Inside ALA Archives | Page 47 of 48 | American Libraries Magazine

Marlo Thomas Steps in to Replace Duchess at ALA Annual Conference

June 16, 2010

Less than 24 hours after Sarah, Duchess of York canceled her appearance at the forthcoming ALA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., revered actress, author, and children's advocate Marlo Thomas has stepped in to fill her Sunday morning slot. Often remembered for her 1960s television series That Girl, Thomas is more recently known for her work … Continue reading Marlo Thomas Steps in to Replace Duchess at ALA Annual Conference →

Duchess of York Cancels

June 15, 2010

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, today canceled her scheduled June 27 appearance at the American Library Association's Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. Although her publicists gave no immediate reason for the cancellation, they told ALA that a statement was forthcoming. Ferguson was recently caught on videotape in the compromising position of trying to sell access … Continue reading Duchess of York Cancels →

Website Now Offers One-Stop Shopping for ALA Online Learning Opportunities

May 18, 2010

ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels today announced the official launch of ALA Online Learning, a new section of the ALA website showcasing all web-based professional development opportunities across the Association. "This new section will allow website visitors to easily find all ALA online training in one place for the first time ever," Fiels said. … Continue reading Website Now Offers One-Stop Shopping for ALA Online Learning Opportunities →

Planning and Budgeting

ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels | May 12, 2010

At the ALA Executive Board’s spring meeting, held April 23-25 at the Association’s headquarters in Chicago, the board spent a significant amount of time discussing the draft ALA 2015 Strategic Plan (PDF file) and the latest revisions made to the plan based on comments provided by over 750 ALA members. The ALA Council agenda includes discussion … Continue reading Planning and Budgeting →

ALA Treasurer Sees Challenges Ahead

May 3, 2010

ALA Treasurer Rod Hersberger, whose term ends after this year's Annual Conference in June, delivered a report today on the American Library Association's financial picture. His assessment is scheduled for publication in the June-July issue of American Libraries, but here's a preview: "Over the last three years, I have tried to share information with ALA … Continue reading ALA Treasurer Sees Challenges Ahead →

Raphael, Neal Elected ALA President, Treasurer

April 30, 2010

Election results just announced: Molly Raphael has been elected 2011-2012 president of the American Library Association, and James Neal was elected ALA treasurer for the 2010-2013 term. Raphael is the former director of Multnomah County Library in Oregon, and Neal is university librarian at Columbia University in New York City. Raphael received 5,857 votes for … Continue reading Raphael, Neal Elected ALA President, Treasurer →

Drupal: The Change We Need

April 28, 2010

"The change we need," according to Tim O'Reilly, keynote speaker on day two of DrupalCon San Francisco, "is DIY on a civic scale. " We've come to rely on what O'Reilly called "vending machine government," where we put tax dollars in and expect services out, but real progress in civic organizations during tough economic times … Continue reading Drupal: The Change We Need →

New from ALA: May 2010

By Mary Ellen Quinn | April 19, 2010

In the latest book on a persistent challenge, Michael Sullivan offers readers’ advisory as a strategy to bring boys to the library and get them to read. Serving Boys Through Readers’ Advisory explains “boys’ lit” and outlines how to use readers’ advisory effectively. Librarians will appreciate the many boy-friendly booktalks and book lists. Indexed. 152p.PBK. … Continue reading New from ALA: May 2010 →

$1-Million Shortfall Results in Another Round of ALA Staff Furloughs

April 7, 2010

ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels summed up the state of Association finances at a general staff meeting in the Chicago headquarters the morning of April 7. “Overall revenues for 2010 are now projected to be 4% less, or just over $2 million,” Fiels said, “than ALA had projected a year ago” (on a total … Continue reading $1-Million Shortfall Results in Another Round of ALA Staff Furloughs →

Author Sarah Vowell Closes Public Librarians Conference in Portland

March 27, 2010

"Education is telling the truth to students," said author and contributing editor to National Public Radio's This American Life Sarah Vowell at the closing of the Public Library Association conference in Portland today. "You have the goods," she added. "You have the places where that person can find that truth." Vowell was responding to a … Continue reading Author Sarah Vowell Closes Public Librarians Conference in Portland →

