In some communities, we see that testing pressures and budget decisions have led to the elimination of school libraries and school librarians. In some districts, we see that school libraries are seen as a “frill”—nice to have but not essential to student learning. Yet school libraries and school librarians are among the most effective and efficient … Continue reading Support School Libraries!
Library bond issues were successful statewide in the 2014 New Mexico general election on November 4. State General Obligation Bond B, providing $10.8 million for public, academic, public school, and tribal libraries passed by an unofficial margin of 115,211 votes. With 280,177 yes votes and 164,966 no votes, Bond B won with 62.9% in favor, … Continue reading New Mexico Supports Bond B and other Library Bonds
UPDATE: The results are in; read how these ballot initiatives fared here. In the midst of the numerous congressional seats, gubernatorial spots, and ballot measures that will be decided this Election Day 2014, today’s vote will also be pivotal to the future of some local library systems. Here is a snapshot of … Continue reading Election Day: 6 Referenda to Watch
Advocacy and lobbying in the nation’s capital on behalf of libraries and the library profession was the focus of “Washington Update–2014 Congressional Election and Its Impact on Libraries,” an event held Saturday morning at ALA’s 2014 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Las Vegas. Strides in the right direction are being made, but the work is … Continue reading Our Work in Washington
3D printers may be the coolest new tech for libraries, but the complicated relationship between interactive content and libraries means that ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) and Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP) need to set policy. In “3D Printers and Library Policies,” presented by United for Libraries on June 28, Barbara Jones, Corinne … Continue reading 3D Printing and Libraries
Back in January of this year, the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection published a report about how the state’s public libraries could gain fairer access to ebooks. Among that report’s conclusions: “The most forward-thinking and sustainable option the legislature could pursue to increase ebook availability at public libraries is to make a significant statewide investment in … Continue reading Connecticut to Build a Statewide Ebook Delivery Platform
On May 5–6, more than 420 librarians, patrons, teens, and parents gathered in Washington, D.C., to discuss library issues with members of Congress during the American Library Association’s (ALA) National Library Legislative Day (NLLD). This marked the 40th anniversary of the event, organized by ALA’s Washington Office. ALA President Barbara Stripling, along with ALA division president Starr LaTronica (Association for Library … Continue reading Standing for Libraries at National Library Legislative Day
Progress has been made in closing the digital divide between computer-based tools and infrastructure, but an equally debilitating digital divide in internet literacy affects the American public, according to “Responding to the Second Wave of the Digital Divide,” a briefing of local government, public-policy, and library experts held May 6 at the National Press Club … Continue reading Responding to the Second Wave of the Digital Divide
The Iowa Association of School Librarians (IASL) righted a legislative wrong this session by persuading state lawmakers to reverse a provision in a 2013 law that increased the per-pupil funding formula for school districts that shared a single librarian rather than employing their own. Enacted in 2013, HF 472 provided a financial incentive for sharing … Continue reading Iowa Restores School Librarians’ Value
Today, President Barack Obama released his budget request for the 2015 fiscal year. The proposed budget for the Library Services and Technology Act falls $2 million short from the $180.9 million enacted by the U.S. Congress for the 2014 fiscal year. The big hit came to the state program, with slight increases to the set … Continue reading ALA Examines President Obama’s FY2015 Budget
During the ALA Washington Office Update on Saturday morning, Patrice McDermott, executive director of Open the Government, introduced Spencer Ackerman, national security editor for the Guardian US, who discussed details of how the newspaper acquired information and documents from whistleblower Edward Snowden and came to the decision to publish them. Before Ackerman took the podium, McDermott shared her … Continue reading Putting NSA Under the Microscope
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), with open enrollment for health insurance running from October 1, 2013, through March 14, 2014, may turn out to be as busy as April tax time for libraries. And as with taxes, those manning the reference desk are not expected to be experts or to help people complete the paperwork, … Continue reading Studying Up on Health Care Literacy
