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The Scoop

National Library Week: Introduction

Want to watch those adorable National Library Week monsters over and over again? Here is the isolated introduction, created just for you. More ALA videos at alfocus.ala.org.
March 21, 2008
Interview with First Lady Laura Bush

In an exclusive interview, First Lady Laura Bush tells American Libraries that she will definitely play a role in the establishment of her husband's presidential library at Southern Methodist University in Dallas and talks about how her profession influenced her own initiatives and will continue to do so when her husband's presidency ends. Editor in Chief Leonard Kniffel conducts the March 19 interview in the White House Library.
March 21, 2008
Thomas Paine Literary Landmark Dedication

Friends of Libraries USA honored Philadelphia's American Philosophical Society Library January 14 by naming their Col. Richard Gimbel Collection of Thomas Paine Papers a "Literary Landmark." AL Focus was there at the dedication and got an inside look at the book vault, a treasure of Paine materials, including a bloodstained copy of "The American Crisis" and an angry letter from Paine to President George Washington. More ALA videos available at alfocus.ala.org.
February 22, 2008
Washington School Libraries Rally

More than 100 people gathered at the state capitol steps in Olympia, Washington, February 1 to rally for school libraries. The rally, as well as an all-day summit, was the culmination of the work of a group of concerned Spokane mothers troubled at the cuts to school library media programs. This video presents speeches and images from the summit and rally, as well as words from the now-famous mothers themselves. More ALA videos available at alfocus.ala.org.
February 19, 2008
Yo, ALA! 2008 Midwinter Wrap-up

ALA visited Rocky Balboa's hometown of Philadelphia January 11-16 for the Midwinter Meeting, and this knockout video captures much of what made the week so hard-hitting: basketballers, whistleblowers, celebrity authors, catalogers, candidates, cheesesteaks, and more. Yo, ALA: We did it! More ALA videos available at alfocus.ala.org.
February 7, 2008

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Q & A with Kareem

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar responds to audience questions at the ALA Midwinter Meeting President's Program, January 13, 2008, speaking about his greatest basketball memory, the reason he changed his name, how to get reluctant youth to read, his new book On the Shoulders of Giants: My Journey Through the Harlem Renaissance, and more. More ALA videos available at alfocus.ala.org.
February 4, 2008
YALSA Gaming Extravaganza

Librarians at the Young Adult Library Services Association Gaming Extravaganza, held January 11 at the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia, share how they're developing gaming in their libraries and the importance of creating a "safe place" youth, while librarian/gamer/author Eli Neiburger runs a live tournament and explains the secret of getting 115 boys to come to his library on a Friday night. More ALA videos available at alfocus.ala.org.
January 31, 2008
Youth Media Awards 2008

In just 60 seconds of images and sound, AL Focus Editor Dan Kraus conveys his impressions of the Youth Media Awards 2008. For a full list of the winners, go to www.ala.org/yma08. More ALA videos available at alfocus.ala.org.
January 24, 2008
Dancing with the ALA Stars

Highlights from the "Dancing with the ALA Stars" contest at the 2007 ALA staff Winter Event.
January 23, 2008
FBI Whistleblower Answers Questions

Despite a warning from his superiors, FBI Special Agent Bassem Youssef answered questions at a January 12 session of the ALA Midwinter Meeting. In 2002, Youssef blew the whistle to the director of the FBI and Congress that discriminatory practices within the Bureau were undermining the effectiveness of America's counterterrorism efforts. In this video, Youssef and his attorney discuss the case, talk about the abuse of National Security Letters following the passage of the Patriot Act, and speak of Abu Ghraib as an example of the U.S. failure to understand Middle Eastern culture.
January 22, 2008
Author Forum – Midwinter 2008

Best-selling historical novelists Mary Doria Russell (Dreamers of the Day) and Geraldine Brooks (People of the Book) talk about "book pusher" librarians, book lust, and where they stand on e-book readers like the new Amazon Kindle at the January 11 Exhibits Round Table Author Forum at the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia. More ALA videos available at alfocus.ala.org.
January 15, 2008
Booklist Editors Read for Fun 2007

