July/August 2016

THE MAGAZINE OF THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

2016 Annual Conference Wrap-Up

p. 14

Newsmaker: The Purpose- PLUS: Exhibit Hall High Tech and Michael Eric Dyson Based Library Barbershop p. 12 p. 26 in the Library ALA purchases fund advocacy, awareness, and accreditation programs for library professionals worldwide.

Editions Neal-Schuman New books from TechSource

alastore.ala.org July/August 2016

American Libraries | Volume 47 #7/8 | ISSN 0002-9769

COVER STORY 14 Annual Returns to Orlando Librarians tackle inclusion, technology, and funding BY Greg Landgraf

FEATURES UP FRONT TRENDS 22 Hot Venue, High Tech 2 From the Editor NEWSMAKER Orlando in Bloom 12 Michael Eric Dyson A cornucopia of products BY Laurie D. Borman Social commentator sees in the ALA exhibit hall culture as an entry to literacy 5 From Our Readers BY Marshall Breeding 13 Noted & Quoted 26 The Purpose-Based ALA Library 4 From the President SOLUTIONS Finding your path to survival, The Expert in the Library 30 Helping Young Readers BY Julie B. Todaro Updated DK Readers app success, and growth and integrated WorldCat BY John J. Huber and Steven V. Potter 8 Update What’s happening at ALA PEOPLE 32 Announcements

THE BOOKEND 34 The Cutting Edge 26 LIBRARY

CoLibri Systems 21 | Crowley 29 | Lucia Mouat 19 | Modern Language Association 11 | American Library Association Booklist 3, Cover 4 | Conference Services 6, 7 Editions Cover 2 | Graphics Cover 3 THE MAGAZINE OF THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

Address: 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611 Orlando in Bloom Website: americanlibrariesmagazine.org Email: [email protected] Phone: 800-545-2433 he impressive lineup of speakers and programs Career Ads: JobLIST.ala.org at the 2016 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, Florida, this year included Michael What was EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Laurie D. Borman Eric Dyson, who captured the overflow audi- your most John Lewis T memorable [email protected] | x4213 and all the torium crowd with his oratory, rhymes, and praise of MANAGING EDITOR speakers at librarians. Sample a bit of his poetic imagery in our conferen ce Sanhita SinhaRoy the Pulse Newsmaker cover story on page 12. We liked Dyson moment? [email protected] | x4219 me moria l. so much, we included him in our July episode of the SENIOR EDITORS Amy Carlton Dewey Decibel podcast, available July 25. Click here [email protected] | x5105 to listen. George M. Eberhart Laurie D. Borman There were many other impressive speakers at Walking [email protected] | x4212 Annual, of course, from Jazz Jennings, author of Being past the ASSOCIATE EDITORS WonderWorks Terra Dankowski Jamie Lee Curtis Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen, to William Ury, every [email protected] | x5282 asking me about author of Getting to Yes, and most recently Getting to Yes morni n g. Phil Morehart my love life in with Yourself (and Other Worthy Opponents). [email protected] | x4218 the green room. The victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING ASSISTANT Patrick Burke Orlando were remembered at a memorial service as [email protected] | x4216 well as at Council, and conference attendees wore ART DIRECTOR black armbands with the words “equity,” “diversity,” Rebecca Lomax and “inclusion.” Others pinned a small rainbow ribbon [email protected] | x4217 to their badge, picked from baskets at registration. ADVERTISING Michael Stack [email protected] | 847-367-7120 Highlights of speakers, programs, and other events at Acceptance of advertising does not constitute endorsement. the Orlando conference, compiled by Greg Landgraf, ALA reserves the right to refuse advertising. begin on page 14. And to learn what’s new with library PUBLISHING DEPARTMENT vendors—from self-service kiosks to discovery systems Donald Chatham, Associate Executive Director Mary Jo Bolduc, Rights, Permissions, Reprints | x5416 improvements and a new open source library systems MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT platform called FOLIO—our tech wrap-up of the exhibit Ron Jankowski, Director hall by Marshall Breeding begins on page 22. ADVISORY COMMITTEE The Purpose-Based Library: Finding Your Path to Joseph M. Eagan (Chair), Helen Ruth Adams, Ernie J. Cox, Survival, Success, and Growth, an ALA Editions book Lee A. Cummings, Christine Korytnyk Dulaney, Tina Franks, A local barber Jasmina Jusic. Interns: Tom Bober, Lucy Kelly by authors John J. Huber and Steven V. Potter, is donates his Editorial policy: ALA Policy Manual, section A.8.2 excerpted on page 26. The book draws on their many INDEXED skills to cut years of library experience to show how libraries can Available full text from ProQuest, EBSCO Publishing, create real growth opportunities through concentrating H. W. Wilson, LexisNexis, Information Access, ­JSTOR. teens’ hair and on their true mission and purpose, without spending a SUBSCRIBE Libraries and other institutions: $70/year, 6 issues, US, Canada, the teens chat lot more money. and Mexico; foreign: $80. Subscription price for individuals in- Teens converse and get haircuts at Chicago Public cluded in ALA membership dues. 800-545-2433 x5108, email at a Chicago Library’s West Englewood branch each month. Reminis- [email protected], or visit ala.org. Claim missing issues: ALA Member and ­Customer Service. Allow six weeks. cent of a traditional African-American barbershop, the Public Library PUBLISHED facilitated sessions cover politics, economics, the neigh- American Libraries (ISSN 0002-9769) is published 6 times branch. borhood, and style. See our Bookend on page 34. yearly with occasional supplements by the American Library Association (ALA). Printed in USA. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, Illinois, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Personal members: Send address changes to American Librar- ies, c/o Membership Records, ALA, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. ©2016 American Library Association. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced or republished without written permission from the publisher.

