that fund.”

Gizmodo, Oct. 1; ALA Chapter Relations Office
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Lucy Podmore writes: “While preparing for our yearly celebration of Banned Books Week, how many of us have been asked why we are celebrating banned books? Based on my experiences the past four years, I have come to the decision that it is time to reframe that celebration for my Texas high school campus. Central to this reimagined celebration has been the introduction of the Freedom Walk, an event designed to emphasize the fundamental rights of students to access a diverse range of information and literature in their school library.”

Knowledge Quest, Sept. 30

View more Latest Library Links