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The e-newsletter of the American Library Association | March 28, 2012

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American Libraries Online

Court to Camdenton: Replace antigay internet filter
In response to a lawsuit claiming that Camdenton (Mo.) R-III School District’s internet filtering system censors content supportive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, a federal district court has ordered the district to discontinue using its current blocking software, adding that “any new system selected must not discriminate against websites expressing a positive viewpoint toward LGBT individuals.” The district’s filter, URLBlacklist, was developed by one British programmer who winds up determining what information students in Missouri have access to....
AL: Censorship Watch, Mar. 28; ACLU, Feb. 15; New York Times, Mar. 26

Joe McDonald's Facebook pageEight tips to highlight history using Facebook
Sanhita SinhaRoy writes: “At the University of Nevada, Reno, Head of Special Collections Donnelyn Curtis turned to Facebook to connect the university’s archives with students who care about history and the school’s tradition. She began by creating Facebook pages for Joe McDonald and Leola Lewis—two students who attended the university in the 1910s. Curtis started the project as a way to educate people, especially students, about the couple’s lives and the history of their time, as well as to bring more exposure to the special collections department.”...
American Libraries feature

Why ebooks need libraries
Beverly Goldberg writes: “About a week ago, an ALA colleague popped into my office with an epiphany. ‘Libraries will never die out. You know why? If they didn’t exist, people would be inventing them.’ As you might imagine, that got us to talking and finding examples—and it certainly wasn’t hard. Little Free Libraries, anyone? When you think about it, as AL’s Librarian’s Library columnist Karen Muller has, the Occupy libraries movement sprung from the same human need to share ideas, and often there’s no better vehicle for that than the written word.”...
AL: Inside Scoop, Mar. 28

Technology in Practice: Click here to engage
Meredith Farkas writes: “Librarians who teach are always looking for ways to get patrons more actively engaged in instruction sessions. Research has shown that active learning can have positive effects on student learning and certainly helps to get students to reflect on the application of what they’re learning. In large lecture classes, most active learning exercises simply aren’t feasible, making it difficult to avoid the ‘sage on the stage’ model of teaching.”....
American Libraries column, Mar./Apr.

On My Mind: Just whom do we serve?
Anthony Molaro writes: “Chances are, your library is chock-full of people. The vast majority of them—those who visit libraries—are part of a group that library workers have had significant trouble defining. How do we, as librarians, view our patrons? How we perceive them is reflected in what we call them, and judging by the variety of terminology, we have significant trouble pinpointing that perception.”...
American Libraries column

Cover of Angelmaker. The book is a quintessential example of the new translit genreRousing Reads: Translit: New genre collapses time, space
Bill Ott writes: “At the recent PLA conference in Philadelphia, my friend and Booklist columnist David Wright used a term I had never heard, ‘translit,’ to describe that boundary-breaking kind of novel that shatters all the too-often pigeonholing categories we use to compartmentalize modern fiction. Translit—in the dual sense of transcending and transformative— seemed like a perfect term to describe Murakami’s 1Q84 and Nick Harkaway’s Angelmaker.”...
American Libraries column, May/June

Cover of Books: A Living HistoryLibrarian’s Library: The librarian’s history of the library
Karen Muller writes: “Libraries have been shaped by history, and providing historical sources is merely one way they serve their communities, either to research specific events or to pursue something more personal, such as genealogy. When I think of history, two quotations come to mind. One, by Marcus Cicero, says history illuminates the present; the other, by Henry Ford, says we must live in the present.”...
American Libraries column, Mar./Apr.

Use social media for the most effective job search
How many channels are you using to get that next job? Caitlin Williams of San Jose State University has been in the field of career development for over 20 years and led a March 22 webinar on the importance of building your online presence purposefully. With the focus on social media tools and other strategies to expand your networking, Williams mentioned many websites (Word file) for social networking, social news, company information, and job aggregation that can aid in your job search....
AL: Inside Scoop, Mar. 28

Jackson (N.H.) Public LibraryFrom barn to Bibliothek
American Libraries Associate Editor Greg Landgraf writes: “Most libraries aren’t found in barns, but Jackson (N.H.) Public Library happily makes its new home in one. It’s not just any barn, either. Built in 1858 as part of the town’s first inn, the barn was dismantled and stored away in 2008. At about the same time, the library was looking to open a new facility.”...
Boing Boing, Mar. 26

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ALA News

Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van LeerPicoult and daughter at ALA Annual Conference
Best-selling author Jodi Picoult and her daughter Samantha Van Leer will appear as part of the ALA President’s Program and Awards Presentation at ALA Annual Conference on June 24 at the Anaheim (Calif.) Convention Center. The mother-daughter author team will be on tour for the launch of Between the Lines, a book they wrote together that will be published in June....
Conference Services, Mar. 21

John IrvingJohn Irving to introduce his new novel
Bestselling author John Irving (right) will appear at the 2012 ALA Annual Conference on June 23 in the Anaheim (Calif.) Convention Center. He will introduce attendees to his 13th and latest novel, In One Person, due to be published in May. The novel is described as his most political since The Cider House Rules and A Prayer for Owen Meany, offering an unforgettable portrait of the solitariness of a bisexual man dedicated to making himself “worthwhile.”...
Conference Services, Mar. 23

The Rock Bottom RemaindersRaise funds with the Rock Bottom Remainders
By day, they’re famous authors. But once a year they shed their pen-and-pencil-clutching personas and become rock stars, complete with roadies, groupies, and a wicked cool tour bus. The ALA/ProQuest Scholarship Bash welcomes the Rock Bottom Remainders (right) for a special June 23 performance at the ALA Annual Conference in the Anaheim (Calif.) Convention Center. Scheduled to appear are Stephen King, Amy Tan, Mitch Albom, Dave Barry, Matt Groening, Scott Turow, and many others. Roger McGuinn of the Byrds will join the band as special musical guest....
Conference Services, Mar. 27

Virtual Membership Meeting agenda
ALA President Molly Raphael and the Committee on Membership Meetings sent ALA members an invitation to respond to a survey about topics and the format for the 2012 ALA Virtual Membership Meeting, scheduled for June 6. The survey invites your input about agenda items for the meeting and your feedback on virtual participation. It will remain open through April 9, and all responses are anonymous....
ALA Membership Blog, Mar. 27

