Library Snapshot Day is an event that provides library staff a simple means to show the value of the library by capturing what happens in a single day in all types of libraries, across a state, community, or even in a single library. Learn how to implement this event, as well as how to maximize photos, statistics and stories to make the case to decision-makers.

Founder of the initiative, Peggy Cadigan, Associate State Librarian for Innovation & Communication, New Jersey State Library and Robert E. Banks, Deputy Director, Topeka & Shawnee County (KS) Library will present the session. The webinar is co-sponsored by the ALA Chapter Relations Office, Office of Government Relations and the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA).

Registration is mandatory.  Visit https://ala.ilinc.com/register/mypwxwt to sign up today.

Jaclyn Finneke, Communications Specialist

Office for Library Advocacy

“While governments are facing financial challenges, addressing deficits should not serve as an opportunity to strip away the hard-won right of workers to collectively bargain,” said Stevens.

“As library visits continue to soar, with job seekers and families turning to our libraries to gain new skills and free access to education resources, the value of library service and staff should be recognized and protected.

“The ALA supports library employees in seeking equitable compensation and recognizes the principle of collective bargaining as an important element of successful labor-management relations. We affirm the right of employees to organize and bargain collectively with their employers, without fear of reprisal. These are basic workers’ rights that we defend for thousands of academic, public and school library professionals.”

The American Library Association is the voice of America’s libraries and the millions of people who depend on them. With more than 63,000 members, the ALA is the oldest and largest library association in the world and represents all types of libraries and librarians.

Roberta Stevens

President, American Library Association

________________________________________

Good work, everybody!  Because of ALA’s unprecedented grassroots efforts this week on amendment #35 to H.R. 1 (the Continuing Resolution to the FY2011 budget) was defeated!  This victory for libraries is undoubtedly due to the strong grassroots efforts of librarians and library supporters all across the country.

As you recall, late Monday evening U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ-5) introduced an amendment that would eliminate all funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) including funding for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), the primary source of federal dollars to libraries.

Today, as the U.S. House of Representatives wraps up floor debate on HR 1, Rep. Garrett has made it clear to us that he is no longer “pushing” for a vote on his amendment.  Once the House passes H.R. 1, – likely today or tomorrow – the budget will be sent over to the Senate where they will have the opportunity to make amendments and vote on this year’s budget bill.

Even though we overcame this amendment, our work is not done.  H.R. 1 still has to be approved by the Senate and signed by the President.  Please tell your friends, library users and advocates that their voices will be needed on library issues in the weeks and months to come.

Also, libraries face cuts in President Obama’s FY2012 budget request sent to Congress on February 14.  In his request, President Obama cuts funding to LSTA by $20 million as well as consolidates Improving Literacy Through School Libraries with other literacy programs in the Department of Education.  ALA needs you to continue your calls to Congress in our fight to protect library funding in FY’12.

This is only the beginning; libraries will continue to be threatened in the next Congress.  Now, more than ever, we need your participation on May 9-10, 2011 at ALA’s National Library Legislative Day in Washington D.C. where you will have the opportunity to meet with your members of Congress and explain to them why cutting library funding would be short-sighted.  To register for NLLD, please go to www.ala.org/nlld.

Kristin Murphy
Government Relations Specialist
American Library Association – Washington Office
1615 New Hampshire Ave. NW, First Floor
Washington, D.C., 20009-2520
Phone Number: 202.628.8410
kmurphy@alawash.org

“…let-them-eat-cake-attitude that threatens to destroy a network of public assets” – Scott Turow

CHICAGO -   In the wake of deep library budget cuts taking place in communities across the country, Scott Turow, author of “Presumed Innocent” and its sequel, “Innocent,” and president of the Authors Guild, expressed his views regarding the value of our nation’s libraries in an opinion piece posted today in the Huffington Post.

Though the efforts of Turow, and the work of the American Library Association’s (ALA) Public Information Office, more than 25 million Huffington Post visitors will have access to Turow’s eloquent comments on the value of our nation’s libraries.

