ALA News for Library Supporters
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- Last Updated on 19 June 2012
Now that the debt ceiling crisis has been “resolved,” library supporters need to focus on how we save funding for crucial library programs like the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and school libraries. There will be deep financial cuts resulting from the debt agreement and we must work to show why library finding is not the place to make these cuts. Here’s how you can help in the month of August:
Step 1: Contact your member’s district office to see if they have any town hall meetings coming up. You can find contact information for your Congressional representatives at this site: http://capwiz.com/ala/home/
Step 2: Think of examples and stories of how your local library provides essential services to your community. Emphasize how these services are free to users and of a minimal cost to taxpayers. Show your elected officials how cutting library funding hurts the community, especially in this tough economy. The ALA Washington Office has resources for you to use.
· For the latest issue briefs, click here
· To visit our Advocacy University page, which includes our “Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit,” click here
Step 3: Attend a town hall meeting to share stories and information with your elected official. As a bonus, you will not only be informing your official but also other citizens in the audience who may not know about all the resources a 21st century library can provide.
Step 4: Invite your elected official to visit a public or school library to show them firsthand the services libraries offer. The following resources can help you set up your meeting:
· For our “Get Legislators in Your Library” webinar, click here
· For a list of steps to take in setting up a Congressional visit of your library, click here
If you have any questions or need additional materials, contact Ted Wegner in the ALA Washington Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 800-941-8478.
Cataloging Community Galvanized as U.S. National Libraries Move To Embrace RDA
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- Last Updated on 19 June 2012
By Michael Kelley Aug 2, 2011, Library Journal.com
The roof beam of a new bibliographic framework has been raised high and likely will be nailed into place in the not too distant future...
Other data communities do not use MARC as a record format. "As a result library data doesn't work well with other data. This puts library data at a disadvantage when it comes to being discovered on the web," wrote Liz Miller, a cataloging librarian at New Mexico State University Library, in the April 2011 issue of Reference & Users Service Quarterly.
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Read the full article here: http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/home/891482-264/cataloging_community_galvanized_as_u.s..csp
OCLC Releases New Research Report
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- Last Updated on 19 June 2012
OCLC releases new membership research report: Seeking Synchronicity: Revelations and Recommendations for Virtual Reference
DUBLIN, Ohio, USA, 18 July 2011—A ground-breaking membership report from OCLC Research suggests that by transforming virtual reference (VR) service encounters into relationship-building opportunities, librarians can better leverage the positive feelings people have for libraries. This is critically important in a crowded online space where the biggest players often don’t have the unique experience and specific strengths offered by librarians.
The report—Seeking Synchronicity: Revelations and Recommendations for Virtual Reference—demonstrates that today’s students, scholars and citizens are not just looking to libraries for answers to specific questions—they want partners and guides in a lifelong information-seeking journey.
NM Centennial SalsaFest
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- Last Updated on 19 June 2012
NM Centennial SalsaFest - KickOff Event 8/28/11 
Things are about to get spicy as the NM Centennial kicks off with Centennial SalsaFest on August 28, 2011 in Las Cruces! Join us for music, food, dancing, storytelling and activities for the whole family, on Main Street from 11am - 6pm. Special thanks to the Las Cruces Downtown Partnership and event sponsors, especially Wells Fargo, Rainbow Ryders, Inc. and other private donors. For more information on SalsaFest please visit the NM Centennial website post.
Take the Native American Youth Challenge
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- Last Updated on 19 June 2012
President Obama has challenged us all to help win the future by out-educating, out-innovating, and out-building our competitors in the 21st century.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/nativeamericans/take-native-american-youth-challenge
Are you doing extraordinary things to make a difference for your tribe, village or community? Take the Native American Youth Challenge. We want to hear your stories and a group of exceptional Native youth community leaders will be invited to the White House this fall in conjunction with the activities of Native American heritage month. We will also consider your stories of leadership and service as we feature individuals on the White House website. Tell us your story – everyone has a story to tell and a part to play.
Requirements:
- You must be aged 13-25
- Maximum of 250 words
- All submissions must be received by September 30, 2011
- Submissions may be about yourself or another leader in your community, however all submissions must be written by people age 25 or younger
- Any individuals invited to the White House will be responsible for obtaining their own travel and lodging
Your submissions should include a description of the leadership or community activity, the number of people involved or impacted, key examples of success, and barriers or challenges for the leadership efforts and how they were overcome.