ALA News: Library community mourns loss of Charleston Librarian Cynthia Hurd

ALA News: Library Community Mourns Loss of Charleston Librarian Cynthia Hurd

For Immediate Release
Thu, 06/18/2015

Contact:

Macey Morales

Manager Media Relations

PIO

mmorales@ala.org

CHICAGO - In the aftermath of a mass shooting at Mother Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, The American Library Association (ALA) is saddened to learn that public librarian Cynthia Hurd was among the fatally injured.   

Hurd’s commitment to librarianship was apparent during her more than three decades with the Charleston (S.C.) County Public Library.  Hurd served as branch manager of the John L. Dart Branch from 1990-2011 before becoming manager of the St. Andrews Regional Library.

American Library Association President Courtney Young released the following statement.

“Cynthia Hurd was beloved by her community,” said Young “Her dedication to librarianship was apparent as she worked to transform lives through education and lifelong learning. The thousands of lives she touched over the years will serve as a lasting living legacy.  

“The American Library Association would like to express its deepest condolences to Cynthia’s family, as well as the many families impacted by this very senseless and tragic act of violence.

“As our nation begins to try to make sense of this tragedy, various ALA divisions will reach out to our colleagues in Charleston, South Carolina, to express concern and to lend support.

“I also would like the people of Charleston to know that the library community’s thoughts and prayers are with you as you work to come together to build a community of tolerance and cultural acceptance.”   

http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2015/06/library-community-mourns-loss-charleston-librarian-cynthia-hurd 

Melissa Cardenas-Dow, MLIS

melissa.cardenasdow@gmail.com

phone: 909-793-2030
Google Hangout: melissa.cardenasdow

Twitter: @micdow

ORCiD: orcid.org/0000-0002-3823-6954

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/melissacardenasdow
FB: facebook.com/melissa.cardenasdow

About.me: about.me/melissa.cardenasdow

MiscEtcetera blog: http://wp.me/1SJSQ

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle." -- commonly attributed to Philo of Alexandria

Opportunity to travel to Finland with ALA President

Opportunity to travel to Finland with ALA President

As the President of the American Library Association, I am honored to serve as the leader of the upcoming American Library Association Delegation to Finland. I invite you to join me and other members of the American Library Association to participate in this important international exchange in Helsinki, Finland in October 11-16, 2015.

As you know, Finland is noted for having some of the most innovative library communities in the world. It will be a great to learn and share experiences with our Finnish colleagues.  I believe you would contribute valued expertise to the team while gaining both personally and professionally from the experience.

In addition to visiting cutting edge libraries, we’ll have the opportunity to meet with leadership of the Finnish Library Association to discuss issues such as:

·       Sources of funding and government commitment to library development

·       The role of libraries as an educational resource

·       Use of technology at all levels

·       Education and training for librarians

Attached is a preliminary itinerary for this delegation. Each delegate will be asked to complete a profile identifying their background and areas of interest, to ensure the final schedule of activities reflects the professional goals and specific topics of discussion of the enrolled delegates.  The itinerary is also available at www.professionalsabroad.org.

The estimated cost per delegation member is $4,150. This cost includes: group ground transportation within Finland, meetings, accommodations in double-occupancy rooms, entry fees for cultural visits, the service of a national guide, and most meals.  The program convenes on October 11, 2015 in Helsinki and ends on October 16, 2015.  In most cases, this means a departure from the U.S. on October 11^th, with a return on the 16^th.

Travel arrangements will be arranged through Professionals Abroad, a division of Academic Travel Abroad.  The 60-year-old organization handles the logistical arrangements for prestigious organizations, such as National Geographic, The Smithsonian, The New York Times – Times Journeys and many top professional associations and universities.

A parallel program of unique cultural activities will be arranged for non-professionals and accompanying guests.  If you are interested in bringing a guest to experience the rich culture of Finland, please contact Professionals Abroad for program specifics.

For U.S. citizens, expenses associated with this program may be tax deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense.  You should consult with a tax advisor to determine if the tax deduction is applicable to you. 

