American Libraries Direct
The e-newsletter of the American Library Association | September 21, 2011

Contents
American Libraries Online
ALA News
Booklist Online
Division News
Awards & Grants
Seen Online
Tech Talk
E-Content
Books and Reading
Actions & Answers
New This Week
Calendar

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AL Buyers Guide

American Libraries Online

Exploring zoology at the infoZoneSummer reading stats skyrocket in Indianapolis
A library-museum partnership has resulted in a 60% jump in summer-reading participation at the Indianapolis–Marion County Public Library’s infoZone branch, which is located inside the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. “All of our library locations were buzzing with activity, but the Children’s Museum exceeded our expectations,” IMCPL Director of Programming and Project Development Chris Cairo said of the 1,350 infoZone participants. “To see that kind of growth at one of our most popular venues is especially gratifying.”...
American Libraries news, Sept. 20

Laura Soto-BarraNext Steps: A look inside the NPR Library
Brian Mathews writes: “Welcome to a typical day at the National Public Radio library in Washington, D.C., where over 10,000 reference questions come in each year from staff, producers, and correspondents in the United States and around the globe. From fact-checking and pronunciation to background music, audio clips, and transcripts, the library helps deliver the news. Laura Soto-Barra (right) is the senior librarian, overseeing a staff of 17 plus interns.”...
American Libraries column, Sept./Oct.

STEMgrants.com lists grant opportunities for schools and librariesYouth Matters: The lowdown on STEM
Linda W. Braun writes: “Each week I have at least one conversation about how schools and libraries are working to support teaching and learning in STEM: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. I’ve discovered that some librarians are struggling to figure out what their role should be in the STEM universe. I’m here to give you a few pointers.”...
American Libraries column, Sept./Oct.

Oscar Saavedra, President of the Asociación Mexicana de Bibliotecarios, and Maria Kramer, President of Reforma, at Reforma IVReformistas gather to reflect, recharge
Miguel Figueroa writes: “Reforma, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking, celebrated 40 years of advocacy at its 4th National Conference in Denver, September 15–18. Fittingly, the conference, whose theme was ‘Elevating Latino Library Services to a Higher Level,’ coincided with the Diez y Seis de Septiembre (the anniversary of the Mexican War of Independence from Spain) and the start of Hispanic Heritage Month.”...
AL: Inside Scoop, Sept. 20

Cover of Slaughterhouse-FiveRepublic board returns banned books—for parents only
The Republic (Mo.) School District board voted September 19 to return Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five and Sarah Ockler’s Twenty Boy Summer to the high school library—but in a secure section that is only accessible to parents. The board banned the books from the curriculum and library in July. The controversial action drew nationwide attention, leading to a decision last month to reconsider the ban....
AL: Censorship Watch, Sept. 21

Cover of Only in Your Dreams: A Gossip Girl Novel by Cecily von ZiegesarGossip Girl controversy in Lake County, Florida
A commissioner in Lake County, Florida, wants the Gossip Girl young adult novel series created by Cecily von Ziegesar moved from the teen to the adult section in the Lake County Library System. “We’re not saying ban the books,” explained Jimmy Conner at a September 13 commission meeting. “We’re allowing the filth to be in the library, just not in the children’s section.” Connor’s request was apparently in response to concerns raised by state Sen. Alan Hays (R-Umatilla), who was in turn prompted by Leesburg resident Dixie Fechtel....
AL: Censorship Watch, Sept. 20

Reading levels
Q. Is there a reliable source for the suggested reading level of a novel? I’m a teacher who requires independent reading, but the novels my students bring me sometimes look “too young” for the grade I teach. I cannot always find information on what reading level the novel was intended to entertain. A. Determining the age-appropriateness of a book is complex and factors in the vocabulary used and writing style, as well as thematic content and plot elements. For current materials, the grade level a book is intended for is suggested by the publisher....
AL: Ask the ALA Librarian, Sept. 21


APA ad

ALA News

2012 slate of Council candidates announced
The ALA Nominating Committee has released the names of ALA members chosen as candidates to run in the 2012 ALA election for a seat on the Association’s governing Council....
Office of ALA Governance, Sept. 20

Presidential Task Force on School Libraries
To combat increased reports of threats to school library instructional programs, ALA President Molly Raphael has launched a Special Presidential Task Force on School Libraries. The task force will lead a campaign addressing the urgent need for school library advocacy for school libraries, as well as the impact of the deprofessionalization and curtailment of school library instructional programs on students and student achievement. She has asked for librarians of all types to get involved....
Office for Library Advocacy, Sept. 20

Pin-up art "The Story Teller" by Edward d'Ancona, 1946Banned Books Week: What subversives are you reading?
Susan Richards Rodarme writes: “So, Banned Books Week is nigh upon us; starting September 24 and ending October 1, it’s a supposedly naughty way to kick off the season of chills, thrills, and stuffing yourself to the gills. Having looked at the lists that the ALA put out—all of the books I see there take a naked look at humanity and its weaknesses, troubles, desires, and triumphs. Why should Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (one of my personal favorites) be a banned book? Because it acknowledges that sometimes men didn’t treat their wives so well, or because it features a large cast of African-American people?”...
Insatiable Booksluts, Sept. 13

Chris Crutcher reads from DeadlineMore Banned Books Week Virtual Read-Out videos
Nanette Perez writes: “As Banned Books Week approaches, we will feature videos of highly acclaimed authors either reading from a banned or challenged book or discussing the importance of the freedom to read as part of the Banned Books Week Virtual Read-Out. Here are two videos featuring authors Jay Asher and Chris Crutcher (right).”...
OIF Blog, Sept. 20

Section of National Gaming Day mapNational Gaming Day: Map of participating libraries
Jenny Levine writes: “It’s here: the first version of the map of participating libraries for National Gaming Day, November 12. We have nearly 800 libraries showing on the map, so check here to make sure yours is listed. We only added your location if you checked the box asking to be displayed on the national map. This version is current as of September 14. If your library hasn’t registered, sign up now....
National Gaming Day @ your library, Sept. 21

Join ALA graphicJoin your chapter and ALA for one low price
Students in 18 states can join their state chapter and ALA for one low price of $35, anytime from now through August 31, 2012. At this time it is not possible to apply online for joint membership; however, it’s an easy three-step process. To apply for joint membership, visit the Joint Membership Program and find out if your chapter participates in the program (so far, only 18 chapters have arranged for this opportunity)....
AL: Student Membership Blog, Sept. 21

Reference request to ALA Library from Cosenza on a 1912 postal cardLongest ALA Library reference request on a postal card
Larry Nix writes: “The excellent staff of the ALA Library is always willing to respond to reference requests within the scope of the library’s mission. They might have been taken aback, however, if they had received the lengthy request sent in 1912 by an Italian professor on the postal card shown here. Adolphus Laura of the Royal Technical Institute in Cosenza, Italy, broke his request into five questions mostly related to ‘the classification of clippings, notes, index reruns, abstracts, correspondence, and documents’ and the Dewey Decimal Classification.”...
Library History Buff Blog, Sept. 18

TechSource workshop graphicReach your library audience through Facebook
ALA TechSource announces a new workshop featuring David Lee King on how to use Facebook for library services and user engagement. This 90-minute workshop will show librarians how to use the popular social networking site to help their libraries and will take place on November 2....
ALA TechSource, Sept. 20