Think (and disconnect)Choose a balanced information diet
The ALA Office for Information Technology Policy recommends that you improve your information diet. In a new report, Restoring Contemplation: How Disconnecting Bolsters the Knowledge Economy (PDF file), author Jessie L. Mannisto outlines future directions for libraries and other social institutions to improve our capacity for thoughtful endeavor. Options for libraries might include creating a contemplative resource center, supporting and reinforcing student reflection as part of the school day, or using books and exhibits to enable and encourage discussion of our technological habits....
District Dispatch, Mar. 28

Vote on your smartphone
Did you know that you can vote in the 2012 ALA elections on your smartphone and other mobile devices? You are no longer tied to your desktop to cast your vote; you can now vote virtually anywhere. Log in using the URL and credentials that were sent to you between March 19 and March 21. The polls will close on Friday, April 27....
Office of ALA Governance, Mar. 22

Three easy ways to join ALAPersonal ALA member dues
There are several types of personal memberships in ALA, but all have the same rights and privileges of membership. Dues are tiered, based on the roles one has in library work. Special rates are available for retirees, students, Friends, trustees, international members, and non-salaried members. Membership in ALA divisions and round tables is an additional fee, and special dues rates may also be available. To join, go online, call, or fill out the enrollment form....
Membership Development Office

Stillwater (Okla.) Public Library National Library Week logoYou belong @ your library
From snapshot days to visual poetry events, libraries are gearing up and reminding people across the country and in their communities that during National Library Week (April 8–14) and throughout the year the place you belong is at your library. Here are just a few programs that libraries are holding to promote the “You belong @ your library” theme....
Public Information Office, Mar. 27

National Library Legislative Day 2012 buttonVirtual Library Legislative Day
Virtual Library Legislative Day is part of ALA’s National Library Legislative Day on April 23–24, when hundreds of library advocates will descend on Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and their staffs. Library advocates who cannot make it to Capitol Hill for the event can still be a part of the effort by calling or emailing their elected officials any time during the week of April 23–27....
ALTAFF, Mar. 27

Epic librarians assembling at C2E2 2011. Click for larger imageLibrary superheroes invited to C2E2
ALA will be presenting and exhibiting at the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), April 13–15, in the North Building at McCormick Place in Chicago. ALA will present two programs for the library community and comics industry professionals during the Professional Day, April 13. C2E2 has extended free passes for all library staff members on Professional Day, with the hours of 10 a.m.–1 p.m. open only to librarians and educators....
ALA Membership Blog, Mar. 21

Sponsor an Emerging Leader
The ALA Emerging Leaders program is still accepting sponsors for the 2013 class. A completed Intent to Sponsor form (PDF file) should be submitted to Beatrice Calvin by April 6. Organizations or individuals must commit to providing financial support of at least $1,000 ($500 per conference) for each Emerging Leader selected....
Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment, Mar. 27

Spectrum logo: The future is overdueNew Spectrum Scholarship webinar series
As part of the Spectrum Doctoral Fellowship Program: Building Change, a diversity recruitment program funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Spectrum Scholarship Program will present a series of four webinars this spring exploring opportunities for doctoral studies in library and information science. The webinars are free and open to all individuals interested in learning more about LIS doctoral education. They will be recorded and posted to the Spectrum Doctoral Fellowship Program web page....
Spectrum Scholarship Program, Mar. 26

Call for IFLA nominations
The International Relations Committee is accepting nominations to section standing committees of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. IFLA elections are held biennially. In 2013, elections will be held for committees, divisions, sections, and round tables for the period 2013–2017. Forward nominations to Delin Guerra before November 13....
International Relations Committee, Mar. 26

ALA Library War Service map posterLibrary War Service map poster
Larry Nix writes: “I've added a nice item to my collection of ALA Library War Service memorabilia. It is a map of the United States (right) that documents the extent of ALA’s library program in World War I. It proclaims, ‘Every dot on the map means a special war library for our fighting men.’ A larger square dot indicates camps with libraries, and a smaller round dot indicates libraries in other buildings. It includes an impressive list of statistics: 41 camp library buildings in operation; 143 hospitals and Red Cross houses supplied; and 243 librarians maintained in the service.”...
Library History Buff Blog, Mar. 23

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Cover of BZRKFeatured review: Science fiction for youth
Grant, Michael. BZRK. Feb. 2012. 352p. Egmont, hardcover (978-1-606-84312-3).
Grant, who showed a flair for grandiose conceptual gambits in his Gone series, here goes big by going small. With science as soft as pudding (though, really, who cares—pudding is delicious), he envisions nanotechnology so advanced that brains can be rewired, memories manipulated, and senses hacked by robots and gene-spliced creatures the size of dust mites. A war between two ultrasecretive, competing ideologies—one championing free will, the other promising enforced happiness—is being fought “down in the meat,” and Grant gleefully exposes the biological ickiness of the body going about its everyday business in paranoia-inducing scenes of nanobots scuttling across spongy brain matter or plunging probes into optic nerves....

Libba BrayHostile questions: Libba Bray
Daniel Kraus writes: “Libba Bray (right) dashed off some New York Times bestselling books called the Gemma Doyle trilogy—well, don’t that beat all? She also won the Michael L. Printz Award for a book called Going Bovine—sooooo impressive, right? Mostly she goes around writing fancy things and expecting people to read them. But let’s see how fancily she writes after I’m through with her.”...

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

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Anaheim Update

Soarin' Over California rideDisneyland: The basics
The Disneyland Resort is divided into two separate theme parks, three hotels, and a shopping and entertainment district. Here is a map. The first park is the original Disney theme park Disneyland (opened on July 18, 1955). Its sister park Disney California Adventure (opened in February 2001) is located across the entry plaza. Both parks are divided into “lands,” or themes. At the western end of the entry plaza is Downtown Disney, the shopping and entertainment district. Disneyland rides are mostly well-themed dark rides (Pirates of the Caribbean) with the occasional thrill ride (Space Mountain), while California Adventure rides are more thrill-oriented (California Screamin’) with some family-style rides (Soarin’ Over California, above)....
Wikitravel

The GasBuddy app and website rely on crowdsourcing—people across the country sending in gas pricesFinding cheaper gas with your smartphone
Jeff Brady writes: “Companies have applications for most smartphones out there to help people find the cheapest gas in town. I tried out six applications on an iPhone and narrowed the selection to two that I found the easiest to use: GasBuddy and Fuel Finder. GasBuddy launches quickly, with a big, green gas-pump button in the center of the screen labeled ‘Find Gas Near Me.’ Fuel Finder has a feature called ‘On Fumes,’ which lists all the stations close to you regardless of price in case you’re running out of gas.”...
NPR: All Tech Considered, Mar. 22

