An academic spring?
Barbara Fister writes: “On January 21, distinguished British mathematician Timothy Gowers posted to his blog his rationale for no longer submitting manuscripts, reviewing articles, or doing editorial work for journals published by Elsevier. Gowers faulted the a corporation for high prices, bundling subscriptions in ways that made selection prohibitively expensive for libraries, and for supporting the Research Works Act.”...
American Libraries feature; Gowers’s Weblog, Jan. 21

April Fools! The year’s best library pranks
Greg Landgraf writes: “April Fools’ pranks and librarians have a strong tradition. Here are some of our favorite hoaxes from the LIS world this year. Grilled Unicorn: Professor Brian Trump of the British Library’s British Medieval Cookbook Project reported a near-miraculous find of a long-lost 14th-century cookbook with recipes for hedgehog, blackbird, and unicorn. (If you’ve got a hungry family full of picky eaters, the book suggests marinating unicorn in cloves and garlic before roasting. Absolutely delicious.)”...
AL: Inside Scoop, Apr. 4; Medieval and Earlier Manuscripts Blog, Apr. 1

On My Mind: Put an end to socialized intellectual property (satire)
Donald A. Barclay writes: “My good friends from Restore Intellectual Property Protection for Economic Recovery (RIPPER) are gearing up to launch an informational campaign that will set our mistaken average American citizen straight about the true facts of the so-called public domain. Millions of our cultural treasures, among them the greatest, most inspiring works of human genius and ingenuity ever created, sit moldering in the public domain void, as ownerless and economically unproductive as the fallow collective farms cooked up by Josef Stalin.”...
American Libraries column, Apr. 1

Nominate a Library Star on April 10
Pamela Goodes writes: “National Library Workers Day is right around the corner, on April 10. And in honor of all the unheralded library employees across the country, the ALA–Allied Professional Association is asking those in the profession to nominate “star” library employees for public recognition. ‘Once a year we take time to recognize the hard work of so many who are the very backbone of library service that help these organizations succeed,’ said ALA-APA Director Lorelle Swader.”...
AL: Inside Scoop, Apr. 4

Time to dine in Anaheim
Laura Daily writes: “Even a decade ago, the area immediately surrounding the Anaheim Convention Center was more culinary wasteland than Shangri-La. How times have changed. These days your greatest quandary may be choosing where to dine, so bountiful are the options. ‘A number of celebrated chefs and restaurateurs are paying attention to Orange County,’ said local food blogger Marian Bacol-Uba of marianthefoodie.com. ‘And it hasn’t yet peaked.’”...
American Libraries feature

Catalogers, take this LC survey
Technical services librarians are invited to participate in a survey that examines the value and use of the Library of Congress’s bibliographic data and cataloging products. The library will use the results to guide its strategic responses to this constantly changing bibliographic environment, and help it to effectively define its future role, adopt a sustainable financial model, and better serve its mission in the years ahead. User: catalog. Password: survey....
AL: Inside Scoop, Mar. 28

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ALA voter turnout up from last year
As of March 29, 10.23% of eligible members have voted in the ALA elections compared to 8.62% at the same time in 2011. Voting opened on March 19, and the polls will close at 11:59 p.m. Central time on April 27....
Office of ALA Governance, Mar. 30

Committee on Accreditation resignations
ALA President Molly Raphael informed the ALA governing Council March 28 of the resignation of Committee on Accreditation Chair Ken Haycock and the appointment of Brian L. Andrew to serve the remainder of his term. Haycock had accepted a new position at the University of Southern California that, he said, might be perceived as unduly influencing his role as COA chair. Meanwhile, COA member Dan O’Connor submitted his resignation April 2, charging that ALA leadership was unable to provide for a transparent and coherent set of ethical policy guidelines to address potential conflicts of interest....
AL: Inside Scoop, Apr. 3

New Office for Research and Statistics director
Kathy Rosa (right) will become the new director of the Office for Research and Statistics, effective May 21. Rosa currently serves as an assistant professor of library, information, and media studies in the College of Education at Chicago State University. Prior to her teaching position, Rosa held positions in public, academic, school, and special libraries....
Office for Research and Statistics, Apr. 2

National Library Week, April 8–14
Communities across the US will celebrate the valuable contributions of our nation’s libraries during National Library Week, April 8–14. This year’s theme is “You Belong @ your library,” and libraries will offer programs and services that showcase technology and educational resources. First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week events include the release of the State of America’s Libraries Report on April 9, one of the most comprehensive reports on library trends....
Public Information Office, Apr. 4

