2015 cognotes MIDWINTER

HIGHLIGHTS Edition

Chicago, IL use the tag #alamw15 American Library AssoCIation

Ebeling Finds Youth Media Award Winners Announced he American Library the “Possible” Association announced the in “Impossible” Ttop books, video, and au- dio books for children and young by Brad Martin, LAC Group adults at its Midwinter Meeting in Chicago. hen Mick Ebeling set out to help Tony “Tempt The 2015 award winners include: WOne” Quan, a Los Angeles John Newbery Medal for the graffiti artist paralyzed by ALS (Lou most outstanding contribution to Gehrig’s Disease), he set off on an amaz- children’s literature: ing journey of discovery and learned the The Crossover, written by Kwame keys to unlock possibilities where none Alexander, is the 2015 Newbery seemed to exist. The experience is told Medal winner. The book is pub- in his new book, Not Impossible: The Art lished by Houghton Mifflin Har- and Joy of Doing What Couldn’t Be Done. court. “For me, the book and everything Two Newbery Honor Books also I’m doing is really about this; it’s about were named: the power of story,” he said. El Deafo by Cece Bell, illustrated Ebeling is the founder and CEO of by Cece Bell and published by Amu- » see page 2 let Books, an imprint of ABRAMS. Brown Girl Dreaming, written by Jacqueline Woodson and published (from left) Coretta Scott King Chair Jonda McNair; REFORMA President Sylvia Senate by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint Cisneros; ALSC President Ellen Riordan; ALA President Courtney Young; and YALSA Minority of Penguin Group (U.S.A.) LLC. President Chris Shoemaker during the ALA Youth Media Awards annoucnements. Whip Richard Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most by Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton Roaring Brook Press, a Neal Porter Book. Durbin (D-Ill.) distinguished American picture book for Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus, outlined children: The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds illustrated by Melissa Sweet, written by Jen issues of The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art, illustrated by Mary Bryant, and published by Eerdmans Books special Friend, illustrated by Dan Santat, is the 2015 GrandPré, written by Barb Rosenstock, and for Young Readers, an imprint of Wm. B. interest and Caldecott Medal winner. The book was writ- published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Eerdmans Publishing Co. encouraged ten by Dan Santat and published by Little, Random House Children’s Books, a division This One Summer, illustrated by Jillian librarians Brown and Company, a division of Hachette of Random House, Inc., New York. Tamaki, written by Mariko Tamaki, and to get Book Group, Inc. Sam & Dave Dig a Hole, illustrated by published by First Second. organized in their advocacy efforts at a Six Caldecott Honor Books also were Jon Klassen, written by Mac Barnett and Washington Office update. named: published by Candlewick Press. Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Nana in the City, illustrated by Lauren Cas- Viva Frida, illustrated by Yuyi Morales, Award recognizing an African-American » see story page 9 tillo, written by Lauren Castillo and published written by Yuyi Morales, and published by » see page 6

2015 MIDWINTER MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

Dr. Cornel West greets attendees of the 2015 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Observance and Sunrise Celebration on February 2, part of the ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits. 2 . COGNOTES 2015 MIDWINTER MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

Looking Forward to Seeing You RUSA in San Francisco in June Announces 2015 “Best of” hat a great infusion of energy and inspiration from the recent 2015 Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits in Chi- cago! The spirit and determination of the ten thousand-plus librarians, exhibitors, and library supporters Lists for Adult Wtriumphed, delivering their own blizzard – of ideas, innovations, solutions, new approaches to community Readers engagement, important conversations about diversity and inclusion, policy up- dates, thought-provoking speakers, and so much more. From the exhibit hall to The Reference and User Services the Youth Media Awards and other events, vitality was in the air. Association (RUSA) announced the Special warmth was provided by the chance to spend time with old friends winners of its adult reading and refer- and colleagues while making exciting new connections, always a highlight. Our ence awards at the Book and Media shared work is productive in different ways from our individual contributions, Awards Ceremony and Reception on February 1. Included in the ceremony and the face-to-face time is irreplaceable. Every conference provides a perfect space was the Dartmouth Medal for out- and opportunity for us to continue exploring together how we can transform our standing reference publication; the libraries to best meet the needs of our communities and users at the same time Sophie Brody Medal for achievement as working on our personal professional development and building our networks in Jewish literature; the Listen List, (and having a good time, of course). recognizing outstanding audiobook I’m looking forward to keeping these important conversations and connections narration; the Reading List for genre going in other venues until when we can pick them up again together at ALA fiction; and the eagerly awaited Nota- Annual Conference in June. In addition to the 500-plus sessions and programs, ble Books List, recognizing the year’s the pre-conferences, and all the socializing you’re up for, the exhibit floor will have best in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, more than 900 exhibitors and dozens of events and activities. A diverse group of a list that will in part determine the longlist for the Andrew Carnegie speakers and authors is already confirmed (with many more to be announced), ALA President Courtney Young Medals for Excellence in fiction and including Haifaa al-Mansour, danah boyd, Edwidge Danticat, Joshua Davis, nonfiction along withBooklist ’s Edi- Roberta Kaplan, Nick Offerman, Sarah Vowell, and Maryanne Wolf. tors’ Choice. I hope you will join us in San Francisco, where you’ll have plenty to enjoy both at the conference and in the city. Gen- Visit http://www.literarytastes. eral information about 2015 Annual Conference & Exhibition, social media links, and details about how to register and com for a comprehensive list of win- book housing are at http://alaannual.org. I look forward to seeing you in June, when perhaps we’ll occasionally need an ners and more information about umbrella but definitely no snow boots! these awards and other literary events. Learn more about the division at CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW! » read more about the 2015 Annual Conference on page 5. http://www.ala.org/rusa.

