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The Scoop

Video: Stephen Chbosky
October 10, 2008
An Unfortunate Mis-HAPLR
October 10, 2008
Finances
October 9, 2008
Electronic Voting
October 9, 2008
It Begins
October 9, 2008

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Welcome to Inside Scoop
October 9, 2008
LeRoy C. Merritt Humanitarian Fund

The LeRoy C. Merritt Humanitarian Fund supports librarians who are facing financial difficulty due to discrimination or because they have taken a stand in support of intellectual freedom. In this video, trustees describe the fund, and why it's needed. More ALA videos available at alfocus.ala.org.
October 7, 2008
Why Not To Ban Books

Author Steven Chbosky shares a letter he received from a reader of his young adult novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Alternately funny and moving, it demonstrates the effect that a book can have on a life--even (and especially) a book that some would have removed from library shelves. Filmed at ALA's Banned Books Read-Out in Chicago September 27, 2008. More ALA videos available at alfocus.ala.org.
October 2, 2008
2008 Reforma National Conference: Promoting Library Services to Latinos and Spanish-Speakers

This overview of the Reforma National Conference, held September 18-21 in El Paso, Texas, features musicians at the exhibit hall opening, conversations with Author Luncheon speaker Diana Washington Valdez and former ALA President Carol Brey-Casiano, a tour of the Biblioteca de la Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad in Juarez, Mexico, and music and dance under the stars at the Awards Banquet. More ALA videos available at alfocus.ala.org.
October 1, 2008
Banned Books Week: I’d Like to Find *BLEEP*

A library patron needs some books. Famous, award-winning, acclaimed books. Seems simple enough. And yet... Video produced in recognition of Banned Books Week, September 27-October 4, 2008, and in cooperation with ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom. More ALA Videos available at alfocus.ala.org.
September 22, 2008
IFLA 2008 – Quebec

The 2008 International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) was held August 10-14 in Quebec, Canada, a city celebrating its 400th anniversary. As this video illustrates, library professionals celebrated as well, taking in various cultural events (including a rendition of the "Titanic" theme song played on a saw), honoring Ismael Serageldin of Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt, presenting the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's 2008 Access to Learning Award, and applauding the announcement of the 2011 IFLA location. More ALA videos at alfocus.ala.org.
August 19, 2008
Many Voices, Many Nations

Author and filmmaker Sherman Alexie headlined the Many Voices, Many Nations program June 27 at the ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, California, following nine other speakers of Native American origin. This recap of the event showcases the literature, poetry, song, and extemporaneous humor delivered by Alexie, as well as master of ceremonies Jose A. Aponte from the San Diego County Library, Francisco X. Alarcon, Arigon Starr, Gordon Johnson, Kristy Orona-Ramirez, ALA President Loriene Roy, Tim Tingle, Jorge Tetl Argueta, Janice Gould, and Erika T. Wurth.
July 28, 2008

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