As the team will be limited and due to the extensive planning and communication involved in coordinating a program of this nature, please respond with your intentions regarding this invitation as soon as possible. Please RSVP to Professionals Abroad at 1-877-298-9677 or via the web at www.professionalsabroad.org.    A $500 deposit is required to reserve your place on the team.  In the event that you are unable to accept this invitation, an alternate delegate candidate will be invited. You may also recommend a colleague as your alternate for the program. I look forward to hearing from you regarding your participation.

If you have questions regarding the delegation, contact our Program Representative at Professionals Abroad, at 1-877-298-9677.

I am pleased to be involved in this exciting opportunity and hope that you will strongly consider participating in the delegation to Finland.

Sincerely,

Courtney Young

President

American Library Association

Mary Ellen K. Davis

Executive Director

Association of College & Research Libraries

50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611

312-280-3248 mdavis@ala.org

#med744   www.acrl.org

New from ACRL Publications

"Meaningful Metrics: A 21st Century Librarian's Guide to Bibliometrics, Altmetrics, and Research Impact” by Robin Chin Roemer and Rachel Borchardt.

New from ACRL Publications

"Teaching Information Literacy Threshold Concepts: Lesson Plans for Librarians” edited by Patricia Bravender, Hazel McClure, and Gayle Schaub.

ACRL in San Francisco
Don’t miss ACRL’s wide variety of programs at the 2015 ALA Annual Conference in San Francisco, including preconferences on reflective teaching, data visualization, writing data management plans, and more.
Complete detail are available on the ACRL website.

Job opportunity at IFLA Headquarters - Secretary General

  Job opportunity at IFLA Headquarters - Secretary General

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is seeking a proven leader with a compelling vision to fill the position of Secretary General. 
 

IFLA is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. It is the global voice of the library and information profession. IFLA has now 1500 members in approximately 150 countries around the world and is registered in the Netherlands. The headquarters is located in the Royal Library, the National Library of the Netherlands.  IFLA is an independent, international, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization.

Responsibilities

The Secretary General is the Chief Executive Officer and head of IFLA’s Secretariat, responsible for the organization’s success and the consistent achievement of its mission including the strategic and operational direction and financial management of IFLA within policies determined by IFLA General Assembly and Governing Board; appointment of staff; provision of advice to the officers and Governing Board of IFLA and the implementation of decisions; coordination of IFLA programs including the core activities and regional offices; ensuring that the Board is kept fully informed on the condition of the organization and all important factors influencing it; serving on the Board of trustees of the IFLA Stichting Foundation and as an officer of the IFLA conference holding companies, and, such other responsibilities as are necessary for the effective and efficient operation of IFLA.

view the complete announcement: www.ifla.org/node/9627

 

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
At IFLA Headquarters an international staff of 16 people manages and develops programmes for members and the library and information sector worldwide. IFLA’s strategic priorities include access to information, digital content, cultural heritage, the contribution of libraries to national development, and professional practice.
IFLA Headquarters
16 June 2015

Journal of Web Librarianship Special Issue: International Voices

Journal of Web Librarianship Special Issue: International Voices

Do you work in a library outside of the U.S. and Canada?  The Journal of Web Librarianship is seeking research articles, case studies, and other types of submissions from librarians around the world.  AlthoughJWL has aimed to be an international journal from the beginning, the bulk of JWL submissions come from authors at U.S. and Canadian libraries.  For this special issue, therefore, JWL will focus on library web projects and research outside these countries.
Topics for the special issue can include (but are not limited to):
 
· library web page design and redesigns,
· web project management,
· usability testing of library or library-related sites,
· cataloging or classification of Web information,
· user behavior on the web,
· search behaviors,
· social networking and libraries,
· mobile web librarianship,
· digitization or finding aids for unique collections,
· integrating digital collections into catalogs / discovery.
 
Submissions for this special issue will still undergo a double-blind peer review. However, to support consistency of organization across the issue and offer support to authors who use English as a second language, submissions will first undergo one or more rounds of “collegial review” to provide early feedback to authors about their manuscripts before submission to the blind peer review process.
 
In addition to following the regular JWL manuscript preparation guidelines, authors are asked specifically to provide information in the introduction about the role and status of libraries in their country or countries, as well as the state of any relevant technologies in their country relative to their topic.  For example, an article about a library’s use of social networking to market services would include an explanation about how social networking technologies are generally used in that country (level of adoption, purposes, challenges, etc.).
 
