Why We Need Free Public Libraries More Than Ever
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- Last Updated on 19 June 2012
- Keith Michael Fiels is the executive director of the American Library Association.
As a former head of the state library agency in Massachusetts and a taxpayer myself, I read with interest the recent Atlantic editorial in which an elected official from Swampscott, Massachusetts proposed public library user fees as a reasonable and "modern" solution to some perceived imbalance.
Alire named 2011 Achievement in Library Diversity Research Honoree
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- Last Updated on 19 June 2012
For Immediate Release
Tue, 07/26/2011 - 09:21
Contact: Miguel Figueroa
Office for Diversity (ofd or div)
CHICAGO—Dr. Camila Alire, dean emerita at the University of New Mexico Libraries and Colorado State University Libraries, has been named the 2011 Achievement in Library Diversity Research Honoree. As part of its ongoing support of the propagation of library-based diversity research, the ALA Council Committee on Diversity and the ALA Office for Diversity are pleased to recognize Dr. Alire for her contributions to the profession and her promotion of diversity within it. The Office for Diversity began designating this honor in 2004.
With a full career in academic and research libraries, Alire’s contributions to the professional literature include titles on leadership and diversity, recruitment and retention of librarians of color, library service to Latinos and diverse populations, library marketing and advocacy and disaster recovery. She is the author of several books and articles, including "Academic Librarianship" (Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2010), "Academic Librarians as Emotionally Intelligent Leaders" (Libraries Unlimited, 2007), and "Serving Latino Communities" (Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2007).
Alire currently serves as Professor of Practice (adjunct) for Simmons College’s PhD program in Managerial Leadership in the Information Professions and has served as adjunct professor at San Jose University’s Executive MLIS program. In addition to her work at the University of New Mexico Libraries and Colorado State University Libraries, other library experience includes service as a community college library director, head of a special library, school librarian (K-12) and assistant to the dean/instructor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Librarianship and Information Management.
Alire’s service to the profession includes President of the American Library Association, 2009-2010, past president of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) and past president of the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking (REFORMA). She has chaired several ALA committees, including the Committee on Legislation, Nominating Committee and Committee on Education, and served as chair of the 2005 ACRL National Conference. Alire has served on the ALA Executive Board and the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Board. She is the recipient of numerous awards including the American Library Association’s 2011 Joseph W. Lippincott Award for distinguished service to the profession of librarianship and the American Library Association’s 1997 Elizabeth Futas Catalyst for Change Award.
Alire received her master’s in library science from the University of Denver and a doctorate in education from the University of Northern Colorado.
Alire will be recognized as the Achievement in Library Diversity Research Honoree at the 2012 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Dallas. Alire will receive the honor and make opening remarks during the “DiversiTea” program, tentatively scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, from 4 - 5:30 p.m.
ALA’s Office for Diversity offers thanks to the Diversity Research Grants Advisory Committee, Veronica L.C. Stevenson-Moudamane (chair), Aimee Babcock-Ellis, Vickie E. Beene, Dr. Stanton F. Biddle, Eileen K. Bosch, Robert J. Bremer, Elizabeth Jean Brumfield, Nicole Lea Busch, Denyvetta Davis, Kim L. Eccles, Michael Gutierrez, Joyce E. Jelks, Raymond P. Schwartz, Susan Elizabeth Shepley, Kathryn Sigler and R. Niccole Westbrook.
For more information on the Achievement in Library Diversity Research and the Diversity Research Grants Program, please visit www.ala.org/diversity.
Discover Earth: A Century of Change
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- Last Updated on 19 June 2012
Discover Earth Opportunities for Public Librarians
Apply to host a traveling exhibit:
The Lunar and Planetary Institute is pleased to announce that the American Library Association (ALA) is now accepting applications to host an exciting new travelling exhibition! In addition to the exhibit itself, this project is accompanied by a wealth of resources and opportunities — including a new Explore! module!
A link to the application and further information is available at http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/ppo/programming/discoverearth/index.cfm. Ten public libraries will be selected to host an interactive exhibition called Discover Earth: A Century of Change. Discover Earth will tour from January 2012 to December 2013, visiting each of the ten selected sites for a period of eight weeks. The exhibition requires approximately 500-750 square feet of space for optimal display. Each site will be awarded a grant of $1,000 to support public programs related to the exhibition. Application deadline: September 2, 2011.
Work with other librarians to bring science to your community!
Librarians, scientists, engineers, educators, museum staff, and others are invited to join a new online community (http://community.discoverexhibits.org/)! The goal of the community is to provide and support science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning in libraries. This innovative new forum will allow members to share resources, form programming partnerships, foster continued learning and professional development, and, most importantly, facilitate effective STEM learning experiences in libraries.
To join the site, please send your name and e-mail address to Anne Holland at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . She will send you a user name and password within two business days. For more information about the STAR_Net project, the traveling Discover exhibits, or the CoP, please contact Lisa Curtis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. '; document.write(''); document.write(addy_text6164); document.write('<\/a>'); //-->\n This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Use Discover Earth hands-on activities in children’s and youth programs:
We will launch the new Explore! Discover Earth module by January 2012, which will engage children ages 5-7, 8-13, and teens in the science, art, and literature relating to our Earth and the ever-changing environment. You will be invited to use the hands-on activities, programming ideas, resource lists, and background information in your own programs, regardless of whether you host an exhibit or not. The module will be added to the free resources currently provided at http://www.lpi.usra.edu/explore.
For information about the Explore! Discover Earth module, please contact Keliann LaConte at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. '; document.write(''); document.write(addy_text97787); document.write('<\/a>'); //-->\n This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
IMLS - IdeaScale
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- Last Updated on 19 June 2012
Dear Colleague,
Did you know that there is an exciting conversation going on about future directions for the Institute of Museum and Library Services? On Friday, July 15 we launched http://imls.ideascale.com to engage the public in discussions that will help to shape our next five-year strategic plan. Since Friday, over 90 people have joined in. They are sharing new ideas, voting to agree or disagree with ideas and providing comments. We will use this input to help develop our plan, which will provide a roadmap for future activities, help us communicate clearly and concisely about agency results, and provide for accountability.
We know the years ahead will be full of rapid change and we want your ideas about how we can carry out our statutory responsibility “to support museum, library, and information services to meet the information, education, research, economic, cultural, and civic needs of the people of the United States.”
So visit http://imls.ideascale.com and participate. You may want to check on the conversation a few times during the coming weeks to see new ideas and add your comments. The site will be open for business until August 12, 2011.
I hope that you will participate and share this message with your networks.
Sincerely,
Susan H. Hildreth
Director, Institute of Museum and Library Services
Free Webinar
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- Last Updated on 19 June 2012
Free WebJunction webinar on IF and Web 2.0 next week!
OIF is pleased to be collaborating with WebJunction and ALA TechSource on the free webinar, “Finding a Legal Comfort Zone on the Web,” which will be offered on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at 2 p.m. Eastern. The event will focus on best practices for libraries to engage with the public online, take advantage of user-generated content, and protect intellectual freedom principles.
Eli Neiburger and Barbara Jones, contributing writers to the Nov/Dec 2010 issue of Library Technology Reports, “Privacy and Freedom of Information in 21st-Century Libraries,” will be the presenters. In anticipation of next week’s webinar, TechSource has also opened access to Jones’s and Neuberger’s chapters on the issue’s MetaPress page!
For more information on next week’s webinar, check out this excellent TechSource blog post, and visit WebJunction’s page, which includes a link to register.