Banned Books Week: I’d Like to Find *BLEEP*

September 22, 2008

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.


IFLA 2008 – Quebec

August 19, 2008

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 … Continue reading IFLA 2008 – Quebec


Many Voices, Many Nations

July 28, 2008

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 … Continue reading Many Voices, Many Nations


Honoring Lois Ann Gregory-Wood

July 23, 2008

On July 2, 2008, ALA Council adopted a resolution to recognize the 40 years of service of Lois Ann Gregory-Wood. Beginning in ALA’s distribution office October 11, 1968, Gregory-Wood went on to serve in a variety of positions leading up to her current role as Council Secretariat. The Council congratulated her on her outstanding work … Continue reading Honoring Lois Ann Gregory-Wood


King of Conference

July 23, 2008

David Lee King of the Topeka and Shawnee County (Kans.) Public Library offers a first-person travelogue of his experience at ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, California. In between searching for swag in the exhibit hall and crashing the Open Gaming Night and OCLC Blogger’s Salon, he takes a peek at Council, gets lost while traveling … Continue reading King of Conference


Jamie Lee Curtis

July 23, 2008

Actor and author Jamie Lee Curtis entertains an audience of children and parents June 30 at the ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, California. After warming up the crowd with her baby impersonation, Curtis reads from her new book “Big Words for Little People.” Afterwards, she explains how she found the idea for her first book, … Continue reading Jamie Lee Curtis


Booklist Adult Books Readers’ Forum: the Post-9/11 Novel

July 23, 2008

Booklist Senior Editor Keir Graff (My Fellow Americans) leads a panel of distinguished authors discussing the burgeoning genre of post-9/11 literature June 29 at the ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, California. Carolyn See (Golden Days) speaks about conflating personal and global catastrophe, Janette Turner Hospital (Due Preparations for the Plague) talks about her visit to … Continue reading Booklist Adult Books Readers’ Forum: the Post-9/11 Novel


2008 ALA Annual Conference Opening General Session Video

July 16, 2008

This video, played during the Opening General Session of ALA’s 2008 Annual Conference in Anaheim, California, highlights the value of public awareness to the library profession. ALA presidents past and future join others in explaining how investing in partnerships, working with celebrities like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Julie Andrews, and using new media platforms like YouTube … Continue reading 2008 ALA Annual Conference Opening General Session Video


Speaking Technically 2008

July 16, 2008

Seven leading publishers shared their insights on the future of reference databases at American Libraries’ second annual “Speaking Technically” panel at ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim. Moderated by American Libraries Direct Editor George Eberhart, the panelists talked about their new products and ideas for enhanced services. The panel was comprised of representatives from Gale/Cengage Learning, … Continue reading Speaking Technically 2008


Annual 2008 Wrap-up

July 15, 2008

Over 22,000 attendees soaked up the rays in Anaheim, California June 26-July 2 at the 2008 ALA Annual Conference. This brief compendium of conference highlights includes such luminaries as Jamie Lee Curtis, Dean Koontz, Lisa Loeb, Wes Studi, Vernon Jordan, Ron Reagan, Khaled Hosseini, Diahann Carroll, and events like the Parade of Bookmobiles, the Book … Continue reading Annual 2008 Wrap-up


Your ALA Annual Conference & You!

April 29, 2008

Gee willakers! Check out this swell 1950’s-style educational film that gives you the A-B-Cs of having a jim-dandy time at Annual Conference. It’s packed with so many super tips that every Billy and Sue out there will exclaim, “Golly! Can we watch it again?” Yes indeedy, you can! (Stick around afterwards for a few bloopers, … Continue reading Your ALA Annual Conference & You!