“While our economy seems to be slowly staggering back to its feet, state and municipal governments remain hard-hit as the result of lost tax revenues, lost stimulus money and pension fund payments that have grown to monstrous size to make up for the market losses of 2007 and 2008,” stated Turow. “Those governments are cutting everywhere they can, and public libraries nationwide have been one of the biggest and least deserved losers in the process.”

Turow provided recent examples of budget cuts.  “For example, in California, Governor Brown’s new proposed budget decreases General Fund assistance for public libraries by $30.4 million, eliminating the California Library Services Act, Public Library Foundation and the California Library Literacy and English Acquisition Services — that is, access, resource sharing and adult literacy,” Turow said. “In Texas, the cuts are even more stark, with the new budget proposing complete elimination of several programs that have either provided direct aid to libraries or irreplaceable programs, like those that created shared databases. Even in my own community, a small city on the northern edge of Chicago where a major university sits, my neighbors and I have been struggling to save a small branch library that was pivotal to the education of many neighborhood kids.”

Turow closes the article with a very clear message of support. “I count myself as one of millions of Americans whose life simply would not be the same without the libraries that supported my learning. We cannot take that opportunity away from so many Americans who need that help urgently now.”

To read the complete opinion piece please visit http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-turow/letthemeatcakeattitude-th_b_823609.html.

Scott Turow is a participant in the American Library Association’s “Our Authors, Our Advocates” initiative.  Through “Our Authors, Our Advocates,” one of ALA President Roberta Stevens’ key presidential initiatives, best-selling authors have provided their support for libraries through media interviews, podcasts and public service announcements.

For more information regarding “Our Authors, Our Advocates” please visit ILoveLibraries.org.

_________________________________

American Library Association: President’s budget strips library funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. – American Library Association (ALA) President Roberta Stevens released the following statement today regarding President Obama’s 2012 budget request:

“The president’s budget proposal strips funding away from one of our greatest resources for lifelong learning – our libraries. Libraries are fundamental to meeting the reading and information needs of communities nationwide. During this difficult recession, they rose to the challenge of helping Americans get back to work through vital assistance with online job searches and applications as well as resume development. In addition, many libraries hold classes to teach the critical 21st century digital literacy skills that are essential to thriving in today’s global economy.

We believe President Obama’s request to cut funding to library services is short-sighted, when libraries are being used by millions of people every day. When we invest in them, we invest in the future of our country. We ask Congress to restore the support for America’s libraries.”

The president’s budget requested $194 million for assistance to libraries to be administered by the Institute of Museum and Libraries Services (IMLS). This request is approximately $20 million below the current funding level.

Like last year, the president chose to consolidate the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program with several other literacy programs.

http://www.emergingissues.ala.org/wikileaks/

RESOLUTION ON WIKILEAKS AND THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

WHEREAS,    On December 3, 2010, the Library of Congress blocked access to the WikiLeaks site across its computer systems, including those for use by patrons in the reading rooms;

WHEREAS,    The Library of Congress explained its actions by stating that “applicable law obligates federal agencies to protect classified information” and that “unauthorized disclosures of classified documents do not alter the documents’ classified status or automatically result in declassification”;

WHEREAS,    These justifications by the Library of Congress imply an endorsement of sanctions against federal employees who access WikiLeaks documents;

WHEREAS,    On matters of vital public concern, citizens’ fullest knowledge and discussion are in the interest of democracy, freedom, peace, rule of law, and good governance here and around the world;

WHEREAS,    Blocking access to published information is censorship, and supporting sanctions against reading is endorsing abridgment of intellectual freedom;

WHEREAS,    The open publication of documents by WikiLeaks and other agencies of the free press renders the government classification status of these documents irrelevant; and

WHEREAS,    The blocking of WikiLeaks by the Library of Congress is a violation of American librarianship’s historic commitments to the public’s right to know, to freedom of the press, and to the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, and fundamentally contradicts the principles of intellectual freedom as embodied in the Library Bill of Rights; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the American Library Association (ALA)

1.            Condemns in the strongest possible terms the blocking of WikiLeaks by the Library of Congress and rejects on all grounds the Library of Congress’s arguments in defense of this move; and

2.            Strongly urges the Library of Congress to restore online access to WikiLeaks for its employees and the general public without delay.