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2012 ALA Election

Division News

LLAMA preconference on leadership
LLAMA will present “What is Leadership?” a half-day preconference on June 22 at the ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, California. Speakers Jay Johnston and Christine Bradley will outline a theoretically driven yet pragmatic approach to leadership by presenting various leadership styles and appropriate applications. Register online....
LLAMA, Mar. 23

David LevinsonALTAFF Nuts & Bolts program in Anaheim
ALTAFF will host “Nuts & Bolts for Trustees, Friends, and Foundations” on June 22 at the ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, California. The program is designed to equip advocates with the latest techniques for fundraising and advocacy. The featured guest will be David Levinson (right), author of Everyone Helps, Everyone Wins. Other speakers will include Cheryl Gould, April Butcher, Sally Gardner Reed, Marci Merola, Lynn Slawsky, and Deborah Stone....
ALTAFF, Mar. 27

Deadline extended to participate in PLDS
Public libraries in the United States and Canada have until April 16 to be a part of the 2012 survey for the annual Public Library Data Service Statistical Report. Log in at the PLDS survey website. Libraries that have not received a PLDS ID and password can request one online....
PLA, Mar. 23

The legendary actress Betty White gave the keynote for the Closing General Session and signed books afterwardSights from PLA 2012
More than 6,000 librarians visited Philadelphia March 13–17 for the Public Library Association National Conference. Here are some images from the four days of speakers (Betty White on the right), sessions, exhibits, special dinners, and networking opportunities. All photos are by Paul Coker....
AL Focus, Mar. 22

Last week to participate in School Libraries Count!
To participate in the AASL 2012 School Libraries Count! longitudinal survey, participants must enter their data by the March 30 deadline. The survey gathers basic data about the status of school library programs across the country. AASL will use this information to develop advocacy tools to support school library programs at the local, state, and national levels....
AASL, Mar. 27

ASCLA online learning
ASCLA offers training to help libraries serve all of their users. Upcoming online learning opportunities will prepare your library to offer effective services, a welcoming environment, and knowledgeable staff to the blind and visually impaired, people with disabilities, and Latinos. Take advantage of this expertise by enrolling in one of these webinars or online courses to gain valuable knowledge that will help transform your library’s services....
ASCLA, Mar. 26

YA Literature Symposium 2012 logoRegistration open for YA Literature Symposium
YALSA has opened registration for its third Young Adult Literature Symposium, November 2–4, at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch in St. Louis. The 2012 theme is “The Future of Young Adult Literature: Hit Me with the Next Big Thing.” Registration for the symposium includes a welcome reception, educational sessions, coffee breaks, a Saturday reception, and a general closing session on Sunday....
YALSA, Mar. 27

School Library Month webinars
Created with the busy school librarian in mind, AASL will present short, on-demand professional development focused on improving and advocating the school library program in April, School Library Month. The 2012 theme, “You belong @ your library,” will highlight the role strong school libraries play in a student’s educational career....
AASL, Mar. 27

Co-teaching as an essential skill
AASL will present the next of its free Knowledge Quest webinar series on April 10. The March/April issue of Knowledge Quest features articles on co-teaching—building and teaching courses in tandem with subject area teachers. Presented by Susan Ballard and Judi Moreillon, the webinar will touch on ideas presented in their guest coeditor column....
AASL, Mar. 27

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Awards & Grants

Beverly P. Lynch2012 Melvil Dewey Medal
Beverly P. Lynch (right), professor in the Graduate School of Education and Information Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, is the winner of the 2012 Melvil Dewey Medal, sponsored by OCLC. The prestigious honor is given in recognition of creative leadership of the highest order. Lynch was cited for her role in training dozens of current library leaders while director of the UCLA Senior Fellows program since 1990, and in creating and directing the California Rare Book School....
Office of ALA Governance, Mar. 22

Lyn Hopper2012 Elizabeth Futas Catalyst for Change Award
Lyn Hopper (right), strategic planning consultant and former assistant state librarian in Georgia for library development (retired), has received the Elizabeth Futas Catalyst for Change Award. This award is given biennially to an individual for making positive changes in the profession of librarianship and consists of a 24K gold-framed citation and $1,000. In her current and past work, Hopper has focused on providing educational opportunities and training for librarians, trustees, and board members....
Office of ALA Governance, Mar. 22

Clifford LynchClifford Lynch named Library Hi Tech Award winner
Coalition for Networked Information Executive Director Clifford Lynch has been named the winner of the 2012 LITA Library Hi Tech Award for outstanding communication in library and information technology. The award recognizes persons or institutions for their long-term contributions in the area of LIS technology and its application. It consists of $1,000 and a certificate of merit....
LITA Blog, Mar. 22

Robert Kieft2012 Isadore Gilbert Mudge Award
Robert Kieft (right), college librarian at Occidental College, is the recipient of the RUSA 2012 Isadore Gilbert Mudge Award, the highest honor for contributions to the field of reference librarianship. Kieft was cited for his nearly decade-long investment in reformatting the Guide to Reference from a print volume to an ongoing, dynamic, and interactive database with nearly 16,000 entries....
RUSA, Mar. 26

Cover of San Francisco Labor Landmarks Guide Book2012 John Sessions Memorial Award
San Francisco State University’s Labor Archives and Research Center is the 2012 winner of RUSA’s John Sessions Memorial Award. The award recognizes a library or library system that has made a significant effort to work with the labor community and has brought recognition to the history of the labor movement to the development of the United States. One of the center’s notable contributions is the San Francisco Labor Landmarks Guide Book....
RUSA, Mar. 27

2012 BRASS Emerald Research Grants
The RUSA Business Reference and Services Section has selected research proposals from Kerry Wu and Heidi E. K. Senior, and from Louise Mort Feldmann, to receive BRASS Emerald Research Grants—two $5,000 grants sponsored by Emerald Publishing Group that support research in the field of business reference....
RUSA, Mar. 27

2012 Summer Reading Program grants
YALSA has announced the winners of its Summer Reading Program Grants, which are funded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. Twenty libraries are receiving $1,000 to help fund summer reading programs for teens....
YALSA, Mar. 28

Building Awards Committee seeks jury members
The LLAMA Library Building Awards Committee is seeking nominations and applications for jurors for the 2013 Library Buildings Award competition. Jointly sponsored by ALA and the American Institute of Architects, the prestigious biennial awards recognize distinguished accomplishments in library architecture by American architects. Applications must be submitted by May 18....
LLAMA, Mar. 27

