For daily ALA and library news, check the American Libraries website or subscribe to our RSS feed.
|
|
|
The ALSC board of directors voted April 18 to cancel its 2016 National Institute scheduled for September 15–17 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The cancellation is a response to the passage in March of North Carolina’s Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act (House Bill 2), which repealed all LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances across the state. The law contradicts the core values, purpose, and diversity work of ALSC and undermines civil rights and the fundamental principles upon which libraries are founded. The Special Libraries Association is also reconsidering holding its 2018 conference in Charlotte....
AL: The Scoop, Apr. 18; ALA Connect, ALSC, Apr. 11–16; Special Libraries Association, Apr. 15 |
|
Megan McDonald, author of the Judy Moody and Stink books, is the 2016 spokesperson for AASL’s School Library Month. McDonald, a former school librarian herself, spoke with American Libraries about her role as spokesperson, her development as a writer, and the formative role school libraries played in her own life....
American Libraries feature, Apr. 18 |
|
Lisa Lindle writes: “As part of National Library Legislative Day 2016, the Washington Office is offering library advocates unable to attend in person the chance to participate through Virtual Library Legislative Day. This year, we’re teaming up with the Harry Potter Alliance (HPA) to help expand our efforts. The HPA chapter members are pledging their time to make calls, send emails, tweet, and otherwise raise awareness about library issues during the week of May 2. We think we can do our wizarding friends even better.”...
District Dispatch, Apr. 18 |
|
The early deadline to register for the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions’ World Library and Information Congress in Columbus, Ohio, is May 17. The event will be held August 13–19 in the Greater Columbus Convention Center. ALA members can register at the IFLA member rate by using the discount code US-0002....
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions |
|
|
The Institute of Museum and Library Services on April 19 announced the 10 recipients of the 2016 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Five libraries were honored: Brooklyn (N.Y.) Public Library; Madison (Wis.) Public Library; North Carolina State University Libraries in Raleigh; Otis Library in Norwich, Connecticut; and Santa Ana (Calif.) Public Library. The award celebrates institutions that respond to societal needs in innovative ways. They will be presented in Washington, D.C., on June 1....
Institute of Museum and Library Services, Apr. 13 |
|
On April 18, the Supreme Court refused to revive a challenge to Google’s digital library of millions of books, turning down an appeal from the Authors Guild, which said the project amounted to copyright infringement on a massive scale. The Supreme Court’s brief order left in place an appeals court decision that the project was a “fair use” of the authors’ work, ending a legal saga that has lasted more than a decade.....
New York Times, Apr. 18 |
|
Republicans in the Tennessee legislature have their first opportunity to override one of Gov. Bill Haslam’s vetoes this week when they seek to re-pass a bill to make the Bible the official state book. The sponsors are expected to formally announce their plans to override the veto on the House floor on April 18, which legislative leaders say sets up a vote on April 20. As it only takes a majority in both chambers to override a veto, Haslam needs to turn six House votes and three in the Senate for his veto to stand....
Associated Press, Apr. 17 |
|
|
Jim Siegel writes: “Ohio likes its libraries more. That’s the gist of a new study from the Ohio Library Council that compares library use in Ohio with that in other states. OLC has long known that Ohioans like their libraries—now it says it has the data to quantify the affection. Ohioans average 7.5 library visits per year, the highest per-capita rate in the country and 51% above the national average. The 77% of Ohio residents holding a library card ranks behind only Minnesota and is well above the 55% national average.”...
Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch, Apr. 16; Ohio Library Council
|
|
Margaret Miles, youth services librarian at New Hanover County (N.C.) Public Library in Wilmington, smashed the competition on Jeopardy April 14 and walked away with $40,000, but it was her response when Alex Trebek asked what she did for fun that captured America’s attention. ‘What do I do for fun?’ Margaret began. ‘Knit . . . and pet cats. I’m hopelessly stereotypical!’ Miles had a total of $13,000 at the end of the first round, $32,000 after Double Jeopardy, then added an extra $8,100 in the final round by knowing the state with the shortest border with Canada (Idaho)....
Wilmington (N.C.) Star-News, Apr. 14; Storify: OfftheShelfMLS, Apr. 15; Daily Mail (UK), Apr. 15
|
|
Follett Corporation announced April 18 it has acquired Baker & Taylor, a leading distributor of books, video, and music products to public libraries, and a major wholesaler to retailers worldwide. Baker & Taylor, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, will continue to operate as before, serving customers through its existing management team and business operations. Follett, based in Westchester, Illinois, is a major provider of technology, services, and content to school libraries....
Follett, Apr. 18; Wall Street Journal, Apr. 18
|
|
David Pogue writes: “With VR technology, image-filled goggles immerse you in a world. When you turn your head in any direction, your ‘camera angle’ changes—an obvious tool for games. Why just shoot aliens in front of you when you can fire behind you, too? But according to the tech’s advocates, the next step is 360-degree VR movies. Okay then. VR movies, where you can look around, will replace flat movies, which are boring and bossy. Right? Wrong.” Google is adding the ability to livestream 360-degree video directly on YouTube....
Scientific American, May 1; Ars Technica, Apr. 19
|
|
Dawn Abron writes: “Winter is coming; I promise it is, and it arrives on April 24. Game of Thrones is very violent and very sexual; do teens really watch it? Yes! Some of them even watch it with their parents. Why is Game of Thrones so popular? It’s about maniacal kings and powerful women and dragons and war and magic. What’s not to like? Whichever theme your teens find intriguing, there’s a book for that.”...
YALSA The Hub, Apr. 19
|
AL Direct is a free electronic newsletter emailed every Tuesday and Friday to personal members of the American Library Association.
|
|
Send news and feedback: aldirect@ala.org
Direct ad inquiries to: mstack@ala.org
AL Direct FAQ: americanlibrariesmagazine.org/al-direct
All links outside the ALA website
are provided for informational purposes only. Questions about the
content of any external site should be addressed to the administrator of
that site.
AL Direct will not sell your email to outside parties, but your email may be shared with advertisers in this newsletter should you express interest in their products by clicking on their ads or content. If the advertisers choose to communicate with you by email, they are obligated to provide you with an opportunity to opt-out from future emails in compliance with the CAN-SPAM act of 2003. Read the ALA privacy policy.
American Libraries
50 E. Huron St.
Chicago, IL 60611
800-545-2433, ext. 4216
ISSN 1559-369X
|