The Ebeling Group powerful about that,” he added. Ebeling and founder of Not Ebeling said he likes to surround himself » from page 1 Impossible Labs, with brilliant people (he advised everyone which takes on the to do the same), so he assembled a team of challenge of seeking accessible solutions to programmers, hackers, and other experts and, real-world problems. after many failures, they finally succeeded. He At first, Ebeling thought that helping said the formula is “fail, fail, succeed. Repeat Quan would involve merely writing a check as necessary.” With the use of eyeglasses called so the family could the EyeWriter, Quan afford to buy a device “I had never was able to draw again that enables the user used the words and he wrote in an to talk through a com- ‘ocular recognition email that, “I feel like puter (like Stephen technology’ I had been held un- Hawking has). At the consecutively in a derwater and someone time, the only way sentence before, and finally reached down Quan could commu- now I am committing and pulled my head nicate was by blinking to this guy to do it up so I could take a when shown letters and that’s our process. breath.” on a page, which is The reaction to a cumbersome and That’s my process. You Quan’s story in the time-consuming pro- commit, and then you press was overwhelm- cess. figure out how the ing, and Ebeling But then Ebeling hell you are going to thought, “Holy cow. decided to “double pull it off, and there is What did we just do?” Optomist, film and televison producer Mick Ebeling, on the cutting edge of down” and promised This started the con- something incredibly the new “maker movement,” shows DIY technologies that offer people greater to not just help him powerful about that.” cept of Not Impos- access to medical devices during the ALA President’s Program. communicate through sible, and he began speech, but also find a way to enable him to wondering about what it meant and how else starting a non-profit organization, but portant rules of how he works. The first is do his art again so he could participate in it could be of service. said, “You can get carpal tunnel by shak- singularity of focus, which is concentrating local events and fundraisers. Ebeling said he He then told a story about creating pros- ing a tin cup.” In this regard, he quoted on an individual and then watching the suc- walked out and thought, “Holy crap. What thetics for Daniel, a boy in war-torn Sudan Buckminster Fuller, who said, “You never cess replicate. The second rule is to give away. did I just commit to?” who had lost both of his hands in a bombing. change things by fighting the existing real- In addition to using open-source software, “I had never used the words ‘ocular Conventional solutions were unaffordable ity. If you want to change something, you others have been encouraged to experiment recognition technology’ consecutively in a to Daniel, so Ebeling assembled another build a new model that makes the existing with it and improve it. The third is to have sentence before, and now I am committing team and they managed to use 3D printers model obsolete.” Not Impossible receives a “beautiful, limitless naiveté.” to this guy to do it and that’s our process. and open-source software to come up with generous support of corporations, and he “In the end, it comes down to the power That’s my process. You commit, and then prosthetic hands. Once again, the power of advises them that, “You can do good and of story,” Ebeling concluded. “All the tech- you figure out how the hell you are going to story was demonstrated. make money.” nology we make is not as powerful as the pull it off, and there is something incredibly In the beginning, Ebeling considered Ebeling noted that there are three im- stories we are telling.” 2015 MIDWINTER MEETING HIGHLIGHTS Cognotes . 3 Ayaan Hirsi Ali Calls for Questioning, Enlightenment

By Kacee Anderson, Harmony Science Academy this attack? And if I did not, where did I stand The Arthur Curley Lecture Series featured on Islam?” Such difficult Ayaan Hirsi Ali on January 31, focusing on questions were not easily the universal need for individual freedom answered. and questioning. As a well-known politician, Hirsi Ali noted that activist, and advocate for women’s rights, the need for this type of Hirsi Ali opened by reading from her novel questioning started early Infidel, in which she recalled her reaction to with her first experiences 9/11 as she watched on CNN in Holland in libraries. She talked (see video at right). “I remember praying in about going to libraries Somali, ‘Oh, Allah, please, please let it not in Somalia, reading what- be Muslims who did this. I knew this could ever books were available. ignite a major conflict.’” Books were rare. Libraries After talking about the attacks with were rare. Good schools others, Hirsi Ali described her intellectual were rare. Ethical and moral training on Hirsi Ali called for people to begin best way possible in her fourth language awakening. She began to question herself: some level came from those books. “Had I addressing moral dilemmas from a non- [English]. “I should be able to express “Which side was I on? Was this really Islam? not had that seeding of my intellectual life, religious standpoint, stating that all people myself without fear that I am going to be Did Islam permit, even call for, this kind I don’t know if I would have been capable need to consciously start to promote the punished for it.” of slaughter? Did I as a Muslim approve of of questioning that day.” ideas of the enlightenment important to Hirsi Ali believes that everything begins Western civilization. with open discussion. Through the exchange After receiving a wide range of responses of ideas we can make this world a better place to Infidel, Hirsi Ali learned that the “col- without resorting to the military. lective” inhibits individuals and individual In Hirsi Ali’s forthcoming book Heretic expression by varying degrees. She discussed (March 2015), she calls for a Muslim Refor- her experiences with the “collective” grow- mation, identifying five key amendments to ing up and her own evolution as an indi- Islamic doctrine that must be made in order vidual. In her own writing, she cares about to break from seventh-century traditions and the message and expressing herself in the fully engage with the 21st century.

Jason Segel, left, and Kim Gangwish of Bellevue, Neb., take a selfie as Segel signs his children’s book Nightmares! after his Auditorium Speakers Series presentation January 31. Gale brings responsive design and more, ato number its leading of early April, 2015 resources. In GVRL and all resources enhancements will be released to families, Segel: Nightmares Simply InfoTrac and In Context within the platform. Gatekeepers to Dreams including the PowerSearch

By Brad Martin, LAC Group at Convent of the Sacred Heart in New York City. He revealed his early influ- How does someone who suffered from ences, which include Roald Dahl and night terrors as a child overcome his fears Tim Burton. They addressed “a part of the and grow up to be well-known as an actor, human condition I really relate to: that comedian, and screenwriter? there’s been a mistake and we are meant The answer has informed Jason Segel for much more.” for much of his life and served as the inspi- Drawing distinction between reading ration for his 2014 book Nightmares! The books and watching television and mov- first in a trilogy, Nightmares! helps young ies, Segel said that reading books forces readers understand that what frightens the reader to be creative and to use the them can also be seen as the key to over- imagination, whereas watching TV and coming. “Nightmares are the gatekeepers movies encourages a much more passive to our dreams,” he said. response, and to believe that “what you Accessibility Usability Unity Segel’s mother enrolled him in an are really good at is to sit and watch. We Improvements Streamlined Similar experience acting class, and that helped him face his are meant for more than just sitting and make content navigation and for GVRL, InfoTrac fears of being shy and feeling different. receiving. Kids are smart.” more available to responsive and In Context This class exposed Segel to a group of people with design improve so users spend Segel was asked to talk a little about disabilities like usability and more time with kids who were like him, and it wasn’t long Nightmares! The Sleepwalker Tonic, the low vision or optimize content content and before his nightmares subsided. “Night- forthcoming book in the trilogy. It was blindness. for any screen size less learning mares are telling us that we are afraid of inspired by the way people are encouraged and on any device. navigation something and we need to face it,” he said. to deal with their problems through things and tools. Segel, the first to appear in the Audi- like drugs and entertainment. “There are torium Speaker Series January 31, chatted a lot of influences out there telling you to Visit gale.com/enhancements2015 for more details. onstage with Angela Carstensen, head numb your nightmares, but what happens librarian and an upper school librarian is that it also numbs your dreams,” he said. 4 . Cognotes 2015 MIDWINTER MEETING HIGHLIGHTS “Soon to be Famous,” Thanks to Libraries By Brad Martin, LAC Group required to be Illinois residents and to submit their adult fiction entries through the local At the 2013 ALA Annual Conference, brand library. Thanks to publicity generated from a expert and New York University professor Chicago Tribune article, a total of more than David Vinjamuri spoke about the importance 100 entries were received. of libraries in the era of ebooks and market- Julie Stam, marketing specialist for the ing, and challenged librarians to play a greater Eisenhower Public Library District in Har- role in helping change the dynamic between wood Heights, Ill., was responsible for arrang- them and the big publishers. The Soon to be ing judges, and she recruited reader services Famous Illinois Author Project was born, and librarians from around the state to judge the four members of the committee presented entries. an overview on February 2 of how they have Lucy Tarabour, marketing/programming put together a writing contest since for self- coordinator at the Clarendon Hills (Ill.) published authors and offered their help to Public Library, described herself as the “new others who would like to replicate the project kid on the block” on the committee and she in other states. worked on getting the word out when Joanne Denise Raleigh, division chief of public Zienty from Wheaton, Ill., was chosen as the relations and development at the Gail Borden 2014 winner for her book The Things We Save. Public Library District in Elgin, Ill., described She pointed out that 88 percent of the sales the rise in self-publishing and said that more of her book came after the award was given. than 450,000 books were self-published in The committee hopes the ongoing project 2013. She also said that 25 percent of New helps foster a new dynamic, wherein publish- York Times bestsellers and 32 percent of ers see libraries less as competitors and more as Amazon books sold were self-published in partners and marketing forces. The committee the same year. members said they hoped other states and Donna E. Fletcher, president of Library locales would want to create similar self-pub- Denise Raleigh, Elgin, Ill., talks about Donna Fletcher, Highland Park, Ill., Survey Consultants, worked to coordinate lishing competitions, because there are literary the increase of price-per-book talks about how the Soon to be with Illinois authors who were interested in gems out there that are just not being found. for libraries during the Soon to be Famous project grew with help from entering the writing contest. Authors were Visit http://soontobefamous.info to learn more. Famous discussion. the media. Comics Spark Author Imaginations