Apply for a Banned Books Week grant
Applications are now open for the 2012 Judith Krug Fund Banned Books Week event grants, sponsored by the Freedom to Read Foundation. Grants in the amounts of $1,000 and $2,500 will be given to organizations in support of Read-Outs or other activities that celebrate Banned Books Week (September 30–October 6). The deadline is May 11....
Office for Intellectual Freedom, Mar. 27

Screenshot from third Falling in Love with the Library video10th IFLA International Marketing Award
The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions’ Section on Management and Marketing has announced the winners of its International Marketing Award for 2012. First place was awarded to Tsinghua University Library in Beijing, China, for its “Falling in Love with the Library” video series (right) that features two undergraduates who meet in the library. The videos are offered in two versions, one in Chinese and one with English subtitles. Second place went to the University of Waterloo (Ont.) Library, which launched a campaign featuring 13 creative button designs to capture the visual identity of the six library locations available to students, faculty, and staff....
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, Mar. 23

New York libraries can apply for a Shubert Award
The Joseph F. Shubert Library Excellence Award is given annually to recognize the achievements of small, medium, and large libraries and library consortia in New York State. The award includes a gift of $1,000 supplied by the Friends of the New York State Library. Apply by June 15....
New York State Library

Heather PérezAtlantic City archivist chosen for Top 40 Under 40
Each year the Greater Atlantic City (N.J.) Jaycees and Atlantic City Weekly choose 40 of the area’s most dynamic young leaders for the Top 40 Under 40 recognition. In 2012, Atlantic City Public Library Archivist Heather Pérez (right) was selected for her work in overseeing Atlantic City history collections and promoting the city’s unique history. For her work as a historical consultant, Pérez is listed in the credits of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire....
Atlantic City (N.J.) Weekly, Mar. 15

Cover of The Buddha in the Attic2012 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction
The PEN/Faulkner Foundation has selected The Buddha in the Attic (Fig Tree, 2011) by Julie Otsuka as the winner of its 2012 Award for Fiction. The book is a precise, poetic novel that tells the story of Japanese picture brides brought to California from Japan in the early 20th century. Three judges selected the winner and four finalists from the more than 350 works by American authors published in the US during the 2011 calendar year....
PEN/Faulkner Foundation, Mar. 27

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Libraries in the News

Phoenix libraries could rise again
Phoenix may open its libraries longer in 2012 as officials consider the most significant budget expansion since the recession decimated city finances in 2010 and forced cuts to services. The city projects a surplus of $10–$15 million in the general-fund budget for FY 2012–2013. City Manager David Cavazos released a plan March 22 that called for extending hours at six branches and adding 13 positions....
Phoenix Arizona Republic, Mar. 22

The Robert C. Berlo Road and Street Map Collection includes road maps, Forest Service maps, topographic maps, regional maps, and city maps. Photo by Dan StoberFrom glovebox to archive: Stanford receives trove of road maps
Stanford University Libraries has acquired a variety of maps in its newest acquisition—more than 13,000 of them. The Robert C. Berlo Road and Street Map Collection includes road maps, Forest Service maps, topographic maps, regional maps, and city maps. Some were published by oil companies, others by real estate firms, and others by automobile associations, from the mid-1920s on. The maps, which arrived at Stanford March 12, will take more than a year to process and will be made available as they are cataloged....
Stanford University News, Mar. 21

What remains of the Occupy Wall Street LibraryOccupy Wall Street Library confiscated in Union Square
Jason Boog writes: “These are the remaining books left in the Occupy Wall Street Library following a police action. On March 21, the Occupy Wall Street librarians posted a picture of the newly rebuilt Occupy Wall Street Library in New York City’s Union Square Park. By the end of the day, police had cleared out most of the library—leaving behind the books in the picture.”...
GalleyCat, Mar. 22

A vote of no confidence for Rockford library director
Union members of the Rockford (Ill.) Public Library delivered a 31–1 vote March 23 of no confidence in Director Frank Novak. Union President Karla Janssen spoke critically of proposed plans to close library locations, eliminate Sunday hours, and devote a significant portion of the library’s budget toward digital collections, which, she said, currently make up 3% of the total circulation. But at a March 26 library board meeting, the board’s president and past president defended Novak....
Rockford (Ill.) Register Star, Mar. 23, 27

Hawaii’s unfriendly Friends battle
Emotions ran high at a March 21 Hawaii State Capitol Senate Education hearing about libraries and fundraising legalities of their Friends affiliates. More than a year ago, State Librarian Richard Burns told nonprofit groups that raise money for their community library that they must become part of the single statewide “Big” Friends of the Library organization or they would no longer be allowed to fundraise on state property. Among those banned were the well-organized Friends of the Aina Haina Public Library in Honolulu who have been operating successfully for 50 years....
Hawaii Reporter, Mar. 22

A page from Album 7, showing a photograph of Girl Holding a Dove by Jean-Honoré Fragonard. Photo courtesy of the National ArchivesTwo Nazi art albums discovered
Two original albums of photographs of paintings and furniture looted by the Nazis were recently discovered. The albums have been in private hands since the end of World War II and will be donated to the US National Archives in Washington, D.C. These albums were created by a special Nazi task force engaged in the theft of cultural treasures in occupied countries. In the closing days of World War II, US soldiers entered Adolf Hitler’s home in the Bavarian Alps. Many picked up souvenirs to prove they had been inside the Berghof....
Prologue: Pieces of History, Mar. 27

Toronto librarians, authors join forces at read-in
“Cheerful rage” is probably the best way of describing the mood at the “read-in” and rally—organized by the striking librarians’ union, CUPE Local 4948—that took place in front of the Toronto Reference Library on March 26. The crowd of more than 100 included library workers, supportive members of the public, and a sizable contingent from the Writers’ Union of Canada who showed up to voice their support for their fellow word lovers during the labor disruption....
Torontoist, Mar. 26

An imperial directive issued by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb lies in a torn folder at the National Archives of India, New Delhi. The label reads, “It is very badly damaged and broken at places.” Photo: Manpreet Romana for the New York TimesRepairing the damage at India’s National Archives
Decades of neglect, underfunding, and bad preservation techniques have wrought considerable damage to India’s National Archives. The letters of the Bengali intellectual Romesh Chunder Dutt, for example, are warped due to humidity. A similar fate afflicts the papers of Dadabhai Naoroji, another early nationalist leader. The terrible irony was that the National Archives had the proper equipment for preserving those documents, but the equipment—like the collections—was gathering dust....
New York Times: India Ink, Mar. 21–22

