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NEW! Interview: Mohammad Abbas talks about his role as head of the new Library Department of the Iraqi Council of Representatives, the nations parliament in Baghdad.
Exclusive interview with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.
Interview with Judith Krug, 1995.
Interview: Andrew Pace Explains Why OCLC’s “Quick Start” Is a Sea Change . An April 24 conversation with American Libraries Editor in Chief Leonard Kniffel on OCLC's foray into web-scale management.
Read This Now: ALA’s Award-winners Represent the Best for Library Collections.The chairs of many of ALA's book and media award committees discuss their selections. Includes a complete review of RUSA's Outstanding Reference Sources.
Stimulate Your Library: How libraries can benefit from the 2009 stimulus bill.
Login is no longer required to view the current issue or archives online. First-time viewers need to install the ebrary reader. (Firefox 3 users: Note this workaround needed.)
AL Inside Scoop, American Libraries’ blog.
American Libraries: The First 100 Years, a timeline, 1907–2007
Top Ten Reasons to be a Librarian
10 Reasons Why the Internet Is No Substitute for a Library
12 Ways Libraries Are Good for the Country

Contents of June/July 2004 American Libraries

News Fronts

8 ALA

Gorman Wins Presidency; Switzer Reelected Treasurer
Endowment Vacancy Needs to Be Filled
3M Security Product Donation Continues
ALA Launches Funding Website
Fifth Spectrum Institute Slated

16 Washington

Legislative Day Draws 500+ Advocates to D.C.
Library, Education Groups Oppose Internet Wiretaps
Bush’s Nomination for U.S. Archivist Draws Fire
GPO Requests Funds to Support Move toward Digital Future

20 USA and International

Cleveland Staff Stage One-Day Strike, Threaten Longer Walkout
NYU Student Caught Living in Bobst Library
Analyst Claims UK Libraries in Decline; CILIP Begs to Differ
Global Reach
Interview: Straight Answers from SOHAIR WASTAWY

Features

46 Cover Story: From Outreach to Equity: An Introduction

      BY SATIA MARSHALL ORANGE and ROBIN OSBORNE
      Empowering underserved people is the core of our mission,
      according to a new book inspired by ALA President Carla Hayden.

52 Beware the Itinerant Director

      BY JAMES B. CASEY
      These nomadic wonders are stronger on interviewing skills than
      competence.

53 The Case for an Outside Interim Director

      BY LESLIE R. MORRIS
      Boards can avoid settling for the second-rate by looking externally
      for a temporary head.

56 End PowerPoint Dependency Now!

      BY STEVEN J. BELL
      Ease off the slides and improve your presentations at ALA or any
      other library conference.

Conference Preview

60 On the Road to Equity: Destination Orlando

      BY MEG SCHARF
      Highlights, key meetings and events, and what’s new for ALA’s 128th
      Annual Conference, June 24–30. Plus: Fun in the Sunshine State

70 Dining in Style in Orlando

      BY CAROLE HINSHAW
      Don’t expect the typical tacky tourist eateries in this
      popular vacation spot.

76 2004 ALA Annual Conference Exhibits Locator

Departments

5 ALA President’s Message

“The Equity Struggle Must Continue”
BY CARLA D. HAYDEN

40 Thus Said

42 Reader Forum

44 Editorial

“The Dollars and Sense of Equal Access”
BY LEONARD KNIFFEL

79 Executive Board Quarterly Report

“Tight Budget Leads Spring Meeting Agenda”
BY GORDON FLAGG

82 Currents

87 Grassroots Report

“A Groundbreaking Consortium Model”
BY JENNIFER BUREK PIERCE

96 Librarian’s Library

BY CATHLEEN BOURDON

98 Quick Bibs

“The Bibliothriller vs. the Art Thriller”
BY BILL OTT

100 Datebook

108 Career Leads

119 Index to Advertisers

120 Will’s World

“Fun Is Not a Dirty Word”
BY WILL MANLEY

American Libraries