Collaborate with teens to build better programs
ALA Editions announces a new workshop on “Collaborating with Teens to Build Better Library Programs” with Jennifer Velásquez, who will offer practical strategies for giving teens the lead in developing high-appeal collections and services. You will also learn how to draw from the insights of teens to create an online presence that is both relevant and effective. The workshop will take place on in two 90-minute sessions on November 10 and 17....
ALA Editions, Sept. 20

eCourse on web designWeb design basics for librarians
ALA Editions announces a new facilitated eCourse on the basics of web design for librarians. Diane Kovacs, a librarian and experienced online instructor, will serve as the instructor for a six-week facilitated eCourse starting on November 7. Kovacs will show you how to design attractive, clear, and accessible webpages and give you the foundation for learning more. Once you know the basics, you can deepen your contribution to the web team with skills in Cascading Style Sheets and JavaScript....
ALA Editions, Sept. 20

Drupal eCourse with Sean FitzpatrickBuild library websites with Drupal
ALA Editions announces a new facilitated eCourse on using the Drupal content management system to build library websites. Sean Fitzpatrick, a librarian and web developer specializing in Drupal, will serve as the instructor for a six-week facilitated eCourse starting on November 7. Participants will build an attractive, functional library website using Drupal 7. This test website will be hosted on a server for six months after the eCourse, facilitating additional learning....
ALA Editions, Sept. 20

Cover of Kindergarten MagicConjuring up kindergarten magic
Kindergarten Magic: Theme-Based Lessons for Building Literacy and Library Skills, published by ALA Editions, is a time-saving program planner for librarians and classroom teachers alike, including everything needed to get started—reading lists, flannelboard patterns, poems, songs, easy crafts, and take-home activities to extend the learning process. Kathy MacMillan and Christine Kirker offer scores of creative ideas, including activities keyed to popular classroom themes....
ALA Editions, Sept. 15

Booklist Online logo

Cover of Franklin and WinstonFeatured review: U.S. history for youth
Wood, Douglas. Franklin and Winston: A Christmas That Changed the World. Illustrated by Barry Moser. Sept. 2011. 40p. Grades 5–8. Candlewick, hardcover (978-0-7636-3383-7).
In December 1941, England was several years into its war with Germany. Earlier in the month, the U.S. fleet had been bombed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, by Japan. With a world war raging, who had time to celebrate Christmas? This remarkably readable title describes a unique moment in time—the meeting of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt at the White House over the Christmas holidays. The book grabs readers with its description of Churchill’s harrowing trip across the ocean on a British battleship. Despite the possibility of being hit by German submarines, Churchill was determined to meet the president and “plan how they might save the world.” For his part, Roosevelt eagerly awaited the visit, and he made sure he was standing on his own, without a wheelchair, when he greeted the prime minister....

Classic romance novels graphicClassic romance novels
John Charles and Shelley Mosley write: “In theory, e-books have resurrected many long-out-of-print titles, including romances. In reality, most public libraries still need actual hard copies of these perennially popular novels. Tracking down copies of tried-and-true treasures of the romance genre can be challenging, but it is possible to keep your library well stocked with classic romances. To help you get started, here is a sampling of classic romance novels (including some two-for-one deals) that are back in print and ready for your readers.”...

Great Group Reads logoBooklist again chosen as partner in National Reading Group Month
Booklist has been selected for the fourth year as a partner for the Women’s National Book Association’s National Reading Group Month in October. The popular Booklist blog Book Group Buzz, offering helpful and entertaining information to reading groups both in and outside libraries, is again the official partner blog. “Great Group Reads Selections” are a key element of National Reading Group Month, and this year, 20 Great Group Reads have been selected on the basis of their appeal to reading groups, covering timely and provocative topics and including underrepresented gems from small presses and lesser-known mid-list releases from larger houses....

@ Visit Booklist Online for other reviews and much more....


Division News

Cover of new Guide to Security ConsiderationsACRL guide to security considerations
ACRL has released Guide to Security Considerations and Practices for Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collection Libraries, the first book to specifically address security of special collections in academic libraries. Compiled and edited by Everett C. Wilkie Jr., the work covers topics integral to the security process, including background checks, reading room and general building design, technical processing, characteristics and methods of thieves, materials recovery after a theft, and security systems....
ACRL, Sept. 20

Thomas Luxon, Dartmouth College, talks about collaboration with librariansLiterature librarians and faculty partner for academic success
The ACRL Literatures in English Section has created a video (3:46) featuring four professors who discuss how working with literature librarians has enhanced their teaching and research. LES developed the video to raise awareness among university faculty, administrators, and students of the many benefits of the literature librarian-teaching faculty collaboration....
ACRL Insider, Sept. 21

Ten librarians win Teens’ Top Ten sets
YALSA announced the winners of its Teens’ Top Ten Books Giveaway, funded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. Each library will receive a set of the 25 books nominated for the 2011 Teens’ Top Ten. The list will be announced during Teen Read Week, October 16–22....
YALSA, Sept. 20

YALSA online course reveals Secrets of the Seal
For more than a decade, YALSA has honored the best books for teens with the Michael L. Printz Award. Librarians and educators can learn how the awards committee deems a book Printz-worthy and how to entice teens to read award-winning titles in a new, self-paced online course taught by Printz Award committee member Brenna Shanks. Registration is open for the October 3–31 offering....
YALSA, Sept. 20

National Friends of Libraries Week
ALTAFF is coordinating the sixth annual National Friends of Libraries Week, October 16–22. The celebration offers a two-fold opportunity to celebrate. Friends groups can use the time to creatively promote their group in the community, raise awareness, and promote membership. The celebration also offers an excellent opportunity for the library staff and trustees to recognize the Friends for their help and support of the library....
ALTAFF, Sept. 20

Book Lover's Calendar for 2012ALTAFF members can get discounted calendars
ALTAFF is making Book Lover’s page-a-day 2012 calendars, published by Workman, available to its members at a greatly reduced price. Members can purchase the 2012 Book Lover’s Calendars and sell them at a deep discount to Friends, use them as an incentive for joining the Friends, stock them in the Friends’ bookstore, or use them as prizes. Each year, thousands of Friends groups and libraries purchase the calendar as a fundraiser in their libraries and communities....
ALTAFF, Sept. 20

Register for the AASL Virtual Conference
Registration is now open for the virtual component of the AASL 15th National Conference. The AASL11 Virtual Conference will offer national conference attendees and those following the activity from afar the chance to virtually connect to the conference and exhibition taking place October 27–30 in Minneapolis. For more information and to register, visit the AASL website. Advanced registration pricing for the Minneapolis conference ends September 29....
AASL, Sept. 15, 20

Last chance to sign up for RUSA courses
Registration for RUSA’s “Introduction to Spatial Literacy and Online Mapping” and “Health Information 101” will close September 22. The spatial literacy course will run September 26–October 14 and is taught by Eva Dodsworth, geospatial data services librarian at the University of Waterloo Map Library, Waterloo, Ontario. The health information course will run September 26–November 7 and is taught by Maura Sostack, who manages the health sciences libraries at Virtua Health....
RUSA Blog, Sept. 21

AASL sponsors four Spectrum scholars at its conference
AASL will sponsor the attendance of four Spectrum Scholars at its 15th National Conference and Exhibition in Minneapolis, October 27–30: Nancy Gallegos, Hannah Gómez, Jade Torres-Morrison, and James Wallace Jr. Each of the selected Spectrum Scholars will receive complimentary registration for the conference and a $750 travel stipend....
AASL, Sept. 20

AASL revamps its recruitment website
AASL has published a revamped website focused on the recruitment of potential school librarians. Developed to provide information to those interested in joining the profession as well as those seeking to recruit people to the profession, the website contains information on the job itself, the job outlook, education and licensing across the United States, job hunting, and ideas for recruitment....
AASL, Sept. 20