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Issues

FRPAA gains cosponsors and a hearing
The Federal Research Public Works Act of 2012, H.R. 4004, gained traction in mid-March in the US House of Representatives. On March 19, Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.) held a congressional briefing on the issue of public access to the results of taxpayer-funded research. On March 20, FRPAA picked up a whopping 24 additional cosponsors (both Democrats and Republicans). Then on March 22 the US House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight added to its schedule a hearing for March 29....
District Dispatch, Mar. 23

Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library, Santa Clarita, CaliforniaAre privatized public libraries so bad?
Amanda Erickson writes: “To me, the idea of a privatized public library has a certain dystopian ring to it, the ultimate public space corrupted for a profit. That image was not much aided by my first (and second and third) call to Library Systems and Services Inc., the only library privatization company in the United States. But then, there’s the example of Santa Clarita, California. Even the councilman who opposed letting LSSI run the library, Bob Kellar, says he hasn’t heard any complaints since the new system opened in July.”...
The Atlantic Cities, Mar. 28

A fresh look at the Checklist for Fair Use
Kenneth D. Crews writes: “The Checklist for Fair Use is a tool intended to help individuals and institutions make a reasoned decision about fair use. It is an attempt to capture some of the circumstances and conditions that courts have identified as relevant or even important to the evaluation of each of the four fair-use factors embodied in Section 107 of the US Copyright Act.”...
Copyright and New Media Law Newsletter, Issue 1 for 2012

Amazon, PDA, and library sales for books
Joseph Esposito writes: “Here’s the hypothesis: Virtually all academic libraries buy print books from Amazon, and within a few years, virtually all academic libraries will have PDA programs in place. At some point these two trends will intersect, beginning a significant restructuring of the marketplace. Publishers now have a glimpse of what Amazon is likely to be doing with consumer book markets and now should be thinking about a significantly restructured library market. The question is, what investments should be made today to ensure a publisher’s viability and growth in the years ahead?”...
The Scholarly Kitchen, Mar. 27

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Tech Talk

The Mechanical Turk, a carefully designed automaton that allowed a human chess master to hide inside and direct the machine’s chess-playing armThe eight greatest tech hoaxes in history
David Cardinal writes: “P. T. Barnum is famously credited with saying, ‘There is a sucker born every minute.’ The March 19 viral video (1:50) of a Dutch man named Jarno Smeets taking flight powered only by a set of flapping wings certainly demonstrated that we all want to believe in the power of technology—until he himself (in the person of filmmaker Floris Kaayk) revealed the entire effort was an elaborate hoax. Technology has been intertwined with hoaxes for centuries. Here are some of my favorites.”...
Extreme Tech, Mar. 26; YouTube, Mar. 19; Digital Trends, Mar. 22

Computer codeA surge in learning code
Jenna Wortham writes: “Parlez-vous Python? What about Rails or JavaScript? Foreign languages tend to wax and wane in popularity, but the language du jour is computer code. The market for night classes and online instruction in programming and web construction, as well as for iPhone apps that teach, is booming. Those jumping on board say they are preparing for a future in which the internet is the foundation for entertainment, education, and nearly everything else.”...
New York Times, Mar. 27

Google account stats
Google added an interesting feature that shows stats for services like Google Latitude, Gmail, and Google Search. If you go to the Account Activity page (requires login), you can opt in for a monthly report that provides a “summary of your account activity across many Google products.” It’s like a personal Google Analytics, but it’s less detailed and it focuses on security features....
Google Operating System, Mar. 28

Percentage of hackers, scrapers, spammers, and spiesNonhumans account for 51% of web traffic
Marc Gaffan writes: “Most website owners don’t know that a startling 31% of any site’s traffic can harm its business. And although most website owners rely on Google Analytics to track who is visiting their site, Google simply doesn’t show you 51% of your site’s traffic, including such seriously shady nonhuman visitors as hackers, scrapers, spammers, and spies of all sorts who are easily thwarted, but only if they’re seen and blocked.”...
The Incapsula Blog, Mar. 14

Spam on LinkedIn
P. F. Anderson writes: “A Twitter friend of mine contacted me with some concern. An acquaintance on her campus had contacted her administration with a screenshot suggesting awful things about her use of LinkedIn. What had she done that was so awful? She’s a real person and she’s not lying, so what’s left? Spam is all over LinkedIn, just like it is for Twitter and Facebook and email.”...
Emerging Technologies Librarian, Mar. 23

What’s the difference between sleep and hibernate?
Lori Kaufman writes: “Windows 7 provides several options for conserving power when you are not using your PC. These options include Sleep, Hibernate, and Hybrid Sleep and are very useful if you are using a laptop. Here’s the difference between them.”...
How-To Geek, Mar. 28

NetZero's 4G HotSpot MiFi deviceHot spots that don’t stay home
David Pogue writes: “Once you’re out of the house and on the road, you’re out of Wi-Fi range. You’re either offline completely, or you peek at the internet through the tiny screen of a smartphone. There is another way. You could get a broadband cellular hot spot, like the MiFi, a tiny, self-powered base station that creates a Wi-Fi bubble from your pocket or purse.”...
New York Times, Mar. 21

4G or not 4G
Walter S. Mossberg writes: “Of all the confusing technology terms used in consumer marketing today, perhaps the most opaque is 4G, used to describe a new, much faster generation of cellular data on smartphones, tablets, and other devices. It sounds simple, but there are many varieties of 4G and conflicting claims. It’s a headache for consumers to grasp. So here’s a simplified explainer to some of the most common questions, based on interviews with top technical officials at all four major US wireless carriers.”...
Wall Street Journal: Personal Technology, Mar. 28

FuzeBox video conferencingFuzeBox video conferencing
Ryan Lawler writes: “Video conferencing is becoming increasingly mobile: Participants are no longer required to sit in a big telepresence room to connect with coworkers or partners or to collaborate on projects. Increasingly, devices like the iPad are enabling those workers to be just as productive anywhere they happen to be. Which is why FuzeBox is coming out with a new iPad app that is optimized for the device’s new Retina display and 4G wireless connectivity.”...
GigaOM, Mar. 28

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E-Content

Pottermore Shop logoYou can buy Harry Potter ebooks now
The Pottermore ebookstore is open earlier than expected, with all the Harry Potter ebooks and digital audiobooks available (not DRM-free) for sale for the first time March 27. Wait until you see what they worked out with Amazon’s Kindle. While the interactive community portion of Pottermore is still in beta and set to open to a general audience in April, the bookstore is open now. It looks as though Pottermore has done a great job making the ebooks available across every possible device....
paidContent, Mar. 8, 27; The Digital Reader, Mar. 27