WASHINGTON – The American Library Association (ALA), the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), and EDUCAUSE say U.S. Reps. Doris Matsui (CA-5), Edward Markey (MA-7) and Anna Eshoo (CA-14) are championing the concerns of anchor institutions by calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure its upcoming order on network (net) neutrality applies to them.

Higher education and libraries are at the forefront of developing new and innovative research applications and educational content over the Internet. The members’ letter sent to the FCC today requests that any net neutrality safeguards ensure that the Internet remains open for such content and essential services to the public.

“During your proceedings, we want to ensure that America’s community anchor institutions – the schools, libraries, community colleges, and other higher education institutions – are not left out of the proposed safeguards,” the members’ letter to the FCC commissioners states.

The members assert that “Community anchor institutions should be included in the definition of broadband Internet access service and in the non-discrimination protections. Leaving these critical institutions out of the proposal will create a gaping hole in the FCC’s net neutrality safeguards.”

Earlier this week, the ALA, the ARL, and EDUCAUSE sent their own letter to the FCC, requesting the same safeguards as well as other changes necessary to make certain the net neutrality order applies to non-profits, such as libraries and education entities, who create and provide access to Internet content.

Applications available for ALA President’s Award for Advocacy, sponsored by ALTAFF

PHILADELPHIA – Applications are now available for the American Library Association (ALA) President’s Award for Advocacy, sponsored by the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF), a division of ALA. Applications are due March 15, 2011.

This award honors and recognizes statewide advocacy for libraries with a $1,000 grant for the development of a program or programs for Friends and Trustees at the state library association conference. The winner will receive honorable mention by the ALA president at the Opening General Session of the 2011 ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans.

The winning campaign will have been successfully implemented during 2009 or 2010 and will have engaged citizens and librarians from across the state to make the case for state library funding.

In 2009, the first ALA President’s Award for Advocacy, sponsored by ALTAFF, went to the Florida Library Association for its quick response to a proposal to eliminate all state aid to libraries, as well as its ongoing public awareness campaign.

For more information and application visit http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/altaff/grants_awards/advocacy/index.cfm

or contact: Jillian Kalonick at ALTAFF

Clarification Within Job Listings as to the Presence or Absence of Domestic Partner Benefits

Whereas, The recruitment and retention of qualified librarians is of paramount importance to all libraries that publish job announcements;

Whereas, Individuals of any sexual orientation can enter into domestic partnerships, it is in the interest not only of individual applicants but also of the library profession as a whole for applicants to understand whether these benefits are available;

Whereas, Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals are an integral part of the library community;

Whereas, The American Library Association supports equal employment opportunity for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender librarians and library workers. (Policy 54.16)

Whereas, Discrimination against any minority group in the American Library Association is contrary to the Association’s mission;

Whereas, Libraries will enhance their recruitment and retention by offering equal compensation packages, and,

Whereas, Explicit clarity in job advertisements about the provision or non-provision of domestic partner benefits will avoid confusion, maximize efficiency in the application process for both applicants and employers; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, that the American Library Association (ALA)

(1) Requires that potential employers specify explicitly in their job announcements in ALA publications or websites whether or not they provide domestic partner benefits by means of appending one of the following two phrases: “Domestic-partner benefits are not offered by this institution” or “Domestic-partner benefits are offered by this institution.”

(2) Urges other publishers and providers to require potential employers to specify explicitly in their job announcements whether or not they provide domestic partner benefits by means of appending one of the following two phrases: “Domestic-partner benefits are not offered by this institution” or “Domestic-partner benefits are offered by this institution.”

