ALA President Archives | Page 12 of 17 | American Libraries Magazine

Zoning Fight Yields Court Nod to Libraries as Educational Institutions

By Rocco Staino and Beverly Goldberg | June 7, 2011

A decision by the New York State Supreme Court branch in Suffolk County has vindicated the East Hampton Library board in its quest to get zoning variances for a 6,800-foot addition to the present facility. It has also reaffirmed in case law that public libraries in the state of New York are undeniably educational institutions—a … Continue reading Zoning Fight Yields Court Nod to Libraries as Educational Institutions →

The Smartest Readers

By Karen Muller | June 6, 2011

We all know that “Libraries are the smartest investment.” Study after study shows that for every dollar invested by a community in library services, $2.38 (PDF file), or $4.48 (PDF file), or even $6.54 (PDF file) in economic benefits are returned to the community. Another measure of the value of libraries is the individualized calculation … Continue reading The Smartest Readers →

Fanbase to the Rescue: A Massachusetts Tale

By Eric T. Poulin | May 31, 2011

While much has been written recently about using Facebook as a promotional tool for libraries and librarians, opinions vary widely on Facebook’s effectiveness in reaching library users. It’s indisputable, though, that Facebook can successfully promote advocacy on behalf of library-related issues, based on the creation of a Facebook Page that generated community awareness in western … Continue reading Fanbase to the Rescue: A Massachusetts Tale →

Refresh Your View of E-rate

By Marijke Visser | May 31, 2011

Suffering from the after-school network grinding-to-a-halt syndrome? Have a flat or declining budget with little state or local political support? Can’t figure out how to pay for a bandwidth upgrade to support patrons’ online activities such as searching for jobs and applying for e-government services? If you haven’t considered the e-rate program lately, now’s the … Continue reading Refresh Your View of E-rate →

Keeping Our Message Simple

By James LaRue | May 31, 2011

concerned about the future of my organization that I started reading much more widely and deeply. Many of the books were about brain research. Most focused on how and why we come to believe things, both as individuals and as communities. A couple of those books dug into how difficult it is for us to … Continue reading Keeping Our Message Simple →

Facebook for Libraries

By David Lee King | May 27, 2011

Today, I spent part of the day connecting with people. I complained about a silly election video, chatted with a college friend about a band, and put some finishing touches on plans for a conference taking place at the library. I did all this through Facebook. These days, it seems like everyone has a Facebook … Continue reading Facebook for Libraries →

The Best in Library Branding

By Judith Gibbons | May 27, 2011

The John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award (JCD) turned 65 years old this year and celebrated this milestone with the Midwinter announcement of the 2011 winners. Five vibrant libraries demonstrated innovative, outstanding marketing strategies in campaigns ending in 2010: Anythink Libraries of Adams County, Colorado; Edmonton (Alberta) Public Library; Loudoun County (Va.) Public Library; … Continue reading The Best in Library Branding →

Reading for Life: Oprah Winfrey

By Leonard Kniffel | May 25, 2011

“I don’t believe in failure,” Oprah Winfrey has said, and when you talk about celebrities who influence reading, who among them has had more of an impact on American reading habits than this extraordinary television talk-show host? The ways Oprah Winfrey has supported the programs, the mission, and the success of libraries in the United … Continue reading Reading for Life: Oprah Winfrey →

The Digital Revolution and the Transformation of Libraries

by Keith Michael Fiels | May 25, 2011

Two major topics dominated discussions during the ALA Executive Board Spring Meeting April 22–24 at the Association’s Chicago headquarters. ALA’s new 2015 strategic plan now includes a Transforming Libraries goal that calls for the Association to “provide leadership in the transformation of libraries and library services in a dynamic and increasingly global digital library environment.” … Continue reading The Digital Revolution and the Transformation of Libraries →

Wrapping Up a Busy Year

By Roberta A. Stevens | May 18, 2011

For my last message as ALA president, I’d like to update members and others on the initiatives that were kicked off at the Inaugural Banquet last June and offer a brief comment on recent events that affect the future of libraries. With “Our Authors, Our Advocates: Authors Speak Out For Libraries,” we tapped into a … Continue reading Wrapping Up a Busy Year →