The evil ebook is coming
Jamie LaRue writes: “Libraries of all types need to have systems enabling them to publish and manage content directly. So now let’s say that your library does have an infrastructure for the management of digital content, as my library does. I anticipate that there will be at least four kinds of content coming our way: crap, okay stuff, great works, and evil ebooks (featuring plagiarism, links to pornography, or malicious code).”...
myliblog, Mar. 25

Molly Raphael at the Association of American Publishers annual meetingLibrarians, publishers, and ebooks
In this video (61:20), librarians present the case for ebooks in libraries to major publishers at the March 14 Association of American Publishers annual meeting. The speakers are ALA President Molly Raphael (right); Jim Neal, Columbia University libraries; and Tony Marx, New York Public Library. In the audience are the heads of most of the largest houses in publishing, including many that do not sell ebooks to libraries....
EarlyWord: The Publisher | Librarian Connection, Mar. 23; Ustream, Mar. 22

Chart: Awareness of and downloading paid-for ebooks in 10 countriesBowker global ebook research study
Australia, India, the UK, and the US are leading the world in ebook adoption rates, according to Bowker Market Research’s Global eBook Monitor. The study tracks consumer attitudes to and purchasing of ebooks in major world markets. Respondents in France and Japan were the least likely to have purchased an ebook. Age and gender are consistent predictors of purchase behavior globally....
Bowker, Mar. 27

Three sites for online talking children’s storybooks
Richard Byrne writes: “This post is born out of a request for help from someone that I met at the Teacher 2 Teacher conference in Bow Island, Alberta. She was looking for some free online talking storybooks to use in her Grade 1 class. Nothing came to mind right off, so I searched Diigo and my blog archives to find these three places to find free online talking children’s storybooks.”...
Free Technology for Teachers, Mar. 24

Screenshot from Ancestry.com videoBehind the scenes at Ancestry.com
At Ancestry.com headquarters in Provo, Utah, workers scan microfilm and city directories and carefully take photos of historical documents, all to be uploaded to the website. This video (4:34) shows some of their operations. The largest for-profit genealogy company in the world, it operates a network of genealogical and historical record websites focused on the US and nine foreign countries....
Computerworld, Mar. 22

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ALA 2012 Annual Conference in Anaheim logo

Duane Bray

A world-renowned expert on innovation with a focus on the intersection of technology and people, Duane Bray will delve into some challenges of disruptive change in “Future of the Book: Innovation in Traditional Industries,” which will be part of the joint ALCTS/ ACRL President’s Program, June 25 at the ALA Annual Conference.


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Knowledge Is Power poster set

Keep everyone thinking about the importance of lifelong learning during Information Literacy Awareness month in October and all year-round. The four quotes on these Knowledge Is Power posters—perfect for display in classrooms and libraries of all kinds—encourage the pursuit of information, knowledge, and education. NEW! From ALA Graphics.

Solutions and Services column

Great Libraries of the World

Biblioteca Reale di Torino

Biblioteca Reale di Torino, Turin, Italy. Located on the ground floor of the Royal Palace, the library was established in 1840 by King Charles Albert to house the rare materials collected by the House of Savoy since the 18th century. It focuses on the history, culture, printing, and coinage of Savoy and Sardinia, but also possesses numerous original drawings by Leonardo da Vinci.

Biblioteca degli Uffizi

Biblioteca degli Uffizi, Florence, Italy. The library was housed in the former Medici theater from the late 18th century and specializes in the art of the Uffizi Gallery and history of the Florentine museums. In 1998, it moved to the restored site of the former Biblioteca Magliabechiana in the Via dei Castellani.

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 in 2013 by ALA Editions. There is also a Great Libraries of the World Pinterest board.

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Library Director, Madison Public Library, Madison, Wisconsin. The City of Madison is seeking an exemplary leader to direct the programs, activities, and staff of the Madison Public Library (MPL). Madison is the capital of Wisconsin and home of the largest campus in the University of Wisconsin system. As the center of state and county government, Madison has a deserved reputation for political awareness, accessibility, and progressive leadership....

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Digital Library of the Week

1958 Baltimore Colts radio and TV schedule

In honor of Maryland’s 378th birthday on March 25, 2012, the Enoch Pratt Free Library/State Library Resource Center in Baltimore has launched the new Maryland Digital Cultural Heritage website. The site showcases a digital collection of items from Maryland libraries, museums, historical societies, and other institutions, and includes more than 5,000 items, such as maps, manuscripts, photos, artwork, books, and other media.

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, Check out our Featured Digital Libraries Pinterest board.


Public Perception
How the World
Sees Us

“The library, to me, is the second most sacred physical space on the planet.”

—Poet Nikky Finney, winner of the 2012 National Book Award for poetry, during a reading at the Richland County (S.C.) Public Library, Mar. 22.

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Joan Miró's Work Examined

Joan Miró painting,
The Two Philosophers

Picture This: Hone Your Photography Skills at the Library!

The Search for Amelia Earhart Continues as She is Honored at National Portrait Gallery

Tenth Greatest Athlete of All Time: Babe Didrikson Zaharias

Connect with your kids: Celebrate Women's History Month

'Suited for Space'

J. D. Tyler: 'I could just relax and be me.'

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Calendar

Apr. 2:
1940 Census Launch Program,
William G. McGowan Theater, National Archives Building, Washington, D.C. RSVP by March 30.

Apr. 5–7:
California Academic and Research Libraries,
Conference, San Diego Marriott Mission Valley. “Creativity and Sustainability: Fostering User-Centered Innovation in Difficult Times.”

Apr. 12:
Municipal Art Society of New York,
Arts Forum, Dweck Center for Contemporary Culture, Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza. “Libraries as Culture Hubs.”

Apr. 16:
Shakespeare’s Birthday Lecture,
Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C. “What Mamillius Knew: Ceremonies of Initiation in The Winter’s Tale.”

Apr. 19–
May 7:

Buenos Aires International Book Fair,
Argentina.

Apr. 30–
May 4:

International Internet Preservation Consortium,
General Assembly, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

May 3:
Quebec Library Association,
Annual Conference, McGill University, Montreal. “Opening Up: Innovation and Access.”

May 3:
New England Technical Services Librarians,
Annual Spring Conference, College of Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts. “iLibrary: Digital Futures for Libraries.”

May 510:
Association for Computing Machinery Special Interest Group on Computer Human Interaction,
Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Austin, Texas.

May 10–12:
British Columbia Library Conference,
Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel, Richmond. “Licence to Read.”