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF DISCLOSING LABOR DISPUTES AT HOTELS CONTRACTED BY THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

WHEREAS,  In 2009, approximately 24.9% of librarians were union members, approximately 23.7% of library technicians were union members, and approximately 19% of other education, training, and library workers were union members (Bureau of National Affairs, op. cit., Table 8a);

WHEREAS,  The American Library Association (ALA), in principal, recognizes the right of library employees to organize and bargain collectively with their employers (ALA Policy 54.11, “Collective Bargaining”);

WHEREAS,  The ALA’s essential set of core values for its librarian members include working for “The Public Good” and “Social Responsibility” (ALA Policy 40.1, “Core Values of Librarianship”);

WHEREAS,   There is considerable public good and social responsibility in the fair treatment of workers and their families.

WHEREAS, Workers at union establishments, including union hotels, are far more likely than their non-union counterparts to be paid a living wage, to receive employer-paid family medical benefits, and to enjoy freedom from work-related illness and injuries (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor, Union Members Summary, 2009; National Compensation Survey: Employee Benefits in the United States, March 2009, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 2009. Bulletin 2731);

WHEREAS,  The sites of labor disputes and picket lines are likely to be disruptive for many ALA members, which could prevent those members from participating in conventions and exhibitions, major meetings, and other organizational activities;

WHEREAS,  The First Amendment protects the right of an association and its members to support a union’s request for a boycott;

WHEREAS, Many library employees believe very strongly in the right of workers to organize, picket, and strike and consequently need advance notice of labor disputes so that they do not plan to attend ALA events at a hotel that is on a “Do Not Patronize” list; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED,  That the ALA, to the extent known, will inform attendees of conferences and exhibitions if a hotel is on the “Do Not Patronize” list of the local labor body during an ALA event, or is the object of a boycott because of the unfair labor practices of the hotel.

A brief preface. These are rough drafts of proposed resolutions that are being submitted for unofficial discussion on the Council list serv. I am cutting and pasting them as I have received them leaving out only the name of the author. They will undoubtedly go through many revisions, drafts, debates and in some cases rejections before they are even seen by the ALA Council in San Diego.

To start things off:

Resolution on the Removal and Censorship of Artwork from the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery

Whereas, some elected federal officials pressured the Smithsonian Institution to remove artwork from the National Portrait Gallery in an act of censorship relating to themes of sexual orientation and religious viewpoint;

Whereas, some elected federal officials threatened to restrict funding of materials related to sexual orientation and religious viewpoint within their publicly funded institutes;

Whereas, “We celebrate and preserve our democratic society by making available the widest possible range of viewpoints, opinions and ideas” (Policy 53.9, “Libraries: An American Value”);

Whereas, “fair and equal representation of all the diverse expressions of life of the citizens of these United States is protected by the First Amendment and by state constitutions, and attempts to proscribe such representation in publicly funded libraries violates freedom of speech” (ALA “Resolution on Threats to Library Materials Related to Sex, Gender Identity, or Sexual Orientation”);

Whereas, “materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval” (Policy 53.1, “Library Bill of Rights”);

Whereas, “The American Library Association stringently and unequivocally maintains that libraries and librarians have an obligation to resist efforts that systematically exclude materials dealing with any subject matter, including sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation” (Policy 53.1.15, ” Access to Library Resources and Services Regardless of Sex, Gender Identity, or Sexual Orientation”);

Whereas, “libraries should challenge censorship” and “cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgement of free expression and free access to ideas” (Policy 53.3-4, “Library Bill of Rights”); and

Whereas, the American Library Association recognizes that any abridgement to the freedom of speech in publicly funded galleries or museums also threatens libraries; now, therefore, be it

Resolved that the American Library Association (ALA)

1. commends the National Portrait Gallery for its inclusion of materials that reflect the diversity of our society, including those related to religious viewpoint, specifically as presented in the Hide/Seek Exhibition;

2. commends the National Portrait Gallery for its inclusion of materials that reflect the diversity of our society, including those related to sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation, specifically as presented in the Hide/Seek Exhibition; (ALA Resolution on Threats to Library Materials Related to Sex, Gender Identity, or Sexual Orientation);

3. condemns the censorship of the Hide/Seek Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery;

4. urges the Smithsonian Institution to immediately reinstate the video artwork by David Wojnarowicz to the Hide/Seek Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery;

5. urges the Smithsonian Institution to refuse to remove or censor other works of art from any exhibition or collection; and

6. urges the Smithsonian Institution to fight censorship of works of art or collections dealing with any subject matter, including sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or religious viewpoint in its national galleries, museums, archives and libraries.

