Contents of June/July 1999 American Libraries

News Fronts

8 ALA

Nancy Kranich Wins ALA Presidency
Dr. Laura Crusades against ALA
Special Report on the Congress of Professional Education
Chapter Report, by Christine Watkins

19 Washington

Record Numbers Gather for Day of Lobbying in Capital
From Construction to Technology: An Update on Federal Funding, by Gwen Gregory

26 USA

Murder Rampage Culminates in Colorado High School Library
Gunman Kills Two at Mormon Library
Twisters Trounce Libraries in Oklahoma, Kansas

46 International

Lovers of Children’s Literature Converge on Bologna
Global Reach

Features

62 Places I Never Meant to Be: A Personal View

      BY JUDY BLUME
      One of the most banned writers in America tells what it’s like to be vilified.
      Plus: Starring an Intellectual Freedom Fighter as Herself, an exclusive interview

68 Sentinels in Long Still Rows

BY VIRGINIA HAMILTON
A teller of African-American tales recalls getting inspiration from a librarian.

72 Words to Live By

Excerpts from a new book of essays in defense of intellectual freedom.
Plus: Parents, Kids, Librarians, by Carolyn Caywood

76 Libraries: A Misunderstood American Value

      BY JUNE PINNELL-STEPHENS
      A clarification of libraries’ role in protecting intellectual freedom.
      Plus: The Academic Aspects of Intellectual Freedom, by Barbara Jones

82 Freedom of Information: Its Ebb and Flow

BY MICHAEL E. UNSWORTH
Is open access to government information really thriving in our society?

86 Patron Confidentiality: Millennuim Style

BY JAMES HUFF
It’s time to improve laws protecting the privacy of library patrons.

90 Art for Libraries’ Sake

      BY MARK-ELLIOTT LUGO
      A California library finds its prestige boosted by hosting art exhibitions.
      Plus: The Library as Place, by Debra Wilcox Johnson

95 Lauding Local Legacies

BY GUY LAMOLINARA
The Library of Congress preserves distinctively American traditions.

Conference Preview

100 Six Characters in Search of an ALA Conference

How to make choices from so many programs in so little time.

116 Crescent City Cravings

BY CHRISTY CHANDLER AND ELIZABETH HECKER
Two residents guide conferees to first-rate dining in New Orleans.

122 Exhibits Locator

Departments

49 Money Matters

52 Reader Forum

54 ALA President’s Message

“An Open Letter to Sarah Long and William Gordon ”
BY ANN K. SYMONS

56 Editorial

The Shame Is on You, Dr. Laura”
BY LEONARD KNIFFEL

60 On My Mind

“‘Challenge,’ and Other Politely Empowering Euphemisms”
BY CAROL REID

128 Executive Board Spring Meeting

130 Currents

132 Internet Librarian

“You’ve Got Mail”
BY KAREN G. SCHNEIDER

134 Technically Speaking

136 Librarian’s Library

138 Quick Vids

“Classic Reelism”
BY GARY HANDMAN

140 Datebook

142 This Month

“49 Years Ago . . . ”
BY WAYNE WIEGAND

145 Career Leads

174 Index to Advertisers

176 Will’s World

“Penny for Your Thoughts”
BY WILL MANLEY