This Friday, 2 pm EST - don't miss ALA'S reopening webinar, featuring our own Kristin Shelley - ELPL Director & MLA President:

“Working Together on Planning, Policy and Legal Issues for Reopening a Public Library: The Board, the Attorney and the Librarian”

Free webinar- Register Here

Friday, May 15, 2020, 1:00 pm Central

Presented by the Public Policy & Advocacy Office, Chapter Relations Office, and United for Libraries

Libraries across the country are in various stages in the process of reopening library facilities. It is critical that libraries and their boards work together with their attorney and others to ask legal questions, change policies as needed, anticipate, communicate, and prepare. We are pleased to be joined by the team from East Lansing Public Library in Michigan, who will discuss how they developed their guidelines, digesting information for insight and decisions, and communicating with stakeholders. Join us for the next in a series of conversations about planning for the reopening of libraries.

Speakers

Kristin Shelley, Library Director, East Lansing (Mich.) Public Library, and President of Michigan Library Association

Thomas Yeadon, City Attorney, East Lansing, Mich., and Partner, McGinty, Hitch, Housefield, Person, Yeadon & Anderson, P.C.

Amy Zaagman, President, East Lansing (Mich.) Public Library Board of Trustees, and Executive Director, Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health

A recording only registration option is available. This webinar will focus on reopening public libraries and legal issues to be considered. Future webinars are planned, focusing on academic and school libraries.

Now for the news... ALA members, in case you missed it - thanks to generous sponsorship, ALA Virtual registration is only $60, with free registration available for furloughed library professionals. More info below.

Business, government, education leaders call for emergency funding for libraries impacted by COVID-19

A coalition of business, government, and education leaders are calling on Congress to provide emergency aid to libraries impacted by COVID-19 in a letter released today by the American Library Association (ALA).

Libraries have suffered thousands of furloughs or layoffs due to COVID-19, according to the letter. Without federal assistance, more job losses are possible in the months ahead. The fiscal effects may impact future budgets, even as some areas begin to re-open and demand grows for library services. Read more

ALA Virtual - Community Through Connection registration opens

Registration is now open for the American Library Association’s (ALA) Virtual - Community Through Connection, June 24 - 26, 2020. The three-day, online event will send a strong message that the library community can—and will—remain connected during this unprecedented time.

Through the generous support of a select roster of event sponsors, ALA will lower registration fees from $175 for ALA members to just $60. Library professionals who have recently been furloughed, laid off, or are experiencing a reduction of paid work hours, are welcome to attend at no cost. Registration will close on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at noon Central time at https://2020.alavirtualevent.org/registration/register-now.

Featured Speaker appearances will include: American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer and author Misty Copeland (Opening Session), Wednesday, June 24, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. sponsored by Penguin Random House; and Academy-Award winning actress, author and activist Natalie Portman (Closing Session), Friday, June 26, 1 - 2 p.m., sponsored by Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group. Read more

Tuliao to run 125 miles in support of Spectrum and in honor of NYPL anniversary

As The New York Public Library (NYPL) celebrates 125 years, Miriam Tuliao has announced that she will run 125 miles during the month of June to raise funds for the Spectrum Scholarship Program. Her run will honor 125 current and former NYPLers who have dedicated their lives in service to New York City and communities all across North America.These inspiring, indefatigable library veterans include adult, children’s and teen specialists, managers, technical and reference services staff, readers’ advisors, programmers, and directors. This is Tuliao's 13th consecutive year organizing an annual fundraiser for Spectrum. Read more

New from ACRL - ‘Games and Gamification in Academic Libraries’

The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) announces the publication of “Games and Gamification in Academic Libraries,” edited by Stephanie Crowe and Eva Sclippa. The title explores the ways in which today’s array of games and gaming techniques can be used in academic library instruction, programming, and outreach initiatives.

Games of all kinds, from breakouts and escape rooms to traditional board game collections, are featured in academic libraries in a variety of contexts, where their natural ability to foster interaction and communication is especially valuable. Games and gamification can be used to help students engage with the thresholds of the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education; locate resources and identify misinformation and disinformation; and build connections with faculty and librarians, in one-shots and for-credit courses. Read more

AWARDS AND GRANTS

Wamecca Rodriguez receives AASL Inspire Special Event Grant

Tatanisha Love receives AASL Inspire Special Event Grant

Maryland Association of School Librarians awarded AASL ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant

Kristina Graves receives AASL Inspire Special Event Grant

Amy Gammon receives AASL Inspire Special Event Grant