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The Scoop

Welcome to Anaheim – ALA Annual Conference 2008 Preview

Thinking about attending ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, California? After this rollercoaster ride of a preview (literally), you won't be able to resist. Several Orange County librarians tell us about the obvious draws (Disneyland, shopping, the beaches) and some attractions you might not know about - including a beautiful library or two. Also covered: your airport options, public transportation and hotel availability, and some adventurous daytrips. We'll see you in Anaheim June 26-July 2, 2008! More ALA videos available at alfocus.ala.org.
November 29, 2007
A Conversation with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Basketball legend and author Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the keynote speaker at the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia, January 11-16, and he sits down for a conversation about growing up with libraries, his committment to literacy and learning, and how books help young readers understand both past and present turmoil. More ALA videos at alfocus.ala.org.
November 27, 2007
AASL National Conference 2007

In this snapshot from the 13th American Association of School Librarians National Conference in Reno, Nevada, keynote speaker Dan Pink talks about his subversive high school librarian, keynote speaker Omar Wasow discusses how school libraries can compete in the age of Google, AASL President Sara Kelly Johns talks about the new AASL standards, and we are introduced to a project called "Sheet Happens." More ALA videos available at alfocus.ala.org.
November 14, 2007
After the Fire

The October 2007 fires in southern California burned hundreds of thousands of acres and destroyed thousands of buildings, and libraries were among those threatened. Helen Fried of the Orange County Public Library and Margaret Todd of the County of Los Angeles Public Library spoke to AL Focus on October 26, as the fires were still raging.
November 6, 2007
Rod Hersberger & Marilyn Hinshaw interview

ALA Treasurer Rod Hersberger and Marilyn Hinshaw, Chair of the Budget Analysis and Review Committee (BARC), sit down for a chat with Director of Membership Development John Chrastka. Hersberger offers a glimpse of his plans for the Treasurer's Online Forum and talks about brining ALA financial information to the members in a timely fashion, while Hinshaw speaks on the complexities and responsibilities of BARC. More ALA videos available at alfocus.ala.org.
October 8, 2007

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Report from the Banned Books Read-Out!

This report from the Banned Books Read-Out, held September 29 in Chicago, features ALA President Loriene Roy and Judith Krug from ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom speaking on the importance of choosing your own reading material, and authors Carolyn Mackler and Chris Crutcher on how librarians "save our lives daily."
October 8, 2007

Latest Library Links

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Cynthia Hudson Vitale writes: “The Association of Research Libraries has issued a set of Research Libraries Guiding Principles for Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI technologies, and in particular, generative AI, have significant potential to improve access to information and advance openness in research outputs. AI also has the potential to disrupt information landscapes and the communities that research libraries support and serve. The increasing availability of AI models sparks many possibilities and raises several ethical, professional, and legal considerations. These principles will serve as a foundational framework for the ethical and transparent use of AI and reflect the values we hold in research libraries.”

Association of Research Libraries, Apr. 25
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Orlando Mayorquín writes: “Less than two weeks after a Pennsylvania school board unanimously voted to cancel a gay author’s anti-bullying speech at a middle school, the board voted Wednesday night to reverse its decision and reinstate the event amid pressure from parents, students and administrators. The 5-to-4 vote by the Cumberland Valley School District’s board came in front of scores of community members who packed a high school auditorium and, for several hours, chastised the board for having canceled the event featuring the actor and author Maulik Pancholy over what they said were homophobic concerns.”

New York Times, Apr. 24
23h

Kim Kardashian may have been the headline guest on the April 23 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, but the highlight of the show was a World Book Day segment about antilibrarian bills. Kimmel said “There are at least a hundred bills in various red states, three of which have become law already, threatening librarians with prison for the crime of lending books.” He then turned the segment over to real-life librarians to clarify that they give out library cards and offer storytimes rather than “grooming” children or spreading Satanism and meth. One of the featured librarians concluded the segment by declaring “You can have To Kill a Mockingbird when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!”

Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Apr. 23
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Lauren Feiner writes: “The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 3–2 to restore net neutrality rules, reversing a repeal ushered through during the Trump administration. Net neutrality is the idea that internet service providers should not be able to discriminate against different kinds of content by blocking or throttling connection speeds or offering paid prioritization for different internet traffic.” The new rules are similar to those originally adopted in 2015 and repealed in 2017, but also include language preventing network slicing, in which internet service providers prioritize certain traffic by using 5G technology to create virtual subnetworks that prioritize certain subscribers who pay for a premium subscription.

The Verge, Apr. 25; Gizmodo, Apr. 25
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“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
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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
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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

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