Public Policy and Advocacy (PPA)

Washington, D.C.—Principals, superintendents and school librarians have specific questions about copyright law but often find themselves without guidance on the subject. School leaders will have the opportunity to have their questions answered by copyright expert and bestselling author Carrie Russell during a free tweetchat that will be held on January 7, 2014, from 6:00-7:00p.m. EST. Participants can submit questions and take part in the tweetchat by using the #k12copylaw hashtag.

An overwhelming majority of Americans acknowledge that public libraries offer more than just books and provide community-tailored programs and services that improve the quality of life, according to “How Americans value public libraries in their communities,” a report released today from the Pew Research Center that examines the role of public libraries in communities.

Three-year grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will accelerate information policy initiatives

Washington, D.C.--The American Library Association (ALA) Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP) will immediately begin work on a national public policy agenda and action plan for U.S. libraries with support from a new grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Nearly $1 million in funding over three years will enable the ALA to increase library visibility and build capacity for sustained action on the national level.

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Don’t delay: submit your nomination for use of cutting-edge technology in library services now! As part of its ongoing effort to identify and recognize libraries that are delivering quality library services in new ways, the American Library Association (ALA) is accepting submissions for the best library practices using cutting-edge technology through November 15, 2013. Libraries selected for the recognition will be featured in a program at the 2014 ALA Annual Conference, highlighted through ALA publications and publicized via ALA media and Web channels.