Banned Books Week - Puppet Video

Lots of activities around Banned Books Week. ALDirect included a mini-video featuring puppets in a library, tossing banned books from the shelves!

Rural and Small Libraries - New Website Design

I love American Libraries Direct! It is always chocked full of good news items about and for libraries. Worth subscribing to the weekly eNewsletter.

Here is an item on Rural Libraries. I like how the national association spotlights member libraries.

"The Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) has redesigned its website as a dynamic space that captures ARSL’s personality and mission in a way that is appealing and relevant to its members. It is also spotlighting its member libraries on the homepage each month. Elements of this website, including the new ARSL logo, were unveiled at their annual conference in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, September 11–13...." Association for Rural and Small Libraries

Best Book Bloggers - 2009

American Libraries Direct carried an item on "Best Book Bloggers". Tons of book lovers blog about their books, so it makes sense that some rise to the top of the list. This is the second year of the annual award. This is worth checking out!

"The votes are in for the best book blogs of 2009, and the winners include J. Kaye’s Book Blog (best commentator and most prolific blogger), The Book Smugglers (best collaborative blog), Books on the Nightstand (best general review blog and most eclectic taste), Hey Lady! Whatcha’ Readin’? (best literary fiction blog), Bermudaonion (most concise), and The Story Siren (most extravagant giveaways)...."
Book Blogger Appreciation Week, Sept. 15

In the the "About" section of Book Blogger Appreciation Week, it "was started by Amy Riley of My Friend Amy in an effort to recognize the hard work and contribution of book bloggers to the promotion and preservation of a literate culture actively engaged in discussing books, authors, and a lifestyle of reading.

The first Book Blogger Appreciation was observed in the fall of 2008 and occurs every September. The week spotlights and celebrates the work of active book bloggers through guest posts, awards, giveaways, and community activities. Book Bloggers are encouraged to register their participation for inclusion in a database of book bloggers."

@ Your Library

The American Library Association has introduced a direct-to-the-public website called @ Your Library. It builds off the ALA branding for libraries, but is meant for educating the general public about public libraries. Focus is totally on public, not school, academic, or special libraries. Wonder how members of AASL, ACRL, SLA, and other non-public library divisions of ALA feel about this effort? Will there be similar efforts to go direct to the public with AASL Standards for 21st Century Learners? It looks like there is a new AASL toolkit for members to offer to parents -- if there is a teacher librarian in the district left to make it available.

From American Libraries: "American Libraries Editor-in-Chief Leonard Kniffel writes: “Every librarian knows that today’s libraries face contradictions in many areas of public perception: While libraries are popular, they are often taken for granted. While libraries are ubiquitous, they are not often visible. While libraries are unique, they face competition. ALA launched the @ your library website, designed not as a tool for librarians but as a direct pipeline to the general public.”...
AL Inside Scoop, Sept. 16"

Libraries Connect Communities 3: Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study 2008–2009

The American Library Association issued a news release on Libraries Connect Communities 3: Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study 2008–2009 on September 15, 2009. The report states that "libraries connect Americans with online government and jobs, and that libraries serve as crucial technology hubs for people in need of free web access, computer training, and assistance finding and using e-government and job resources....
With national unemployment topping 9% and many Americans seeking online information and new technology skills, U.S. public libraries are first responders in a time of economic uncertainty."

Out of circulation: School librarians are in short supply

The California School Boards Association (CSBA) published an excellent article in California Schools Magazine titled "Out of circulation: School librarians are in short supply" by Pamela Martineau about California teacher librarians. The author interviewed California School Library Association president Connie Hamner Williams, California Department of Education School Library Consultant Barbara Jeffus, San Benito High School Teacher Librarian Dr. Doug Achterman, and Fullerton Joint Union High School District Teacher Librarian Marie Slim.

Dr. Seuss Estate Picks Google Books

The deadline for filing opinions on the Google Book Settlement has been extended to 9/8/09, the day after the Labor Day Weekend. Opponents include the Internet Archive and the Open Book Alliance. Amazon.com Inc., Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo Inc. have joined with the Open Book Alliance. It is all about money and especially about "orphaned works". Opponents believe the agreement creates a de facto monopoly and unchecked pricing power over orphaned works, those for which a rights holder can't be established.

The San Francisco Chronicle's Tech Chronicles carried an item headlined "Oh, The Places Google Can Go with Book Plan." The estate of Dr. Seuss sent a letter in support of the settlement. From a letter by law firm DLA Piper LLP: "The settlement may offer a new opportunity for authors of out-of-print books to find new audiences and new sources of income for their works." ..."We believe this is likely to be an important benefit for the authors' community, for readers and for researchers."

Chicken Dance - Can You Dance "The Librarian"?

OK. Watch closely and then practice, practice, practice...

Race to the Top: ALA Comments to US Dept of Ed

SEE ALA Washington Office news BELOW:
________
August 31st, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jenni Terry

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Library Association (ALA) recently filed comments to the Department of Education regarding the Race to the Top Fund, a competitive one-time grant program funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that aims to encourage and reward states that are leading education innovation and reform.

The ALA’s comments highlighted the need for the Secretary of Education to strongly acknowledge the important role that school libraries play in a student’s education and to encourage states submitting proposals for Race to Top Funds to include resources for school libraries. The comments also called for an increase to the number of school libraries served by a state-licensed school librarian.

“State statistics consistently show that schools with a school library staffed by a state-licensed school librarian produce better test scores. More importantly, these schools produced well-rounded students that are prepared to function in a global society,” American Association of School Librarians (AASL) President Cassandra Barnett said.

“A school library staffed by a state-licensed school librarian adds another classroom to the school and another teacher to help boost achievement scores, help struggling readers, and teach the 21st-century skills that are so critical to a student’s education.”