LLAMA webinar for job-seekers
You have your MLS degree—but what’s next? Applying for and interviewing for a job can be fraught with anxiety and frustration, but you can put yourself ahead of the herd with the right information. LLAMA’s Human Resources Section will present a free webinar, “Job Hunting for Today’s Libraries in Today’s Job Market,” on October 19. Register online....
LLAMA, Sept. 15

ACRL invites applications for Immersion ’12
ACRL is accepting applications for its Information Literacy Immersion ’12 Program Teacher and Program tracks, to be held July 22–27, 2012, at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont. Five members of the nationally recognized Immersion faculty will lead participants through four-and-a-half days of intensive information literacy training and education. Complete program details and application materials are available online. The deadline for applications is December 2....
ACRL, Sept. 20

Turning the Page 2.0 logoPLA library advocacy education program
Registration has opened for the October 31–December 12 session of Turning the Page 2.0, a free, online advocacy training program for public libraries, developed and presented by PLA with generous support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Turning the Page 2.0 will be offered two additional times in 2012. The upcoming session will begin with an optional, in-person kick-off on October 28 at the Michigan Library Association Annual Conference in Kalamazoo....
PLA, Sept. 15

Jeanie AustinYALSA to examine trends impacting YA service at Midwinter
Jeanie Austin (right), project coordinator for Mix IT Up! at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s GSLIS, will present her paper, “Critical Issues in Juvenile Detention Libraries,” January 21 at YALSA’s Trends Impacting Young Adult Services event, during the ALA 2012 Midwinter Meeting in Dallas. Austin will explore how youth and librarians can navigate the tensions of access to information in an institutional setting. Registration is open....
YALSA, Sept. 20

Fall into learning with YALSA webinars-on-demand
Looking for guidance into the latest topics in teen services? Look no further than YALSA’s webinars-on-demand. Previously recorded webinars, led by content experts selected by YALSA, are complimentary for YALSA members and available for purchase for nonmembers. Webinars-on-demand are available in five content areas: advocacy, collection development and readers’ advisory, programming, technology, and YA service delivery....
YALSA, Sept. 20

Refresh your library’s existing teen services
Find out how you can give your library’s standard teen services a boost at YALSA’s “Innovations in Essential Teen Services” half-day workshop on January 20, prior to the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Dallas. Join YALSA to learn easy-to-implement updates on providing readers’ advisory, homework help, teen space design, and promoting and developing literacy skills....
YALSA, Sept. 20

Awards & Grants

Portion of a group shot of 2011 ALA award winnersLeading by example: 2011 ALA award winners
The individuals and libraries listed here have been singled out by their peers for their extraordinary achievements. These are the highest and most prestigious awards given by the American Library Association, but they are only a handful of the 200+ awards presented annually by ALA, its divisions, round tables, offices, and other units. See more winners on the ALA awards page....
American Libraries feature

ASCLA seeks nominations for 2012 awards
Nominations are now being accepted for ASCLA’s five 2012 awards for service, leadership, and achievement. Nominations for all awards must be received by December 15. Submission information can be found on each nomination form located on the specific award pages....
ASCLA, Sept. 20

Nominations sought for RUSA awards
RUSA is now accepting nominations for its 12 achievement awards and four grants for 2012. The nominations deadline for all awards and grants is December 15, except the BRASS Gale Cengage Learning Student Travel Award, which has a deadline of January 31. Read details about nomination instructions....
RUSA, Sept. 20

South Carolina honors literacy leaders
The University of South Carolina and the state’s library community presented the fifth Annual Literacy Leaders awards on September 13, rewarding efforts to improve literacy in South Carolina. One of this year’s recipients was the Spartanburg County Public Libraries Children’s Department for its “Real Mommies Read” program, which encourages teen mothers to develop their own information literacy as well as their babies’ literacy....
University of South Carolina, Sept. 14

Jason R. Baron2011 Emmett Leahy Award
In a ceremony at the National Archives on September 15, Jason R. Baron (right), director of litigation at the National Archives, was awarded the Emmett Leahy Award for Outstanding Contributions and Accomplishments in the Records and Information Management Profession. Baron is the first federal lawyer to receive the award. Baron won the award for his contributions to the development of the first government-wide regulations governing the preservation of email....
National Archives, Sept. 15

Cover of The Ptarmigan's Dilemma2010 Lane Anderson Award
The two winners of the 2010 Lane Anderson Award were announced September 14 by the Fitzhenry Family Foundation at a celebration dinner in Toronto. The $10,000 award honors two jury-selected books, in the categories of adult and young reader, published in the field of science, and written by a Canadian. The winners are The Ptarmigan’s Dilemma by John and Mary Theberge (McClelland and Stewart) and Evolution by Daniel Loxton (Kids Can)....
Lane Anderson Award, Sept. 14

Cover of Saints and Sinners2011 Frank O’Connor Short Story Award
The veteran Irish writer Edna O’Brien has been named the winner of the 2011 Frank O’Connor Short Story Award for her collection Saints and Sinners. She is the first Irish writer to win. The award, worth €35,000 ($47,870 U.S.) and now in its seventh year, is the richest in the world for a collection of short stories. It is sponsored by Cork City Council and organized by Munster Literature Centre as part of its annual Cork International Short Story Festival....
Irish Examiner (Cork), Sept. 21


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Seen Online

Senate committee increases GPO funding
The Senate Committee on Appropriations passed its Legislative Branch Appropriations bill with an increase in funding for the Government Printing Office over the amount in the House committee’s bill. The Senate version includes $116.8 million for GPO while the House bill set the amount at $108.1 million....
District Dispatch, Sept. 16

NYPL Library Technical Aide Lillian Cohen testified at the arbitration hearing$200,000 awarded to 60 NYPL library workers
Sixty workers at the New York Public Library were awarded a total of $200,000 in retroactive Sunday overtime pay under a July arbitration ruling. The arbitrator ordered the library to reinstate its longtime practice of premium pay for voluntary overtime work on Sundays and give the affected members back pay from August 1, 2010, when the union filed the grievance, to July 19, the date of the decision....
AFSCME District Council 37, Sept.

One question was where to find an illustration of a scientific instrument called a manometer constructed by a French scientist named Cailletet in the Eiffel Tower in 1891. Found in Gallica, from front matter of L'Année scientifique et industrielle, v.35, 1892The toughest reference questions
Randy Dotinga writes: “One reader questioned the value of publicly funded libraries and asked this: ‘Why do librarians need to make $70k a year? The Dewey Decimal system isn’t rocket science.’ Armed with righteous annoyance, I joined the online fray myself, noting that librarians aren’t cheap because they need knowledge to find knowledge. And then I got to wondering. What are the most difficult questions that reference librarians have ever had to answer? Here’s what librarians from across North America had to say via email.”...
Christian Science Monitor, Sept. 16

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. smiles after signing a document donating his Senatorial papers to the University of DelawareBiden donates senatorial papers to University of Delaware
Joseph R. Biden Jr., a U.S. senator from Delaware for 36 years until his election as vice president in 2008, was at the University of Delaware on September 16 to donate his senatorial papers to the university library. The papers encompass more than 2,500 cartons of papers, in addition to 415 GB of electronic records, all of which are currently stored in the National Archives and Records Administration. The papers will be sealed for two years after Biden retires from public office....
UDaily, Sept. 16

Police seize firearms from suspected library thief
When police searched the home of Maria Nater, a Vista, California, woman suspected of stealing a huge number of books from several San Diego County public libraries, they found more than 2,000 books and DVDs. They also discovered 43 guns and rifles, including a 1936 German Mauser, a sniper rifle, and a semiautomatic AR-15 rifle, some of which don’t seem to have proper paperwork. The weapons are believed to belong to Nater’s husband, Fernando, who is a former member of the U.S. military....
Escondido North County Times, Sept. 15

