Lauren Myracle interview

May 6, 2009

Lauren Myracle, the oft-challenged author of such books as ttyl, Bliss, and the new Peace, Love & Baby Ducks, sits down with Booklist to discuss why libraries “rule the world,” how she handles angry emails from parents, and the Stephen King influences behind Bliss. Myracle also touches on how her early experiences as a middle … Continue reading Lauren Myracle interview


We Read Everything

May 5, 2009

For over 100 years, Booklist magazine has been reading everything–so you don’t have to. But how do we read that many books? For the first time ever, the intrepid editors at Booklist provide a glimpse into the their top-secret methods. Prepare to be shocked and amazed.


2009 Chicago Annual Conference Promo

May 4, 2009

Produced by ALA Conference Services, this video features plenty of your colleagues discussing the value of Annual Conference–and the benefits to holding it in Chicago. Annual Conference this year is July 9 to 15. More ALA videos at alfocus.ala.org.



Read This Now

April 28, 2009

ALA’s book and media awards represent some of the best works of the year. In this video, the chairs of many of the committees charged with choosing the award winners discuss the winning books and why they were selected. For more information, see the accompanying “Read This Now” article in the May 2009 issue of … Continue reading Read This Now


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OCLC’s Andrew Pace Reveals Plans for Web-Scale Management

April 28, 2009

The executive director for networked library services at the world’s largest library consortium paints the big picture regarding OCLC’s web-platform initiative in an April 24, 2009, conversation with American Libraries Editor-in-Chief Leonard Kniffel. American Libraries: Who is the target market for this new management service? Andrew Pace: You’re talking about the web-scale management services, not … Continue reading OCLC’s Andrew Pace Reveals Plans for Web-Scale Management


Avi interview

April 23, 2009

Legendary author Avi speaks to Booklist about Poppy and Ereth – his newest and most autobiographical book – as well as how he ended up with his famous name, how his lack of a distinctive style helps him as a writer, his thoughts on how the Newbery Award could improve, and which of his books … Continue reading Avi interview


Judy Krug Memorial

April 21, 2009

A memorial video to intellectual freedom legend Judith Krug, the long-time director of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom and Freedom to Read Foundation, featuring messages from colleagues, interviews featuring Judy, and photos of Judy from throughout her career. More ALA videos available at alfocus.ala.org.


A Tribute to Judith Krug

April 21, 2009

ALA staff will gather tomorrow morning for a special memorial to Judith Krug, director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom, who died April 11. The tribute below will appear in the May issue of American Libraries. Judith Krug believed that no one has the right to tell other people what they can or cannot read. When … Continue reading A Tribute to Judith Krug


The Passing of Judith Krug

April 13, 2009

   ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels notified the staff this morning of very sad news to start the week: Judith Krug, executive director of the Freedom to Read Foundation and director of ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom for more than 40 years, passed away on Saturday morning. In cooperation with OIF and ALA's Public Information Office, … Continue reading The Passing of Judith Krug


Public Awareness @ your library

April 8, 2009

Just in time for National Library Week, ALA is going live tomorrow, April 9, with a new @ your library website aimed at raising public awareness. Focusing on what's available at libraries for families, kids and teens, and jobseekers, this website is a pilot project funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York and is the first … Continue reading Public Awareness @ your library