Why patrons belong @ your library
Invite your library users to share their stories on why they belong at your library during National Library Week with atyourlibrary.org’s six-word story contest. Through April 11, library users can submit their stories through Twitter using the #nlw6words tag. Stories will be complied and available for judging through atyourlibrary.org. Six-word stories should reflect the 2012 National Library Week theme, “You belong @ your library.” Winners will receive Season 1 of Brad Meltzer’s Decoded on DVD. Meltzer is NLW Honorary Chair....
Public Information Office, Apr. 4

Peeps take part in National Library Week
With National Library Week close on the heels of Easter, many libraries are linking the two efforts in marshmallow Peeps programming. The Ida Rupp Public Library in Port Clinton, Ohio, is having a Peeps Diorama contest. The Gallagher Law Library at the University of Washington is sponsoring a Peepshow Contest. To get in the mood, reread Millikin University Library’s famous 2003 paper on “small fluffy creatures and library research.”...
Ida Rupp Public Library; Gallagher Law Library; Susan Avery and Jennifer Masciadrelli, “Peep Research,” Millikin University, Apr. 25, 2003

Celebrate bookmobiles April 11
As many Americans continue to pinch pennies during this difficult economic time, bookmobile use has become more popular than ever. Bookmobiles bring a wealth of resources to users wherever they are, and on April 11 communities across America will celebrate our nation’s bookmobiles and the vital services they provide during National Bookmobile Day @ your library....
Office for Literacy and Outreach Services, Mar. 29

2011 legislative scorecards available
National Library Legislative Day is April 23–24, and to help prepare for your advocacy efforts, the ALA Washington Office has created 2011 ALA scorecards. Did your representative support school libraries in the Senate or the House? Did your senator cosponsor a bill that would help school libraries? Did your representative sign onto a key letter requesting support for school libraries? Our scorecards for the Senate (PDF file) and House (PDF file) are the definitive way to answer these and other questions....
District Dispatch, Mar. 28

Celebrate Preservation Week @ your library
On April 22–28, libraries across America will celebrate Preservation Week @ your library with the theme, “Pass It On.” Libraries will help connect their users with preservation tools, promote the importance of preservation, and enhance knowledge of preservation issues among the general public. During the week, libraries will focus on these preservation themes: vinyl records, quilts, comic books, slides, digital photos, and family letters. Check out the press kit....
ALCTS, Apr. 3

Celebrate Día, April 30
On April 30, libraries will celebrate and explore our nation’s rich tapestry of cultures during national El día de los niños / El día de los libros (Children's Day / Book Day). Libraries will offer family programs, including bilingual story hours, book giveaways, and other literacy-driven events. Día supports an ongoing commitment for libraries to mirror the needs of the communities that they serve by providing resources in multiple languages....
ALSC, Apr. 3

Brey-Casiano to deliver 2012 Coleman Lecture
Carol Brey-Casiano (right), information resource officer for the US Department of State and 2004–2005 ALA president, will deliver the 2012 Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecture on June 25 during the ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim. Her lecture, “Diversity on the World Stage,” will draw from her experiences as a leader in US libraries and in Colombia, Brazil, and Paraguay....
Office for Literacy and Outreach Services, Apr. 2

Library job trends
Join your colleagues the morning of June 24 in the ALA JobLIST Placement Center in Anaheim, just before its Open House, for a lively discussion on employment trends. Regional Commissioner for the Bureau of Labor Statistics Richard J. Holden (right) will provide observations and analysis on future job trends in our society with a special emphasis on the library and information profession....
Human Resource Development and Recruitment Office, Apr. 3

Ideas wanted for the Diversity and Outreach Fair
The Office for Literacy and Outreach Services invites proposals for the 2012 Diversity and Outreach Fair, held June 23 during the 2012 ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, California. In keeping with this year’s theme, “Building Community Connections,” the fair will feature examples of the many ways libraries forge relationships with other organizations to deliver vital services to their communities. Proposals will be accepted through May 4....
Office for Literacy and Outreach Services, Mar. 29

Join Think Fit Yoga program at Annual Conference
So much thought-provoking professional development, so many stimulating events, so much good networking—it’s sometimes hard to remember to breathe at ALA Annual Conference. Attendees can fix that at this year’s conference by joining in ALA’s Think Fit Yoga program before the morning’s meetings and conference rush at 7 a.m. on June 24....
Conference Services, Apr. 3