By Brad Martin, LAC Group and National Lampoon. Smith, best known as the At some point in youth, each of the par- creator of the comic book ticipants in the January 30 ERT/Booklist series Bone, said, “there is Author Forum felt the spark of comics something magic about ignite a fire for the power and possibilities hand drawing,” adding the art form represented, and each would that readers can feel as go on to make a mark in the field. if the author is speaking Cece Bell, author and illustrator of directly to them. “Com- numerous children’s books (most recently ics can be as intricate El Deafo) told of being exposed to comics and communicative as around the age of seven. She said that one a painting or literature.” of her friends had a collection of The Beano Françoise Mouly, and some of the older boys had copies of longtime art director at National Lampoon, “which I read, although The New Yorker, grew I was probably not supposed to.” Noting up in France and had the power of words and pictures together to parents who weren’t in- tell a story, Bell said that this combination terested in comics. She said that she was bearing his name. Mouly said the reaction tively. Yang said, “There is a visceral power helped her describe in El Deafo what it feels “groomed to be a surgeon,” but as a teen- to this horrible event has been a “recom- of the simplified image” and that there is like to be hard of hearing and to find it hard ager she read them anyway and developed mitment of faith in the power of cartoons “an emotional power behind images that to communicate. a passion for them and the force that they and cartoonists.” is difficult to achieve through pure text.” Jeff Smith described himself as being could demonstrate in telling a story. She also Gene Luen Yang, author of American All agreed that although comics have “hooked on comics” at an early age and described growing up with Charlie Hebdo Born Chinese and other books, echoed the been condemned and banned over the years, praised Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz. and commented on the recent massacre at panel’s thoughts about how words and they have demonstrated great staying power. Other favorites included Mad Magazine the Paris office of the satirical magazine pictures together can communicate so effec- This forum was a testament to that.

BISG and ALA Announce Research Partnership The Book Industry Study Group (BISG) rector Len Vlahos. “With BISG’s research reading experience of library patrons.” use and distribution of published content and the American Library Associa- expertise and ALA’s reach into the library The survey seeks to understand the be- in public libraries. tion announced a partnership to pro- community, this survey will provide the havior of library patrons, including their The questions are being developed duce a major survey of public library publishing industry and library administra- use of digital resources and other services jointly by BISG and ALA. The survey patrons’ use of digital content. This tors alike with invaluable insight into how offered by public libraries. It will examine will be fielded by the research firm is the first time both organizations readers interact with ebooks in a library the impact of digital consumption behav- Nielsen, with editorial and analysis pro- have engaged in a joint research sur- environment.” iors, including the adoption of new business vided by Jim Milliot of Publishers Weekly. vey. The project, Digital Content Keith Michael Fiels, executive director of models, on library usage across America. In Results from the survey will be an- in Public Libraries, was announced ALA, said, “ALA is particularly pleased to a comprehensive survey, library patrons will nounced at ALA’s Annual Conference at the 2015 Midwinter Meeting. work with BISG on this project. This will be asked about preferred device usage, prefer- in San Francisco, June 25-30, 2015, “We are delighted to partner with ALA be the first study to establish a benchmark ences for print or digital formats, collection and a printed report will be published on this study,” said BISG Executive Di- – and usage trends – related to the digital assessment, and other issues that affect the in September. 2015 MIDWINTER MEETING HIGHLIGHTS Cognotes . 5

