NEWS FROM THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION ALA and affiliates issue joint statement on libraries and equity, diversity and inclusion The American Library Association, The American Indian Library Association, Asian Pacific American Librarians Association, Black Caucus of the American Library Association, Chinese American Librarians Association, REFORMA (The National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking) and the Joint Council of Librarians of Color issued a joint statement on equity, diversity, and inclusion. http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2017/08/ala-and-affiliates-issue-join... New ALA Connect launches Aug. 31, current site ‘Gray-Out’ begins Aug. 10 ALA Connect http://connect.ala.org/, the online space where ALA groups collaborate, is being upgraded to a new and more flexible system that will be powered by Higher Logic<https://www.higherlogic.com/products/online-communities>. The launch is scheduled for Aug. 31. http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2017/08/new-ala-connect-launches-aug-... Choice launches Authority File podcast The Authority File will feature weekly episodes in formats to include author/editor conversations about new books and products, thought-leadership interviews and discussions, and technology and product case studies. Hosted by Choice Editorial Director Bill Mickey, RUSA’s Reference and User Services Quarterly journal moves to open access RUSQ will move to open access beginning with the fall 2017 issue. http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2017/08/rusa-s-reference-and-user-servic... LITERARY LANDMARKS United for Libraries to dedicate the Sonoma County (Calif.) Library a Literary Landmark in honor of Charles M. Schulz http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2017/08/united-libraries-dedicate-son... United for Libraries to dedicate the Warren (Ohio)-Trumbull County Public Library a Literary Landmark http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2017/08/united-libraries-dedicate-war... ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2018 2018 Symposium on the Future of Libraries Seeks Proposals for Concurrent Sessions http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2017/08/2018-symposium-future-libraries-... Deadline extended for 2018 ALA Annual Conference program proposals http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2017/08/2018-ala-annual-conference-progr... ALA PUBLISHING ALCTS surveys electronic textbooks and other affordable course materials http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2017/08/alcts-surveys-electronic-textboo... Valuing objects in cultural collections http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2017/08/valuing-objects-cultural-collect... How to Implement a Digitization Program eCourse http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2017/08/new-iteration-how-implement-digi... Serving Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder workshop http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2017/08/new-session-serving-children-aut... Becoming an expert internet searcher http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2017/08/becoming-expert-internet-searche...