Membership on IFLA section committees
The International Relations Committee is accepting nominations to section standing committees of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions for the 2013–2017 term. Forward nominations to Delin Guerra at the International Relations Office before November 13....
International Relations Office

Use social media as a library tool
ALA Editions is hosting a new facilitated eCourse, “Social Media Basics: Engaging Your Library Users.” Paul Signorelli, former director of staff training and volunteer services for the San Francisco Public Library system, will lead this four-week course, which begins on May 21. Signorelli will show you how you can use Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, and Twitter to connect with a library audience for reference, library instruction, outreach, and marketing....
ALA Editions, Apr. 3

Library security workshop
ALA Editions is hosting a new 90-minute workshop on June 6, “12 Essentials for a Safe and Secure Library” with Warren Graham. Graham, a library security manager with decades of experience, will guide you through a set of proven procedures to prepare you to handle a variety of scenarios, ranging from the common to the unexpected....
ALA Editions, Apr. 3

Serving the blind and physically impaired
ALA Editions is hosting a workshop on June 13, “Serving Blind and Visually Impaired Patrons at the Library” with Yolyndra Green. The workshop covers the challenges faced by this population in using libraries and will also provide an overview of the resources available to librarians to assist them, including many that are free....
ALA Editions, Apr. 3

The best picture books for children
Published by ALA Editions, Picture Books for Children: Fiction, Folktales, and Poetry by Mary Northrup is a comprehensive overview perfect for librarians, teachers, parents, daycare providers, and anyone who works with young children. Providing descriptive annotations of the best children’s picture book titles published in the last decade, it is both an excellent tool for collection development and an abundant resource for planning storytimes and other children’s programming....
ALA Editions, Apr. 2

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Anaheim Convention Center
Much of the Anaheim Convention Center, the venue for the 2012 ALA Annual Conference, has been renovated in recent years with state-of-the-art facilities. The basketball arena fronting Katella Avenue opened in July 1967, while the convention hall behind it opened to business shortly afterward. Since then, the center has undergone three major expansions, and currently encloses 815,000 square feet of exhibit space and 130,000 square feet of meeting and ballroom space. Visit the ACC website for still photos and panoramic views of its features....
Wikipedia; Anaheim Convention Center

Pirates of the Caribbean ride is 45 years old
The Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland turned 45 years old on March 18. The ride was the last one at Disneyland that Walt Disney helped create. Sadly, he died just before it opened. The ride, which continues to be one of the most popular in the park, was initially intended to be a walk-through museum, but as Walt and his team continued to develop the attraction, they decided a boat ride would be far more fun. Check out D23 for a look back at opening day and an image from an episode of Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color TV show....
Palm Springs (Calif.) Desert Sun, Mar. 18; D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, Mar. 19

Airline quality soars to 22-year high
When it comes to on-time performance, baggage handling, customer complaints, and overbooked flights, US airlines are performing at their highest level in at least 22 years, according to a study released April 2. Discount carriers, such as AirTran, Hawaiian, and JetBlue led the industry on those basic measures. The 2012 Airline Quality Rating (PDF file), a joint project of researchers at Purdue and Wichita State University, shows the 15 largest airlines on average improved in 2011 in all four categories....
Chicago Tribune, Apr. 2

Victims of tighter tipping
Tipping for hotel concierges, bellhops, and housekeepers moves up and down with the economy, but lately it has also been affected by changes in corporate, airline, and hotel policies. Since luggage got wheels, more travelers have been eschewing porters and taking their own bags up to their hotel rooms. Airline baggage fees have made things worse, with travelers packing lighter, and thus not needing the services of a skycap or bellman as often....
New York Times, Mar. 26

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RUSA videos showcase interlibrary loan librarians
New videos posted by the RUSA Sharing and Transforming Access to Resources Section provide insight into the role of interlibrary loan librarians and can help LIS students better understand this important area of librarianship. These two-minute videos feature Micquel Little (right), Collette Mak, and Heather Weltin, ILL librarians who serve in a variety of roles discussing their responsibilities and experiences....
RUSA, Apr. 3

RUSA spring online courses
This spring, RUSA offers a variety of basic reference and user services courses on such topics as readers’ advisory, reference, and genealogy, as well as a pair of courses covering basic and intermediate GIS and spatial information skills that can be applied at your library. Here is an overview of what the division is offering in the next few months....
RUSA Blog, Apr. 4

School library survey data now available
Researchers can now request access to data from the AASL School Libraries Count! longitudinal survey. The yearly survey gathers data on school library programs to track the state of programs nationally. Researchers can submit requests to license the data for noncommercial uses by completing a form....
AASL, Apr. 3