Edwidge Danticat Roberta A. Kaplan Haifaa al-Mansour Nick Offerman Sarah Vowell Outstanding Auditorium Speakers Set for San Francisco The excitement is already building for the people to watch. Kaplan, selected as one of the “100 Most New York Times bestseller Paddle Your Own Auditorium Speakers Series at ALA Annual When Edie Windsor called Roberta Influential Lawyers,” was ranked as number Canoe and Gumption: Relighting the Torch of Conference in San Fran- Kaplan to take on the case five in this year’s “Politico 50.” Freedom with America’s Gutiest Trsoublemak- cisco. The series, noted for that would bring down the Haifaa al-Mansour is a Saudi Arabian ers (May 2015). hosting thought-provoking Defense of Marriage Act, film director and screenwriter, and the win- Vowell is the New York Times bestselling speakers who are experts Kaplan did not hesitate. ner of an EDA Female Focus Award. Her author of nonfiction books on American from adult and youth fic- What they did together first feature-length film, “Wadjda,” won the history and culture, including Unfamiliar tion, technology, popular – with the help of a band Best International Feature Audience Award Fishes, Assassination Vacation, and The Partly culture, and other areas, of supporters – would ex- at the Los Angeles Film Festival. Her next Cloudy Patriot. She has been a columnist for will be held on Saturday, tend equal rights and make film, “A Storm in the Stars” starring Elle Salon, Time, and San Francisco Weekly and Sunday, and Monday, June America a more democratic Fanning, is set to release in 2016. Wadjda is continues to write occasional essays for the 27–29, at various times. nation. The nation’s high- her debut novel. opinion page of the New York Times. Speakers include Ed- est court ruled that a key Nick Offerman is an actor best known for You won’t want to miss this exhilarat- widge Danticat, Roberta provision of the Defense his role as Ron Swanson on NBC’s “Parks ing line up. Make plans to attend Annual A. Kaplan, Haifaa al-Man- of Marriage Act (DOMA) and Recreation.” He is also a humorist, Conference now and put these sessions on sour, Nick Offerman, and violated the U.S. Constitu- woodworker, and the author of both the your radar. Sarah Vowell. tion by barring legally mar- Danticat was born in ried same-sex couples from Haiti and came to the enjoying the wide-ranging United States when she benefits of marriage con- was 12 years old. Her debut ferred under federal law. novel, Breath, Eyes, Mem- In Then Comes Marriage: Research Information ory, was an Oprah Book United States v. Windsor Club selection. She was and the Fight for Gay Mar- named “one of 20 people in riage (W. W. Norton & their twenties who will make a difference” in Company Fall 2015), Kaplan tells the story Harper’s Bazaar, and was featured in the New how DOMA was defeated, how laws get York Times Magazine as one of “30 under 30” overturned, and how change is made legally. Information Publishers Professionals BCALA Announces the 2015 Research Literary Awards Winners Information The Black Caucus of the American Library The winner in the Nonfiction category Association (BCALA) announced the win- is Visible Man: The Life of Henry Dumas ners of the 2015 BCALA Literary Awards by Jeffrey B. Leak (University of Georgia during the ALA Midwinter Meeting. The Press). awards recognize excellence in adult fiction Honor Books for Nonfiction are Life in Researchers/ and nonfiction by African-American authors Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina by Misty Co- Authors published in 2014, including an award for peland (Touchstone); Dorothy Porter Wesley Best Poetry and a citation for Outstanding at Howard University: Building a Legacy of Contribution to Publishing. The recipients Black History by Janet Sims-Wood (The will receive the awards during the 2015 An- History Press); and The Oxford Handbook nual Conference of the American Library of African American Theology edited by Association in San Francisco. Anthony B. Pinn and Katie G. Cannon The winner of the 1st Novelist Award (Oxford University Press). The essential link between is Forty Acres: A Thriller by Dwayne Alex- The winner for BCALA’s Best Poetry ander Smith (Atria Books). Award is Books of Hours: Poems by Kevin publishers, information professionals, The Fiction category winner is Citizens Young (Knopf). Creek: A Novel by Lalita Tademy (Atria The BCALA Literary Awards Commit- researchers and authors Books). tee awarded the Outstanding Contribution The Honor Books for Fiction are Saint to Publishing Citation to Regina Anderson Monkey: A Novel by Jacinda Townsend (W. Andrews, Harlem Renaissance Librarian by Subscribe here W. Norton & Company); ‘Til the Well Runs Ethelene Whitmire (University of Illinois or visit www.researchinformation.info/subscribe Dry: A Novel by Lauren Francis-Sharma Press) and gave a special citation for pub- (Henry Holt & Company); and Ruby by lishing to Virginia Stanley, director of li- website ● magazine ● email Cynthia Bond (Crown Publishing Group). brary marketing, HarperCollins Publishers. 6 . Cognotes 2015 MIDWINTER MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

Awards author and illustrator coordinator of school and student services. House Company. Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. » from page 1 of outstanding books Her career has been spent as mentor, educator, This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki, il- Those Who Wish Me Dead by Michael for children and young and literacy advocate for young adults. As an lustrated by Jillian Tamaki, and published by Koryta, published by Little, Brown and Com- adults: inspiring young adult librarian, leader in na- First Second. pany, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc. Brown Girl Dream- tional associations, and university instructor, Wolf in White Van by John Darnielle, pub- ing, written by Jacqueline Woodson, is the she has been distinctly effective in introducing Schneider Family Book Award for books lished by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux. King Author Book winner. The book is pub- young people and her professional colleagues that embody an artistic expression of the dis- lished by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint to the outstanding work of African-American ability experience: Andrew Carnegie Medal for excellence in of Penguin Group (U.S.A.) LLC. authors. A Boy and a Jaguar, written by Alan children’s video: Three King Author Honor Books were Rabinowitz, illustrated by Catia Chien, and Paul R. Gagne and Melissa Reilly Ellard, selected: Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Weston Woods Studios, Inc., producers of Kwame Alexander for The Crossover, literature written for young adults: Publishing Company, wins the award for Me…Jane, are the Carnegie Medal winners. published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt I’ll Give You the Sun, written by Jandy children ages 0 to 10. This transcendent adaptation of Patrick Publishing. McDonnell’s 2012 Caldecott Honor draws Marilyn Nelson for How I Discovered viewers into the childhood of a young Jane Poetry, illustrated by Hadley Hooper and pub- Goodall. lished by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Books (U.S.A.) LLC. Laura Ingalls Wilder Award honors Kekla Magoon for How It Went Down, an author or illustrator whose books, pub- published by Henry Holt and Company LLC. lished in the United States, have made, over a period of years, a substantial and lasting Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book contribution to literature for children. Award: The 2015 winner is Donald Crews, whose Firebird, illustrated by Christopher Myers, award-winning works include Freight Train, is the King Illustrator Book winner. The book which was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1979, was written by Misty Copeland and published and Truck, a Caldecott Honor Book in 1981. by G. P. Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin He has been consistently excellent with a wide Group (U.S.A.) LLC. range of titles, such as Harbor, Parade, Shortcut Two King Illustrator Honor Book were and Bigmama’s, all published by Greenwillow selected: Books. Christian Robinson for Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker by Patricia Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime Hruby Powell and published by Chronicle achievement in writing for young adults: Books LLC. The 2015 winner is Sharon M. Draper, Frank Morrison for Little Melba and Her author of more than 20 books, including: Big Trombone by Katheryn Russell-Brown and Tears of a Tiger (1994), Forged by Fire (1997), published by Lee and Low Books, Inc. Darkness Before Dawn (2001), Battle of Jericho (2004), Copper Sun (2006), and November Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Blues (2007), all published by Atheneum Talent Author Award: Naphtali Faris, Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, Mo., reacts as the Youth Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Si- Media Awards are announced honoring the top youth authors and illustrators. When I Was the Greatest, written and il- mon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. lustrated by Jason Reynolds, is the Steptoe winner. The book is published by Atheneum Nelson, is the 2015 Printz Award winner. The Rain Reign, written by Ann M. Martin and 2016 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lec- Books for Young Readers, an imprint of book is published by Dial Books, an imprint published by Feiwel and Friends, is the winner ture Award recognizing an author, critic, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing of Penguin Group U.S.A., a Penguin Random of the middle-school category (ages 11-13). librarian, historian, or teacher of children’s Division. House Company. The teen (ages 13-18) award winner is Girls literature, who then presents a lecture at a Four Printz Honor Books also were named: Like Us, written by Gail Giles and published winning host site. Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton And We Stay by Jenny Hubbard and by Candlewick Press. The 2016 Arbuthnot Lecture will be de- Award for Lifetime Achievement: published by Delacorte Press, an imprint of livered by Pat Mora. Pioneering author and Deborah D. Taylor is the winner of the Random House Children’s Books, a division Alex Awards for the 10 best adult books literacy advocate Pat Mora has written more Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton of Random House, Inc., a Penguin Random that appeal to teen audiences: than three dozen books for young people that Award for Lifetime Achievement. The award House Company. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony represent the Mexican-American experience. pays tribute to the quality and magnitude of The Carnival at Bray: A Novel by Jessie Ann Doerr, published by Scribner, a division of beloved children’s author Virginia Hamilton. Foley and published by Elephant Rock Books. Simon & Schuster, Inc. Mildred L. Batchelder Award for an Taylor’s career in public service began more Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith and Bellweather Rhapsody by Kate Racculia, outstanding children’s book translated from a than 40 years ago with the Enoch Pratt Free published by Dutton Books, an imprint of published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt foreign language and subsequently published Library in Baltimore, where she is currently Penguin Group U.S.A., a Penguin Random Publishing Company. in the United States: Bingo’s Run by James A. Levine, published Mikis and the Donkey is the 2015 Batch- by Spiegel & Grau, an imprint of the Ran- elder Award winner. The book was written dom House Publishing Group, a division of by Bibi Dumon Tak, illustrated by Philip Cognotes Random House LLC, a Penguin Random Hopman, translated by Laura Watkinson, ISSN: 0738-4319 . Volume 2015 Issue III House Company. and published by Eerdmans Books for Young Confessions by Kanae Minato, translated Readers, an imprint of Wm. B. Eerdmans by Stephen Snyder, published by Mulholland Publishing Co. Senior Reporter Photography Video Editors Books, an imprint of Little, Brown and Com- Two Batchelder Honor Books also were Brad Martin Curtis Compton Olaf Anderson pany, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc. selected: LAC Group Nick de la Torre Guido Ronge Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng, Hidden: A Child’s Story of the Holocaust, New York, NY Michael Buxbaum published by The Penguin Press, a member published by First Second, an imprint of Roar- ALA Liaison of Penguin Group LLC, a Penguin Random ing Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Reporter Production Paul Graller House Company. Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership, Kacee Anderson Tim Mercer Lock In by John Scalzi, a Tor Book pub- written by Loic Dauvillier, illustrated by Marc Harmony Science CustomNews, Inc. lished by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC. Lizano, color by Greg Salsedo, translated by Academy The Martian by Andy Weir, published by Alexis Siegel. Fort Worth, TX Media Manager Crown Publishers, an imprint of the Crown Nine Open Arms, published by Enchanted Fiona Soltes Publishing Group, a division of Random Lion Books, written by Benny Lindelauf, il- Publisher/Managing House LLC, a Penguin Random House lustrated by Dasha Tolstikova, translated by Editor Company. John Nieuwenhuizen. Deb Nerud Vernon The Terrorist’s Son: A Story of Choice by Zak Ebrahim with Jeff Giles, published by TED » see page 7 2015 MIDWINTER MEETING HIGHLIGHTS COGNOTES . 7

