ALA News - March 26, 2019


Go ‘Beyond the Racial Stalemate’ at the 2019 ALA Annual Conference

In his 2008 speech on race, titled "A More Perfect Union," then-candidate Barack Obama described a "racial stalemate we've been stuck in for years." He suggested that, if we don't do something different, "nothing will change." A decade later, we're still stuck. How do we move forward?

 

Using an approach known as "racial healing," facilitators at the 2019 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference will lead participants through a process that invites story-telling, vulnerability and deep listening. The goal is to provide leaders with a tool currently used by hundreds of organizations to help uproot the flawed belief in a racial hierarchy.

“Beyond the Racial Stalemate” will be held on Friday, June 21, 2019, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. as part of the 2019 ALA Annual Conference (June 20 to 25). Two identical sessions will be offered: 8:30 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 4 p.m. Read more

 

Nation to recognize contributions of library workers on National Library Workers Day, April 9, 2019
Today’s library workers play a critical role in meeting the needs of the communities they serve, from offering social service support and health services to career and small business development assistance and tools to help combat fake news. April 9 is National Library Workers Day (NLWD), a time to recognize library professionals for their expertise and leadership skills in transforming lives and communities through education and lifelong learning. The day also reminds the public that library workers serve as community compasses that lead users to endless opportunities for engagement, enrichment and development. Read more

 

Free toolkit available to help with National Library Workers Day Celebrations
It’s time to celebrate the stars in your library! Recognize all library workers who make library service possible every day on National Library Workers Day (NLWD) — Tuesday, April 9, 2019. This day is designated as a day for library users, administrators, staff, supporters, communities and friends to recognize the valuable contributions made by all of those who work in libraries. Libraries and organizations are encouraged to host celebrations and submit names of stars to honor great workers, teams and/or departments.


To help libraries and communities prepare to celebrate NLWD, the ALA – Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA) has developed a free publicity tool kit. The tool kit includes downloadable templates for items such as a flier, sample press releases, proclamations, public service announcements, etc. which can be used to promote your NLWD activities. You will also find cool gifts to give to library staff to let them know they are appreciated. Read more

 

Second Wellness in the Library Workplace two-week course starts in May
You’re a library worker. You are already helping those in your community find health information. But what are you doing to manage your own well-being? Are you a supervisor? How are you helping to ensure your staff stays healthy (physically, emotionally, etc.)?


Individual and community well-being are inherently connected. Thus, it is critical that workplaces provide an environment of wellness for their employees. As part of her presidential theme on Wellness, ALA-Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA) President Loida Garcia-Febo has partnered with the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) to bring a complimentary two-week course to library workers worldwide. The first course, which begins in April, filled-up quickly. Therefore, a second course was added to accommodate additional participants. It begins May 20, 2019. Read more

 

ALA-APA seeking nominations for the Presidential Citation for Wellness in the Workplace
The ALA-Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA) is recognizing libraries that go above and beyond in meeting the wellness needs of their staff.
ALA-APA is seeking nominations for the association’s Presidential Citation for Wellness in the Workplace. The deadline to submit nominations is April 30, 2019.


Candidates will be libraries that address staff needs in the areas of continuing education, wellness, positive work environment, unions, salaries, gender equity, pay equity initiatives and other activities designed to improve the salaries and status of librarians and other library workers.

The winner will receive a framed citation from ALA-APA President Loida Garcia-Febo at the President's Program during the American Library Association (ALA) 2019 Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. Read more

 

United for Libraries to present online workshop on ‘Equity, Diversity, Inclusion: What Library Trustees Need to Know’ on April 30

United for Libraries will present “Equity, Diversity, Inclusion: What Library Trustees Need to Know,” an online workshop, on Tues., April 30, 10 to 11 a.m. Eastern Time and 4 to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. The workshop, hosted by ALA Publishing eLearning Solutions, will be presented live twice, in two identical sessions, and the recording will be made available to those who register. Read more

 

AWARDS AND GRANTS

Charles McClure wins 2019 LITA/OCLC Kilgour Research Award


Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library receives 2019 Hayes Award

 

Oregon State University Undergrad Research and Writing Studio wins 2019 ACRL IS Innovation Award

 

Carnegie-Whitney Grant 2019 winners

 

Pennsylvania School Librarians Association receives AASL Past-Presidents Planning Grant for National School Library Standards

 

New Jersey Association of School Librarians receives AASL Past-Presidents Planning Grant for National School Library Standards

 

'Lyrics as Literature' program receives AASL Roald Dahl's Miss Honey Social Justice Award

 

Virginia Association of School Librarians receives Past-Presidents Planning Grant for National School Library Standards

 

ECOURSES, WEBINARS AND WORKSHOPS

Free webinar recording available: Write and Cite "Chicago Style"

 

Rediscovering the Power of Audiobooks

 

Professional Growth for Late-Career Librarians

 

Basic American Sign Language for Library Staff

 

Using WebDewey and Understanding Dewey Decimal Classification

 

Nostalgia and Retro Programming for All Ages

 

PUBLICATIONS
March 2019 ITAL Issue Now Available