Listen to & Watch Jim

ALA 2008 Annual Conference

My ALA inaugural speech delivered in Anaheim at the American Library Association's Annual Conference on July 1, 2008.

To set the tone and establish the theme for my inaugural speech, a fife and drum corps opened the ceremony and Benjamin Franklin, played by an interpreter, welcomed the audience and reflected on his love of reading and his contribution to the genesis of the library movement in America. This recording was made in a studio prior to the event. (14 minutes, 34 seconds)

Literacy for All: Advocacy, Libraries, and Literacy

This Webcast summit focused on the essential role that libraries play in providing literacy services across the lifespan. The Summit brought together diverse panels of library leaders and literacy advocates from public, school, and academic libraries. The Summit showcases innovative library-literacy partnerships, promotes community solutions, issues a call to action, responds to questions and answers, and provides resources for librarians and literacy providers. The Summit was held April 7, 2009. (approximately 1.5 hours

Press Conference at the National Press Club

On May 11, 2009, during ALA's annual Legislative Day in Washington, DC, I spoke at the National Press Club on the increased use of libraries, funding challenges, the importance of school libraries, and ALA's and other library associations' concerns about the Google books settlement. C-SPAN aired the event. (33 minutes, 3 seconds)

Literacy for All: Advocacy, Libraries, and Literacy

This was a Webcast Summit, focused on the essential role that libraries play in providing literacy services across the lifespan. The Summit brought together diverse panels of library leaders and literacy advocates from public, school, and academic libraries. The Summit showcases innovative library-literacy partnerships, promotes community solutions, issues a call to action, responds to questions and answers, and provides resources for librarians and literacy providers.

The Summit was held April 7, 2009 g the second hour of her show on January 7, 2009.

The Diane Rehm Show

Carla Hayden of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, Ginnie Cooper of the District of Columbia Public Library, and I were Ms. Rehm's guests during the second hour of her show on January 7, 2009. Our topic was the growing role of libraries in hard economic times. (51 minutes, 20 seconds)

YALSA podcast

Pam Spencer Holley, a past president of ALA's Young Adult Library Services Association, interviewed me on October 15, 2008 for YALSA podcast #58. (31 minutes, 59 seconds)

District Dispatch podcast #21

On September 6, 2007, I visited ALA's Washington Office to meet staff I didn't already know and for briefings on current legislative and regulatory issues. While there I sat down for a conversation with Andy Bridges, the WO's communications specialist, for District Dispatch podcast #21. We talked about my vision for my term as ALA's president. (6 minutes, 26 seconds)

"I Love My Librarian" Awards Ceremony

I had the privilege to participate in the "I Love My Librarian" awards ceremony in New York on December 9, 2008. ALA's Public Information Office has posted a series of YouTube videos of the ceremony.

University of Wisconsin School of Library and Information Studies

The Alumni Association of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Library and Information Services selected me for its 2006 Distinguished Alumnus Award. This included an invitation to join the SLIS faculty and the graduating students and their families at the school’s graduation ceremony on May 14. Each student had the opportunity to say a few words. I wish every librarian could hear the stories of the sacrifices many of these students made to achieve their dream to become a librarian. Their deep commitment to librarianship assures a strong future for our profession. After I was presented with my award, I had the opportunity to speak to the graduates. (approximately 10 minutes)

ALA Council, New Orleans Annual Conference, June 2006

My term as a member of the ALA Executive Board and as a member of the ALA Council concluded on June 28, 2006, at the Annual Conference in New Orleans. Near the end of Council III I asked president Michael Gorman for a moment of personal privilege so I could share with Council my thoughts on an issue pertinent to Council and the Executive Board. (approximately 1 minute)