Odyssey Award for Five Sibert Honor Books were named: Awards best audiobook pro- Brown Girl Dreaming, written by Jac- » from page 6 duced for children and/ queline Woodson and published by Nancy or young adults, avail- Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Group able in English in the (U.S.A.) LLC. United States: The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, & H.O.R.S.E.: A Game of Basketball and the Fall of Imperial Russia, written by Candace Imagination, produced by Live Oak Media, Fleming and published by Schwartz & Wade is the 2015 Odyssey Award winner. The book Books, an imprint of Random House Chil- is written by Christopher Myers and narrated dren’s Books, a division of Random House by Dion Graham and Christopher Myers. LLC, a Penguin Random House Company. Three Odyssey Honor Recordings also Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine were selected: Baker, written by Patricia Hruby Powell, illus- Five, Six, Seven, Nate! produced by Audio- trated by Christian Robinson, and published works (Children’s) an imprint of Simon & by Chronicle Books LLC. Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster, Neighborhood Sharks: Hunting with the Inc., written by Tim Federle, and narrated by Great Whites of California’s Farallon Islands, Tim Federle. written and illustrated by Katherine Roy and The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow published by David Macaulay Studio, an Place, produced by Listening Library, an im- imprint of Roaring Brook Press. print of the Penguin Random House Audio Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Publishing Group, written by Julie Berry, and Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation, written ALA Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits attendees react as the Youth Media Awards narrated by Jayne Entwistle. and illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh and pub- are announced honoring the top youth authors and illustrators. A Snicker of Magic, produced by Scholastic lished by Abrams Books for Young Readers, Audiobooks, written by Natalie Lloyd, and an imprint of ABRAMS. written by Isabel Quintero, is the 2015 Mor- Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan’s Chil- narrated by Cassandra Morris. ris Award winner. The book is published by dren’s Publishing Group. Stonewall Book Award – Mike Morgan Cinco Puntos Press. The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion & Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Award honoring & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Four other books were finalists for the the Fall of Imperial Russia, written by Candace a Latino writer and illustrator whose children’s Literature Award given annually to English- award: Fleming and published by Schwartz & Wade, books best portray, affirm, and celebrate the language children’s and young adult books of The Carnival at Bray: A Novel, written by an imprint of Random House Children’s Latino cultural experience: exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, Jessie Ann Foley and published by Elephant Books. Viva Frida, illustrated by Yuyi Morales is bisexual, and transgender experience: Rock Books. Ida M. Tarbell: The Woman Who Challenged the Belpré Illustrator Award winner. The book This Day in June, written by Gayle E. Pit- The Story of Owen: Dragon Slayer of Trond- Big Business – and Won! written by Emily was written by Yuyi Morales and published man, Ph.D., illustrated by Kristyna Litten and heim, written by E.K. Johnston and published Arnold McCully and published by Clarion by Roaring Brook Press, a Neal Porter Book. published by Magination Press, an imprint of by Carolrhoda Lab™, an imprint of Carol- Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Three Belpré Illustrator Honor Books the American Psychological Association, is the rhoda Books, a division of Lerner Publishing Harcourt Books for Young Readers. were named: winner of the 2015 Stonewall Children’s & Group. The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and Little Roja Riding Hood, illustrated by Young Adult Literature Award. The Scar Boys, written by Len Vlahos and the Fight for Civil Rights, written by Steve Susan Guevara, written by Susan Middleton Three Honor Books were selected: published by Egmont Publishing. Sheinkin and published by Roaring Brook Elya, and published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons, Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Press, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s an imprint of Penguin Group (U.S.A.) LLC. Out by Susan Kuklin, photographed by Susan Lavender, written by Leslye Walton and pub- Publishing Group. Green Is a Chile Pepper: A Book of Colors, Kuklin, and published by Candlewick Press. lished by Candlewick Press. illustrated by John Parra, written by Rose- I’ll Give You the Sun, written by Jandy anne Greenfield Thong, and published by Nelson, published by Dial Books, an imprint YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfic- Chronicle Books LLC. of Penguin Group (U.S.A.) LLC. tion for Young Adults: For more Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress, Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern information Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation, illustrated written by Christine Baldacchino, pictures by Geek, written by Maya Van Wagenen, is on the ALA and written by Duncan Tonatiuh and pub- Isabelle Malenfant, published by Ground- the 2015 Excellence winner. The book is Youth Media Awards lished by Abrams Books for Young Readers, wood Books / House of Anansi Press. published by Dutton, an imprint of Penguin and notables, an imprint of ABRAMS. Young Readers Group. please visit Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most Four other books were finalists for the http://www.ala.org/ Pura Belpré (Author) Award honoring distinguished beginning reader book: award: yma. Latino authors whose work best portrays, You Are (Not) Small, written by Anna Kang Laughing at My Nightmare, written by affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural and illustrated by Christopher Weyant, is the Shane Burcaw and published by Roaring experience: Geisel Award winner. The I Lived on Butterfly Hill is the 2015 Pura book is published by Two Belpré Author Award winner. The book is Lions, New York. written by Marjorie Agosín, illustrated by Lee Two Geisel Honor VISITING THE MIDWINTER EXHIBITS White, and published by Atheneum Books Books were named: for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Mr. Putter & Tabby Schuster Children’s Publishing Division. Turn the Page, written by Cynthia Rylant, illus- One Belpré Author Honor Book was trated by Arthur Howard, named: and published by Hough- Portraits of Hispanic American Heroes, ton Mifflin Harcourt written by Juan Felipe Herrera, illustrated by Publishing Company. Raúl Colón, and published by Dial Books for Waiting Is Not Easy! Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Group written by Mo Willems, (U.S.A.) LLC. illustrated by Mo Wil- lems, and published by Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Hyperion Books for Chil- Award for most distinguished informational dren, an imprint of Dis- book for children: ney Book Group. The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus, written by Jen Bryant is the Sibert Award William C. Morris winner. The book is published by Eerdmans Award for a debut book Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Wm. published by a first-time B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. author writing for teens: Gabi, a Girl in Pieces, 8 . Cognotes 2015 MIDWINTER MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