Cover of Merriam-Webster's Visual DictionaryBanned books of Texas
The ACLU of Texas has released its annual list of books banned by the state’s school districts. Texas schools banned 17 books in 2010–2011, a decrease from the 20 taken from shelves the previous year. Among the usual suspects this time around: R. L. Stine, a Gossip Girl novel, and the ever-popular gay penguins tale And Tango Makes Three. Another highlight: An elementary school in the San Antonio area put Merriam-Webster’s Visual Dictionary in a restricted area because of “sexual content or nudity.”...
Houston Press: Hair Balls, Sept. 15; ACLU of Texas, Sept. 15

Throwing the book at school libraries
It’s September, a time to remind children that we care about them and have high hopes and all that. So what’s going on in Los Angeles Unified? The school district is dumping 227 of its 430 elementary school library aides and cutting the hours of another 193 aides in half. Welcome back to school, kids....
Los Angeles Times, Sept. 14

Urban Affairs Library, TorontoTears flow as Urban Affairs Library closes
Tears ran freely as Toronto’s Urban Affairs Library closed its doors for the last time on September 14. The branch, which opened at Metro Hall in 1992, was slated for closure in March after months of budget negotiations between the library board and city council. Its staff and collection are moving to the Toronto Reference Library....
Toronto Star, Sept. 15

Marin library Friends sound alarm over blue bins
Library support groups in Marin County, California, are successfully chasing away a private business that invites people to donate their used books by putting them in large, blue metal bins outside local markets and other stores. Both Andronico’s and Safeway have asked that the bins be removed from outside their stores. Library supporters fear that the efforts of the for-profit Thrift Recycling Management could diminish the number of books people donate to nonprofit library boosters....
Marin (Calif.) Independent Journal, Sept. 18

Pit bull attack in library leads to lawsuit
A woman is suing the city of Molalla, Oregon, for almost $158,000 because she was attacked by a pit bull named Snoopy while visiting the Molalla Public Library. Renee Marshall, 55, was visiting the library in October when she saw Snoopy in the building, according to a lawsuit filed in Clackamas County. The dog belonged to library volunteer Linda Forney, who was shelving books at the time....
Portland Oregonian, Sept. 13

Sex offender apprehended at Knoxville library
Police arrested a sex offender inside the downtown Lawson McGhee branch of the Knox County (Tenn.) Public Library September 15, just days after Mayor Tim Burchett implemented a policy to ban offenders from the building. Library officials are supposed to compare the state’s sex offender list with the library system’s active cardholder list and then send certified letters to anyone who matches up. The ACLU sent Burchett a letter September 16 asking him to withdraw his new policy....
Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel, Sept. 16–17; ACLU of Tennessee

West Pittston Library's Denial PileBattered library looks ahead
Almost every scrap of furniture, all the computers, and about 14,000 books were lost September 9 when the Susquehanna River, swollen by rains from Tropical Storm Lee, poured into the West Pittston (Pa.) Library. Yet Director Anne Bramblett-Barr trudges around in jeans and boots with an irrepressible optimism. She even nicknamed one clump of soggy books “the denial pile.” The staff tried to save what they could when they heard the river would hit, but Mother Nature foiled the effort as the record river crest washed over all those countertops and tables....
Wilkes-Barre (Pa.) Times Leader, Sept. 14

Flood damage at the West Hartford (Vt.) Public LibraryFlood-damaged libraries emerge as response hubs
Vermont libraries still recovering from Tropical Storm Irene damage are serving as community gathering places. In West Hartford, the library was one of the state’s hardest hit (right). Martha Reid, Vermont state librarian, says that although West Hartford and more than 100 other libraries across the state saw some storm damage, residents have continued to use them for disaster and social recovery....
Vermont Public Radio, Sept. 19

Libraries lead price revolt against scholarly journals
After decades of healthy profits, the scholarly publishing industry now finds itself in the throes of a revolt led by librarians. Universities from Britain to California are refusing to renew their expensive subscriptions, turning instead to open access publishing, an arrangement whereby material is made available free on the internet with few or no restrictions except for the obligation to cite it....
New York Times, Sept. 18

Apple under fire for Peking University Library outlet
Technology giant Apple has come under fire in China over plans to open an outlet in the library of one of the country’s most prestigious universities. Apple products are hugely popular in China, but the plan to set up shop at the Peking University library appears to have struck a wrong note. A university spokesman said the new outlet would not sell the company’s products but would be a venue for students to “experience” them....
Agence France Presse, Sept. 15

Susan Scatena and the frog. Courtesy of the Queens GazetteAnother librarian kisses a frog
Children’s Librarian Susan Scatena of the Whitestone branch of the Queens (N.Y.) Library challenged her summer readers that if they would collectively read 3,000 books, she would kiss a frog on the library steps and try very hard to turn into a princess. Her 477 summer kids read more than 6,900 books. She is seen here living up to her promise by smooching with Pee Wee the frog. Scatena has been challenging her summer readers with the promise of ever-more colorful stunts for years....
Queens (N.Y.) Gazette, Sept. 14

Emily Jones with kids in Togo who will benefit from her library projectPeace Corps volunteer builds a library in Togo
The Republic of Togo might not have been at the forefront of Emily Jones’s mind while she was a member of the Dedham (Mass.) High School Class of 2004, but today, as a Peace Corps volunteer, the 25-year-old is on a two-year mission in the West African country. Jones is building a library of books and research documents in French, English, and other local languages, with help funding from the Peace Corps Partnership Program....
Boston Globe, Sept. 14

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Tech Talk

Dell Inspiron 14ZRounding up the latest 14-inch laptops
Dan Ackerman writes: “We’ve strongly suggested that people in the market for a midsize laptop focus their attention on the 14-inch end of that spectrum rather than the more common 15-inch size. Sure, you’re trading away a little bit of screen size, but 14-inch laptops offer better overall industrial design. If you’re in the market for a midsize laptop and want to shave off a little size and weight, check out our handy list of recent 14-inch laptops.”...
CNET News: Crave, Sept. 20

Windows 8 start screenFive deal-breaking flaws in Windows 8
Sebastian Anthony writes: “At the Build Windows conference in Anaheim, California, excitement, eagerness, and trepidation fill the air in equal measures. Developers are overjoyed that Microsoft’s best-in-class development tools can now target tablets, and a slew of new, low-level features will usher in entirely new species of always-on, omnipresent devices. But it’s impossible to ignore the fact that Windows 8 will break the user experience paradigm that two or three billion people have grown accustomed to.” A ship date for Windows 8 has not been announced, but ZDNet speculates that Microsoft intends to release it late next year....
ExtremeTech, Sept. 16; ZDNet: Between the Lines, Sept. 14

Screen shot from YouTube videoYouTube adds a built-in video editor
Josh Lowensohn writes: “In an effort to make it easier for YouTube users to make changes to their videos after uploading them, YouTube is rolling out a brand new video editor. No, this isn’t the standalone video editor meant for splicing together clips from multiple videos that’s been available in the service’s TestTube labs since last year. Instead, it’s a new one designed to give users a way to do quick fixes without having to re-upload the video. It’s like a retouching tool for photos, but for noncommercial video.” Watch the promotional video (0:40)....
CNET News: Webware, Sept. 14