Please submit manuscripts for consideration by August 15, 2015 to jwl.special@gmail.com Questions about this issue should also be submitted to jwl.special@gmail.com

IRRT Nominating Committee Extends Deadline

IRRT Nominating Committee Extends Deadline

Chicago - The ALA 2016 Nominating Committee announces a deadline extension for completing the candidate biographical form for the position of Councilor-at-Large.  Any ALA members interested in being considered for candidacy for the positions of ALA Councilor-at-large have until 9:00 a.m. (CDT) on Monday, June 29, to complete the form. 

All potential nominees must complete the Potential Candidate Biographical Form available at https://www.directvote.net/alanomination/2016users.html.  You must click on the “Register” link prior to completing the form. 

The Nominating Committee will select no fewer than 51 candidates for the 34 at-large Council seats to be filled in the 2016 spring election.  The elected Councilors-at-large will serve three-year terms, beginning after the 2016 ALA Annual Conference and ending at the adjournment of the 2019 Annual Conference. 

The ALA Councilors also serve in corresponding roles in the ALA-Allied Professional Association [ALA-APA].  Individuals considering ALA-APA office are encouraged to consult with their employer regarding any restrictions regarding lobbying activities or service on the governing body of a 501(c)6 organization.

Questions about running for office may be directed to any member of the Nominating Committee: 

·         Larry Neal, Library Director, Clinton-Macomb Public Library, Clinton Township, MI  (586) 226-5011, E-mail lneal@cmpl.org

·         Susan Ballard, Project Director, School Librarian Program Development, Granite State College/University System of New Hampshire, Rochester, NH  (603) 247-8308, E-mail sdballard@comcast.net 

·         Manuel Figueroa, Talent Development and Training Manager, Queens Library, Jamaica, NY (718) 990-8575, E-mail Manuel.Figueroa@queenslibrary.org

·         Sharon Hu, Associate Professor, Department of Information Studies, Chicago State University, Chicago, IL (773) 995-2006, E-mail chu@csu.edu

·         Joquetta Johnson, Library Media Specialist, Randallstown High School, Randallstown, MD (410) 887-0760, E-mail jjohnson@bcps.org

·         David Lee King, Digital Services Director, Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, Topeka, KS  (785) 580-4601, E-mail dking@tscpl.org

·         Portia Latalladi, Youth Librarian, Chicago Public Library, Chicago, IL (312) 747-3725, E-mail platalla@chipublib@.org 

·         Jennifer Paustenbaugh, University Librarian, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, (801) 422-4301, E-mail Jennifer_paustenbaugh@byu.edu

·         Brian Schottlaender, Audrey Geisel University Librarian, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA, (858) 534-3060, E-mail becs@uscsc.edu

Diversity and Outreach Fair, book drive to highlight library services for people experiencing poverty and homelessness

Diversity and Outreach Fair, book drive to highlight library services for people experiencing poverty and homelessness

 

Contact: John Amundsen

Program Officer, Outreach and Communications

ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services

(312) 280-2140

jamundsen@ala.org

Diversity and Outreach Fair, book drive to highlight library services for people experiencing poverty and homelessness

CHICAGO – This year’s ALA Diversity and Outreach Fair, to be held from 3 – 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 27 in the Exhibits Special Events Area highlights innovations in library services to people experiencing poverty and homelessness. Additionally, two task forces of the Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT) have joined forces with a wide array of member groups and the San Francisco Public Library to coordinate a book drive which benefits over five bay area community organizations.   Book donations will be accepted from June 26-29 in specially-marked bins throughout the conference campus, at the DEMCO booth and at the Diversity & Outreach Fair.  Help us take immediate action to serve people that go without such basics as shelter, food, healthcare and literacy support in the midst of San Francisco’s striking prosperity by selecting a book from the list at www.ala.org/divfair and donating it to the book drive. 

