Contents of October 2005 American Libraries

Cover Story

14  Katrina’s Terrible Toll

      Librarians rally to provide information for a hurricane-devastated
      Gulf Coast population.

News Fronts

6  ALA

• Fate Uncertain for Annual in New Orleans 
• Adopt a Library to Assist Gulf Libraries 
• Dues Relief for Affected Members 
• Disaster Teen-Reading List Offered

12  Washington

• Connecticut Library Takes on Patriot Act 
• LC Upgrades Thomas Website 
• Reagan-Era Roberts Documents Released 
• Washington Briefs 

26  USA and International 

• Buffalo Starts Shutdown Process for 16 Branches 
• Providence Public Library Staff Votes to Unionize 
• Indianapolis Nixes Library Tax Increase

Special News Report

32  IFLA Convenes in Oslo
      as New National Library Opens

      BY LEONARD KNIFFEL
      International conference draws 3,200 to Norway.

Features

42  Libraries by the Numbers
      BY THOMAS J. HENNEN JR.

      Great American Public Libraries:
      The 2005 HAPLR Rankings

      The seventh annual assessment of the nation’s public libraries.
      Plus: “Is There a Library Consolidation in Your Future?” and
      “Best (and Worst) Averages in the Library Majors: Which Large
      Systems Have the Best Rookie Librarian Salaries?”
      with MICHAEL McGRORTY

54  The Coming Crisis in
      Education for Librarianship

      BY CHARLES A. SEAVEY
      While we focus on filling LIS classrooms, who’s ensuring there
      will be professors behind the podium?

57  Why Your MLS and LTA Matter

      BY TATIANA WEINSTEIN
      Don’t believe the naysayers; advanced librarianship degrees
      mean dedication to the profession.

68  Submit or Resist:
      Librarianship in the Age of Google

      BY STEVEN J. BELL
      Put user education first to avoid marginalization.

72  Library Statistics:
      Have They Kept Pace with Inflation?

      BY DENISE M. DAVIS
      Salaries are suppressed to pay for materials, services.

Departments

5  ALA President’s Message

      “The Indispensability of School Libraries (and School Librarians)”
      BY MICHAEL GORMAN

36  Thus Said

38  Reader Forum

39  Editorial

      “What It Would Mean to Miss New Orleans”
      BY LEONARD KNIFFEL

41  On My Mind

      “The Importance of Workplace Speech”
      BY LINDA B. ALEXANDER

73  Currents

75  Grassroots Report

      “Checking Out Art in the Heartland”
      BY JENNIFER BUREK PIERCE

76  Internet Librarian

      “Pedias, Familiar and Otherwise”
      BY JOSEPH JANES

78  Technically Speaking

      “The Relevance of ‘Relevant Relevance’”
      BY ANDREW K. PACE

80  Working Knowledge

      “Designing Dress Codes”
      BY ELISA F. TOPPER

82  Librarian’s Library

      BY CATHLEEN BOURDON

84  Quick Bibs

      “Drive, He Said”
      BY BILL OTT

86  Datebook

90  ALA Midwinter Meeting Advance Registration

102  Career Leads

111  Index to Advertisers

112  Will’s World

      “If the Cardigan and Sensible Shoes Fit . . . ”
      BY WILL MANLEY