LiveScribe Pulse smartpenTop 14 green gadgets for back to school
Mike Chino writes: “Tech-savvy students are bringing gadgets to class in droves. We’ve seen U.S. schools hand out iPads while entire education systems are transitioning textbooks to digital format. To help students get a leg up in this increasingly wired academic world, we’ve rounded up 14 great green gadgets that will keep you charged, get you to class on time, and could actually improve your studies. Read on for the full list.”...
Inhabitat, Sept. 20

BART protester, August 2011Your right to phone service during a protest
Megan Geuss writes: “Bay Area Rapid Transit’s August shutdown of wireless service to squelch a demonstration in San Francisco raised anew questions about the use of tech in the face of authority. In this FAQ, we examine the responsibilities of telecommunications providers to keep their subscribers connected to the network. You need to know whether your wireless provider can shut down cellular service and whether you have any rights to privacy if the carrier or law enforcement agents find your actions running counter to their best interests.”...
PC World, Sept. 20

Don't Feed the Trolls image by Sam FentressFive effective ways to deal with trolls
Saikat Basu writes: “On the web, a troll is nothing but a pest who thrives in the anonymity that it provides. Unfortunately, no one so far has been able to develop an anti-troll device that will help to make it a more civilized place. Effective troll management calls for equal parts of caution and common sense. Here are a few guideposts to follow.”...
MakeUseOf, Sept. 21

How we’ll able to direct a computer with our thoughts using an ECoG (electrocorticographic) implantThe cyborg in us all
Pagan Kennedy writes: “For years, computers have been creeping ever nearer to our neurons. Within the next decade, we are likely to see a new kind of implant, designed for healthy people who want to merge with machines. With several competing technologies in development, scientists squabble over which device works best. Gerwin Schalk is a champion of the electrocorticographic (ECoG) implant because, unlike other devices, it does not pierce brain tissue; instead it can ride on top of the brain-blood barrier.”...
New York Times Magazine, Sept. 14

Copying other websites during a redesign
David Lee King writes: “During my library’s last website redesign, we went through quite a few design iterations, and we still weren’t happy. A library website has at least two basic needs—a site that talks about the library and shares useful stuff. And we have a library catalog. It didn’t really make much sense to base our library website design around a site that only does half of what we do. Then it dawned on me: Library websites are like Apple.”...
David Lee King, Sept. 16

AVOS logoLast chance to transfer Delicious bookmarks
If you have bookmarks stored on Delicious.com, you must explicitly agree to have them transferred to the site’s new owner (AVOS) by September 23. Otherwise, you will lose access. To transfer your bookmarks, you need to “opt-in” to allow your account and all associated data to be moved. The new owners have big plans for the revamped bookmarking service....
AVOS, Sept. 15; New York Times, Sept. 11

E-Content

Kindle ebooks now available graphicKindle library program launches
Public libraries and schools in the United States can now lend e-books for the Amazon Kindle. OverDrive announced September 21 that it has begun adding Kindle compatibility to all of the public and school libraries in its network and expects to have all sites updated within days. The Seattle Public Library and the King County (Wash.) Library System have already started to offer the Kindle lending program; a Seattle Times blogger examines the check-out procedure. A page on Amazon’s website describes the new service. Gary D. Price shares some concerns he has about this development....
OverDrive, Sept. 21; Seattle Times: Brier Dudley’s Blog, Sept. 21; INFOdocket, Sept. 21

One in six Americans now use an e-reader
The market research firm Harris Interactive has finished up a survey on how Americans are reading books and what books we are reading. A total of 2,183 American adults were polled back in July, and the number of respondents who now own an e-reader has doubled in the past year. That’s 15% of Americans, and another 15% plan to buy one in the next six months. The survey also showed that e-reader owners bought considerably more e-books than the general population bought books....
eBookNewser, Sept. 20; Harris Interactive, Sept. 19

E-book cover of How We Won, by Aaron BelkinNews sites are launching e-books
Swiftly and at little cost, newspapers, magazines, and sites like the Huffington Post are hunting for revenue by publishing their own version of e-books, either using brand-new content or repurposing material that they may have given away free in the past. By making e-books that are usually shorter, cheaper to buy, and more quickly produced than the typical book, they are redefining what an e-book is—and who gets to publish it. On September 20, the Huffington Post released its second e-book, How We Won by Aaron Belkin....
New York Times, Sept. 18

Nine more months to settle Google Books dispute
Google and authors and publishers groups have about nine more months to untangle their six-year-old legal dispute over plans to create the world’s largest digital library, a federal judge said on September 15. Manhattan federal court Judge Denny Chin told lawyers at a hearing that he was “still hopeful” they could reach a settlement though “you’re essentially starting from scratch.” Many of the discussions between authors and Google are taking place between the principals, not the lawyers....
Reuters, Sept. 15

HathiTrust suspends its orphan works release
Following the filing of a lawsuit over its scanning and orphan works initiative, HathiTrust said September 16 it would suspend indefinitely its plan to release a set of 140 orphan works until its processes for determining copyright status are improved. The move comes after the Authors Guild said that owners of some of the works on the orphan list were located and presumed to have valid copyrights. In another statement, University of Michigan Librarian Paul Courant said that the HathiTrust efforts “simply reflect the library’s continuing legacy of prudence in curating the world’s scholarly and cultural record.” Brandon Butler at ARL offers some insight into orphan works....
Publishers Weekly, Sept. 16; University of Michigan, Sept. 16; UM Record Update, Sept. 16; ARL Policy Notes, Sept. 19

Cover of 1st edition of The Lost Country, by J. R. Salamanca, Simon & Schuster, 1958An open letter to J. R. Salamanca
Kevin Smith writes: “Earlier this week, only days after it filed its ill-advised lawsuit against the HathiTrust and five of Hathi’s partner universities, the Authors Guild gleefully announced that they had been able to find, with relative ease, the author of one of the books on Hathi’s initial list of orphan works. You, of course, were that author, and the work in question was your 1958 novel The Lost Country. I am sure I do not have to tell you that libraries are not your enemies. So let’s think for a minute about The Lost Country and what might be best for it and for you.”...
Scholarly Communications @ Duke, Sept. 16; The Authors Guild Blog, Sept. 14; Electronic Frontier Foundation, Sept. 15

An open letter to Judy Blume
Tom Bruno writes: “When I learned that you were the current vice president of the Authors Guild, my shock turned to disbelief. Librarians getting sued by Superfudge? Try as I might, I could not wrap my brain around this, and I still can’t. The irony is: Would there even be an orphan work problem, if not for libraries? These books would have long since been remaindered and pulped if libraries like the ones you sued had not graciously given them the precious shelf space to endure through the years past their popularity. Is this really how you want to be remembered by the library community?”...
The Jersey Exile, Sept. 15

Cover of Frolic Farm, verses by Bessie Parker, published in 1911, one of many works for which a rights holder cannot be tracedOrphan works also a problem for Europe
In looking into ways to speed up the digitization of books, journals, and other printed materials held by European libraries, the British Library considered 10 works from every decade between 1870 and 2010. According to a recently released survey (PDF file), about 43% of the sample were orphan works that may never go online. This study is based on research commissioned by the British Library as part of the European Union–funded ARROW (Accessible Registries of Rights Information and Orphan Works towards Europeana) project that seeks to clarify and automate the rights status of literary texts....
BBC News, Sept. 16

Netflix and library e-resources
Bohyun Kim writes: “By now, almost everyone has read about Netflix’s decision to separate its DVD delivery service from its streaming service. Let’s talk about how this applies to libraries, particularly the e-resources with which all of us have a love-hate relationship. We separate print resources and e-resources because ‘clearly’ they are completely different beasts. Are they so separate and distinct in the minds of users? Not so much. But we separate them for the efficiency of our operations. Users pay by being forced to take an additional step, probably a decision as bad as Netflix and Qwikster.”...
Library Hat, Sept. 19