The School Library Month story
Lucille Thomas, chair of the first School Library Month committee, shares the planning and presentation of the first month dedicated to celebrating the school library profession in 1985 in a new audio podcast presented by AASL. Interviewed by Susan Hess, Thomas speaks about developing a national celebration for AASL....
AASL, Apr. 3

Support Teen Literature Day, April 12
On April 12, librarians across the county are encouraged to participate in Support Teen Literature Day to raise awareness among the general public that young adult literature is a vibrant, growing genre with much to offer today’s teens. Sponsored by YALSA, the event showcases award-winning YA authors and books and highlights librarians’ expertise in connecting teens with books and other reading materials....
YALSA, Mar. 29

YA authors at the Printz program and reception
Annual Conference attendees won’t want to miss the 2012 Michael L. Printz Program and Reception, held by YALSA on June 25 in Anaheim, California. The Printz Award, announced in January at the Youth Media Awards, honors the best book written for teens each year. Author John Corey Whaley, whose book Where Things Come Back won this year’s award, will speak, as will honor book author Daniel Handler and illustrator Maira Kalman (above), and authors Christine Hinwood, Craig Silvey, and Maggie Stiefvater....
YALSA, Apr. 2

Susan Cooper to speak at Margaret Edwards luncheon
Join YALSA in honoring Susan Cooper (right), winner of the 2012 Margaret A. Edwards Award for the five books of The Dark Is Rising series, at the Margaret A. Edwards Luncheon on June 23 at the ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, California. Cooper will speak about her books and writing for children and teens after a sit-down luncheon. Tickets must be purchased in advance....
YALSA, Apr. 2

Meet authors at the YA Authors Coffee Klatch
Meet your favorite young adult authors over coffee at YALSA’s annual YA Authors Coffee Klatch on June 24 in Anaheim, California, as part of the ALA Annual Conference. This year’s klatch will feature more than 35 authors whose books have won YALSA’s six awards or appeared on its seven booklists. This event sells out most years, with only limited tickets at the door....
YALSA, Apr. 2

ALTAFF: Isn’t It Romantic?
ALTAFF will host “Isn’t it Romantic?” on June 23 at the 2012 ALA 2012 Annual Conference in Anaheim. This popular program features bestselling romance writers, including Deborah Coonts, Tessa Dare (right), Jillian Hunter, Susan Mallery, and Jill Shalvis. It will be moderated by Barbara Hoffert, editor of Library Journal’s Prepub Alert....
ALTAFF, Apr. 3

Early bird registration for ALSC National Institute
ALSC invites members to take advantage of early bird registration for the 2012 ALSC National Institute before it ends June 30. The institute will take place September 20–22 in Indianapolis and is devoted solely to children’s and youth library services. The event will serve as the kick-off to the Caldecott Award’s 75th anniversary celebration....
ALSC, Apr. 2

Manage teen behavior
By popular demand, YALSA has added a second presentation of its “Managing the Swarm: Teen Behavior in the Library and Strategies for Success” webinar to take place April 24. By setting the right tone with regulars, establishing appropriate boundaries, and equitably addressing problem behaviors, you can create a teen space that is consistently welcoming, using strategies from Managing the Swarm, led by Erin Downey Howerton....
YALSA, Apr. 2

Proposals for AASL Annual Conference programs
AASL invites proposals for 90-minute concurrent sessions and half- or full-day preconference workshops to be presented during the 2013 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago. The submission deadline is June 1....
AASL, Apr. 3

Missouri to offer ALTAFF Trustee Academy
ALTAFF has made special pricing for its Trustee Academy available to state library agencies. Missouri recently joined Nebraska, Kansas, and Utah in making the Trustee Academy available for its libraries through a multiple-use purchase....
ALTAFF, Apr. 3

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2012 ALTAFF Public Service Award
ALTAFF will present its 2012 Public Service Award to Congressman Rush Holt (D-N.J., right) during National Library Legislative Day activities in Washington, D.C., on April 23–24. In Congress, Rep. Holt introduced the Workforce Investments through Local Libraries (WILL) Act to integrate libraries into job training efforts and the SKILLS Act, which would establish a goal of having not less than one highly qualified school librarian in each public school....
ALTAFF, Apr. 3

