CHICAGO — The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) invites subject matter experts and experienced librarians with knowledge to share to submit proposals for ASCLA webinars to be presented in October 2014 through August 2015 as a part of ASCLA...
Press Releases
Jul 29:
ALA calls for immediate passage of USA Freedom Act of 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The following statement on behalf of the American Library Association (ALA), concerning the introduction earlier today of the USA Freedom Act of 2014 by Sen. Patrick Leahy, may be attributed to Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the ALA Washington Office:
"...
Jul 29:
American historical novels for grades 7-12
CHICAGO — Historical fiction helps young adults imagine the past through the lives and relationships of its protagonists, putting them at the center of fascinating times and places — and the new Common Core Standards allow for use of novels alongside textbooks for teaching history....
Jul 29:
A LITA guide to using massive digital libraries
CHICAGO — Some have viewed the ascendance of the digital library as some kind of existential apocalypse, nothing less than the beginning of the end for the traditional library. But Andrew Weiss, recognizing the concept of the library as a "big idea" that has been implemented in...
Jul 29:
FTRF to award two scholarships for 'Intellectual Freedom and Censorship' LIS course
CHICAGO — The Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) will provide two scholarships to interested Library & Information Science (LIS) students for “Intellectual Freedom and Censorship,” a...
Jul 29:
ALA welcomes Macmillan expansion of its public library e-lending program
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today Macmillan announces that its frontlist ebooks will be available through its public library e-lending program. ALA President Courtney Young released the following statement:
“The Macmillan expansion of its library ebook program represents another...
Jul 29:
Bogle-Pratt International Library Travel Fund winner announced
CHICAGO — Sai Deng is the 2014 recipient of the American Library Association (ALA) International Relations Committee's "Bogle-Pratt International Library Travel Fund."
An award of $1,000 is given to an ALA member to attend their first international conference. The Bogle Memorial Fund and...
Jul 29:
2014 Teen Read Week™ grant recipients announced
CHICAGO — The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has announced the recipients of its 2014 Teen Read Week Activity Grant.
The grant was generously funded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and was awarded to...
Jul 29:
Alex Haley Museum to be designated a Literary Landmark by United for Libraries
PHILADELPHIA — United for Libraries, in partnership with the Tennessee Historical Commission and the staff and board of the Alex Haley Museum & Interpretive Center, will designate the museum a Literary Landmark at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9.
The...
Jul 29:
Join travel enthusiasts and tour the French and Italian Rivieras this fall
CHICAGO — The itinerary is set for ASCLA’s biannual fundraising trip (PDF), which will head to...
Jul 28:
Volunteer to serve on ALA or Council committees for 2015 - 2016
CHICAGO — Sari Feldman, American Library Association (ALA) president-elect, encourages members to volunteer to serve on ALA and Council committees for the 2015-2016 term (terms start on July 1, 2015). Committee appointments will be finalized at the 2015 ALA Midwinter Meeting, with...
Jul 25:
Collaborating with teens to build better library programs
CHICAGO — ALA Editions announces a new iteration of its popular eCourse Collaborating with Teens to Build Better Library Programs. Jennifer Velásquez will serve as the instructor for a four-week...
Jul 25:
RUSA calls for webinar and online course proposals
CHICAGO — E-books, library programming and outreach, marketing and leading a book group are just some of the topics sought by the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) for 2015 online continuing education webinars and online courses.
...
Jul 25:
Storytime shenanigans: Building great programs for preschoolers
CHICAGO — ALA Editions announces a new iteration of its popular eCourse Storytime Shenanigans: Building Great Programs for Preschoolers. Rob Reid will serve as the instructor for a three-week facilitated eCourse starting on...
Jul 25:
Demystifying copyright: How to educate your staff and community
Chicago—ALA Editions announces a new iteration of our popular eCourse Demystifying Copyright: How to Educate Your Staff and Community. Lesley Ellen Harris will serve as the instructor for a 4-week...
