The Conservatives Among Us

September 30, 2010

I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that politically the library profession is quite liberal. There may be a lot more conservatives in the profession than I know about but if they exist, they are for the most part quiet and under cover. My experience is that the library profession is not just overwhelmingly … Continue reading The Conservatives Among Us


Libraries Host September Project Programming

September 10, 2010

Libraries around the country and the world are hosting events this month as part of the September Project, a grassroots effort to encourage library programming about freedom during the month of September. The September Project was founded in 2004 by Sarah Washburn, library program manager at TechSoup, and David Silver, associate professor of media studies … Continue reading Libraries Host September Project Programming



ALA Is Not Selling Trade Show to Reed

September 7, 2010

Despite articles in Publishers Weekly and Library Journal suggesting otherwise, the American Library Association has no plans to sell its Annual Conference and Midwinter Meeting trade shows to Reed Exhibitions and merge the Annual Conference with BookExpo America. ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels said today that he had received an inquiry from Jim Milliot … Continue reading ALA Is Not Selling Trade Show to Reed


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New from ALA: September 2010

August 30, 2010

Intellectual freedom is one of our bedrock values, and as the intellectual freedom issues and challenges libraries face are always evolving, so must the profession’s response. The eighth edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual offers, among other updated material, three “new Interpretations” of the Library Bill of Rights; 10 revised Interpretations; resolutions on the retention … Continue reading New from ALA: September 2010


Leonard Kniffel

The Competition Intensifies

August 30, 2010

Have you noticed that we seem to have entered an era of heightened competitiveness? Lots of wagon-circling and turf-protecting. Libraryland as one big happy family aside, shrinking funds are bringing out the tiger in us. For example, the decades-long competition between OCLC and rival library vendors came to a head July 28, when for-profit SkyRiver … Continue reading The Competition Intensifies


ALA Award winners 2010

Dynamic Doers

August 27, 2010

Welcome to a showcase of the dynamic doers—a snapshot of those who have dedicated themselves to the profession, who have gone above and beyond, and whose contributions have been so significant and so varied. These individuals and institutions have been recognized by their colleagues and friends for jobs well done. From Joseph W. Lippincott recipient Thomas C. … Continue reading Dynamic Doers


LC Unlocks Doors for Creators, Consumers with DMCA Exceptions

August 16, 2010

Mashup artists, smartphone users, academics, and people who are visually impaired are all winners, thanks to the latest exceptions made by the Librarian of Congress to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Since its enactment in 1998, the impact of the DMCA on fair use of digitized materials has been subject to review every three years … Continue reading LC Unlocks Doors for Creators, Consumers with DMCA Exceptions



Son of Musical Icon, Food Justice Activist Headline BCALA Author Luncheon

August 11, 2010

"Visions of Hope: Lunch with Two Extraordinary Men" was the title of the author luncheon featuring Ray Charles Robinson Jr. and Bryant Terry August 7 during during the Black Caucus of the American Library Association's seventh National Conference of African American Librarians in Birmingham, Alabama. "The work of librarians is vital for our youth," Robinson, … Continue reading Son of Musical Icon, Food Justice Activist Headline BCALA Author Luncheon


Kim Wayans/Kevin Knotts Writing Team Brings Laughter to Authors Luncheon

August 7, 2010

Kim Wayans, joined by her husband Kevin Knotts, shared a bit of her life growing up in a family of comedians at the August 6 author luncheon during the Black Caucus of the American Library Association's seventh National Conference of African American Librarians in Birmingham, Alabama, "Culture Keepers VII: Bridging the Divide with Information, Access, … Continue reading Kim Wayans/Kevin Knotts Writing Team Brings Laughter to Authors Luncheon