ALA News for March 13, 2018 NEWS FROM THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION ALA and AASL release joint statement on Florida Senate Bill 7026 American Library Association (ALA) President Jim Neal and American Association of School Librarians (AASL) President Steven Yates released a joint statement in response to legislation that will allow for the arming of school librarians in Florida schools. Senate Bill 7026 would permit librarians, counselors, and coaches to carry firearms in Florida Public Schools. In the statement, they said, “While we are all too aware of the gun violence that affects the communities that we serve, including our schools, we do not believe that allowing the arming of school librarians with guns is the answer to preventing violence and mass shootings. Schools need more resources, including the expertise of a certified school librarian for teaching and learning." http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2018/03/ala-and-aasl-release-joint-st... Jason Reynolds calls school libraries 'places of recognition for young people' in new PSA A new public service announcement featuring New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds is now available from the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) as part of the 2018 celebration of School Library Month. In the PSA, Reynolds speaks to how school libraries are places of refuge and recognition for students who want to feel less alone. School librarian professionals and advocates for school libraries are encouraged to download and share the PSA throughout their communities in celebration of School Library Month. Reynolds is the bestselling author of “Ghost,” “Patina,” “Long Way Down,” and “Miles Morales: Spider-Man.” He writes on his website that he knows there are a lot of young people who hate reading, mostly out of boredom. His plan? To not write boring books and to aim the books towards the non-believers. http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2018/03/jason-reynolds-calls-school-l... Sarah Jessica Parker book club pick explores the meaning of faith Honorary Book Club Central Chair Sarah Jessica Parker has selected Jonathan Miles’ "Anatomy of a Miracle," on sale today, as the latest addition to the American Library Association’s (ALA) Book Club Central SJP list. Anatomy of a Miracle is a remarkable novel about a paralyzed young man’s unexplainable recovery, and explores faith, science, mystery and the meaning of life. Book Club Central, designed in consultation with expert librarians, provides the public with the very best in reading and is a place for engaging content and information for book clubs and readers everywhere. Book Club Central Sponsoring Partners are Booklist, the book review magazine of the ALA; United for Libraries, a division of the ALA; and Libraries Transform, the ALA’s public awareness campaign, along with Corporate Platinum Partner Penguin Random House. Corporate Gold Partners include NoveList, OverDrive, and Sisters in Crime. http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2018/03/sarah-jessica-parker-book-clu... Polls now open in 2018 PLA Board Election Six nominees will stand for three positions on the Board of Directors: PLA President and two Director-at-Large seats. These are crucial leadership roles that will guide PLA into the next several years, ensuring the organization delivers on its core purpose to strengthen public libraries and their contribution to the communities they serve. The polls will be open from March 12 through April 4, and the election results will be announced on April 11. For the 2018 elections, eligible members will receive their voting credentials via email between March 12 and March 14. Any individuals whose emails bounce will be sent a “snail-mail” letter with their voting credentials. To be eligible to vote, individuals must be members in good standing of ALA as well as applicable divisions and round tables as of Jan. 31, 2018. http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/03/polls-now-open-2018-pla-board-el... Important reminders for members as ALA gets ready to launch the new ALA Connect on April 25 ALA will launch the new ALA Connect on Wednesday, April 25, bringing with it new features and updates to members’ online collaborative space for networking, learning, growing, and engaging on a variety of topics of interest. http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/03/important-reminders-members-ala-... YALSA announces 2018 Teen Read Week™ theme The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), will feature “It’s Written in the Stars…READ” as the theme for this year’s Teen Read Week celebration, which will take place October 7-13. Teen Read Week is generously supported in part by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. Library staff, afterschool providers and educators can use this theme to encourage teens to think and read outside of the box, as well as seek out fantasy, science fiction and other out-of- this-world reads. http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/03/yalsa-announces-2018-teen-read-w... LITA Announces Inaugural Excellence in Children's and Young Adult Science Fiction Notable Lists The Library and Information Technology Association released its first Excellence in Children's and Young Adult Science Fiction Notable Lists at the American Library Association's Midwinter Meeting in Denver. The annotated Lists are designed to assist children, their parents, and librarians in selecting books that use (future) science and technology rather than fantasy or magic. http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/03/lita-announces-inaugural-excelle... M. Kathleen Kern named Reference and User Services Quarterly Journal editor Kern began as editor-designate in early February and will assume the position of editor on July 1, 2018. She is currently director of the Miller Learning Center at the University of Georgia Libraries. She has published widely, including a book, multiple peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and other articles, and has worked as an adjunct instructor for the library schools at both the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Rutgers University. She previously served as a column editor (Accidental Technologist) and a member of the RUSQ Board, as well as an occasional referee for the journal. She is also a past president (2013-14) of RUSA. http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/03/m-kathleen-kern-named-reference-... PLA VIRTUAL CONFERENCE PLA Virtual Conference registration to close March 14 http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/03/pla-virtual-conference-registrat... ALA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2018 Call for Proposals for 2018 ALA Annual Conference Conversation Starters & Ignite Sessions http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2018/03/call-proposals-2018-ala-annua... AWARDS AND GRANTS Public libraries invited to apply for ‘The Great American Read’ PBS programming grants http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2018/03/public-libraries-invited-appl... Brager, Mars, and Pittman win 2018 ACRL IS Innovation Award http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/03/brager-mars-and-pittman-win-2018... Nutefall receives 2018 ACRL Instruction Section Ilene F. Rockman Publication of the Year Award http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/03/nutefall-receives-2018-acrl-inst... Scherlen named 2018 Marta Lange/SAGE-CQ Press Award winner http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/03/scherlen-named-2018-marta-langes... Jay Bansbach wins a year of free AASL membership http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/03/jay-bansbach-wins-year-free-aasl... Lindsey Whittington Receives Immroth Award http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/03/lindsey-whittington-receives-imm... WEBINARS AND ONLINE LEARNING Make a Giant Leap for Patron Privacy: Prepare for Choose Privacy Week with a Free Webinar on Library Privacy Audits http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/03/make-giant-leap-patron-privacy-p... Share your expertise as an ACRL e-Learning presenter http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/03/share-your-expertise-acrl-e-lear... New on the Job http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/03/new-iteration-new-job-ecoursee-b... Web Design Basics for Librarians http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/03/new-iteration-web-design-basics-... Sign Language for Children in Storytime or in the Classroom: A Practical Guide http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/03/new-ecourse-sign-language-childr...