DigiZeitschriften is one of the case studies that has been updatedIthaka S+R Case Studies in Sustainability 2011
In 2009, Ithaka S+R investigated the sustainability strategies of 12 digital content projects in the higher education and cultural heritage sectors in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Egypt. Two years and one economic crisis later, Ithaka S+R, with the support of the JISC-led Strategic Content Alliance, revisited the original case studies to see how their models had held up, where weaknesses might be starting to show, and what new strategies project leaders were adopting in response. The update revealed many significant changes....
Ithaka S+R

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Picture It! poster for Teen Read Week 2011

This year’s Teen Read Week theme, “Picture It @ your library,” encourages teens to read graphic novels and other illustrated materials. Renowned illustrator Gareth Hinds has created original art for this Teen Read Week 2011 poster. A graduate of Parsons School of Design, Hinds is the critically acclaimed creator of five graphic novels, including the recent and much-praised The Odyssey, published by Candlewick Press, which is included on YALSA’s 2011 Great Graphic Novels for Teens. NEW! From ALA Graphics.


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Great Libraries of the World

Plantin-Moretus Museum Library

Plantin-Moretus Museum Library, Antwerp, Belgium. Originally a collection belonging to the renowned 16th-century printers Christophe Plantin and Jan Moretus, the library is located in a museum at their former home and workshop. Their proofreaders constantly needed new dictionaries and other reference works, and by the early 19th century the firm owned 10,000 volumes. Sold to the city in 1876 as a printing museum, the library also has a modern collection of books on graphic design.

Franciscan Monastery, Dubrovnik

Franciscan Monastery Library, Dubrovnik, Croatia. Rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1667, the Franciscan library owns a first edition (1521) of the epic poem Judita by Marko Marulić and a manuscript of the Croatian Baroque epic Osman by Ivan Gundulić. Historical manuscripts of medical prescriptions from the monastery pharmacy, in use since 1317, are also kept in the library. On permanent exhibit are a 15th-century silver-gilt cross and silver thurible, an 18th-century crucifix from Jerusalem, a 1541 martyrology by Bemardin Gucetić, and illuminated psalters.

This AL Direct feature showcases 250 libraries around the world that are notable for their exquisite architecture, historic collections, and innovative services. If you find yourself on vacation near one of them, be sure to stop by for a visit. The entire list will be available in The Whole Library Handbook 5, edited by George M. Eberhart, which is scheduled for publication later this year by ALA Editions.

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Digital User Experience Librarian, University of Texas at San Antonio. The individual in this position will assume a key role in developing user-centered websites, learning modules, and other applications that intuitively deliver digital collections, resources, and services. The person in this position will employ standard user-experience design, processes, and research methods, and analyze usage statistics and trends to evaluate library users’ online needs....

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Digital Library of the Week

Art postcard showing an advertisement for the Brownlee Agricultural Fair in Brownlee, Saskatchewan, July 25, 1913. University of Saskatchewan Libraries Special Collections. Doc. ID 35349

Wish You Were Here: Saskatchewan Postcard Collections highlights more than 4,500 postcards found in 11 archives throughout the province of Saskatchewan. Hosted by the Saskatchewan Council for Archives and Archivists, the images found on the site are eclectic. No attempt was made to curate the cards or select thematically specific images. The postcards came to be in archival collections in a variety of ways. Some, sent to individuals in Saskatchewan, are part of larger archival groups; some were collected by individuals; others were collected by institutions for the images or text they presented. The only unifying theme of the exhibit is that all of the postcards now form part of Saskatchewan’s rich and diverse archival heritage.

Do you know of a digital library collection that we can mention in this AL Direct feature? Tell us about it. Browse previous Digital Libraries of the Week at the I Love Libraries site.

American Libraries' Solutions and Services column

Public Perception
How the World
Sees Us

“When I was growing up, I moved around a lot, and changed schools fairly frequently—a not uncommon circumstance for many kids who grow up to be actors. I was an avid reader, made even more so by my frequent moves—the first place I would visit in a new town was the local library—and nothing made me happier than reading a book and feeling like I was ‘inside’ a story. It is a feeling that persists when I read today, and especially when I act; I became an actor because I felt that when I acted, I could physically get inside the book.

—Actress Julianne Moore, quoted in “Julianne Moore’s Favorite Books from ChildhoodNew York Times Arts Beat blog, Sept. 13.

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A Century of Philanthropy: Carnegie Corporation of New York

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Libraries Celebrate Banned Books Week

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International Conference on Dublin Core and Metadata Applications, The Hague, Netherlands, Sept. 21–23, at:
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Seventh European Information Architecture Summit, Prague, Czech Republic, Sept. 22–24, at:
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8th Annual Artelibro Art Book Festival, Bologna, Italy, Sept. 22–25, at:
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Calendar

Oct. 2–5:
Australian School Library Association,
National Conference, St. Ignatius College, Riverview, Sydney.

Oct. 5–7:
Nebraska Library Association / Nebraska Educational Media Association,
Annual Conference, Cornhusker Hotel, Lincoln. “Nebraska Libraries: Cultivating Community Connections.”

Oct. 5–7:
South Dakota Library Association,
Annual Conference, Spearfish Holiday Inn and Convention Center. “A Western Roundup: Bringing Together History, Culture, and Technology.”

Oct. 5–7:
Georgia Conference of Media Organizations,
Annual Conference, The Classic Center, Athens.

Oct. 10–13:
Association of Internet Researchers,
Annual Conference, Renaissance Seattle Hotel. “Internet Research 12.0: Performance and Participation.”

Oct. 12–14:
Iowa Library Association,
Annual Conference, Mid-America Center, Council Bluffs.
“Treasuring the Past, Transforming the Future.

Oct. 12–14:
Minnesota Library Association,
Annual Conference, Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.
“Libraries: Superior Value for Life.

Oct. 13–15:
Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services,
Annual Conference, Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade. “Reach Out, Reach Up.”

Oct. 13–15:
Colorado Association of Libraries,
Annual Conference, Loveland Embassy Suites. “Team Up! Powering Library Partnerships.”

Oct. 14–16:
9th International Conference on the Book,
University of St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto.

Oct. 18–20:
Illinois Library Association,
Annual Conference, Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont. “Bold, Brilliant, Brave.”

Oct. 19–21:
South Carolina Library Association,
Annual Conference, Embassy Suites/North Charleston Convention Center. “South Carolina Libraries: Looking into the Future.”

Oct. 19–22:
Access 2011,
Hyatt Regency, Vancouver, British Columbia. “The Library is Open.”

Oct. 28:
Maryland Information Literacy Exchange,
Fall Conference, Loyola Graduate Center, Columbia, Maryland.

Nov. 2–5:
31st Charleston Conference,
Charleston, South Carolina.

