Library Reference Specialist of ALA

National Library Legislative Day 2008
American Library Association - May 13 & 14, 2008
http://www.ala.org/nlld

Hi, everyone -- Valerie Hawkins of the Library of the American Library Association here!

On May 13 & 14, 2008, hundreds of librarians and library supporters of all kinds are coming to Washington, DC, for an event like no other: National Library Legislative Day (NLLD), a two-day event in which people who care about libraries participate in advocacy and issue training sessions, interact with Capitol Hill insiders, and visit Congressional member offices to ask Congress to pass legislation that supports libraries.

Can’t go to Washington? Participate in Virtual Library Legislative Day 2008 in Second Life!

National Library Workers Day (NLWD) was created in 2004 by the ALA-APA (American Library Association-Allied Professional Association <http://www.ala-apa.org>), the organization for the advancement of library employees. It is the Tuesday of National Library Week.

This year it was celebrated April 15, 2008, with the theme: Libraries Work Because We Do!

There's more about it at the main National Library Week web page, including an interview (mp3) with ALA-APA director, Jenifer Grady, at:
http://www.ala.org/pio/nlw

There's also a link to the interview with Jenifer Grady on the new blog, Visibility @ your library, which comes out of ALA's public relations department, the Public Information Office (PIO <http://www.ala.org/pio>), in the entry, ALA-APA Director explains National Library Workers Day.

Library staff and patrons alike could nominate library employees as NLWD Stars -- see the press release, Why are library staff important? See the (NLWD) Stars.

In addition to a list of NLWD stars appearing on the ALA-APA web site, library workers could also enter Second Life and get pictures of their avatars taken and added to the NLWD Constellation of Stars wall on ALA Island.

Also, your Second Life avatar could get a free National Library Workers Day t-shirt.

Both my Flickr photostream and the ALA Staff Flickr photostream show photos from the ALA Island Second Life parties and events.

ALA Island will be around throughout the year, though. Feel free to drop by and talk to ALALibraryVal Miles (me!).

Introduction only bit of the series of video spots promoting National Library Week!

See the entire series of videos at http://alfocus.ala.org/categories/national-library-week

And see the spots featuring honorary National Library Week chairperson Julie Andrews both on the main National Library Week page (YouTube links) and at
http://www.ala.org/ala/pio/natlibraryweek/andrews.cfm

Proposed schedule of Second Life activities during National Library Week in Second Life. And I am avatar ALALibraryVal Miles!

SLBuzz.com Resident Profile for ALALibraryVal Miles -- http://profiles.slbuzz.com/alalibraryval-miles

===================

On March 27, instead of heading home in the snow blizzard in downtown Chicago at 5:00 pm, I went into Second Life as my avatar, ALALibraryVal Miles, and attended an in-world author appearance of Sarah Robbins (Intellagirl Tully in SL/Second Life) and Mark Bell (Typewriter Tackleberry in SL/Second Life), the two writers of the 2008 Wiley publication, Second Life for Dummies. I admit to maybe knowing more about the Second Life virtual world than most staffers, but I certainly don't know everything!

The talk was both informal and informative, similar to how Robbins and Bell said they approached writing and compiling the book. It sounded like a solid, fun addition for the library of anyone wanting to know more about Second Life and how it works--and how it can work for you and help you to accomplish your goals, either with a group or individually.

It certainly sounds like a book the ALA Library should have--so it's a good thing that I won a copy, that I will be donating to the ALA Library!

Wiley, the book's publisher, put together four prize packages, each including a copy of the Second Life for Dummies book and a Dummies duffle bag and other Dummies items (apparently, March is For Dummies month). There was a trivia quiz at the end of the event, and I thought I was done winning when I answered one early "door prize" question correctly which netted me a cute floaty blue halo for my avatar to wear. The questions for the Dummies prize package were a little harder, but through a rather funny set of circumstances, I managed to answer the last one correctly and win!

The last question was the name of the island and the Second Life coordinates for publisher Wiley's in-world bookstore, which I found out in about as roundabout a way that you could imagine--! The "pre-show" entertainment was host Kim Anubis performing magic tricks (well, Second Life scripted magic tricks, of making items appear and disappear) for the audience that was gathering in the chairs in front of the stage. One of the tricks was Kim summoning up some big soap bubbles that anyone could click on and have their avatar ride in. Always game for anything (sadly...), I clicked on one of the bubbles and my avatar suddenly appeared inside it, and the bubble proceeded to float up higher and higher above the crowd and into the sky--and kept floating out further and further up and away from the event!? Yagh! I ended up clicking on the bubble itself, which popped and released me, but now I had no idea where I was or how to get back. Now, on my way in to the chairs and stage for the event, Wiley had set up a set of tables that you could click on and get sample chapters of all of their Second Life books, which included a Landmark (a kind of bookmark/favorites link for Second Life, to use to return to places). I assumed that the Landmark was for the event, so I double-clicked on it to use it, but it didn't teleport my avatar back to the event, it took me to--Wiley's in-world bookstore! At the time, I was really confused. I dug through my Inventory and found the Landmark I originally used and luckily made it back to the event and even back to my original chair. Little did I know such accidental information would come in handy!