Jul 24:
Instructional design essentials
CHICAGO — ALA Editions announces a new facilitated eCourse Instructional Design Essentials. Nicole Pagowsky and Erica DeFrain will serve as the instructors for this four-week facilitated eCourse, which starts on Sept. 15, 2014...
Jul 22:
Customer-based collection development
CHICAGO — The traditional “top down” approach to collection development definitely has its drawbacks: even after spending a good deal of time, energy and resources, librarians are sometimes frustrated to find that their library’s collection is not being used as they...
Jul 22:
ALA, Harwood Institute announce ‘Public Innovators Lab for Libraries’ community engagement training opportunity
CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) and The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation have announced an intensive three-day training opportunity to help libraries strengthen their role as agents of positive change in their communities.
The Public Innovators Lab for...
Jul 22:
Ames Public Library awarded 2014 Baker & Taylor Summer Reading Program Grant
CHICAGO — The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) has awarded the 2014 ALSC/Baker & Taylor Summer Reading Program Grant to the Ames (Iowa) Public Library.
This grant is designed to encourage outstanding summer reading programs by providing financial assistance,...
Jul 22:
Libraries support digital readiness with tech training, STEM programs, more robust online collections
Leading Role Recognized in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
Nearly 100 percent of America’s public libraries offer workforce development training programs, online job resources, and technology skills training, according to a new study from the...
Jul 22:
Popular technology trainer course with PLA returns this September
CHICAGO — The popular, interactive online course, “The Accidental Public Library Technology Trainer,” is coming live to a computer near you Sept. 8–Oct. 3, 2014. This four-week...
Jul 22:
Apply to host Shakespeare’s 1623 ‘First Folio’ in traveling exhibition
CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office, in collaboration with the Folger Shakespeare Library and Cincinnati Museum Center (CMC), is accepting applications for the traveling exhibition Shakespeare and...
Jul 22:
New public library data available online
CHICAGO — The Public Library Data Service (PLDS) FY2013 data is now available with a special section on outcome measures. This valuable data from more than 1,100 North American libraries can be exclusively...
Jul 22:
Shawna Manchakowsky wins student stipend for YALSA’s Young Adult Literature Symposium
CHICAGO – Shawna Manchakowsky, a student at the University of Alberta, has won the 2014 Young Adult Literature Symposium student stipend from the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA).
“I want young adults to feel that the library is a safe place to be, where...
Jul 22:
AASL releases position statement on the role of the school librarian in Senior/Capstone Projects
CHICAGO — The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) has published a new position statement on the role of the school librarian in Senior/Capstone Projects. Senior/Capstone Projects are research-oriented courses driven by student interest and not...
Jul 22:
ALA applauds presidential signing of the workforce bill
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, President Barack Obama will sign the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, a bill that will open access to federal funding support to public libraries for effective job training and job search programs. President Obama will sign the bill into law from 12:00 to 1...
Jul 21:
Information governance and security
CHICAGO — Written by Alan MacLennan, “Information Governance and Assurance: Reducing Risk, Promoting Policy,” published by Facet Publishing and available...
Jul 21:
Letting go of legacy services
CHICAGO — The last few years have proven beyond any doubt that libraries cannot afford to coast along with the status quo. Just as important as proposing and adding new services is the sometimes unpleasant process of critically examining existing realities and letting go of obsolete or...
Jul 18:
ALA brings library lens to network neutrality debate in FCC public comments
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the American Library Association (ALA) urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt the legally enforceable network neutrality rules necessary to fulfill library missions and serve communities nationwide. The ALA joined 10 other national higher...
Jul 15:
New Jersey libraries team up to teach valuable language skills through American Dream Starts @ your library grant
CHICAGO — Three New Jersey libraries are teaming for results in the area of community engagement.
Through an American Dream Starts @ your library grant provided by the American Library Association and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, three Essex (N.J...