May 14–16:
Manitoba Libraries Conference,
Delta Hotel, Winnipeg.

May 14–
Aug. 2:

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Graduate School of Library and Information Science,
Midwest Book and Manuscript Studies courses. Offerings include in-person and online courses on rare book and special collections librarianship, legal issues in library and information science, and audiovisual materials in libraries and archives. Dates vary by course.

June 6–8:
Center for Intellectual Property,
Symposium, Baltimore Convention Center.
“Adventures in Copyright: Navigating Your Way through Intellectual Property.”

June 6–8:
LOEX of the West,
Woodbury University, Burbank, California.

Sept. 20–22:
Kentucky Library Association / Kentucky School Media Association,
Joint Conference, Galt House Hotel & Suites, Louisville. “Kentucky Libraries: For Every Chapter of Your Life.”

Oct. 3–5:
Minnesota Library Association,
Annual Conference, St. Paul RiverCentre. “Minnesota Libraries: A Capitol Idea.”

Oct. 3–5:
Missouri Library Association,
Annual Conference, University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, Springfield. “Missouri Libraries: Inspiration for Life.”

Oct. 4–6:
Nevada Library Association,
Annual Conference, Sahara West Library, Las Vegas. “Nevada Libraries: Byte the Book.”

Oct. 17–19:
Mountain Plains Library Association / Nebraska Library Association / Nebraska Educational Media Association,
Tri Conference, LaVista Conference Center. “Back to the Basics: Building the Future.”

Nov. 7–9:
Michigan Library Association,
Annual Conference, Dearborn Hyatt Regency. “Loud Librarian!”

Dec. 13–15:
Teaching Book History,
Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington D.C. Apply for admission by September 4.

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Books & Reading

The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and MockingjayHunger Games: A uniting force
Mary Schmich writes: “To skeptics, the sight of adults glomming on to a young-adult novel may bear a creepy resemblance to middle-aged disco dancers in Spandex. But The Hunger Games offers some attractions that many grown-up novels don’t. The plot is strong. The characters are vivid. The writing is clear, better, sentence by sentence, than a lot of adult blockbusters and some purportedly literary novels. It’s also just fun to reflect that many people, young and old, Republicans and Democrats, are reading the same thing.”...
Chicago Tribune, Mar. 28

Cover of Chopsticks, by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo CorralIntertwined text and illustration in YA books
Sharon Rawlins writes: “Remember when you were a kid and graduated from reading books with lots of illustrations to books with nothing but text? You felt so grown up? But there were times when you secretly wanted books where you could just look at the pictures. Now you can indulge in your love of both because there are so many books out there that combine text and illustration in innovative ways. In these books, the text and accompanying illustrations complement each other in a seamlessly intertwined and integrated way.”...
YALSA The Hub, Mar. 28

A slow-books manifesto
Maura Kelly writes: “Fast entertainment (TV, the internet), consumed mindlessly as we slump on the couch or do our morning commute, pickles our brains—and our souls. That’s why I’m calling for a Slow Books Movement. In our leisure moments, whenever we have down time, we should turn to literature—to works that will take some time to read but will also stay with us longer than anything else. They’ll help us unwind better than any electronic device—and they’ll pleasurably sharpen our minds and identities, too.”...
The Atlantic, Mar. 26

Broadcast your mediaHow to host your own audiobook gathering
Chris Perez writes: “Book clubs can be great, but have you thought about taking them to another level with audiobooks? Wouldn’t it be fun to hold a quaint gathering in your living room—seated ’round the fireplace with a refreshing cocktail, while a central speaker broadcasts a good story as if it were the 1930s? Read on and we’ll show you how to hold such an event.”...
Apartment Therapy, Mar. 19

The 2012 Statistical Abstract was the last published by the US Census BureauProQuest to publish the Statistical Abstract
ProQuest will rescue a valued reference tool when it takes on publication of the Statistical Abstract of the United States beginning with the 2013 edition. The move ensures the continuation of this guide to an extraordinary array of statistics, published since 1878. The US Census Bureau, responsible for publishing the work, announced in March 2011 that it would cease production of the Statistical Abstract after the 2012 edition, prompting widespread concern among librarians, journalists, and researchers about its disappearance....
ProQuest, Mar. 22

Agnese's atlases were produced as expensive collectors’ objects, often for presentation. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2012Rarities in cartography and Americana to be auctioned
On April 10, Christie’s New York will auction the private library of Kenneth Nebenzahl, renowned dealer, cartographic scholar, and author from Chicago. Formed over the past 50 years, the collection includes some of the greatest rarities in the fields of cartography, exploration, and Americana. One highlight from the collection includes the Liber Insularum Archipelagi of Cristoforo Buondelmonti, the most important Renaissance illustrated travel book of the Eastern Mediterranean. It is a primary source for the Aegean, with the famous bird’s-eye view of an as-yet-unconquered Constantinople....
Artdaily, Mar. 27

La Bâtarde, by Violette LeducThe 10 best LGBT romances
Kim Parker writes: “Ever since Maryland officially legalized same-sex marriage in March, we at Flavorwire have had love on our minds. Since we’re also always thinking about books, we’ve collected 10 wonderful literary LGBT romances to get you in the mood. From aching first love to rambunctious adulthood, this list offers something for everyone, regardless of gender or sexual preference. Heartbreak—like disease, love, and death—doesn’t care if you’re hetero-normative or not.”...
Flavorwire, Mar. 28

What are the chances that the ancient Talmud and internet crowdsourcing could help decipher James Madison's "Notes of the Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787" to help us better understand our own Constitution?The internet unlocks James Madison
Emily Badger writes: “James Madison’s Notes of the Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787 has never been a bestseller. But Benjamin Wittes, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, argues that these notes—a kind of Congressional Record of their time—may be the most important text in American history that no one ever reads. The Center for the Constitution at James Madison’s Montpelier estate in Virginia has been trying for years to figure out how to unlock the document. Now, in a partnership with Brookings, they’ve put it online to test a kind of scholarly Wikipedia for American history.”...
Miller-McCune, Mar. 23

Cover of Nazareth, North Dakota, by Tommy Zurhellen (Atticus Books, 2011)12 great small-press books
Emily Temple writes: “March is Small Press Month, so before the month is out, we decided we’d better get to talking about a few of the great books published by the tinier houses. We reached out to a few publishers, editors, and publicists of small presses and asked them to recommend some of their favorite books recently released by other indie outfits. They responded in force.”...
Flavorwire, Mar. 27

