|
ALA
announced July 25 that
Sam Helmick, community and access services coordinator at Iowa City Public Library, will be the 2024–2025 president-elect, effective immediately. They will serve as ALA president for the 2025–2026 term. Helmick is replacing Raymond Pun, academic and research librarian at Alder Graduate School of Education in Redwood City, California, who stepped down from the member-elected position in June because of health reasons. The ALA Executive Board recommended Helmick, and they received ALA Council’s confirmation on July 23, following a process
outlined in the ALA Bylaws....
AL: The Scoop, July 25
| |
|
Anne Ford writes: “San Diego’s dreamy weather and landscape were no match for the sunny disposition of library workers and advocates reuniting under a shared mission at ALA’s 2024 Annual Conference and Exhibition. A total of 13,532 people registered for the event, which was held in the city’s convention center June 27–July 2. Opened by comedian, author, and former Daily Show host Trevor Noah, the conference showcased themes of activism, diversity and inclusivity, and bridgebuilding. Participants celebrated successful programs and initiatives while engaging in important discussions on protecting intellectual freedom, mental and physical well-being, and other critical topics in the profession.”...
American Libraries feature, July/Aug.
| |
|
|
|
For the first time, the ALA Committee on Accreditation has granted accreditation to a program outside North America. University College London’s master’s in Library and Information Studies program received initial accreditation in June. The program is also accredited by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, the UK’s professional library association. This additional accreditation recognizes the importance of the wider global profession and will broaden graduates’ opportunities. The accreditation will apply to all students who have graduated from the masters’ program since July 2022. The next comprehensive review visit is scheduled for spring 2031....
ALA Communications, Marketing, and Media Relations Office, July 29
| |
|
The US Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced July 24 the
availability of nearly $1 billion to fund programs that ensure communities have access to devices and skills needed to fully participate in the digital world, regardless of their background or circumstances. This is the first funding opportunity from the Digital Equity Act’s $1.25 billion
Competitive Grant Program and is part of the “Internet for All” initiative, a key component of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. Eligible applicants include city and county governments, Native entities, community anchor institutions, and local educational agencies. Applications are due September 23....
National Telecommunications and Information Administration, July 24
| |
|
Heather Love Beverley writes: “Library science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) programs give kids a chance to explore and experiment in a safe and judgment-free zone: They get all the fun of science, without having to worry about grades. And while science can seem like it’s daunting, in reality, STEAM programs are some of the most fun programs you can offer in the library. They are creative, chaotic, and challenging in the best way, and one of the things I love best about it is that you really can’t make a mistake. Even if a project doesn’t work out, it really is just an experiment!”...
ALSC Blog, July 27
| |
|
|
|
The Public Library Association (PLA) announced expanded digital literacy funding opportunities and resources for public libraries July 26, funded by a $2.7 million contribution from AT&T.
Applications are open through October 18 for the PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive, which offers up to $10,000 and resources necessary to teach basic digital literacy skills using PLA’s DigitalLearn courses and training materials, and the new PLA Digital Navigator Workshop Incentive, which offers $4,000 to libraries with digital navigators to support patrons with ongoing, individualized technology guidance. PLA will also offer new and improved
DigitalLearn course modules that are freely available to anyone....
Public Library Association, July 26
| |
|
Mike Hixenbaugh, Tyler Kingkade, Scott Friedman, and Eva Parks write: “In an extraordinary look into the ramifications of the right-wing backlash against books dealing with racism, gender, sex and sexuality, an 824-page investigative file obtained by NBC News and NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth shows how, for two years, Hood County (Tex.) Chief Deputy Constable Scott London vigorously pursued felony charges against librarians in the Granbury Independent School District. The investigation came to an end in June after Hood County District Attorney Ryan Sinclair turned down London’s request to indict the librarians, citing a lack of conclusive evidence to charge them with felonies.”...
NBC News, July 23
| |
|
Sharolyn Swenson and Bonnie Parks write: “Mentorship provides opportunities for both novice and experienced catalogers to develop their skills and learn what it means to catalog in a cooperative environment. Often libraries do not have the resources to provide specialized training for the new cataloger, making a formal mentorship program outside one’s institution particularly useful. This paper will examine key elements that ensure a successful mentorship pairing, how the authors integrated these components into practice, and how the authors customized their program to address the mentee’s greatest area of need: finding practical solutions to both common and challenging serials cataloging questions.”...
Library Leadership & Management, July 23
| |
|
|
|
Ron French writes: “In an escalation of Michigan’s book wars, the Alpena County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday began the process of firing all members of its public library board over their handling of a handful of children and teen books with sexual themes. The move comes two weeks before voters in this politically conservative community in northern Michigan go to the polls to decide on a millage request to keep the library open. An organized campaign against the tax includes yard signs urging voters to ‘Vote NO on Library Grooming.’”...
Bridge Michigan, July 23
| |
|
Dan Goodin writes: “Google is redesigning Chrome malware detections to include password-protected executable files that users can upload for deep scanning, a change the browser maker says will allow it to detect more malicious threats. Google has long allowed users to switch on the enhanced mode of Safe Browsing, a Chrome feature that warns users when they’re downloading a file that’s believed to be unsafe, either because of suspicious characteristics or because it’s in a list of known malware. Under the new changes, Google will prompt users to provide any password needed to open the file.”...
Ars Technica, July 25
| |
|
Emily Burack writes: “The Paris Olympics are underway, and it's shaping up to be a very exciting two weeks of sports. If you're curious about learning more about Olympic history, or if you simply have the Olympic bug and want to consume everything you possibly can about the Games, here are 10 books about the Olympics to add to your summer reading list.” Find more Olympics-related booklists from
St. Joseph (Ind.) County Public Library,
Anchorage (Alaska) Public Library,
Haverhill (Mass.) Public Library,
Citrus Libraries in Beverly Hills, Florida, or
Good Housekeeping....
Town & Country, July 29; St. Joseph County Public Library, July 29; Anchorage Public Library; Haverhill Public Library, July 2, Citrus Libraries, July 29; Good Housekeeping, July 26.
| | |
|
|
|
American Libraries Direct is a free electronic newsletter emailed every Wednesday to personal members of ALA.
Editor, AL Direct: Greg Landgraf
Direct ad inquiries to: Melissa Carr
Send news and feedback:
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 FAQ.
American Libraries 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 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 and the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation of
2018. Read the ALA privacy policy.
To manage your American Libraries email preferences, click here.
To unsubscribe from all ALA emails, click here.
American Library Association | 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1300 | Chicago, IL 60601
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.jpg){kind=spacer}