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Books and Reading

Borders: Things we never told youSound familiar? Things Borders never told you
Jason Boog writes: “As Borders closed forever this weekend, one patron snapped a photograph of a bitter bookseller’s manifesto at an unidentified store: Things We Never Told You: Ode to a Bookstore Death. The massive list collected years worth of pent-up sarcasm and frustration, spawning thousands of angry (and bemused) reactions from bookstore patrons.”...
GalleyCat, Sept. 20

Cover of a UK edition of To Kill a MockingbirdBrits’ favorite book: To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird has replaced previous favorites The Lord of the Rings and Pride and Prejudice as the U.K.’s most-loved read. More than 6,000 people put the classic novel at the top of a preferred list for World Book Night in April. The top 100 titles will now be presented to an editorial committee that will choose the final 25 titles to be given away next World Book Night on April 23, 2012. This year’s inaugural World Book Night in April saw one million books given away, ranging from Toni Morrison’s Beloved to Yann Martel’s Life of Pi....
The Guardian (U.K.), Sept. 13

A response to literary agents and gay characters
Joanna Stampfel-Volpe writes: “Two authors recently posted ‘Say Yes to Gay YA’ on the Publishers Weekly blog Genreville. It describes the experience an author-writing team had with an agent who told them that he or she would offer representation if the authors would either make a gay male character straight or cut him from the book altogether. Though this may have happened with previous authors and agents, this time it is completely untrue.”...
The Swivet, Sept. 15; Publishers Weekly: Genreville, Sept. 12

Have journal editors become anachronisms?
Phil Davis writes: “Are journal editors an anachronism? A throwback to an age of print publishing that no longer exists? If you’ve been reading the Guardian recently, you’ll have noted a recurring revolutionary theme: Publishing must be taken back from editors and the institutions that help to maintain their social standing (journals and publishers) and returned rightfully to the people. In this blog post, I’m going to argue why we still need them both, perhaps even more than ever before.”...
The Scholarly Kitchen, Sept. 19

Why it’s critical to review (and read) critically
Abby Johnson writes: “On September 17, I was part of a KidLitCon panel about the importance of reviewing critically. This doesn’t necessarily mean writing negative reviews for books you don’t like, but it means writing thoughtful reviews that discuss books in ways that are useful for readers. It means paying attention to things like character development, authenticity, voice, pacing, and dialogue. It means saying more than ‘This book was awesome!’ or ‘This book was terrible!’”...
Abby the Librarian, Sept. 20

More book crimes
Ian Chipman writes: “Earlier this year, my esteemed colleague Dan Kraus wrote a manifesto outlining the seven things we need to see less of in teen fiction. In the spirit of making this a regular feature around here, here’s another report from what we’ll be calling the Booklist Book Crimes division. Think of it as an informal judicial board made up of frazzled, plot-device-weary Booklisters setting up laws for what should be criminalized in the world of letters.”...
Booklist Online: Likely Stories, Sept. 20

Flickr map showing Guardian and Observer book swap sitesThe Guardian launches a 15,000-volume giveaway
The U.K.’s Guardian launched its six-week autumn books season by setting 15,000 titles free in the wild in mid-September. From fiction to design, and children’s books to science, the British newspaper has gathered thousands of books from publishers and authors and is distributing them around the country for free. Books will be left in public places where readers are liable to chance upon them, from stations and coffee shops to galleries and museums. The giveaway is part of the Guardian and Observer Book Swap....
The Guardian (U.K.), Sept. 15

Actions & Answers

Never, ever, turn your back on a librarian
Rachel Kitzmann writes: “Being a librarian with the Los Angeles Public Library the last few years has meant being equal parts actual librarian, political activist, and civil warrior. Fewer and fewer dollars for city services meant that the city council had to find creative ways to meet the growing needs of the citizenry. Only they didn’t actually look for creative ways; they looked for easy ways. Slash the library budget. Who will notice? They didn’t count on the librarians, though.”...
Librarians’ Guild Communicator, Sept. 15

Google+ logoGoogle+ opens to everyone
Danny Sullivan writes: “After three months, anyone who wants into the Google+ social network can now get in. The company announced the news September 20, along with a new Google+ search feature and expanded functionality for hangouts. Google also says there have been 91 other improvements to Google+ since it launched, which you can review on the What’s New With Google+ page.” Tony Bradley ponders whether Google+ can compete with Facebook....
Search Engine Land, Sep. 20; Official Google Blog, Sept. 20; PC World, Sept. 20

Feeling pointy about library vendors
Jenica P. Rogers writes: “I have had a very bad week regarding vendors—the disheartening, maddening kind—and in the interests of advancing libraries’ understanding of how our vendor community treats us, I’m going to name names. One issue is that it seems EBSCO no longer has a simple or clear price list. ProQuest has still not fixed the issues in its new interface. And then there’s the American Chemical Society.” Two of the three vendors responded....
Attempting Elegance, Sept. 16

Gary MarchioniniUNC-Chapel Hill’s LifeTime Library thought to be a first
Imagine keeping all of your college reports, files, and photos together and permanently connected to your university with the gift of digital storage throughout your lifetime. For the first time, that wish will come true for students entering the School of Information and Library Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill through a new project called the LifeTime Library. The new web-based program is the brainchild of Dean Gary Marchionini (right), who believes it is the first of its kind at any university....
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill SILS, Sept. 15

When Stars Go Boom poster in Stop for Science seriesStop for Science
“Stop for Science” is a K–6 program, developed by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and the Chandra Science Center, that consists of a series of posters and accompanying questions designed to pique student interest in scientific concepts. Accompanying each poster is a series of question sheets of increasing difficulty that students answer and submit at a designated location. Prizes can be used to recognize student participation. The purpose is to create school-wide interest about science so students will want to “Stop for Science” as displays are changed throughout the year....
Chandra Science Center

Reflecting telescope at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, from a plate in the second volume of An Introduction to Practical Astronomy, by the Rev. W. PearsonSouth Carolina acquires major astronomy collection
The South Carolina State Museum and the University of South Carolina have acquired a major collection of historic telescopes and astronomy books, documents, and equipment. Donated by Robert B. Ariail of Columbia, the collection comprises more than 5,200 rare books and star atlases, scientific journals, rare offprints and manuscripts, historic and modern telescopes, binoculars, lenses, and other scientific equipment. It will be called the Robert B. Ariail Collection of Historical Astronomy....
Orangeburg (S.C.) Times and Democrat, Sept. 15

Karen Schneider (front row center) at the Leadership Institute for Academic LibrariansReflections in a golden LIAL
Karen Schneider writes: “Early in August I attended the Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. I returned just in time to get out my Orientation surfboard, on which we ride the waves of a new school year. Even during those long, exhausting, wonderful days, I felt confounded by my lack of time to blog about LIAL—I so yearned to capture the event before it faded. Most of the instruction was through the Harvard case study model.”...
Free Range Librarian, Sept. 19

Title page of Speculum conjugiorum, Alonso de la Vera Cruz, fray, ca. 1507-1584 - Published: 1556, held by the Benson Latin American Collection at the University of Texas at AustinBrown Library joins Primeros Libros project
A project aimed at building a major research tool for the global study of Latin America at the University of Texas at Austin has just gotten a significant new academic partner. The John Carter Brown Library at Brown University will join the Primeros Libros project, which strives to build and preserve a digital collection of the first books (primeros libros) printed in Mexico before 1601. The monographs in the collection represent the first printing in the New World and are primary sources for the research of cultural history, linguistics, religious studies, and related fields....
University of Texas at Austin, Sept. 20

Hispanic Heritage contests at the Hillsborough County (Fla.) Public Library CooperativeSeptember is National Hispanic Heritage Month
In celebration of the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America, September 15–October 15 marks National Hispanic Heritage Month. The 2011 theme is “Many Backgrounds, Many Stories: One American Spirit.” Here are a few examples of what libraries are doing to celebrate these stories....
Campaign for America’s Libraries, Sept. 20

Ms.Hunt.80_122b, Chapter 3Bodleian Library puts Mishneh Torah online
Part of the first comprehensive code of Jewish law, the 12th-century Mishneh Torah, has been digitized by Oxford University’s Bodleian Library. More than 350 pages of handwritten text, signed by the Hebrew scholar Maimonides, have been captured. The manuscript, widely regarded as one of the most important in the Bodleian’s Hebrew collection, has been stored there since 1692. The high-definition images were created by photographer Ardon Bar-Hama....
BBC News, Sept. 19

