American Library Association (ALA) President Wanda K. Brown and the ALA Executive Board released the following statement in response to financial shortfalls in the current fiscal year operating budget that were first brought to light at the Association’s recent Midwinter Meeting. Read more

Mary Ellen K. Davis announces retirement as ACRL executive director

Mary Ellen K. Davis, executive director of the Association of College & Research (ACRL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has announced her retirement effective April 24, 2020.

Since 2001, Davis has led the division and inspired innovation and the development of programs that have empowered academic and research librarians to advance learning, transform scholarship, and document their contributions to the broader campus and higher education communities. She leaves office as the longest serving executive director in ACRL’s more than 75-year history.

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve the academic and research library community through my various roles at ACRL,” Davis reflected. “I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish working together with passionate members and a dedicated staff.” Read more

Joint Working Group on eBooks and Digital Content in Libraries addresses library concerns

The American Library Association established a Joint Working Group on eBooks and Digital Content in Libraries following a resolution passed by ALA’s Council in June 2019 and supported by the ALA Executive Board in October 2019. The Working Group, representing ALA and related library organizations will address library concerns with publishers and content providers. The charges to the committee are to explore, analyze and share the information on various options for improving access to digital content for libraries and the public and to assist in identification of models and strategies to influence decision makers for the future. Read more

ALA receives two grants to help libraries in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

The American Library Association (ALA) has been awarded two $15,000 technology improvement grants by the National Network of Libraries of Medicine-Southeastern/Atlantic region to provide computers and other technology to enhance access to health resources in libraries in Puerto Rico and the U.S Virgin Islands who are recovering from recent natural disasters.

Through the grants ALA will also organize training for librarians on important online resources such as MedlinePlus, Health Reach, and PubMed from the National Library of Medicine. Read more

ASGCLA offers tour of Southern Scotland and Northern England

Don't miss the opportunity to experience a seven night, grand literary and history tour of Southern Scotland and Northern England, May 9-16, 2020 with the Association of Specialized Government and Cooperative Library Agencies.

This seven night themed tour of Southern Scotland & Northern England focuses on some of the greatest writers to come from the region. These writers include William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter, the Brontës and J.R.R. Tolkien. Read more

AWARDS AND GRANTS

2020 ALCTS Outstanding Collaboration Citation

Jennifer Hain Teper awarded 2020 Paul Banks and Carolyn Harris Preservation Award

Subramaniam awarded 2020 YALSA Outstanding Achievement Award

Abron chosen as 2020 YALSA MAE Award recipient

Maggie Dull selected as winner of the 2020 Esther J. Piercy Award

Julie Renee Moore selected for Margaret Mann Citation

Maria Savova, Jason S. Price awarded 2020 Edward Swanson Memorial Best of LRTS Award

Alex Valencia, Lynn Whittenberger and Meredith Wynn receive ProQuest Award for Innovation

Magda El-Sherbini receives 2020 Ross Atkinson Lifetime Achievement Award

Homewood Public Library awarded 2020 Baker & Taylor Summer Reading Program Grant

Rachel Ivy Clarke, Sayward Schoonmaker receive ALCTS Outstanding Publication Award