The 2007 Editors' Choice issue of Booklist also includes "Reading for Fun," a roundup of each editor's favorite personal reading choice of the year. In this video, seven of the editors get personal about unwieldy titles, Russian poetry, way-too-heavy hardbacks, and more. Check out more ALA videos at alfocus.ala.org.
January 8, 2008

Latest Library Links

17h

“A new Taylor Swift album is always a big event on the internet, including fans carefully reading into every line for hidden meaning—a little like close reading poetry. But while Swifties have celebrated Taylor Swift’s lyricism from the beginning, no album invites comparisons to literature quite like The Tortured Poets Department, if just for the title. Already, outlets have been putting together reading lists to pair with each song on the album. Here are just a few to get you started.”

Book Riot, Apr. 22
23h

Chris Hoffman writes: “When I was younger, I was told ‘never use your real name on the internet.’ But the world has changed, and I don’t follow that advice anymore. Likewise, there’s a lot of well-meaning online security advice that has outlasted its usefulness. There’s a core of truth to each one of the security practices I criticize below, but you shouldn’t blindly follow these old tips. At best, you’ll be wasting your time. At worst, you’ll be putting yourself more at risk. Read on to learn more about the five outdated security practices you shouldn’t use anymore.”

PC World, Apr. 17
2d

Bobbi L. Newman writes: “This week, an article from the BBC caught my attention: ‘Without support, many menopausal workers are quitting their jobs.’ Supporting employees going through menopause is important for those experiencing it and for everyone’s wellbeing. It reflects a commitment to employee wellbeing and a strategic approach to workforce management. Libraries can adopt strategies to support employees experiencing menopause, enhancing their wellbeing and workplace productivity. Remember, with all wellbeing, the goal is to support and empower staff to make the choices that best improve their health. Here are some practical approaches.”

Librarian by Day, Apr. 19; BBC, Apr. 9
2d

Libraries have a long history of helping to deliver on a wide variety of development goals, from literacy and school readiness to research productivity and urban cohesion. Their unique potential has been recognized not just by the governments or others that traditionally fund them, but also by a range of other funders, private and public alike. The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions has created a dataset to help librarians easily discover examples of private philanthropic grants, as well as other funding sources, that other libraries have been able to leverage.”

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, Apr. 22
3d

Jackie Jennings writes: “It feels like the debate over whether #BookTok is bad has been raging since the moment the term was first coined. I’m starting off with a strong stance: BookTok is indeed bad. However, the problem with BookTok is not crappy books or bogus influencers. The problem with BookTok is TikTok itself. BookTok isn’t actually a community driven by fans, writers, influencers, or even publishers: it’s part of a social media corporation, controlled by the most mysterious, fickle god of all, the algorithm.” Not surprisingly, librarian recommendations can overcome some of BookTok’s limitations.

Jezebel, Apr. 18; Book Riot, Apr. 22
3d

ALA announced the launch of its state Intellectual Freedom Helpline grant program April 22. Over the next two years, 10 pilot program sites will operate a confidential reporting system that will help connect those experiencing censorship attempts with professional support, in-state peers, or referral to ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, as appropriate. State or school library associations or agencies wishing to either establish an Intellectual Freedom Helpline in their state or expand existing efforts may apply for $10,000 grants through July 14.

ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom, Apr. 22
3d

In celebration of the release of his latest nonfiction title, The Secret Lives of Booksellers & Librarians, bestselling author James Patterson is honoring select American Bookseller Association and American Library Association members with bonuses. He announced plans April 11 to give $200 each to 250 library workers across the country. The deadline for ALA members may nominate members to receive bonuses through April 30. Winners will be announced at ALA’s 2024 Annual Conference in San Diego.

View more Latest Library Links