Renewing Our Mission in New Orleans

By Pamela A. Goodes | May 16, 2011

Librarians, library support staff, vendors, and guests will once again bring their economic and muscle power to assist New Orleans’ public libraries, schools, and community rebuilding projects during the American Library Association’s 135th Annual Conference, June 23–28, taking place at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, area hotels, and other venues. ALA held the first … Continue reading Renewing Our Mission in New Orleans →

Children’s Services Champion Virginia Mathews Dies

By Beverly Goldberg | May 11, 2011

Virginia Mathews, 86, renowned advocate for family and early-childhood literacy and outreach programs, consultant, and author who was respected in the publishing and library worlds, died May 7. Instrumental in the success of both the 1979 and 1991 White House Conference on Library and Information Services (WHCLIS), Mathews navigated a career that bridged the worlds … Continue reading Children’s Services Champion Virginia Mathews Dies →

Latest Library Links

16h

The Special Libraries Association (SLA) has announced it will begin a dissolution process after 116 years of service to the profession. SLA will continue to operate in a limited capacity over the coming months to fulfill outstanding commitments and assist members in this transition, including hosting the 2025 SLA Annual Conference and Expo June 7–10 at the University of Pittsburgh. Further information, including timelines, town halls, and resources for affected members, and date of member dissolution voting meeting, will be made available on SLA’s website as they are available.

Special Libraries Association, Mar. 26
21h

Phil Morehart writes: “It’s never too early to learn about the importance and power of elections. Developed by the Association for Library Service to Children for ALA’s ‘Reader. Voter. Ready.’ campaign last year, the Inspiring Future Voters booklist is a collection of titles that will help young people understand the importance of voting, civic engagement, and making their voices heard. The booklist includes fiction and nonfiction titles for all ages from birth to young adult.”

I Love Libraries, Mar. 25; Association for Library Service to Children, Sept. 2024
2d

Dr. Brené Brown, a research professor and Huffington Foundation Endowed Chair at the University of Houston’s Graduate College of Social Work, has been added to the speaker lineup at ALA’s 2025 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Philadelphia, to be held June 26–30. Brown has spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy, and her TED talk on the “Power of Vulnerability” is one of the most popular in the world with more than 60 million views. Brown will present the ALA President’s Program on Sunday, June 29, at 3:30 p.m.

ALA Conference Services, Mar. 28
2d

Violet Fox writes: “On February 18, the Library of Congress (LC) announced a special list of revisions in the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) relating to Trump’s Executive Order 14172, [notably changing] the LCSH for Gulf of Mexico to America, Gulf of, and for Mount Denali back to McKinley, Mount (Alaska). It was not surprising that LC would follow the example of the US Board of Geographic Names, as that’s standard operating procedure. What wasn’t standard was the speed at which this revision was pushed through.”

ACRLog, Mar. 28
2d

Megan Bennett writes: “Bob the Drag Queen—who won RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2016 and has since starred in other reality shows such as HBO’s We’re Here and Peacock’s The Traitors, as well as several comedy specials—released his debut novel this month. Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert (Gallery Books) imagines the iconic abolitionist coming back to life and creating a hip-hop album. American Libraries spoke with Bob about his longtime fascination with Tubman, as well as his inspiration for the novel and accompanying songs.”

American Libraries Trend, Mar. 31
3d

Jory Heckman writes: “The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) put all of its approximately 75-employee workforce on paid administrative leave March 31, according to several IMLS employees, as the agency prepares for major cuts to its operations. The American Federation of Government Employees Local 3403 [which represents IMLS staff] said all work processing 2025 grant applications has ended, ‘in the absence of staff’ and that ‘the status of previously awarded grants is unclear. Without staff to administer the programs, it is likely that most grants will be terminated.’” In ALA’s response, President Cindy Hohl said “Within months, if not weeks, local libraries will experience the impact of IMLS grant cancellations.”

Federal News Network, Mar. 31; ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Office, Mar. 31
3d

Allison Escoto writes: “Sustainability has rightly become a major concern for our profession. From education and advocacy to library architecture and supportive workplace environments, library professionals are addressing all types of sustainability in their work. These recommended reads are part of American Libraries’ special report on libraries and sustainability.”

American Libraries column, Mar./Apr.

View more Latest Library Links