The first issue highlights paper presentations from YALSA’s Young Adult Literature Symposium, held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Nov. 5-7 with a theme of Diversity, Literature and Teens: Beyond Good Intentions. The papers in the issue are:

· Cultural Inquiry: A Framework for Engaging Youth of Color in the Library, by Dr. Kafi Kumasi
· “Teens Today Don’t Read Books Anymore”: A Study of Differences in Interest and Comprehension Based on Reading Modalities: Part 1, Introduction and Methodology, by Jessica E. Moyer
· Pushing the Envelope: Exploring Sexuality in Teen Literature, by Eleanor Wood

The Journal of Research on Libraries and Young Adults disseminates research of interest to librarians, library workers and academics who focus on library service to young adults, ages 12 through 18. It will also serve as the official research publication of the association, publishing annotated lists of recent research from YALSA’s Research Committee, Henne Award–winning research, papers from YALSA’s biennial Young Adult Literature Symposium and papers presented at YALSA’s annual Past Presidents’ Lecture (held each January at ALA’s Midwinter Meeting).

Those interested in submitting a paper to JRLYA for future issues are encouraged to contact the editor at yalsaresearch@gmail.com. Author guidelines and more information can be found at http://yalsa.ala.org/jrlya. Individuals interested in serving on the journal’s advisory board, which facilitates the peer review process, should fill out a volunteer form at http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/joinus/committeevolunteer.cfm. Appointments to the 2010 – 2011 advisory board will be made in February and March by Sarah Flowers, YALSA’s President-Elect, and the group’s work begins in July. The group’s work is 100% virtual—attendance at ALA conferences is not required.

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Free Frontline Advocacy webinar to teach library staff how to promote the value of libraries everyday

CHICAGO – Learn how to empower all levels of library staff to become better advocates for their libraries and themselves by joining American Library Association (ALA) 2009-2010 President Camila Alire for a free “Frontline Advocacy” webinar from 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. CST on Friday, Oct. 29, 2010.

Presented by Dr. Alire, dean emeritus at the University of New Mexico and Colorado State University; Julie Todaro, dean of library services at Austin Community College in Austin; Patty Wong, librarian/chief archivist of the Yolo County Library in California; and Marci Merola, director, ALA Office for Library Advocacy, this webinar will focus on techniques frontline advocates can use to promote the diverse professionals, resources and services of public, school, academic and special libraries every day.

Attendees will learn about the importance of this new level of library advocacy and how it differs from legislative advocacy; best practices on how to get frontline staff empowered and engaged to integrate frontline advocacy into patron and constituent interactions; and receive teaching and training guides for presenting content on a local level.

This webinar is targeted to educate and train librarians, administrators/managers, library educators, library school students, trainers/staff development personnel and public servicing library support staff from all types of libraries.

Registration is mandatory. Visit https://ala.ilinc.com/register/mpmxxbv to sign up today.

Jaclyn Finneke, Communications Specialist
Office for Library Advocacy
American Library Association
50 E. Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611
312.280.2428; 800.545.2433, x2428
jfinneke@ala.org

______________________

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

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

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

These highlights are necessarily selective. They are also, of course, somewhat idiosyncratic. This is a huge conference with over 26,000 attendees of all sorts, and no single person can be everywhere. For more information on what transpired at the conference, go to www.ala.org. Electronic versions of Cognotes, the daily “newspaper” of the conference will be posted shortly (just search for Cognotes). The full minutes of the three Council Meetings (Council is the legislative body of ALA) will be posted within a few weeks.

With that said, here are some notes that might be of interest to our MLA members and other library lovers in Maine.

