ALA Midwinter Meeting Exhibits Attendees

Midwinter 2015: Members Talk Diversity and Technology

March 26, 2015

Diversity was a major theme of this year’s meeting. It culminated at the Youth Media Awards ceremony, where ALA President Courtney L. Young observed the need for all children to have access to materials that reflect their experiences. “Our country is a melting pot of cultures, yet the percentages of children’s books released each year … Continue reading Midwinter 2015: Members Talk Diversity and Technology


2015 ALA Midwinter Meeting - Highlights

2015 ALA Midwinter Meeting – Highlights

February 4, 2015

More than 10,000 library professionals attended the ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits in Chicago. This touching video captures the highlights.     [video:http://youtu.be/L676WoMaUEo width:560 height:315]


Mick Ebeling

Doing the Impossible

February 4, 2015

Mick Ebeling is an idea man, and his ideas transform lives. A film and television producer by trade, Ebeling stumbled upon a project that led to sweeping changes in life-altering technologies and the formation of Not Impossible Labs, an organization that develops low-cost, open source solutions to health care problems. His story is a testament … Continue reading Doing the Impossible


ALA Top Ten Tweets

Top Ten Tweets – Tuesday (Day 5)

February 4, 2015

It’s the official last day of #alamw15! 🙁 Adjusting to post-conference life and getting back to regular programming are proving to be difficult tasks after days in the winter wonderland of Midwinter. If you have any ARCs you want to donate, please visit this Google doc! Bonus tweets! Thanks for attending Midwinter, be it through … Continue reading Top Ten Tweets – Tuesday (Day 5)



Office of Information Technology Policy

Talking ’bout a Revolution

February 3, 2015

In November 2013, the ALA Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP) launched the Policy Revolution! initiative to advance national policy for libraries and their communities. The grant-funded effort focuses on establishing proactive policy priorities, engaging decision-makers and influencers, and upgrading ALA policy capacity. Speakers from the ALA Washington office, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, … Continue reading Talking ’bout a Revolution


"Canine Councilor" Vivaldi

ALA Council III Meeting

February 3, 2015

ALA Council III, the group’s final session of the 2015 Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits, involved two hours of tributes, memorials, resolutions, and vigorous, yet civil debate. The following individuals were recognized in memorial: Diane P. Monnier, Jean E. Lowrie, Roger C. Greer, Chris Olson, Ruth V. Bell, Ferol Ann Accola Foos, Miriam Drake, Lois Mai … Continue reading ALA Council III Meeting


Mita Williams

Mita Williams on Makerspaces

February 3, 2015

In this ALA Master Series session, Mita Williams, user experience librarian at the University of Windsor, explains that fab labs and makerspaces can combat library patrons' anxiety about science. [video:http://youtu.be/7m8Jh3uiX7I width:560 height:315]



Young Children and New Media in Libraries

Young Children and New Media in Libraries

February 3, 2015

During the Young Children, New Media, and Libraries session on Sunday, Julie Roach, manager of youth services at Cambridge (Mass.) Public Library, moderated as J. Elizabeth Mills, PhD student at University of Washington iSchool (UW), and Amy Koester, youth and family program coordinator at Skokie (Ill.) Public Library, discussed the preliminary results of the Young … Continue reading Young Children and New Media in Libraries


Screen cap from Emily Graslie's Brain Scoop web show

Geeking Out

February 3, 2015

During the Women in Geekdom panel on Saturday, five self-proclaimed nerds shared their thoughts on how libraries can build communities by reaching out to local fans/patrons and creating programming that attracts people of all ages. The panel was moderated by Samantha Nelson, writer for the Onion A.V. Club, and included Emily Graslie, chief curiosity correspondent … Continue reading Geeking Out