American Libraries offers new ways to stay informed

Contact: Sean Fitzpatrick


American Libraries


312-280-4219


sfitzpatrick@ala.org

NEWS


For Immediate Release


January 5, 2010

CHICAGO –

American Libraries , the flagship magazine of the American Library Association, is offering a whole new way of keeping on top of library-related news, views, and perspectives. The website
www.americanlibrariesmagazine.org is rolling out over the coming weeks, with content open to all. The site offers many new benefits, including expanded news content, web-only spotlights, HTML versions of most of the print magazine’s content, comment-enabled articles, an archive of every issue of the popular e-newsletter American Libraries Direct, and RSS feeds for new issues.




“One of the most important changes is that we’re now able to open up a much wider conversation,” says editor and publisher Leonard Kniffel. “We’re making it easy to participate and respond—every American Libraries article will be open for comments, and easy to share on Facebook, Twitter, ALA Connect, and through other social media. All American Libraries articles and AL Direct have already been open to ALA members and non-members alike for more than a year, and we’re eager to build on that access.”




Two new blogs will debut on the new site. In “Perpetual Beta,” Jason Griffey will follow tech trends and their library applications, while in “Green Your Library,” Laura Bruzas will share practical tips for improving environmental friendliness and sustainability where you work. Columns, features, and news will be posted regularly, with links appearing weekly in AL Direct.




The new site was built by associate editor Sean Fitzpatrick in the open-source content management system Drupal, a robust and flexible system that will make it easier to keep the site dynamic. American Libraries is delighted to be extending its 100-year tradition of keeping readers informed in print and (increasingly) online and keeping library and information science and technology workers in touch with the top leaders and writers in the profession.