meeting rooms Archives | American Libraries Magazine

Graphic: Letters of the Law with Tomas A. Lipinski

Is My Library Liable for Fake News?

By Tomas A. Lipinski | December 13, 2019

Our online column Letters of the Law explores a wide range of legal issues that arise in libraries, with the help of a pair of leading authorities: Mary Minow, a librarian who became a lawyer, and Tomas A. Lipinski, a lawyer who became a librarian. Together they have authored four books on the subject, including … Continue reading Is My Library Liable for Fake News? →

2018 Year in Review

By the editors of American Libraries | January 2, 2019

Michelle Obama at Annual At the Annual Conference of the American Library Association (ALA) in New Orleans, former First Lady Michelle Obama and Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden conversed before an overflow crowd of 8,000. Obama spoke about her family, her career, and writing her memoir—and about getting her first library card at age 4. … Continue reading 2018 Year in Review →

When Values Collide

By Meredith Farkas | November 1, 2018

Another core value is intellectual freedom, and we have a long and proud history of supporting it in the face of censorship. Because we attempt to represent a diversity of perspectives in our collections, displays, and programming, most libraries contain material that some patrons might find offensive. But what if a perspective repudiates the dignity … Continue reading When Values Collide →

ALA Council Rescinds “Meeting Rooms: An Interpretation of The Library Bill of Rights”

August 16, 2018

The motion to rescind the 2018 version was approved. Ninety of the 179 councilors were required to vote. Seventy-five percent of those voting were needed to approve the measure. A total of 146 voted on this question, representing 82% of eligible voters. The final tally: 140 voted to rescind, four voted not to rescind, and … Continue reading ALA Council Rescinds “Meeting Rooms: An Interpretation of The Library Bill of Rights” →

OIF Responds to Library Bill of Rights Meeting Room Amendment

July 10, 2018

“Recent updates to Meeting Rooms: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights does not establish any new right to conduct hate speech in libraries. ALA does not endorse hate groups and does not seek to normalize hate speech,” said LaRue. “The interpretation reflects the current legal climate libraries face when providing the public with … Continue reading OIF Responds to Library Bill of Rights Meeting Room Amendment →

Council III: Memorials, Tributes, Resolutions

By Amy Carlton | June 26, 2018

Memorials were read for Herbert Biblo (M#7), Heather Lanier (M#8), John Byrum (M#9), Mary Lynette Larsgaard (M#10), Bernard (Bernie) A. Margolis (M#11), deg farrelly (M#12), Krista McKenzie (M#13), and Stephanie Squicciarini (M#14). Tributes were offered to honor the 50th ALA anniversary of Lois Ann Gregory-Wood (T#4), to mark the retirement of Pat May (T#5), and … Continue reading Council III: Memorials, Tributes, Resolutions →

Latest Library Links

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Sean Gallagher writes: “Here’s a clue for would-be internet financial scammers: Do not target librarians. They will catch on fast, and you will have wasted your time. On February 18, the outgoing chair of the YALSA Alex Awards Committee (and my wife) Paula Gallagher got a very odd email that purported to be from a colleague within her library system who is a member of YALSA’s board. The email asked, ‘Are you available to complete an assignment on behalf of the Board, And get reimbursed? Kindly advise.’ The ‘assignment’ turned out to be a textbook payment scam.”
Ars Technica, Feb. 19
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Every child on earth faces an uncertain future due to the effects of climate change and not one country is doing enough to ensure its children’s sustained well-being, a new report says. The findings, compiled by over 40 child and adolescent health experts in a commission convened by the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the medical journal The Lancet, show that the health and future for every child and teen in the world is under threat. Climate change, ecological degradation, and advertising practices that push harmful products toward youth are just some factors that have created an uncertain future for children.
Time, Feb. 19
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On the afternoon of February 18, a 52-year-old female security guard was sitting at her post on the third floor of the Finkelstein Memorial Library in Spring Valley, New York, when a man started stabbing Sandra Wilson repeatedly with a knife after she asked him to turn his music down. Two library patrons ran to help the woman and were able to pry the attacker off of the victim and hold him down until police were able to arrive while others tried to give the security guard CPR. The guard was pronounced dead at the hospital. Blanchard Glaudin, a 25-year-old Spring Valley resident, was taken into custody.
ABC News, Feb. 19
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Two 13-year-old boys have been arrested in connection with a deadly fire at the Porterville (Calif.) City Library that left one firefighter dead and another unaccounted for. Porterville Police Chief Eric Kroutil said the fire was reported about 4:15 p.m. on February 18. The teens were seen running from the library shortly after the fire erupted, authorities said. Fire Capt. Raymond Figueroa, 35, was killed, and firefighter Patrick Jones, 25, has not been seen since battling the blaze. The boys were booked into the Tulare County Juvenile Detention Facility on suspicion of arson, manslaughter, and conspiracy.
Los Angeles Times, Feb. 19
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Briana Shemroske writes: “The tumultuously corrupt politics and policies, past and present, of Chicago (and Illinois) are no secret, and with both back in the spotlight—and the ALA Annual Conference coming up in June—now is a crucial time to examine the region ALA calls home. For illuminating portraits of our city, state, and of course, that notorious Senate seat scandal, check out these 10 books.”
The Booklist Reader, Feb. 19
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ALSC and the Association of Children’s Museums are accepting applications to participate in the Welcoming Spaces National Forum on June 25 in Chicago as part of a National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The purpose of this project is to develop and share a set of best practices in serving immigrants and refugees in libraries and children’s museums. Applications will be accepted until February 28.
ALSC, Feb. 19
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ALA has been awarded two $15,000 technology improvement grants by the National Network of Libraries of Medicine–Southeastern/Atlantic Region to provide computers and other technology to enhance access to health resources in libraries in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands that are recovering from Hurricane Maria of 2017. Through the grants ALA will also organize training for librarians on MedlinePlus, Health Reach, and PubMed from the National Library of Medicine. Donate to ALA’s Disaster Relief Fund.
ALA Chapter Relations Ofice, Feb. 18

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