Congress is, as anyone who reads the newspapers knows, not in a very bipartisan mood these days. With anti-incumbent sentiment at supposedly an all time high and elections coming in November, the likelihood of pressing forward with library-related legislation is not extremely high. Nonetheless, ALA is doing its best to keep the interests of libraries in front of Congress. Council passed several resolutions to support the ALA legislative agenda during this conference. For a summary of the key issues that ALA is pursuing on behalf of libraries in this session of Congress, and particular steps you can take to support those efforts, go to http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/ogr/issuebriefs/2010_key.pdf.

One of the things Congress is likely to get to before fall elections is trying to protect the cyberinfrastucture of the country. “Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act of 2010” (S. 3480) would make the Department of Homeland Security responsible for protecting not only military and government information facilities but also civilian telecommunication networks if the President declares a national emergency. ALA’s Intellectual Freedom Committee and the ALA Washington Office feel that changes to the bill are needed to protect free speech and privacy rights. People in Maine may have a significant role to play in monitoring the progress of this legislation since Senator Collins is a key co-sponsor of the bill.

Continuing in the Intellectual Freedom vein, the Freedom to Read Foundation (you are a member, right? – 35 bucks a year, see www.ftrf.org) announced the availability in 2010 of local Banned Books Week Read-Out Grants. The idea is to have local events during Banned Books Week in which authors read from books which have been banned or challenged. Application details will be announced in July. There will be a quick turn-around so keep an eye peeled for application details. Whether your library gets a grant or not, be sure to plan some events at your library during Banned Books Week, to be held this year from September 25-October 2.

There were a huge number of vendors at the conference. Here are a few products or services that may be of particular interest to libraries in Maine.

Many Maine libraries have rich local history and genealogy collections, and not all of them are available electronically. The ResCarta Foundation would like to help change that situation. The Foundation has created a set of free, open source tools that libraries can use to create digital archives of their special collections of all types and make them available either locally or on the web. They even offer tech support! For more information or to download the free tool set, check www.rescarta.org.

Genealogy is a passion for many Mainers, and our libraries are great sources for information and help. Most of those interested in the subject know of www.familysearch.org as a rich source of genealogical information. But what not everyone knows is that the Family Search site depends heavily on 300,000 volunteers to input genealogy information from old records so that the information can be searched. This is an activity that may appeal to those who have some free time and interest in the subject. Check the web site to see how your patrons, friends groups, local senior centers, or other local folks can help expand the records available to genealogy researchers.

We’ve all heard a lot about how the Obama administration asserts it is committed to making government information more available to the public. For those looking for science information, there is now a single entry point for science information generated by the federal government across 15 different government entities covering over 200 million pages. Point your patrons to (and take a look yourself) www.science.gov. We’ve paid for it – now we can get at it!

That’s it for one person’s version of a very few selected highlights from the ALA 2010 Annual Conference, and it will be my final posting on these pages. My term as the Maine Library Association’s Chapter Councilor to the American Library Association is over today. I’ve enjoyed the job and now move over to let Jim Riordan take on that work for the next three years.

As a final word, having seen the difference on both the state and national levels that library associations make for libraries and librarians, I encourage you to become a member of both the Maine Library Association and the American Library Association. Times are, of course, tough but the dues of both together add up to the equivalent a Starbucks coffee once a week. It is money well invested if you love libraries.

Be well (and thanks for the fish),

Jim Campbell

MLA Chapter Councilor (Retired)

]]> http://www.mainelibraries.org/blogs/2010/07/01/111/feed/ 0 http://www.mainelibraries.org/blogs/2010/03/30/tech-trends-in-libraries/ http://www.mainelibraries.org/blogs/2010/03/30/tech-trends-in-libraries/#comments Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:42:31 +0000 ALA Councilor http://www.mainelibraries.org/blogs/?p=109 At ALA Midwinter meetings, LITA (the ALA Library Information and Technology Association) conducts a panel on Top Technology Trends that are already, or soon soon will be, affecting libraries. The panel from the 2010 Midwinter meeting in Boston is online and available for viewing. You can get up to date at: http://www.alatechsource.org/blog/2010/03/archive-techtrends-midwinter-2010-webinar.html.