Maria Rodriguez (center), Edina, Minn., and Kristina Hart (right), Anamosa, Chicago weather puts the “winter” in the ALA Midwinter Meeting as a worker Iowa, are among the first to hit the floor for the Exhibits Opening Reception. cleans off snow from the sidewalk outside McCormick Place.

Janet Lee, University of Denver, and hundreds of other ALA attendees Auden Johnson, left, author of the novel The Sciell, listens to Fonda patiently wait to have books signed by LeVar Burton after his Auditorium Lee, author of the book Zeroboxer during a discussion about dark Speakers Series presentation February 1. Burton signed his book The Rhino fantasy. Who Swallowed A Storm.

The Exhibits Opening Reception draws a crowd, reflected on the floor of McCormick Place. 2015 MIDWINTER MEETING HIGHLIGHTS Cognotes . 9 Durbin Provides Washington Update By Brad Martin, LAC Group divide is real and after all, “librarians are the Sen. Richard Durbin (Ill.) told of the original search engines.” origins of his obsession with books at the Durbin also pointed out Washington Office Update session “Whither that anyone can walk Washington: The 2014 Election and What It through the door and get Means for Libraries” on January 31, recalling a library card, which he two key events that were responsible. As a called the “passport to child, Durbin’s mother, who had no formal opportunity.” education of her own, would take him to the Durbin outlined is- art museum and to the Saint Louis Public Li- sues of special interest to brary. At the museum, she introduced him to librarians and encouraged paintings and other works of art, and at the everyone to get orga- library, he was allowed to check out as many nized in their advocacy books as he could carry. Later, as a student at efforts. He said that he is Georgetown University, Durbin found a job very aware of the Patriot as a clerk at Discount Books and Records, Act expiring at the end where he said the books were arranged by of May and that fed- publisher. This taught him the importance of eral funding for library having someone help find the books. services – a “great bar- Now, as a Democratic senator about to gain” in his words – faces celebrate his 20th year in Congress, Durbin challenges, with many in knows well the importance of libraries Congress against spending money on just tion’ s Thomas Sussman. Hansen said, noting that increased polariza- and librarians and can easily answer those about anything. Hansen gave his view of the electoral tion has made it harder to pass legislation who question their need in the age of the Advocacy also was discussed in presenta- landscape and demonstrated political party and has made advocacy far more challenging. internet. “First of all, not everyone has a tions by University of Chicago professor J. differences and their change over time. “The Hansen offered a couple of pointers computer,” he said, stressing that the digital Mark Hansen and the American Bar Associa- divisions are as wide and deep as ever,” » see page 10 Presidential Candidates Share Individual Vision, Goals

