All -
You still have time to vote in the ALA elections... if you haven't already! The voting period ends on April 1 at 11:59pm (Central). That's tonight!
Please check your email for a link to your ballot - each ballot is personalized for each member. I recommend setting aside 15-30 minutes to vote. I voted on my smart phone - it was easy.
More information about the ALA election can be found here: http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/alaelection
COVID-19 federal relief package supports libraries’ role in digital inclusion
The $2 trillion economic stimulus package, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act, includes $50 million for the Institute of Museum and Library Services for digital inclusion projects and more than $30 billion in relief for schools and colleges, plus billions more for state and local governments, and nonprofit organizations. In response, American Library Association (ALA) President Wanda Brown made the following statement. Read more
United for Libraries will host the webinar “Engaging Library Supporters During the COVID-19 Pandemic” on Wednesday, April 1 at 3 p.m. Eastern. Featured presenters will be Sarah Charleton, Membership Director of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles; Charity Tyler, Executive Director of the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation, and Jonna Ward, CEO of the Seattle Public Library Foundation. Kristi Pearson, CEO of the Friends of the Hennepin County Library, will moderate. Registration is open and free to all. Read more
ALA welcomes LinkedIn Learning’s changes to terms of service
After conversations with the American Library Association (ALA) and other industry leaders, LinkedIn Learning — formerly Lynda.com, a platform used by libraries to provide online learning opportunities to library users —announced that it has made changes to its terms of service.
Under LinkedIn Learning’s revised terms, a library cardholder will no longer need to create a LinkedIn profile in order to access LinkedIn Learning. Additionally, users will need no longer need to provide an email address to use the service; they will be able to sign on with a library card number and PIN. Read more
Celebrate reading with a free, downloadable READ® poster file
ALA Graphics is offering a free READ® poster file available now for download. The fun, celebratory theme features READ balloon letters and confetti. Design and star in your own READ® poster or feature family, friends, or even pets. Learn the basics of how to create your own poster and fun ways to customize and make it your own with this video tutorial. Share your creations on Twitter and use #CelebrateReading and tag @ALA_Graphics.
GNCRT spotlights online comics resources, brings comic creators to your home with #LibcomixOnline
In the midst of cancelled conventions, closures, and many other rapid changes to the way libraries and library staff work, the Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT) is going virtual. The GNCRT will spotlight online comic reading and recommendations, resources and toolkits, and other #libcomix content virtually through #LibcomixOnline. These series of events and spotlighted resources will feature live streamed webinars, recorded interviews and discussions with some of our favorite comic creators, stores, and libraries plus virtual brainstorming sessions, and maybe even a few live draws or virtual art drops. Read more
ALA announces 2020 Policy Corps members
The American Library Association (ALA) announced the names of eight library and information professionals selected to participate in the 2020 ALA Policy Corps, which aims to develop a cadre of experts with deep and sustained knowledge of national public policies in areas key to ALA’s strategic goals. Read more
As part of the broad American Library Association effort to provide resources to library communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, United for Libraries is working to support library Boards of Trustees, Friends groups, and Foundations during this time. As part of this initiative, United for Libraries is currently making its online discussion forums accessible to non-members. Read more
AWARDS AND GRANTS
YALSA names 2020 Volunteers of the Year Award recipients
Melissa Bowles-Terry chosen as the 2020 recipient of the LIRT Librarian Recognition Award
Rebecca Denham named 2020 YALSA Board Fellow
Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) selected for LIRT 2020 Innovation in Instruction Award
Karin Ledford wins a year of free AASL membership