Host the 2013 Arbuthnot Lecture
ALSC and the 2013 May Hill Arbuthnot Lecture Committee are calling for applications to host the 2013 event, which will feature well-known children’s laureate Michael Morpurgo (right). The lecture traditionally is held in April or early May. A library school, department of education in a college or university, or a children’s library system may be considered for the venue. Host site application forms are due May 11....
ALSC, Mar. 29

2012 ASCLA Exceptional Service Award
ASCLA will posthumously honor Kathleen Hegarty with its 2012 Exceptional Service Award. Making creative use of federal LSCA funds, she forged numerous cutting-edge services for special populations during her tenure at Boston Public Library, including the “Homesmobile” library services to nursing homes and the homebound. Hegarty was notified of winning the award prior to her death on January 28....
ASCLA, Mar. 29

2012 ASCLA Leadership Award
Laura Sherbo, branch library services program manager at the Washington State Library, is the 2012 recipient of the ASCLA Leadership and Professional Achievement Award. The award recognizes leadership and achievement in consulting, library cooperation, networking, statewide service, programs, and state library development....
ASCLA, Apr. 3

Sacramento Public Library unveils award-winning campaign
Residents of Sacramento, California, have been seeing a number of new public transit signs, window clings, and posters—all reminding them that the Sacramento Public Library is a place where everyone belongs. As the winner of the 2012 Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week grant, the library received $3,000 to develop its public awareness campaign using the National Library Week theme, “You belong @ your library.” The campaign’s target audience is the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community....
Public Information Office, Apr. 3

Two I Love My Librarian winners also Movers and Shakers
Two recent winners of the Carnegie Corporation of New York / New York Times I Love My Librarian Award, for which library users nominate their librarians, have recently received national recognition by their peers. Paul Clark (2010 I Love My Librarian winner) and Jennifer LaGarde (2011 I Love My Librarian winner) joined the ranks of the more than 550 librarians that have been named Movers and Shakers by Library Journal since 2002....
Public Information Office, Apr. 3

2012 Morningstar Public Librarian Support grant
Anne Macdonald (right), business librarian at the Poudre River Public Library District in Fort Collins, Colorado, is the 2012 recipient of the RUSA BRASS Morningstar Public Librarian Support Award—an Annual Conference travel grant. The award is presented to a librarian with a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career as a business reference librarian and the potential to be a leader in the profession....
RUSA, Apr. 3

Financial assistance for the LSSC Program
The Library Support Staff Interests Round Table, as well as 10 state library agencies, will be offering another round of financial assistance to library support staff applying for certification in the Library Support Staff Certification Program. The program offers library support staff the opportunity to achieve recognition for their existing skills and knowledge. Apply for a Registration Assistance Award online by May 15....
ALA–Allied Professional Association, Apr. 2

2012 Waterstones Children’s Book Prize
The winners of the 2012 Waterstones Children’s Book Prize were announced at an awards ceremony at Waterstones flagship store in London on March 28. The overall winner, and the winner in the picture book category, was The Pirates Next Door (Templar Publishing) by Jonny Duddle, an amusing story about a pirate family. The fiction for ages 5–12 winner was Liz Pichon’s The Brilliant World of Tom Gates (Scholastic), while You Against Me by Jenny Downham (David Fickling Books) was the teen books winner....
The Independent (UK), Mar. 29

2012 Northern Ireland Book Award
The winner of the 2012 Northern Ireland Book Award was announced on March 28 as Gangsta Granny by well-known UK comedian and writer David Walliams. Little does young Ben suspect that his gangsta granny is planning her greatest jewel heist ever: stealing the crown jewels from the Tower of London. Booksellers and all Grade 8–9 schoolchildren in Northern Ireland were invited to submit nominations. The award recognizes books that are exciting and encourage children to read more....
Northern Ireland Book Award, Mar. 28

Cooking with Poo wins oddest title prize
Cooking with Poo, a Thai cookbook penned by Bangkok resident Saiyuud Diwong and published in Australia, has trumped its rivals to scoop The Bookseller’s coveted Diagram Prize for Oddest Book Title of the Year award. Diwong’s nickname is “Poo” (that’s Thai for “crab”), hence the title. The Diagram Prize, conceived as a way to avoid boredom at the annual Frankfurt Book Fair, was first awarded in 1978 to Proceedings of the Second International Workshop on Nude Mice....
The Bookseller, Apr. 2