Conference attendees are encouraged to bring one new book from the list of recommended titles for donation to designated Bay Area organizations providing shelters, support and transitional housing for youth and families. The goal of the book drive is to collect a range of excellent titles that include books for diverse backgrounds and identities. The donations will be collected in coordination with the San Francisco Public Library to benefit local organizations including Compass Family Shelter, the Providence Foundation of San Francisco, the Berkeley Food and Housing Project, YEAH! (Youth Engagement, Advocacy, and Housing), Homeless Prenatal Program, Westside Community Services and Home Away from Homelessness.   

For more information, and to view the list of suggested donation titles, please visit the Diversity & Outreach Fair page at www.ala.org/divfair.

ABOUT SRRT AND ITS TASK FORCES

The Social Responsibilities Round Table has worked effectively to make ALA more democratic and to establish progressive priorities not only for the association, but also for the entire profession. Concern for civil and economic rights was an important element in the founding of SRRT and remains an urgent concern today. SRRT believes that libraries and librarians must recognize and help solve social problems and inequities in order to carry out their mandate to work for the common good and bolster democracy.

The Hunger, Homelessness & Poverty Task Force is one of several issue-oriented task forces within SRRT of ALA. In 1990, ALA adopted Policy 61, Library Services for the Poor. This “Poor People’s Policy” was developed to ensure that libraries are accessible and useful to low-income citizens and to encourage a deeper understanding of poverty’s dimensions, its causes and ways it can be ended. In 1996, members of the SRRT formed the Hunger, Homelessness & Poverty Task Force to promote and implement Policy 61 and to raise awareness of poverty issues.

The charge of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Task Force is to support and advance the observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday as an American celebration, through collaborative relations with SRRT and the Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS), and in cooperation with the caucuses and all other ALA units for a broad spectrum of academic, public, school and special library participation. The task force develops, produces and disseminates materials through workshops, exhibits and other activities to increase public awareness of library resources and programs, to familiarize people of all ages with Dr. King's work and teachings of peace, nonviolence and service to humanity. 

Julie Ann Winkelstein, PhD, MLIS
Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Test Drive the ALA New Responsive Web Design Prototype at Annual

Test Drive the ALA New Responsive Web Design Prototype at Annual

Really, we’re having a drop in session anytime between 1:00 and 4:00, but we’ve put them on the scheduler in half hour increments (alternating with our drop-in session on mapping career trajectories) so people can drop by when it suits them and still make it to another session. Conference registrants can use the links below to choose a session to add to their scheduler.

Marriott Marquis San Francisco

Sierra Suite E

DESCRIPTION: 

Get a sneak peek at the prototype, and if you want, test drive the mobile and tablet friendly version of ala.org. Drop by, bring your wireless device, and go through 3 or 4 usability tasks to put the second iteration of the proposed ALA responsive redesign through its paces. Come take a test drive any time between 1:00 and 4:00 this afternoon (stay longer if you want to fill out a customer journey map, another fun activity happening at the same time). You’re welcome to spend as little as 15 minutes. We’ll welcome your feedback.

Session Presenter Information: Louise Gruenberg, MAE, MLS, UxD (2015) is ALA’s Senior Usability Officer.

http://alaac15.ala.org/node/30969

http://alaac15.ala.org/node/30973

http://alaac15.ala.org/node/30971

For questions, please contact Louise Gruenberg at lgruenberg@ala.org

Louise Gruenberg, MAE, MLS

Sr. Usability Officer

Information Technology & Telecommunication Services

American Library Association

312-280-1395

Speakers for your program at ALA Annual

Speakers for your program at ALA Annual

 

 

ALA Annual is just around the corner! Please send me any new or last minute speaker changes. Please ask all presenters to upload their presentations to the ALA Harvester (the software used to collect presentations and signing waivers).  ALA Conference Services sent an email to each presenter asking to upload their presentation and sign a waiver, authorizing ALA to record that session. By uploading presentations in advance, it will speed up the process at the beginning of the program.

If you need to see the list of speakers for your session, please click on the title of your program: http://www.ala.org/offices/iro/iroactivities/meetingsprograms.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Delin

Delin Guerra

International Relations Office

American Library Association

50 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-2795

International Phone: +1 312-280-3201

Inside USA: 1-800-545-2433 ext. 3201

Skype: international_relations

Fax: +1 312-280-4392
dguerra@ala.org