04.11.06
Posted in News at 12:18 pm by Paloma Cruz
Oklahoma Bill Ties Library Funds to Gay-Free Kids’ Collections
– reported by the American Library Association
On March 15 the Oklahoma House passed by a 60–33 vote a bill that prohibits local funding authorities and library boards from funding their public libraries unless the libraries have “place[d] all children and young adult materials that contain homosexual or sexually explicit subject matter in a special area [and limited] distribution . . . to adults only.” The bill also specifies that the state library must withhold funds from noncompliant public libraries.
Introduced in February by Rep. Sally Kern (R-Oklahoma City), H.B. 2158 defines homosexual subject matter as “content that relates to the recruiting and advocating of same gender sexual relationships” and sexually explicit subject matter as “content that describes or depicts sexual conduct . . . so that a prurient interest in sex is promoted.” The latter definition specifically exempts material that “merely mentions or references sexual conduct.”
If enacted, H.B. 2158 would also mandate the establishment of a State Library Material Content Advisory Board to “annually develop a recommended list of child and young adult materials that contain homosexual or sexually explicit subject matter” for distribution to every library in the state. The board, appointed by the respective leaders of the state house and senate, would be comprised of four legislators, four parents of minor children, and four teachers.
[snip]
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Posted in News at 5:48 am by Paloma Cruz
Libraries are turning the page
Seeing a need to compete with bookstore chains, officials here and elsewhere modernize services
– reported by the Houston Chronicle
[snip]
Taking a page from the competition — the mega bookstore chains — today’s public libraries are shedding traditions to attract the 21st century consumer.
Patrons can check out laptops for in-house use, take a knitting or English as a second language class, participate in community forums, enjoy public artwork and download books.
At the Houston Library’s central branch downtown, a $14.9 million renovation will go beyond the building, newly appointed Director Rhea Lawson says.
Plans for the central library include a job and education center, a world language collection and a small business support center.
“When we open, you are going to wonder where you are,” Lawson said. “Are you in a Barnes & Noble or are you in the library? There are many people in the community who don’t use us and we want to change that. We want to reach a variety of audiences. I think libraries have been pigeon-holed too long.”
The central library location will even contain a cafe where snacks can be purchased.
[snip]
“American public libraries are experiencing a renaissance. People are finding their way back to the libraries,” said Leslie Burger, president-elect of the American Library Association and director of the Princeton (N.J.) Public Library. “They are becoming a place for multigenerational interaction.”
[snip]
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Posted in News at 12:57 am by Paloma Cruz
Increasingly Vicious Laws Push Out Homeless
– reported by The New Standard
In the face of rising homelessness, cities across the country are increasingly trying to push desperate people out of sight and out of mind. In addition to anti-panhandling, anti-camping and anti-loitering ordinances, some are targeting the few remaining public spaces where homeless people can go during the day – including parks and libraries.
[snip]
A lot of us are a couple of paychecks away from being homeless. When I think of what will happen if a hurricane hits Houston, of the amount of people who will end up homeless, I worry.
On the other hand, no matter how much I sympathize, I also acknowledge the need for rules protecting the public at large. I don’t want to be accosted on the 15 feet from my front door to my car, as has happened frequently to a friend of mine who lives in Montrose. I don’t want to worry about 20 or 30 men loitering near where my niece is playing in the park (men who have no permanent address and very few links to the community). And I don’t want to have the person next to me in a library stink so bad that I start to have a physical reaction.
Is there a need for cities to provide adequate services for the homeless? Yes. But those services should not be provided through facilities that have been created with other goals in mind — education, recreation, etc.
It may not be PC, but that’s how I feel.
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04.10.06
Posted in News at 11:44 pm by Paloma Cruz
Report: Libraries are Critical to High Schoolers
– reported by the School Library Journal
In order to succeed in the workforce, high school students need to be critical thinkers, problem solvers, and effective communicators who are proficient in 21st-century skills—and media specialists are in the perfect position to help them, says a new report.
“Results That Matter: 21st Century Skills and High School Reform,” says that media specialists have an active role in instruction beyond the scope of the traditional library setting. Effective school library media programs teach students how to learn, think critically, and use the tools and information available to solve complex problems.
[snip]
John Wilson, chair of Partnership for 21st Century Skills and executive director of the National Education Association, adds that “High schools must be designed, organized, and managed with a relentless focus on the results that matter in the 21st century—or they risk missing the mark.” For a copy of the report, visit www.21stcenturyskills.org.
