ALA President

American Library Association Statement of Support for “Digital Learning Equity Act of 2015"

 
Today Senator Angus King (I-ME) and Senator Shelley Capito (R-WV) took an important step toward closing the digital divide among our nation’s K12 students. American Library Association President Courtney Young offers the following statement in support of the “Digital Learning Equity Act of 2015” introduced today:
 
“Librarians know first-hand that access to broadband and the skills to put it to work are essential for educational opportunity and achievement today.

ALA: FCC should expand Lifeline to include essential broadband service

 
Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took the first step forward in modernizing the Lifeline program, which supports telephone service for low-income Americans.

Julie Todaro’s A-Z guide to mentoring

CHICAGO — A library’s future is as good as the talent it develops. Too many mentorship programs are cursory; without structure and expectations, accomplishing little beyond a procedural orientation. But a solid, sustainable mentorship program can be a game changer for libraries, with long-term results that include career development, organization-wide professionalism and retention.

ALA president calls for digital transformation of Copyright Office

 
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, American Library Association (ALA) president Courtney Young responded to the introduction of the Copyright Office for the Digital Economy Act (CODE Act) by Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA) and Tom Marino (R-PA):
 
“For more than 20 years, content creators, rights holders, legislators and public users alike have acknowledged that the U.S. Copyright Office needs to modernize its technological capabilities for the 21st century.

ALA cheers expiration of intrusive PATRIOT Act provision

WASHINGTON, D.C.—On May 31, 2015, key provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act expired. In response, American Library Association (ALA) President Courtney Young released the following statement applauding the expiration of Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act:

 

New American Libraries supplement finds libraries on the offense in the digital revolution

 
Washington, D.C.—Moving ahead is the overarching theme of the new digital supplement Digital Futures from American Libraries magazine.

Todaro wins 2016–2017 ALA presidency

CHICAGO — Julie Todaro, PhD, Dean of Library Services at Austin (Texas) Community College, has been elected president-elect of the American Library Association.

VMM15: Your historic opportunity to vote on a VMM resolution

CHICAGO — Be one of more than 500 members who will have the first-time ever opportunity to vote on a resolution submitted via the Virtual Membership Meeting (VMM15). American Library Association (ALA) members can make their voices heard regarding the organization’s strategic direction and budget priorities by sharing their ideas and experiences and offering their suggestions during the annual Virtual Membership Meeting (VMM).

Library advocates to converge in Washington to protect libraries

Hundreds to gather in D.C. for 41st annual National Library Legislative Day


WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today marks the beginning of the American Library Association’s (ALA) National Library Legislative Day, the annual event when hundreds of library supporters from across the country meet with their members of Congress to advocate for library funding. This year’s 41st annual National Library Legislative Day takes place from May 4–5, 2015, in Washington, D.C.

ALA welcomes White House’s ConnectED: Library Challenge

Today, American Library Association (ALA) President Courtney Young released the following statement regarding President Obama’s announcement of the ConnectED: Library Challenge initiative to ensure that all school students receive public library cards through their schools: