For daily ALA and library news, check the American Libraries website or subscribe to our RSS feed.
|
|
|
Alison Marcotte writes: “Overdue library items were welcomed home at Chicago Public Library and Los Angeles Public Library branches this February during the libraries’ two-week fine amnesty campaigns. CPL’s Welcome Home program ran from February 4–18, while LAPL’s campaign, LAPL Misses You was held February 1–14. The libraries waived late fees on all materials during the campaigns.”...
AL: The Scoop, Feb. 23 |
|
The 2016 National Library Week theme is “Libraries Transform” and Gene Luen Yang, 2016–2017 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, will lend his support to highlight the value of libraries of all types as Honorary Chair. Those celebrating National Library Week, April 10–16, will have free access to publicity tools featuring Yang. Downloadable items will include social media artwork, print and audio PSAs, and a special video message....
ALA Public Awareness Office, Feb. 22 |
|
|
The Institute of Museum and Library Services on February 23 announced 30 finalists for the 2016 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor given to libraries and museums for service to the community. Fifteen libraries are among the finalists. The National Medal winners will be named later this spring, and representatives from winning institutions will travel to Washington, D.C., to be honored in a White House ceremony....
Institute of Museum and Library Services, Feb. 23 |
|
Eve M. Ferguson writes: “As President Barack H. Obama gave his final State of the Union Address in January and this month is African American History Month, there is no better time to recount the birth of a unique collection at the Library of Congress: the Obama Memorabilia from Africa collection housed in the African and Middle Eastern Division. The son of Barack Obama Sr., a native of western Kenya, Obama is well-respected by Africans for his unique journey into becoming the first African-American US president.”...
Library of Congress Blog, Feb. 23; July 26, 2013 |
|
|
Michael Riley and Jordan Robertson write: “In a secret meeting convened by the White House around Thanksgiving, senior national security officials ordered agencies across the US government to find ways to counter encryption software and gain access to the most heavily protected user data on the most secure consumer devices, including Apple’s iPhone, according to two people familiar with the decision. On February 16, the public got its first glimpse of what those efforts may look like.”...
Bloomberg Business, Feb. 19 |
|
New Hampshire state legislators have introduced a new bill that allows public libraries to run privacy software like Tor. The bill, crafted by State Rep. Keith Ammon (R-Milford) and sponsored by six other lawmakers, emphasizes the role that encryption and privacy tools will play in upholding the long tradition of privacy in public libraries. Tor enables users to browse the web anonymously by routing traffic through multiple computers connected to the Tor network....
The Daily Dot, Feb. 18 |
|
|
This week is Fair Use Week, an annual international celebration in which sites all around the web will be talking about the important legal doctrines of fair use and fair dealing, which are the copyright laws that make transformative works legal. This week’s activities are designed to highlight and promote the opportunities presented by fair use and fair dealing. Here is a roundup of resources and posts from Day 1....
Fair Use Week, Feb. 22–23 |
|
Katy Kelly writes: “Movies are a popular way to engage students with real-life stories and situations connected to what they’re learning in class. At University of Dayton Libraries, the diversity and inclusion team sponsors our frequent film screenings and series. Recently, our film screenings have undergone some changes in subject matter, genre, and supplemental programming. Here are the five things to take into consideration for planning a successful film screening in your library.”...
Programming Librarian, Feb. 18
|
|
David Cardinal writes: “The typical ISP’s simplistic model of providing a single all-in-one modem + router + wireless gateway for your site quickly breaks down when faced with the real-world challenges of serving larger areas. This is especially true for buildings with lots of wiring in the walls, lath and plaster walls, or metallic heating or air conditioning infrastructure in the floor or ceiling. The good news is that there are several ways to solve this problem, with varying costs and complexities.”...
Extreme Tech, Feb. 19 |
|
Molly Wetta writes: “Teen Tech Week begins March 6, and it’s a great time to highlight YA fiction that deals with technology issues. From steampunk to science fiction to thrillers, the theme of technology in the lives of humans cuts across genres and can spark interesting conversations about the use and limits of technology. These 2015 and 2016 titles will make an excellent display in the library.”...
YALSA The Hub, Feb. 22 |
|
Sharon Rawlins writes: “Since Teen Tech Week will be celebrated March 6–12, I asked some of the youth services librarians in my area what apps the teens in their libraries are currently obsessed with. In my request, I didn’t specify what kind of app suggestions I wanted so, unsurprisingly, more of the answers fell into the texting or microblogging category, when what I really wanted was gaming apps. I haven’t spent as much time playing gaming apps, so a number of these were new to me.”...
YALSA The Hub, Feb. 23 |
|
Diana Rendina writes: “The idea that you need a lot of money to start a makerspace is a myth. All you need is to have vision, ingenuity, and resourcefulness. A lack of funds is no excuse for keeping your students from experiencing the empowerment that comes with bringing the maker education movement into your program. It may take more effort and elbow grease, but you can start a makerspace even with a zero balance in your budget.”...
Knowledge Quest blog, Feb. 22 |
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
|
