Public Library Association stands with Nashville in wake of tornado<http://bit.ly/2VJB2JB> The Public Library Association (PLA) is deeply saddened at news of the devastating impact of last night’s deadly tornado in Nashville and central Tennessee. Nashville Public Library locations are closed today, except for polling locations. PLA is reaching out to Nashville library leaders to see how the association can best support the library and its community in the coming days. “We are hearing from public library workers across the country sharing our sorrow at this disaster in the wake of an incredibly vibrant PLA 2020 national conference,” said PLA President Ramiro Salazar. “More than 8,700 people enjoyed the amazing hospitality of the city and the Nashville Public Library. It is truly incomprehensible to see the destruction after we experienced so many wonderful interactions, meals, music and learning last week.” Read more<http://bit.ly/2VJB2JB> OCLC, PLA report offers strategies for public libraries to respond to the opioid crisis<http://bit.ly/3cvq14D> OCLC and the Public Library Association (PLA) issued Call to Action: Public Libraries and the Opioid Crisis, a report that offers tested strategies to consider as libraries determine local responses to the nationwide public health emergency. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 130 people die every day from an opioid overdose. As trusted local institutions, public libraries connect community members to credible, accurate information and services that can help support needs around substance use disorder. The call to action was informed by case study research with eight public libraries that have created community responses with local partners, as well as discussions with government agencies, public health and human services organizations, community organizations, and library leaders. Read more<http://bit.ly/3cvq14D> Libraries Ready to Code awards microfunding on Digital Learning Day<http://bit.ly/2TznNsj> The American Library Association’s (ALA) Libraries Ready to Code initiative, sponsored by Google, awarded more than 100 academic, school and public libraries with $700 mini-grants to encourage digital skills education in honor of Digital Learning Day, Feb. 27, 2020. Digital Learning Day is an annual event to promote effective use of technology tools and rich learning opportunities for learners of all ages. Microfunding awardees will use their grants to implement video-based lessons from Google’s Applied Digital Skills program to prepare learners for the future of work. Libraries are expected to carry out four sessions of digital skills programming by May 31, 2020. Read more<http://bit.ly/2TznNsj> ALA adds Polish American Library Association to its professional affiliate roster<http://bit.ly/2uQCqiN> The governing Council of the American Library Association (ALA) has voted to make the Polish American Librarians Association (PALA) an ALA Affiliate. The action was taken Jan. 27 during the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia. PALA applied for affiliation in 2019, and the application was vetted by the ALA Executive Board to ensure that PALA’s bylaws and mission were in compliance with ALA. PALA joins 27 other affiliated library organizations and, with the Chinese American Librarians Association, becomes one of only two affiliates that are nation-specific. Read more<http://bit.ly/2uQCqiN> Help build the 2021 AASL National Conference<http://bit.ly/2TCeKH8> The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) invites school library professionals to help plan programming for the 2021 AASL National Conference. Professionals are asked to submit topics needed for professional development during the conference, taking place in October 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Read more<http://bit.ly/2TCeKH8> Pre-Service school librarians’ perceptions explored in new School Library Research<http://bit.ly/3anAi0R> New research published in the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) peer-reviewed online journal, School Library Research (SLR), explores graduate-level instruction on research designs and methods for pre-service school librarians. SLR promotes and publishes high-quality original research concerning the management, implementation, and evaluation of school libraries. Read more<http://bit.ly/3anAi0R> AWARDS AND GRANTS Dr. Lesley Farmer receives the Ken Haycock Award for Promoting Librarianship<http://bit.ly/2wml8dH> Sol María López awarded 2020 Lois Mai Chan Professional Development Grant<http://bit.ly/2x7Vud6> 2020 Gordon M. Conable Conference Scholarship nominations open<http://bit.ly/2PKPD3J> Jennifer L. Dean - PhD, MLIS - she, her, hers MLA Board of Directors & ALA Councilor Dean of Libraries and Instructional Technology University of Detroit Mercy deanjl@udmercy.edu Sent using Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/ghei36>