Should you want your own cute floaty blue halo someday, it's not too late to read the AL (American Libraries) Direct Ask-the-Librarian question on Second Life as well as specific pages about it on the ALA Professional Tips Wiki, at:

Second Life and Libraries (2008 March 19) - includes step-by-step instructions on joining the free online virtual world

Second Life

Library Uses for Second Life

 

For more background on where ALA is going with Second Life, see:

Second ALA Life, Marginalia Blog Post by Jenny Levine (3/14/08)

ALA Staff in Second Life Flickr Photo Set

As I was writing this post, my prize arrived from Wiley!! Along with the Second Life for Dummies book, I got several branded For Dummies items, including the (gorgeous!) duffle bag, a notebook, a highlighter/pen, a pin, a travel coffee mug, CD travel case, and a collapsible keyboard! Most groovy and marvy!

Thank you, Wiley, Kim Anubis, Intellagirl Tulley, Typewriter Tackleberry, and most definitely, Krisser Deschanel at Wiley!

As you know, "And Tango Makes Three" continues to be challenged in schools and libraries across the country, most recently in Virginia last week (which was discussed on "The View" on February 18, 2008):

2 Guys and a Chick Set Off Loudoun Library Dispute - 2/16/2008
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/16/AR2008021600749.html

  The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Round Table (GLBTRT) of the American Library Association (ALA) compiled and recently introduced the first installment of the Rainbow List on their blog <http://blogs.ala.org/glbtrt.php>, at:

Rainbow Project 2008 List
http://blogs.ala.org/glbtrt.php?cat=441
(excerpt)

Introduction

On the fortieth anniversary of the Kinsey report telling the world that glbtrq people are not alone in their feelings or experience, 25 years since the publication of the controversial Annie on My Mind, and almost 20 years after Daddy’s Roommate and Heather Has Two Mommies, the Rainbow Project proudly presents its inaugural bibliography, a bibliography of current books for young readers from birth through age 18 dealing with the myriad of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered or questioning issues.

=====================================================

Accompanying articles from the (non-ALA) School Library Journal magazine:

Nel Ward Talks about a New Annual 'GLBTQ Book List'
by Joan Aleck, 2/13/2008
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6532170.html

Out and Ignored: Why are so many school libraries reluctant to embrace gay teens?
by Debra Lau Whelan, 1/1/2006
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6296527.html

The founding organization of Black History Month is the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. See the web site of this organization for more information:

Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH)
http://www.asalh.org

National Black History Themes - http://www.asalh.org/themes_future.html 

- 2008

Carter G. Woodson and the Origins of Multiculturalism

http://www.asalh.org/2008NationalBlackHistoryTheme.html     

The multitalented Common desires to make a difference in the lives of others, especially youth. He has written several young adult books, including I Like You, But I Love Me, which was recently nominated for a NAACP Image Award. He also started the Common Ground Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping youth in underserved communities. His current album, Finding Forever, won the BET Hip-Hop Award for CD of the Year. Look for him on the silver screen in Wanted with Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman this spring.

Find out more about Common's Common Ground Foundation via the THINK MTV social network, at:
http://think.mtv.com/profile/CommonGroundFoundation

For Immediate Release,
January 14, 2008

American Library Association announces literary award winners

http://www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2008/january2008/announce08.htm

PHILADELPHIA - The American Library Association (ALA) today announced the top books, video and audiobooks for children and young adults - including the Caldecott, King, Newbery, Schneider Family and Printz awards - at its Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia.

( Read more... )

The Newbery Medal and Caldecott Medal and several other literature and media awards of the American Library Association (ALA) will be announced on Monday, January 14, 2008, at 7:45 a.m. EST, from the site of ALA's Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia, PA. The awards announcement can be watched via a live webcast. Also, the winners can be delivered to your cell phone. See the following for details:  

Former professional basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is on the cover of the forthcoming joint January/February 2008 issue of ALA's American Libraries member magazine. He is the keynote speaker at the 2008 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia. Why Kareem? As I told a group at ALA:

Kareem Adbul-Jabbar is presently a history author, with his latest book being "On the Shoulders of Giants: My Journey Through the Harlem Renaissance." Before that, he co-wrote "Brothers In Arms: The Epic Story of the 761st Tank Battalion, WWII's Forgotten Heroes" and has written other titles. He had some interesting things to say in this interview that is freely available on the New York Times web site.

 

See Kareem at ALA headquarters at the ALA Staff Flicker page, at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alastaff/2074327362

Kareem is our keynote speaker at the Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia in January. He stopped by ALA HQ to do an interview with AL associate editor Pam, which you can watch on AL Focus. This picture is a little misleading, as Pam is not even close to being as tall as Kareem (who is?). He was sitting down for this picture.

The funny--yet not funny--Christmas dinner moment came when I talked about a paper I just completed on the future--or seeming lack of one--for print journalism.

