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George M. Eberhart writes: “More than 500 librarians and library supporters from every state gathered in Washington, D.C., on May 1–2 for the 43rd National Library Legislative Day, an event organized by the American Library Association’s Washington Office to bring US senators and representatives together with their constituents to talk about information policy. An additional 1,000 library advocates signed up to participate in Virtual Library Legislative Day to connect with legislators via email, phone, and social media. The number of attendees was the highest in 10 years, spurred by the Trump administration’s proposed 2018 budget that would eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the agency that distributes federal funding to state library agencies and other grant programs. The Montana state delegation met with a legislative aide to Republican Junior Sen. Steve Daines, then with Democratic Senior Sen. Jon Tester.”...
AL: The Scoop, May 3 |
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Keith Michael Fiels writes: “So here’s the scenario: The newly elected president has proposed the elimination of all federal library funding. The money will be used to increase military spending. If no one does anything, this could actually happen. Only a band of brave individuals stands between us and this scenario becoming a reality. Who are these heroes? They are us.”...
AL Column, May |
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On May 1 congressional negotiators reached agreement on a bill to fund the US government through September. The omnibus bill included $231 million for the Institute of Museum and Library Services—a $1 million increase over FY2016. American Library Association President Julie B. Todaro responded, “ALA is pleased that the FY17 budget proposed by Congress contains a $1 million increase in funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services. In congressional meetings on Capitol Hill today, participants in the 2017 National Library Legislative Day from all 50 states are saying ‘thank you’ to members of Congress for making our nation’s libraries a priority this year. This opportunity to say thanks is also a chance to voice our unequivocal opposition to threats to cut funding in FY2018.”...
ALA Washington Office, May 2 |
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Alison Marcotte writes: “From virtual reality to gamification to security techniques, libraries are using the latest technology to engage patrons, increase privacy, and help staffers do their jobs. American Libraries spoke to library tech leaders—members of the Library and Information Technology Association’s popular Top Tech Trends panel from the 2017 Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits—to get the apps, devices, software, and best practices that you can adopt for your library right now and in the near future.”...
AL Feature, May |
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Children in New York City lose library privileges if they amass more than $15 in late fees. According to 2015 tax returns, that means that more than 225,000 young people—one in five city children—had their library cards blocked. Leaders of New York Public Library, Queens Library, and Brooklyn Public Library are trying to find a solution to the issue....
New York Times, May 4 |
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The Association for Library Service to Children’s Quicklists Consulting Committee has updated its Summer Reading Lists for 2017. The lists are full of book titles to keep children engaged in reading throughout the summer. Four Summer Reading booklists are available for birth–preschool, K–2nd, 3rd–5th, and 6th–8th grade students. Each list is available to download for free and can be customized to include library information, summer hours, and summer reading programs for children before making copies available to schools and patrons....
Association for Library Service to Children |
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Matt Beckstrom writes: “Most of us offer some kind of public computers for our patrons, and obviously privacy is a concern. What should we be doing for our patrons when it comes to privacy on public computers? What steps can we take? First of all, we have to remember that we have to work around the fact that privacy is difficult. Especially when we introduce the variable of the patrons. No matter what we do, their behavior on the computer can expose them in ways we cannot stop.”...
Choose Privacy Week, May 4 |
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Former First Couple Barack and Michelle Obama unveiled the proposed design of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago on May 3. The three-building campus is anchored by a striking, geometric museum flanked by a forum building—which will include an auditorium, restaurant, and public garden—and the library. The design is by New York architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, and the project is seeking LEED v4 Platinum certification....
Chicago Tribune, May 3
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Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus begins its final performances this weekend, so this issue’s Bookend profiles Maureen Brunsdale, special collections and rare books librarian at Illinois State University’s Milner Library in Bloomington-Normal. She is in charge of the Circus and Allied Arts Collection, one of the nation’s top collections of circus-related books, photographs, posters, programs, correspondence, and other ephemera....
AL Bookend, May; Ringling Bros. Circus
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Carli Spina writes: “The beginning of next month will see the premier of the new Wonder Woman movie, so now is the perfect time to take a dive into the many different comics that have featured Wonder Woman over the years. Though her creation is credited to a man, it is not surprising that over the years many female comics creators have been inspired to tell stories about this character. Each one offers their own take on her, but any of these books would be a great place to start (or continue) your reading about this fantastic character.”...
YALSA: The Hub, May 2
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