If you've ever wondered what ALA Council does, but weren't interested in missing out on a great conference speaker or the excitement of the exhibit hall to sit in on a session...consider sitting in on a virtual ALA Council session! More information below - the first session is this Friday, 9/18, from 1-3 pm EST, with a second scheduled in October. We will be discussing ALA's finances this Friday. If you have questions or concerns that you'd like me to be aware of as MLA's ALA Councilor, please do share them with me - my contact information is at the bottom of this message. If Council doesn't sound like it's for you, but you're interested in serving ALA in other ways, it's also time to volunteer for committees for the 2021-2023 term. If you are interested, please see below for more information. The deadline to volunteer is September 30. Hoping my email finds you all safe and well as can be. THANK YOU for all you do. Jennifer ALA Midwinter Virtual, Jan. 22-26, offers exciting lineup of activities, speakers<https://bit.ly/35G3iBR> The American Library Association (ALA) will host its annual Midwinter Meeting in 2021, this time as an online event. ALA Midwinter Virtual will be held Jan. 22-26, 2021 and will include many of the established activities found at past Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits conferences, while also offering new activities and interactive features. Read more<https://bit.ly/35G3iBR> ALSC President Kirby McCurtis discusses #LooktoLibraries with ABC News<https://bit.ly/2H4Sxit> Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) President Kirby McCurtis, appeared as a guest on "Pandemic: What You Need to Know," a new ABC Network program temporarily replacing the third hour of Good Morning America. This national news segment focused on ALSC’s new initiative #LooktoLibraries, a national effort to bring attention to the work and expertise of children’s librarians as media mentors, especially in times of crisis. McCurtis discussed how during the pandemic librarians and library workers are on the front lines assisting parents and caregivers verify the accuracy and trustworthiness of sources and materials they encounter online. She also explained that librarians can assist with the conscious consideration of how screen time fits best within a family’s overall media consumption. Read more<https://bit.ly/2H4Sxit> Banned Books Week 2020 goes virtual as threats to intellectual freedom continue<https://bit.ly/3izVZzu> This Banned Books Week (Sept. 27 - Oct. 3) is an opportunity to rally for First Amendment protections and remain vigilant about continual threats to our freedom to read. With many organizations pivoting to virtual and social-distance learning and engagement, the American Library Association (ALA) is highlighting ways to easily participate virtually in this year’s event. Read more<https://bit.ly/3izVZzu> Public libraries connecting readers through national digital reading event<https://bit.ly/3klo9ie> Readers nationwide are actively borrowing and discussing the next Libraries Transform Book Pick, the annual digital reading event that makes a featured ebook immediately available for free from public libraries. From Sept. 14 to 28, booklovers across the U.S. can borrow – without waitlists or holds – an ebook copy of the ambitious and masterfully wrought saga “Book of the Little Axe” by Lauren Francis-Sharma. With the award-winning Libby app and a valid library card, readers can download and read the ebook, then discuss via social media. The Libraries Transform Book Pick, facilitated by the American Library Association and OverDrive, is designed to connect readers across the U.S. simultaneously with the selected ebook through their public libraries to generate conversation across communities. A book guide and other materials to help digital book clubs and readers foster conversation are also available. This year’s Book Pick program coincides with Library Card Sign-up Month, held each September to remind the public that a library card provides free access to extensive valuable resources. Read more<https://bit.ly/3klo9ie> Mark your calendars for 2020 Fall virtual ALA Council meetings<https://bit.ly/3iu9qkp> This Fall, you can have a front row seat as the American Library Association (ALA) Council discusses issues that will have long-range impact on the association. ALA Council will hold the first of its two Fall virtual council meetings on Friday, Sept. 18. The meeting, which lasts from noon – 2 p.m. Central time, can be accessed by visiting https://ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hLDri4bCQeebXYyawiivgw .Read more<https://bit.ly/3iu9qkp> Sweeping AASL survey of schools reopening provides revealing snapshot of school library landscape under COVID-19<https://bit.ly/2ZGAOUQ> As schools across the country make critical decisions about how to handle a variety of back-to-school scenarios, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is collecting data from school librarians across the country to gauge the status of teaching, school library use, and school librarians’ roles as school/district plans continue to adapt to the pandemic. The