When discussing my scholarly pursuits, you'll find I'm so single-minded that I forget little things like the fact that I'm saying this while sitting across the table from not just one but two newspaper journalist relatives--! I was quickly reminded! Hey, there!!

I protested that my own personal view was that I do still want print journalism around, and I said as much in my paper, but the articles and books that I found on the subject have been practically eulogies of the modern print newspaper (and I said nothing of Chicago Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg's growing, persistent taps on the funeral drum -- see the very end of his December 17 column).

Frankly, what reminded me of my paper and led to my mentioning it was the both of them talking about certain older reporters they knew who have been accepting the buyouts offered at their respective newspapers this year.

But of course the point came up of the irony of someone who works in a library talking about some other profession not having a future--! "Okay," I said, "we're all obsolete!"

Of the three of us, two are 40-years-old--and the other only 32!

Meanwhile, one of them has been asked to travel back to the alma mater and speak about the future of the profession to journalism students. How to sound encouraging while stepping over the real-life minefield--?

¿Quién es más obsoleto? Who is more obsolete?

Only time will tell...

With the Google Reader, you can "share" items that you see on other blogs--but then Google puts those items in their own blog (didn't I say it was meta??).

So see my blog of others' blog items, at:
http://www.google.com/reader/shared/17798245538117400783

Poll shows support for writers
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-strikepoll14nov14,0,4940619.story
By Richard Verrier, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
November 14, 2007
Almost 2 of 3 Americans back guild members in their dispute with studios, a survey to be released today indicates.

EXCERPT

When asked about the prospect of reruns replacing new shows, 42% of the respondents said they would read more, and 35% said they would spend more time on the Internet.

************************************

That sounds to me like people will be VISITING THEIR LIBRARIES MORE! Seize the day :-)!

ALA turns 131-years-old on Saturday, October 6 (and doesn't look a day over 60)! What would you give ALA as a present, if you could? Feel free to be creative!

From https://cs.ala.org/jobs/viewjobs.cfm#361

Library/Communications & Member Relations, Chicago, IL

Responsibilities: Provide technical service support for the ALA Library through maintenance of the periodical collection (both paper and electronic), physical processing of monographs and standing orders, processing of interlibrary loan requests, preparation of regular statistical reports, and processing payments for all supplies and services. Will also provide general information and referral to staff, ALA members, the broader library community and the general public.

Requirements: A minimum of 2 years of related experience with specific knowledge and understanding of library processes, including acquisitions and cataloging. Bachelor’s degree preferred. Excellent writing skills for response to all inquiries from various mediums and general office skills. Good computer skills are a must, including proficiency in MS Office and web mark-up programs. Highly developed problem solving skills are also a necessity. Ability to handle routine PC troubleshooting.

Salary Range: from $30,000	Grade Level: C
Exempt/Non-Exempt: Non-Exempt	Date Posted: 09/20/07 Date Closed:

Applicants may forward resumes via fax at 312.280-5270 or email at mpullen@ala.org.

AVAST, YE SWABS!

(Okay, granted that sounds more like I'm trying to commandeer Q-tips®, but be that as it may...)

Taking advantage of today's International Talk Like A Pirate Day -- which you can find out all about from Tom Smith, known as LiveJournal's filkertom who has written the official "chanty" of the event, "Talk Like A Pirate Day," which you can download from his site for free! -- you can also gear up for celebrating ALA's 2007 Banned Books Week, which has taken on a pirate theme this year!




If you'll be in Chicago on September 29, 2007, come to the Banned Books Week Read-Out!


It will be a continuous reading of books banned and challenged on Saturday, September 29, 2007, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The event will be held in Pioneer Plaza (435 N Michigan Ave), between the Tribune Tower and the Chicago River. It's hosted by ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) in conjunction with the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum and the Newberry Library.

See all the online video commercials for the Banned Books Week Read-Out at OIFTube on YouTube!
http://www.youtube.com/OIFTube

Find out about all the Second Life events and more at Celebrating Banned Books Week in the Virtual World
 and ALA celebrates Banned Books Week in virtual world!

Find out oh-so-much-more at the OIF Blog, at:
http://blogs.ala.org/oif.php

Amongst all the talk of the U.S. "Torchwood" series premiere on the BBC America cable channel this week, I busted up laughing at conference papers we got in the mail today for an event that took place this past summer--in Cardiff!!

See the special 2007 Post-Annual Conference Issue of American Libraries Direct, the online newsletter of ALA's American Libraries member magazine!

So, alalibrary, your LiveJournal reveals...



You are... 39% unique (blame, for example, your interest in video games in libraries) and 2% herdlike (partly because you, like everyone else, enjoy reading). When it comes to friends you are normal. In terms of the way you relate to people, you are wary of trusting strangers. Your writing style (based on a recent public entry) is intellectual.

Your overall weirdness is: 85

(The average level of weirdness is: 27.
You are weirder than 97% of other LJers.)

Find out what your weirdness level is!