By Brad Martin, LAC Group In their opening and closing statements, JP Four candidates vying for ALA president Porcaro, Julie Todaro, presented their cases at a forum on January Joseph Janes, and 31, urging everyone to vote in the upcom- James (Jamie) LaRue ing election. In their opening and closing statements, used the opportunity JP Porcaro, Julie Todaro, Joseph Janes, and to highlight their James (Jamie) LaRue used the opportunity backgrounds and outline to highlight their backgrounds and outline the vision they hope to the vision they hope to bring to the office of bring to the office of president. In between, they fielded questions president. In between, from the audience. they fielded questions Porcaro, librarian for acquisitions and from the audience. technological discovery at New Jersey City University Guarini Library, presented him- those people in leadership positions in ALA self as a candidate of change in his opening make their dreams come true, their vision re- statement, and emphasized that while ALA alized, and it literally is a vision and a dream has done a good job of promoting libraries when you step up to this position.” Todaro ALA presidential candidates met January 31 to discuss their platforms. Left to right; J.P. Porcaro of Jersey City N.J., James LaRue of Castle Rock, Colo., as institutions, he would concentrate more went on to speak about how “you can have Joseph Janes of Seattle, Wash., and Julie Todaro of Austin, Texas. on the people who make up the libraries. the most beautiful library and the best access “If elected, I’d initiate a large-scale public services, but unless you have those people are a luxury. I’m tired of people thinking we “For the next 30 years, I was working relations campaign within the ALA sup- who are the experts come together to con- are a good idea. I’m tired of people think we at trying to fulfill this promise that I felt porting and promoting us, librarians. A nect people with diverse target populations, are nice. We are vital. We are critical. We are Mrs. Johnson had given me,” LaRue said. library without a librarian is just a building, and help our constituents meet their needs absolutely the most important part of any He talked about creating a library club in and our users know this,” he said. Porcaro’s and realize their vision and their dreams, it community. We are the most important the seventh grade, volunteering in libraries, accomplishments include being an ALA isn’t what I would call library service in the profession in the world, because we make and working in public libraries and with Emerging Leader in 2010 and being named community.” every human activity better, every day.’ OCLC. He said some of this work was as a Library Journal Mover & Shaker in 2012. Janes, associate professor and chair of the LaRue, CEO of LaRue & Associates in involved with standards and “how to move He also founded the ALA Games and Gam- MLIS program at the University of Washing- Castle Rock, Colo., opened by saying, “I average or below-average organizations into ing Round Table and runs the online space ton Information School, opened his remarks think that, like all of us up here, I am in it extraordinary organizations.” called ALA Think Tank. Porcaro expressed by thanking several people who have helped for love, people.” He went on to tell where his “Over the past several years, I have real- his concern that the makeup of ALA does and supported him in his run for ALA presi- love of libraries began, which was in a book- ized that librarians know how to talk to not match that of the nation as a whole, dent. “I have made people into librarians for mobile of the Waukegan (Ill.) Public Library, librarians. What we need to learn is how to and this needs to change. More listening to 25 years, so even though my dean likes to say where the warm greeting and encouragement talk to people who are not librarians.” LaRue all the divisions, roundtables, and caucuses he has the best job in the world, I have the of the librarian, Mrs. Johnson, made a lasting then highlighted his experience writing a is needed. best job in the world, because I get to help impression on him. LaRue was five years old newspaper column for 25 years, doing an Todaro, dean of library services at Austin people live out their dreams and do a better and curious about the concept of the speed internet radio show, and running a local cable (Texas) Community College, described her job of serving their communities.” of light. After asking the librarian about this, TV station as being beneficial in this effort. career-long commitment to institutional and Janes went on to reflect on a comment he her reply was, “What a fascinating question. The candidates also fielded questions from association service at the local, state, and heard from a newspaper reporter from the Let’s find out.” the audience. national levels, including service in ACRL, Oneida Daily Dispatch in his hometown of ALSC, and as part of a number of round- Oneida, N.Y. “Where would we be without tables and committees. Experienced as both the library? People don’t think about that.” a school and children’s librarian, she noted After citing a few examples of the impor- Click here to see the video of the January 31 forum in its entirety. that “some of the most fun I have had was tance of libraries, Janes said, “I want to tell working on presidential initiatives to help that story. I am tired of people thinking we 10 . Cognotes 2015 MIDWINTER MEETING HIGHLIGHTS LeVar Burton Highlights Personal Heroes, Mentors

By Brad Martin, LAC Group can be brought down by the circumstances of life, LeVar Burton paid homage to four great then all of us are vulner- storytelling mentors in his life on February able.” 1 during the ALA Midwinter Meeting, and Burton’s mother, Erma talked about one of them as being especially Jean, was his “first story- influential in the creation of his first children’s telling mentor” and much book, The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm, more. “My mother not which was co-written by Susan Schaefer Ber- only read to me; she read nardo and illustrated by Courtenay Fletcher. in front of me, which is “The world we live in today is one where an incredibly important we all face tough times, from the death of a message to send,” he said. goldfish to school shootings. My friend Fred Burton also credited his Rogers was the adult in the world who used mother with preparing to address in an age-appropriate manner the him to grow up in a world subject of living in the world that is domi- where he would be judged nated by the actions of adults to an audience because of the color of his of children. And, absent Fred, I thought it skin. “I am the man I am, was necessary for someone to address it, and because she is the woman that’s why I took it upon myself.” she is,” he said. In The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm, Burton is well-known Mica Mouse is frightened by thunder crash- as the host of the original ing outside her cozy home. To comfort her, “Reading Rainbow” PBS series (he credits Kinte in the groundbreaking TV mini-series everyone the value of remembering that our Papa Mouse tells a story about a rhino who Fred Rogers for showing him the power of “Roots” that resulted in meeting another of heroes are human. The experience was also finds himself feeling terrible after swallowing television to be “part of a larger ministry”) his great storytelling mentors, Alex Haley. quite an inspiration for Burton. “When I a storm. The rhino is helped on his journey to and as Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge in Burton’s experience on “Star Trek: The saw Nichelle Nichols [Uhura] on the bridge wellness by a succession of other animals. Bur- the “Star Trek: The Next Generation” TV se- Next Generation” brought him into contact of the Enterprise, it inspired me not to just ton said that the message is clear: “If a rhino ries. But it was his earlier portrayal of Kunta with Gene Roddenberry, who he said taught believe, but that I belonged.” 2015 Amelia Bloomer List Highlights Feminist Books for Young Readers The Amelia Bloomer Project, a product from birth to 18 years old. This year’s list Changed the Country. Napoli, Donna Jo. Hidden. of the ALA Social Responsibilities Round includes titles published between July 1, Hile, Lori. Rachel Carson: Environmental Prince, Liz. Tomboy. Table’s (SRRT) Feminist Taskforce, an- 2013, and December 31, 2014. Pioneer. Sherr, Lynn. Sally Ride: America’s First nounced the 2015 Amelia Bloomer List The top 10 titles of the 2015 Amelia Manning, Kate. My Notorious Life. Woman in Space. at ALA’s Midwinter Meeting. Bloomer List include: McCarney, Rosemary with Jen Albaugh Wilson, G. Willow. Ms. Marvel Volume The bibliography consists of well-written Cooper, Ilene. A Woman in the House (and and Plan International. Because I Am a Girl: 1: No Normal. and illustrated books with significant femi- Senate): How Women Came to the United I can change the world. To view the complete annotated list, nist content, intended for young readers States Congress, Broke Down Barriers, and McCarney Rosemary with Plan Interna- please visit the Amelia Bloomer Project blog, tional. Every Day is Malala Day. http://www.ameliabloomer.wordpress.com. AASL Holds Digital Storytelling Contest The American Association of School Librar- will be accepted until midnight on March 6. ians (AASL) invites students to participate “This contest will be so fun,” said AASL in a digital storytelling contest held as part President Terri Grief. “We’re so excited to of the 2015 celebration of School Library have these great judges that have volunteered Month in April. The contest asks students their time. This is a super way to show off to reflect on the 2015 theme, “Your School your school library.” Library: Where Learning Never Ends” and Student collaboration with educator create a story using a website recognized as an support is encouraged; however, school AASL Best Website for Teaching & Learning. librarians are asked to limit their help in the Special author guest judges – Susan Verde, production of digital stories. Contest rules Amy Ignatow, Trevor Pryce, and Lauren and eligibility can be found at http://www. Myracle – will review entries and determine ala.org/aasl/slm/2015/storytelling. contest winners. Winners will receive a set School Library Month is the AASL’s an- of books signed and personalized by the nual celebration of school librarians and their judging author. Prizes and author judges are programs. Julianne Moore, award-winning graciously provided by ABRAMS. actress and bestselling author, is the national Submissions for the storytelling contest spokesperson for the 2015 observance.