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04.05.06
Posted in Resources at 3:42 am by Paloma Cruz
The County of Marin libraries have some very cool 360° virtual tours online. Very very cool.
(Found via LibrarianInBlack.)
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04.04.06
Posted in News at 2:38 pm by Paloma Cruz
Found via the New York Library Association;
Love Your Library Campaign
Benefiting all of New York’s Libraries
Download the Barnes & Nobel Love Your Library Campaign Voucher here!
The New York Library Association has partnered with Barnes and Noble (B&N) stores in New York to conduct a statewide voucher bookfair that would raise funds to support public awareness and advocacy efforts to promote increased funding and appreciation for the valuable and essential roles our libraries play in our communities, schools and college campuses.
The statewide bookfair will take place during National Library Week on April 7-9th. To raise funds for the Love Your Library Campaign, Barnes and Noble customers need to present a voucher, (Click here) at the time of purchase on April 7-9th. Barnes and Noble will donate a percentage of the sale to the New York Library Association. Special events will take place at many B&N stores on those days. Please contact your local store or the Event Finder on www.bn.com for more information on events or to locate the store nearest to you. B&N stores are looking to collaborate with local libraries in holding events during this time period.
Similar statewide bookfairs in New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts have raised $8,000 to $13,000 and we hope that participation in NYLA’s Love Your Library Campaign will exceed those amounts.
Help us spread the word about the Love Your Library Campaign!
Click here to add the Love Your Library Campaign button to your website.
Download the Barnes & Nobel Love Your Library Campaign Voucher here!
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Posted in News at 3:38 am by Paloma Cruz
ALA Unveils Most-Challenged Books of 2005
– reported by American Libraries Online
[snip]
The top 10 most frequently challenged books of 2005 are:
- It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie H. Harris
- Forever by Judy Blume
- The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
- The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
- Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher
- Detour for Emmy by Marilyn Reynolds
- What My Mother Doesn’t Know by Sonya Sones
- Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey
- Crazy Lady! by Jane Leslie Conly
- It’s So Amazing! by Robie H. Harris
Whenever I see a list like this, it makes me want to go out and borrow all of them, read all of them. I don’t think that’s quite the reaction the challengers want.
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04.03.06
Posted in Resources at 1:33 pm by Paloma Cruz
LibrarianInBlack points us to the My Language site:
Warren Cheetham (Information Services Librarian for Thuringowa Library Services in Queensland, Australia) e-mailed me about another source for multilingual computer materials. Libraries in Australia created the MyLanguage site: “a resource tool to assist library staff to provide and enhance library services to culturally and linguistically diverse communities.” The site includes collections of resources in dozens of languages, with various materials for each language–including computer skills, health information, etc. What a fabulous resource!
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Posted in Resources at 3:20 am by Paloma Cruz
Small Town Librarian points us to a post at Stephen’s Lighthouse, “Seniors (instead of Millennials),” discussing how to serve senior customers.
Stephen’s Lighthouse has a great post about serving seniors. His point is that the senior population is changing. They are more technology literate, health conscious, and active. Senior programming in our libraries, especially those of us in small retirement communties needs to change too.
Rather than basic computer literacy courses, we need to be offering enhanced technology courses on things like social bookmarking, great web sites, and advanced searching techniques.
Houston libraries are offering seniors classes on computer literacy. Multi-Service Centers offer senior programs. Senior centers are opening all the time.
Let’s face it, the market is growing. And we need to know how to serve them.
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04.02.06
Posted in News at 1:26 pm by Paloma Cruz
Man accused of viewing child porn at library
– reported by LivingstonDaily.com
A Fowlerville man was arraigned Tuesday on felony charges for allegedly viewing more than 200 photographs of child pornography on a Fowlerville District Library computer last year.
Police say Todd Michael Allen, 31, was caught Dec. 16 by a library employee who informed Allen he had been using the computer longer than the library’s one-hour limit.
[snip]
Library officials notified police, who confiscated the computer.
Members of the Michigan State Police’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit conducted a review of the computer’s hard drive and discovered that a Yahoo! screen name allegedly belonging to Allen had viewed an undisclosed number of Web sites that posted naked photographs of boys and girls appearing to range in age from 8-13.
In all, Goss said, it appears Allen viewed more than 200 photographs of child porn on the Mill Street library’s computer.
[snip]
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