Libraries, Hospitals Join Forces to Promote Wellness

By Ellyn Ruhlmann | March 22, 2010

Waiting is never easy for a child. For a child in a hospital, though, it’s really a tough go. The looming surgery, the unfamiliar setting, even just the break in routine all pile on anxiety and make minutes seem like hours. Now many libraries are partnering with hospitals to help ease that anxiety as well … Continue reading Libraries, Hospitals Join Forces to Promote Wellness →

Canadian Library Serves Community as Olympics Host

By Shelley Civkin | March 22, 2010

The 2010 Olympic Winter Games are over and the Richmond O Zone celebration site here in British Columbia is being dismantled, but Richmond Public Library (RPL) staff are still reflecting on what it means to host the world. But let me shatter all your illusions right up front: We started out being a library, thinking … Continue reading Canadian Library Serves Community as Olympics Host →

Latest Library Links

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“A new Taylor Swift album is always a big event on the internet, including fans carefully reading into every line for hidden meaning—a little like close reading poetry. But while Swifties have celebrated Taylor Swift’s lyricism from the beginning, no album invites comparisons to literature quite like The Tortured Poets Department, if just for the title. Already, outlets have been putting together reading lists to pair with each song on the album. Here are just a few to get you started.”

Book Riot, Apr. 22
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Chris Hoffman writes: “When I was younger, I was told ‘never use your real name on the internet.’ But the world has changed, and I don’t follow that advice anymore. Likewise, there’s a lot of well-meaning online security advice that has outlasted its usefulness. There’s a core of truth to each one of the security practices I criticize below, but you shouldn’t blindly follow these old tips. At best, you’ll be wasting your time. At worst, you’ll be putting yourself more at risk. Read on to learn more about the five outdated security practices you shouldn’t use anymore.”

PC World, Apr. 17
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Bobbi L. Newman writes: “This week, an article from the BBC caught my attention: ‘Without support, many menopausal workers are quitting their jobs.’ Supporting employees going through menopause is important for those experiencing it and for everyone’s wellbeing. It reflects a commitment to employee wellbeing and a strategic approach to workforce management. Libraries can adopt strategies to support employees experiencing menopause, enhancing their wellbeing and workplace productivity. Remember, with all wellbeing, the goal is to support and empower staff to make the choices that best improve their health. Here are some practical approaches.”

Librarian by Day, Apr. 19; BBC, Apr. 9
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Libraries have a long history of helping to deliver on a wide variety of development goals, from literacy and school readiness to research productivity and urban cohesion. Their unique potential has been recognized not just by the governments or others that traditionally fund them, but also by a range of other funders, private and public alike. The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions has created a dataset to help librarians easily discover examples of private philanthropic grants, as well as other funding sources, that other libraries have been able to leverage.”

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, Apr. 22
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Jackie Jennings writes: “It feels like the debate over whether #BookTok is bad has been raging since the moment the term was first coined. I’m starting off with a strong stance: BookTok is indeed bad. However, the problem with BookTok is not crappy books or bogus influencers. The problem with BookTok is TikTok itself. BookTok isn’t actually a community driven by fans, writers, influencers, or even publishers: it’s part of a social media corporation, controlled by the most mysterious, fickle god of all, the algorithm.” Not surprisingly, librarian recommendations can overcome some of BookTok’s limitations.

Jezebel, Apr. 18; Book Riot, Apr. 22
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ALA announced the launch of its state Intellectual Freedom Helpline grant program April 22. Over the next two years, 10 pilot program sites will operate a confidential reporting system that will help connect those experiencing censorship attempts with professional support, in-state peers, or referral to ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, as appropriate. State or school library associations or agencies wishing to either establish an Intellectual Freedom Helpline in their state or expand existing efforts may apply for $10,000 grants through July 14.

ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom, Apr. 22
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In celebration of the release of his latest nonfiction title, The Secret Lives of Booksellers & Librarians, bestselling author James Patterson is honoring select American Bookseller Association and American Library Association members with bonuses. He announced plans April 11 to give $200 each to 250 library workers across the country. The deadline for ALA members may nominate members to receive bonuses through April 30. Winners will be announced at ALA’s 2024 Annual Conference in San Diego.

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