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Daily Show to tape at ImaginOn in September
Tickets were all snapped up within an hour April 2 once word got out that popular fake-TV-news-show host Jon Stewart was coming to town in September for the Democratic National Convention. The Charlotte Mecklenburg (N.C.) Library board agreed to rent part of the ImaginOn children’s library and theater to Comedy Central’s The Daily Show for $94,488. Taping will take place September 4–7. The revenue will supplement the library’s operating budget, including services that support literacy, educational success, and workforce development, and will support Children’s Theatre programs and infrastructure....
Charlotte (N.C.) Observer, Apr. 2; Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, Apr. 2

Toronto libraries reopen
Toronto Public Library workers are back on the job after voting to approve a new contract on March 29. CUPE Local 4948 president Maureen O’Reilly said the agreement reached between the union and the city is a victory for the union. The new agreement provides employees with a modest wage increase in the second, third, and fourth year of the contract. Library workers went on strike March 19, after a breakdown in negotiations....
CBC News, Mar. 29; Toronto Public Library, Mar. 29

Camdenton agrees to comply on filtering
The ACLU said on March 28 that it has settled a lawsuit with a central Missouri school district whose internet filtering software was blocking access to nonsexual websites about LGBT issues. The ACLU said the Camdenton R-III School District has agreed to stop blocking the sites, submit to monitoring for 18 months to confirm compliance, and pay $125,000 in legal fees and costs. However, a local attorney has vowed to fight the settlement “to the end,” and the local Tea Party is rallying opposition....
eSchool News, Mar. 29; Camdenton (Mo.) Lake Sun, Mar. 29; Kansas City (Mo.) Star, Mar. 29

Salt Lake library aims to help homeless patrons
In a new program, the Salt Lake City Public Library will begin working with Salt Lake County Human Services, the Utah Department of Workforce Services, and Salt Lake City police to direct patrons to social services including homeless shelters, mental health counseling, or substance-abuse prevention programs. But only with patrons’ consent, a library spokesperson stressed....
Salt Lake Tribune, Apr. 1

State library worker accused of stealing $110,000
A Louisiana State Library employee wanted for allegedly embezzling $110,000 of privately donated funds turned herself in to authorities March 29. Alison Claire Foster was arrested and booked on 174 counts of unauthorized use of a credit card and 94 counts of forgery and felony theft. Foster was employed as the executive assistant to the state librarian since June 1996. Foster’s attorney said she is innocent....
Baton Rouge (La.) Advocate, Apr. 1

The final chapter for a trusty bookmobile?
The Cobleigh Public Library in Lyndonville, Vermont, had managed to keep its bookmobile rolling until about a month ago, when it died. Now that the bookmobile has broken down, librarians have to bring books in their own cars for story hour for preschoolers at Stay and Play, a daycare center. Over the years, Vermont’s large fleet has dwindled to three or four. Lyndonville’s head librarian, Cindy Karasinski, says replacement costs have skyrocketed, and the kind of grants that used to fund bookmobiles have all but dried up....
NPR: Weekend Edition Sunday, Apr. 1

Philatelic libraries join forces
Mark Kellner writes: “One of the most important aspects of philately is the accumulation of the knowledge to create a comprehensible collection or exhibit. Now, some of the world’s leading philatelic organizations are joining forces to make the finding of that specialized knowledge easier. According to an announcement from the Royal Philatelic Society London, or RPSL, the groups will ‘provide a centralized gateway to the greatest philatelic research in existence.’”...
Stamp Collecting Examiner, Apr. 1

UK court rules volunteer-run libraries unlawful
Surrey County Council’s decision to run 10 libraries by volunteers in a move to keep its 52 libraries open has been ruled unlawful by the UK High Court of Justice. Campaigners opposed the move on the technicality that paid staff were more knowledgeable in providing assistance to users. Justice Wilkie said the decision-making process was flawed, because training for volunteers was not fully discussed. The verdict could have implications for other councils that have earmarked changes to library services....
BBC News, Apr. 3

Nobel laureate donates books to Peruvian hometown
Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa says he’ll donate the 30,000 books of his personal library to his hometown of Arequipa, Peru. The Nobel literature laureate announced the plan at a news conference March 28, his 76th birthday. The author of novels, including Conversation in the Cathedral and The Time of the Hero, says he will include a variety of volumes, from history and philosophy to politics and literature....
Associated Press, Mar. 28

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Thought-provoking speakers Rebecca MacKinnon (above) and J. R. Martinez kick off and close out the conference, respectively. MacKinnon, a journalist, internet policy specialist, and author, headlines the Opening General Session June 22. Actor, author, soldier, speaker Martinez will help end on a high note as speaker at the Closing General Session June 26, at the ALA Annual Conference.

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