Alternatives in Print directory
Alternatives in Print is an online directory of alternative periodicals and book publishers, “alternative” referring to literature that is outside the mainstream, politically oriented, and in some sense rooted in the left. It is a combination of two former reference books: Annotations, a directory of periodicals published by the Alternative Press Center; and Alternative Publishers of Books in North America, a directory of publishers updated every two years by Byron Anderson and created under the auspices of the ALA Social Responsibilities Round Table....
Library Juice, Mar. 27

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Tips & Ideas

Ayaka IsonoBraille music scores provide a lifeline to blind musicians
Mark Hartsell writes: “Ayaka Isono (right) is one of thousands of visually impaired musicians whose work depends upon the collections of the Music Section of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, a program of the Library of Congress. The music collections at NLS represent the world’s largest source of material for visually impaired musicians and music lovers. The material provides an important resource for blind musicians trying to adapt to their impairment, learn their craft, or make it in the business of music.”...
Library of Congress Blog, Mar. 26

Poem in Your PocketCelebrate poetry
Angela Hanshaw writes: “April is National Poetry Month. Do you need inspiration for some last-minute programming, or are you looking for ideas you can use year-round? The Academy of American Poets offers a list of 30 ways to celebrate poetry; here are 10 from the list that can be easily adapted for libraries.”...
Programming Librarian, Mar. 27; Academy of American Poets

What to pin at the top of your Facebook timeline
Jackie Cohen writes: “One of the smartest features of the Facebook timeline for organizations is the ability to pin posts to the page. The feature is so helpful that it might seem like a no-brainer to decide what to pin. But the catch is, you can only pin one thing at a time. Whatever you most recently pinned shows up at the top of the page. Here’s a list of things you might want to pin to the top of your timeline page.”...
All Facebook blog, Mar. 26

Librarian Twitter BingoLibrarian Twitter Bingo
Joe Hardenbrook writes: “You ever think, ‘Wow those librarians are always tweeting about the same thing’? Well, now you can play a game: It’s called Librarian Twitter Bingo. Every time you see a librarian tweet about one of these topics (right), cross it off. When you get a whole row, yell ‘Bingo!’ P.S. I myself could probably cross off at least 13 of these boxes with my own tweets.”...
Mr. Library Dude, Mar. 22

Vote for your favorite New Librarianship Pinterest board
Kelly Lux writes: “Syracuse University iSchool’s contest has generated much excitement and interest. We were very impressed with the work that contestants put into their boards and the varying ways they defined what it means to be a New Librarian. It has been a tough chore to decide ‘the best of the best,’ but we have come up with our Elite Eight boards. Vote by March 30 for the one you believe best represents the future of librarianship.”...
Information Space, Mar. 26

Pinterest updates its terms of service
Jon Russell writes: “Fast-growing social sharing site Pinterest has introduced significant changes to its terms of service, which will take effect April 6. An email sent out to registered users explains that the company has updated the original terms that have governed the site since it launched. The most significant of the new changes sees Pinterest relinquish its right to sell user content—something the firm says it had never really intended to make use of.” The previous terms had caused some major concerns....
The Next Web: Apps, Mar. 24; The Flying Trilobite, Mar. 20

The mysterious library Tech Services area. Photo by Becky YooseWhat is workflow automation?
Becky Yoose writes: “The oversimplified answer to this question is that workflow automation is the process where you have the computer do the things that it can be programmed to do, thereby reducing repetitive manual actions by the staff member. There are two types of automation to consider when you look at your workflows: data entry and decision making.”...
ACRL Tech Connect, Mar. 26

High school librarians teach technology
A steady murmur of voices emanated from the library in Cedar Creek High School in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey. But as librarian Christine Finn walked toward a table of students, it wasn’t to quiet them down, but to assist in their history project creating a wiki about the Great Plains. School librarians are also curators, reviewing databases and websites. Finn said she also asks students what they want, and Cedar Creek’s library has a collection of audiobooks popular among students with reading disabilities and those with long bus rides....
Press of Atlantic City, Mar. 22

Stop branding: Reclaim your identityStop branding your library
PC Sweeney writes: “I had an interview at the library system I currently work at and I spent exactly five minutes in a room with Martín Gómez and realized everything I thought about branding libraries was absolute crap. While I could never even dream to express what he said to me as eloquently as he did in those five minutes, and it’s taken me years to come to terms and process what he said to me, I am going to write about why I now think I was so wrong.”...
PC Sweeney’s Blog, Mar. 28

Helping students think critically with research
Buffy Hamilton writes: “One of the challenges of teaching research and information literacy to high school students is helping them conceptualize and apply the principles of citation and ethical use of information. However, no matter how much one-on-one help we provided, how many step-by-step handouts we created, or how many video tutorials we created, students in all grade levels struggled to master the steps to citing different sources, particularly the databases.”...
The Unquiet Librarian, Mar. 27

Screenshot of Ruth V. Small on the Syracuse videoNew York schools need librarians
Ruth V. Small (right), David Lankes, and Barbara Stripling appear in this effective video (2:37), presenting the value of school libraries and certified school librarians to students. It was produced by the Center for Digital Literacy at the Syracuse University School of Information Studies....
YouTube, Mar. 24

Storytime as performance art
Melissa Depper writes: “When we’re prepping our storytimes, we need to not just prepare our material but also prepare ourselves to be in front of an audience. Actors do breathing exercises to help them project their voices; they do walkthroughs of each scene to learn where they need to stand and how to hold their hands and when and where precisely to pick up and set down props. They practice their lines on their own until they can say them fluidly, then practice them with the rest of the cast to fine-tune the timing.”...
Mel’s Desk, Mar. 21

Screenshot from Library ThrillerLibrary Thriller
This 2009 video (8:39) by teacher Braulio Cesar Linares shows a bubble-gum-chewing young man pursued by vigilant (and strict) librarians. Filmed at the George Memorial Library, the central branch of the Fort Bend County Libraries in Richmond, Texas....
YouTube, Apr. 28, 2009

Screenshot from the Milstein Suspense TrailerSecrets don’t stay hidden if you know where to look
Staffers at New York Public Library’s Irma and Paul Milstein Division of US History, Local History, and Genealogy are excited to present a movie trailer–style promotional video that debuted in February. They loved the videos that other NYPL divisions and neighborhood libraries have made—especially the Jefferson Market branch’s Haunted Library video (1:44)—and were inspired to make their own. After writing the script, they contacted some people in the film and television industry, and they were willing to help out. Watch the Milstein Suspense Trailer (2:42)....
New York Public Library Blogs, Mar. 1

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