On Thursday, Aug. 6, at 11 a.m. PDT/1:00 p.m. CDT, American Library Association (ALA) President Julius C. Jefferson, Jr., will pay a virtual visit to the Nevada State Library, where he will discuss with state and local library leaders and elected officials the impact of the library’s innovative workforce development collaboration with the state, its relevance to the current economic challenges and its potential for expansion. The virtual event, Learn and Earn: Nevada Libraries Harness Virtual 3-D for Education and Careers, is free and open to the public, with registration.
In 2019, the Nevada State Library launched CareerLink, an innovative, collaborative workforce development pilot project that uses 3-D virtual reality to engage participants in career exploration and instruction towards industry certification. Read more
Cordes Lakes Library’s service to rural communities captures interest of nation’s library leaders
On Wednesday, August 5, at 3 p.m. CT, American Library Association (ALA) President Julius C. Jefferson, Jr., will virtually visit Cordes Lakes (Ariz.) Public Library in Yavapai County, where he will discuss Arizona libraries’ unique role in supporting education and lifelong learning within their rural surroundings.
The visit will feature a roundtable discussion themed “>From Interior to Border: Libraries Reaching Rural Communities.” This discussion will include a variety of voices from Arizona’s library community as well as elected officials. Topics will focus on how libraries are serving specific populations, keeping residents connected, cultivating community relationships and the expansion of the Cordes Lakes Public Library building. Read more
On Tuesday, American Library Association (ALA) President Julius C. Jefferson, Jr., paid a virtual visit to the Jemez Pueblo Community Library, in Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico, where he discussed the dire need for broadband access among tribal communities and the central role libraries can play in connecting diverse populations with high-speed internet access.
This event entitled “The Imperative of Broadband for Tribal Libraries,” was one of the stops on Jefferson’s12-stop virtual tour, Holding Space: A national conversation series with libraries. Read more
On Monday, Congressman Tom Cole (OK – 04) and American Library Association (ALA) President Julius C. Jefferson, Jr., paid a virtual visit to the Pioneer Library System in Norman, Oklahoma, to discuss how Oklahoma libraries play an invaluable role in supporting career and workforce development.
This town hall event entitled “Partnering to Advance Career and Workforce Development,” was one of the stops on Jefferson’s 12-stop virtual tour, Holding Space: A national conversation series with libraries, to spotlight how libraries of all kinds across the country are addressing the needs of their diverse communities and engaging stakeholders to advocate for libraries. Read more
As many families sheltered in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of digital media for information, education and entertainment has skyrocketed. Now, more than ever, as parents and caregivers look to libraries for support, the work of children’s librarians, serving as media mentors, is essential.
In response to this need, the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is offering free access to media mentoring tools and resources to support library professionals in all types of libraries. Resources include a variety of booklists with selections meant to assist children with understanding and healing from challenging situations like catastrophic illness, unexpected moves, the loss of a loved one, and much more. Read more
The International Relations Committee of the American Library Association announces a call for nominations for ALA Representative to the Board of Trustees of the American Library in Paris. Read more
Mario M. González, Rhea B. Lawson selected to serve as ALA Endowment Fund Trustees
Mario M. González, Director of the Passaic (NJ) Public Library and Rhea B. Lawson, Director of the Houston Public Library, have been selected to serve as the American Library Association’s (ALA) newest Endowment Trustees. The ALA Executive Board made these selections during their meeting at the 2020 Virtual Annual Conference at June 30, 2020. The three-year terms of these newly selected trustees will begin immediately. Read more
Barbara Macikas announces retirement as PLA executive director
Barbara Macikas, executive director of the Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has announced her retirement effective Aug. 31, 2020.
Since 2009, Macikas has led the division and inspired innovative programs and initiatives that have empowered public library staff and strengthened their contributions to their communities. Through her leadership and in partnership with the PLA Board of Directors, members and staff, she has helped transform the association and the field. She notes PLA’s focus on equity, diversity and inclusion; leadership development; and performance measurement as notable achievements during a long tenure.
“It has been an honor, a privilege, and a joy to serve libraries through my various roles at PLA and ALA,” Macikas reflected. “I am so proud of what we have been able to accomplish working together with passionate members, a dedicated staff, and generous and committed funders and stakeholders.” Read more
John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Awards announced
The Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA) of the American Library Association (ALA) has awarded eight winners this year’s John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Awards. Each library receives a $10,000 grant provided by the H.W. Wilson Foundation. The 2020 winners will be honored at a reception held by EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO) at the 2021 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago. Read more
Dantiel Moniz, Sarah Penner, M.O. Walsh, Syed M. Masood, and Rumaan Alam will be featured authors at the United for Libraries Virtual Gala Author Tea, sponsored by ReferenceUSA, from 6-7 p.m. ET on Thurs., August. 6th during the first-ever United for Libraries Virtual Event. Read more
Bestselling author and optimist Simon Sinek will present a featured keynote on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 6 p.m. Eastern as part of the United for Libraries Virtual: Trustees – Friends – Foundations event. The keynote will be available to event attendees as well as livestreamed on the United for Libraries Facebook page. Read more
AWARDS AND GRANTS
ALSC 2020 Equity Fellowship application cycle opens
Melissa Wilson selected as the 2020 Tony B. Leisner Scholarship recipient
WEBINARS
LLAMA webinar: ‘Soliciting Feedback -- Up, down, and sideways’
ALA PUBLISHING
Rubin & Rubin’s updated LIS text