resulting snapshots provide insight into the school library resources and instructional role of the school librarian in physical, virtual, or hybrid settings to ensure teaching and learning. Read more<https://bit.ly/2ZGAOUQ> For school librarians, learning continues no matter the environment<https://bit.ly/2Fooou5> Results from an American Association of School Librarians (AASL) back-to-school survey show that school librarians are continuing to adapt and evolve to provide consistent learning for their students in response to the changing COVID-19 landscape. The survey collected responses from building-level school librarians, district supervisors, and educators of school librarians on school/school library opening, school library space and use, expected collection loss, and budgeting. Full back-to-school survey results can be found at www.ala.org/aasl/pandemic<http://www.ala.org/aasl/pandemic>. Read more<https://bit.ly/2Fooou5> Remember to volunteer by Sept. 30, 2020 to serve on ALA, Council, and Joint committees for the 2021-2023 term<https://bit.ly/3mlJo5c> Members can volunteer via online committee volunteer form (http://www.ala.org/aboutala/committees/volunteer/frm_vol). To volunteer, please complete and submit the form electronically (be sure to select "ALA" in the drop-down menu on the main form). To be considered for the 2021-2023 term, forms must be submitted no later than September 30, 2020. Any forms received after this date will be considered for the next term (2022-2024). Read more<https://bit.ly/3mlJo5c> America’s libraries honored by FCC with inaugural DOER award<https://bit.ly/33yKqlI> The Federal Communications Commissioner (FCC) Geoffrey Starks has named “America’s libraries” as an honoree of the inaugural Digital Opportunity Equity Recognition (DOER) Program. Commissioner Starks established the award in 2020 “to acknowledge the tireless efforts of Americans working to close the digital divide in communities without access to affordable, reliable broadband.” Read more<https://bit.ly/33yKqlI> Study finds genrefication increases browsing satisfaction<https://bit.ly/2FBYOBB> New research published in the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) peer-reviewed online journal, School Library Research (SLR), explores the impact of genrefying the fiction section in an elementary school library. SLR promotes and publishes high-quality original research concerning the management, implementation, and evaluation of school libraries. Articles can be accessed for free at www.ala.org/aasl/slr<http://www.ala.org/aasl/slr>. Read more<https://bit.ly/2FBYOBB> Twenty-One public libraries awarded funding to encourage Affordable Care Act enrollment<https://bit.ly/2ZEU3OJ> Through its health insurance enrollment and education initiative, Libraries Connecting You to Coverage, the Public Library Association (PLA) is encouraging enrollment in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace for 2021. PLA will award $1,000 and $2,000 contracts to 21 public libraries across the U.S. to advance this work. Awardee libraries will disseminate information, provide education, partner with health insurance enrollment and provider groups, and encourage community members to enroll in the Marketplace during the ACA Open Enrollment Period. Read more<https://bit.ly/2ZEU3OJ> Core webinar presents effective communications for libraries in a crisis<https://bit.ly/3iBsdtZ> Any situation that threatens the integrity or reputation of your organization is a crisis. It could include funding reductions, safety and security events, or health issues at your library. Libraries must be prepared for potential emergencies and communicate an action plan clearly and effectively. Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, and Futures, a new division of ALA, will present the webinar “Crisis Communications for Libraries,” on Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 1 – 2 p.m. Central Time. Be prepared for an emergency and learn how to create a crisis communications plan with this webinar. Read more<https://bit.ly/3iBsdtZ> ALA PUBLISHING Mapping new methods for information literacy<https://bit.ly/35EeizH> Diversity, equity, and inclusion in action<https://bit.ly/3c3eqKq> Resource discovery for user engagement and empowerment<https://bit.ly/3keV9Zg> AWARDS AND GRANTS Six library students win free registration for YALSA’s 2020 Virtual YA Services Symposium<https://bit.ly/3iLH0SU> Carnegie-Whitney awards up to $5,000 for guides to library resources<https://bit.ly/3kpntsb> Six library workers win free registration for YALSA’s 2020 Virtual YA Services Symposium<https://bit.ly/32vImf5> Kimberly McFall Wins a Year of Free AASL Membership<https://bit.ly/2ZG9YfG> CONTINUING EDUCATION The Prison Library as an Agent of Rehabilitative Change<https://bit.ly/3hCZG66> Jennifer L. Dean - PhD, MLIS - she, her, hers MLA President and ALA Councilor Dean of Libraries and Instructional Technology Distance Education Coordinator University of Detroit Mercy Libraries / Instructional Design Studio 4001 West McNichols Rd Detroit, MI 48221 313-993-1090 deanjl@udmercy.edu [cid:30294c7b-e324-4978-8050-54d4964ab835]