The cataloging challenge
Laurel Tarulli writes: “I’ve always believed that catalogers are more than data entry specialists. But I don’t think our potential is being realized, and I don’t believe many professionals want to explore the real strength and expertise of their catalogers. Sometimes it’s just easy to maintain the status quo and avoid the resistance. So here are my thoughts on exploring why we catalog, or more importantly, what the motivation should be behind cataloging and what we actually do or should be doing.”...
The Cataloguing Librarian, Sept. 17

Some European thoughts on RDA
Karen Coyle writes: “Some European libraries are asking the question: ‘Should we adopt RDA as our cataloging code?’ The discussion is happening through the European RDA Interest Group (EURIG). Members of EURIG are preparing reports on what they see as the possibilities that RDA could become a truly international cataloging code. With the increased sharing of just about everything between European countries—currency, labor force, media—the vision of Europe’s libraries as a cooperating unit seems to be a no-brainer.”...
Coyle’s InFormation, Sept. 16

Choosing an LIS specialization
Annie Pho writes: “Usually within the first few weeks of library school, you are asked what type of library you want to work in. You might have had some vague idea of what you wanted to do before you started school. I had wanted to be an art librarian, and my first semester I geared many of my projects around art librarianship. Halfway through my first semester, I switched gears and became more interested in digital libraries. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you figure out what interests you.”...
Hack Library School, Sept. 21

Personal page set up using flavors.meFive ways to set up a personal landing page
Ellyssa Kroski writes: “Each of these free services allows you to create beautiful yet simple personal websites that aggregate all your social media profiles, biographical info, photos, and more in one place in a matter of minutes. No tech skills required! If you’d like to have your own personal landing page where you can send potential employers, clients, or even friends, check out these five websites.”...
iLibrarian, Sept. 19

Facebook upgrade brings more signal, less noise
Douglas Crets writes: “Facebook made significant changes to how it delivers your news and updates September 20 by releasing a ticker feature and a news feed format that arranges missed updates in a newspaper-style format. The move demonstrates an intelligent system for delivering information and encouraging interaction on the world’s largest social network. There are now two formats for receiving updates.”...
ReadWriteWeb, Sept. 20

Which social network should librarians use?
Phil Bradley writes: “If you’re anything like me, you have thought quite recently ‘which social network should I use?’ because you’re in danger of getting overwhelmed with the options that are available to you. It’s been a problem for some time, but Google+ has really brought this into sharp focus. At some point something has to give, doesn’t it? So let’s start by looking at the major networks, and seeing just how useful they are, and what you use them for, before trying to work out how to dump one or more of them, or at least use them differently.”...
Phil Bradley’s Website, Aug. 22

Cover of Future of the First AmendmentSocial media teaches freedom of speech
A new study (PDF file) funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation shows that as social media use grows in the United States, so does students’ appreciation of the First Amendment. The Future of the First Amendment study found that the percentage of students who believe “the First Amendment goes too far” in protecting the rights of citizens has dropped to 24% in 2011 from 45% in 2006. Still, many teachers believe social media harms education....
Knight Foundation, Sept. 15

Child using public library computerPublic libraries: The new town square
With the nation in recession, Americans are visiting their local public libraries more often and taking advantage of the free services they provide with greater frequency. Libraries across the country are seeing significant increases in patronage compared to previous years. And the recession is showing that the role of public libraries within communities is expanding....
International City/County Management Association, Sept. 15

Spellchecking in multiple languages at once
J. D. Biersdorfer writes: “Most recent versions of Microsoft Word include proofreading tools like grammar guides and spellcheckers for additional languages besides American English. The company’s list of proofing tools available for different international editions of Word shows that the English version includes dictionaries and other utilities for both French and Spanish as well as for English. Here’s how to check the spelling of Spanish sections in a Word 2010 document.”...
New York Times: Gadgetwise, Sept. 15

A few of the Darien (Conn.) Library's popular Kids Book Club KitsBook club kits
Kiera Parrott writes: “Looking for a way to highlight your collection, increase circulation, put your expert knowledge of children’s literature to great use, and remind your users that the library is the beating, pulsing heart of your community? It may be as simple as a few duplicate copies, a handout of discussion questions, and a quiet corner for groups to meet. Launched last fall, Kids Book Club Kits have been an extremely popular (and easy to manage) new service at my library.”...
ALSC Blog, Sept. 20

Stop cyberbullying graphic by Elena Centor32 resource links on cyberbullying
Julie Greller writes: “The internet has created a new place where bullies can go and anonymously taunt others. With last year’s suicide of Rutgers freshman Tyler Clementi (and others) it has become more apparent that we need to help our students be more cybersmart and learn about why bullying is something to be taken seriously. It is never too early to educate our kids about the dangers of cyberspace. Here are 32 places you can use.”...
A Media Specialist’s Guide to the Internet, Sept. 19

Seven tips to make your blog stickier
Shane Snow writes: “Bounce rates are the bane of a blog’s existence. The higher the number, the less engaged the reader (and the more depressed the blogger). A sticky blog means more engaged users. It means more opportunities to turn them into advocates who then share your content. These seven tips will help you increase the time visitors spend on your blog and the chances they’ll return often.”...
Mashable, Sept. 17

Are you a literature abuser?
Take this test and find out. How many of these apply to you? It’s sad to think how many of our friends and family need help. If you answer yes to four or more of these questions, you may be a literature abuser. Affirmative responses to seven or more indicates a serious problem. Once a relatively rare disorder, Literature Abuse, or LA, has risen to new levels due to the accessibility of higher education and increased college enrollment since the end of the Second World War. The number of literature abusers is currently at record levels....
Jumbo Joke, Sept. 9

Screen shot from Charlie Chaplin and the Quest for the Holy GravyCharlie Chaplin and the quest for the Holy Gravy
Our silent film star goes on an epic mission (2:01) to find the mysterious “gravy” in the Toronto Public Library. Will he succeed in rooting out the dastardly, wasteful gravy, or is it impossible to judge a book by its cover? Toronto Mayor Rob Ford came to office with a vow to find the “gravy” at city hall and began proposals to close library branches. Starring Elizabeth Graff as Charlie Chaplin and directed by Melissa Cederqvist....
YouTube, Sept. 9

Screen shot from University of Bergen plagiarism videoFive best videos for library instruction
Andy Burkhardt writes: “The teaching librarians here are gearing up for another semester of classes that begin in mid-September. In some of the classes we do, we like to use different sorts of media and technology for teaching. We’ve been looking at videos for several of our classes and I’m always surprised with the interesting videos that other the librarians find. Here are five of my favorite videos for information literacy instruction that I’ve seen over the years.” Check out this plagiarism video (5:13) from the University of Bergen....
Information Tyrannosaur, Sept. 13; YouTube, May 27, 2010

Knight meets dragon at Texas Tech UniversityAdventures in document delivery
Kevin Ten Eyck and Amanda Ramirez star in this Texas Tech University Libraries video (1:45) extolling the virtues and practicality of the library’s document delivery service in defeating mythical creatures....
YouTube, Sept. 16

Screen shot from "I Like Big Books" videoGoin’ to the library, checkin’ books out
This reading awareness music video (6:18) titled “I Like Big Books” was created by the 1,161 students and 108 faculty and staff at Dowell Middle School, McKinney, Texas. Based on Sir Mix-a-Lot’s 1992 single “Baby Got Back.”...
YouTube, Dec. 10, 2010

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