Maine Library Association

As many of you know there was a recent article in the New York Times on the Library Systems & Services take over of the Santa Clarita, CA public library and the privatization of Public Libraries in general. Below is a link to the article (in case you missed it) and a copy of the response by Roberta Stevens the president of ALA
“Anger as a Private Company Takes Over Libraries” NYT September 26, 2010  http://is.gd/fAlwn

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Dear Editor,

The American Library Association opposes shifting policy making and management oversight of library services from the public to the private sector, not because of its impact on job security, as implied in the article entitled “Anger as a Private Company Takes Over Libraries,” but rather because communities may lose access to trained information professionals – librarians.

I take issue with the statements made by L.S.S.I. CEO Frank Pezzanite. Implying that library staffs are just waiting around to cash in on retirement, when in fact there are thousands of librarians serving 1.5 billion visitors annually with dedication, assumes that people will fall for the “demonization” of the public sector.

Libraries and their employees, who are often paid salaries far below the demands placed on them and the education required for their positions, serve as a lifeline for millions of Americans. From free access to books and online resources to library business centers that help support entrepreneurship and retraining, libraries with top-notch staff are needed now more than ever in our increasingly competitive global economy.

Publicly funded libraries should remain directly accountable to the publics they serve.

Roberta Stevens
President, American Library Association

Just got this from the ALA Office for Research & Statistic.
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Good morning. The ALA Office for Research & Statistics is pleased to announce new resources for using data from the Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study, new ways to connect with the data and is encouraging public libraries to help us continue telling the public library technology story by participating in the 2010-2011 survey.

1) Data in Action. According to a survey of state library agencies, obtaining media placements and creating templates and tools for communicating findings at the state and local level are two of the best ways the study team can leverage the study and the information provided by public and state libraries. The new Data in Action section on the study website is the beginning of an effort to share tools and examples of how study data is being used to inform and educate stakeholders about the value of libraries and issues related to sustaining public library technology services.

As always, the study provides state-level summary data that can be used for statewide advocacy efforts, and the Center for Library & Information Innovation (which manages the public library survey for the ALA) has created new one-page flyers highlighting data by state showing how libraries support employment and e-government. If you don’t see your state listed, it means that we didn’t receive enough survey responses last year to do state-level analysis (see below).

2) Libraries Connect Communities blog. In addition to the new Data in Action Web pages, we’ve launched a new blog that features updates on new tools that provide state and local libraries with data they can easily use for advocacy and media relations; greater detail on study data points in the news; effective practices gleaned from study focus groups, site visits and interviews; frequently asked questions and more. We also hope to integrate study data within wider conversations around library technology and funding. We invite readers to comment, question, challenge, confirm or simply share successes and obstacles.

3) 2010-11 public library survey. Thanks to libraries of all sizes, we are able to produce an annual report (using several data elements that stretch back to 1994) describing the technology and funding landscape for our public libraries. We can’t do it without you – but we can (and did!) make it easier to respond. If you participated in the survey last year, you can now import that data if it hasn’t changed. If you have more than branch, you can now select “same for all branches” where that’s the case instead of inputting new data each time… States that begin with O (Oregon and Ohio) currently have the highest percentage of responding libraries at 14% (Oklahoma, New Mexico and Colorado also are in double digits). Thanks!

Do you have an example of how you’ve used the study data… or something you’d like us to share on the blog… or a request for how we can put the data to use for your libraries? If so, send an email to Larra Clark (lclark@ala.org) or Caroline Jewell (cjewell@ala.org), and we’ll see what we can do!

Thanks, as always, for helping us get the word out among your members about the study.

Warm regards, Larra

Want to go to the ALA Annual Meeting in New Orleans next year but can’t afford it? Well this may be an opportunity for you.

From the ALA Chapter Relations List Thu, September 2, 2010 4:47:25 PM

Are you looking for funds to help pay for your trip to ALA Annual 2011 in New Orleans?
Apply by Tuesday, December 14, 2010 for the NMRT Shirley Olofson Memorial Award and you may receive a $1000 check to help defray the cost of attendance!

Applicants must:
1. Be a member of ALA and NMRT
2. Be active in the library profession
3. Show promise for activity in the area of professional development
4. Have valid financial need
5. Have attended no more than five ALA annual conferences

To apply, please visit:
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/rts/nmrt/oversightgroups/comm/awolofson/Shirley_Olofson_Award.cfm