Presenters and others involved in the first Sharjah International Book Fair that can help with Congress,” and agreed with Hansen about (SIBF)/ALA Library Conference in November 2014 reunited at the SIBF Durbin advocacy efforts. The the level of partisanship in Washington. » from page 9 booth in the Exhibits January 30. From left, Lynn Silipigni Connaway; first is to find a com- He described the new Congress as richer, ALA Marketing Director Mary Mackay; ALA President Courtney L. Young; mon theme – income younger, and having increasing numbers ALA International Relations Office Director Michael Dowling; Michael inequality, for example – something that of women. He also pointed out that it was Levine-Clark; Sharjah Book Authority Chairman Ahmed Al Ameri; the Combined Book Exhibit (CBE) President Jon Malinowski; ALA Executive both parties agree on, even though they dif- the first election in a long time without a Director Keith Michael Fiels; Magda el-Sherbini; Rick Anderson; and fer on their approaches. He concluded by Bush or Clinton on the ticket – a symptom American Collective Stand President Janet Fritsch. Following the adding that librarians should use the assets of what he called “dynasty fatigue.” successful 2014 event, when more than 600 librarians from the UAE and they already have as members of a helping Like Hansen, Sussman sees a “not particu- the region made the most of two full days of professional development profession and mobilize support as much as larly hopeful picture” on the funding front programs, planning is underway for the 2015 SIBF/ALA Library possible. “When the game is partisan, you and concerning advocacy, he agrees with the Conference in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, November 10 – 12. Those have to play a different game.” wisdom that says “the best way to predict the interested in learning more about that event can visit http://ala.org/ Sussman, formerly a consultant to ALA, future is to create it.” offices/sharjah-international-book-fairala-library-conference. said, “The jury is still out on the current 2015 MIDWINTER MEETING HIGHLIGHTS Cognotes . 11

Mita Williams CSLP Partners with talks about Award-winning Mechanic Institutes, Author Kate DiCamillo Hackerspaces, and other The Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) has an- modern forms nounced its partnership with award-winning children’s book of business author Kate DiCamillo as its first-ever National Summer Read- and how ing Champion. libraries will DiCamillo, who received a 2014 Newbery Medal for her latest fit, during her novel, Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, will appear in ALA Masters Series session a series of public service announcements, participate in a national February 1. media campaign, and appear at events coast to coast. “I am hopeful that in my role as National Summer Reading Champion with CSLP I can encourage young readers to go and find themselves at the library,” DiCamillo said. “To find books that capture their imaginations and to spend time with others Discovering the Role of Libraries in the who love good stories.” Makerspace and Hackerspace World “We are overjoyed to have Kate join us as our first-ever National Summer Reading Champion,” said Karen Yother, By Kacee Anderson, Harmony Science Academy that includes half a million dollars in equipment and CSLP president. “Her dedication to lifelong learning through at least 800 people to pay $100/month to be viable. literacy from childhood to adulthood represents everything our The role of the library within a community is FabLab first started in 1998 with one professor’s organization stands for.” constantly evolving. Mita Williams, University of course at MIT on how to make almost anything. To learn more about CSLP and the summer reading program Windsor, Windsor (Ontario, Canada) took audience Launched in 2001 as educational outreach, there is materials that it develops for children, teens, and adults please members through a historical journey from the first now an ambitious network of labs around the world. visit http://www.cslpreads.org. Mechanics Institutes to present-day Makerspaces, Each FabLab provides a core set of tools to anyone so Hackerspaces, and TechShops during the ALA Mas- they can make almost anything. Each FabLab has to be ters Series on February 1. made regularly available to the public at little or no cost. Business startups such as incubators and accelera- The first library Makerspace actually began as a tors are everywhere. Where do library Makerspaces fit FabLab in New York. One of the major differences in? Hackerspaces and Makerspaces can be successfully between Makerspaces and FabLabs today is that all implemented in libraries. Hackerspaces, like Maker- Makerspaces are completely different from each other spaces, allow users to come together to collectively and they are generally open to everyone. create new products. Mechanics Institutes, largely geared toward work- C-base, one of the very first Hackerspaces in the ing-class men to keep them busy, were short-lived. world, was built from a reconstructed space station Although most did not survive, the book collections that fell to earth. As Europe’s largest Hackerspace, of failed Mechanics Institutes became the core collec- C-base has been around for 30 years. Numerous tions of the first public libraries. activities have been hosted at C-base such the estab- One of the admirable things about libraries is that lishment of the German Pirate Party and a meeting they have embraced Makerspaces and keep people as place for German Wikipedia. There are currently the focus of the space and not the technology. Wil- around 1,000 Hackerspaces. liams also noted how proud she was that libraries have TechShops, which first appeared in 2006, are opted to be much more accessible in their materials privately-owned places for members to work to build and Makerspaces. Libraries tend to host activities prototypes for their Kickstarter campaigns. There are which encourage personal expression. Williams stated, ALA attendees join in a roundtable discussion during an currently only eight TechShops in the United States. “As long as libraries focus on the people, libraries will informal sharing session at the Unconference, January 30. They are slow to open as they require access to space continue to be a space where the future can be built.” Outside Marketing Adds Value to Libraries “Reach out to which allows users to easily access they’re in the library. “Sell them on and placed posters throughout the By Kacee Anderson, the features they need most. the sweet stuff, and deliver the meat community to promote the events. Harmony Science Academy people where Quality promotion is key. Bizzle once they get there,” he said. Jones- “You have to try things that are a Ben Bizzle, director of technology at they are and noted that it’s better to market an boro held zombie prom, adult sci-fi little bit risky,” he said. “Not every Craighead County Jonesboro (Ark.) don’t expect entertaining program and show parties, and bingo nights at the idea is a good idea. Don’t go too Public Library, spoke January 31 them to come patrons other useful programs once library. Bizzle used Facebook ads far, but don’t be afraid to stretch.” about the importance of marketing to you all the in the library. In May 2008, Bizzle time.” quickly discovered the perceived war taking place between libraries and what he called the “trinity of addresses the aggressive marketing evil.” According to his colleagues, approach Jonesboro took to add Google, Wikipedia, and Amazon value to the library. Bizzle notes were attacking libraries and they that librarians should “reach out had to fight back. to people where they are and don’t How can a library battle such expect them to come to you all opponents when its only weapon the time.” is an outdated website? It all starts Throughout the session, Bizzle with good leaders. Libraries must stressed the importance of digital have leaders who work with people, presence. “Your website is basically not managers who focus on pro- another branch of your library,” he cesses. Let the people that have said, “and it is just as valuable as the talent in your library do the things other branches.” Jonesboro now they are good at. has a fully responsive web design In his book Start a Revolution: created by a development company. Stop Acting Like a Library, Bizzle In addition, it has a mobile app