2 July/August 2016 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org Tired of waiting on routed copies of Booklist and Book Links? Get your own subscription for 50% off at bit.ly/29BZcKB!

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booklistonline.com The Expert in the Library Building on the success of Libraries Transform

n entire year of service as a profes- The human resources playbook will sional association president may include value statements; core competen- seem daunting to some. And at ALA, cies; job descriptions and job titles; com- Ait is actually a three-year commit- petencies for multiple levels of positions; ment: a prepresidential year of learning and recommended competencies matched to preparation; a year as president; and finally, a training and continuing education; disposi- year as past president. tions; a series of “What makes an expert?” These three years are obviously a very busy questions that will be answered by patrons/ time for any association president devoted users, managers and leaders, and other to learning and speaking about a myriad of librarians; and content for background Julie B. Todaro professional issues in order to both honorably on and the use of measurement tools and serve the membership as well as create and library professional assessment. implement presidential initiatives. With such a Other aspects of Libraries Transform: The short timeframe to make a difference, I believe Expert in the Library include: presidential initiatives are best chosen as proj- ■■ an innovation environment at 2017 Midwin- ects that will build and strengthen existing ALA ter Meeting & Exhibits messages, ideas, and successes rather than to ■■ a special emphasis on book clubs with con- start new projects. tent that will be available on ala.org and in With this in mind, I challenged myself to not various programs at the 2017 Annual Con- only build on ideas and successes within the ference and Exhibition Association and the profession but also rein- ■■ developed profiles of library professionals force themes I have focused on throughout my for today and for the future, through the career. All the work on presidential initiatives is Center for the Future of Libraries coordinated with teams of member experts as In addition, staffers at ALA headquarters well as Association employee experts. and the ALA Washington Office, members of Thus, Libraries Transform: The Expert in the the Committee on Legislation, other ALA mem- Libraries Library was born. It will further the success of bers, and a political consultant will be working Transform: the Libraries Transform public awareness cam- together to position ALA and the profession in paign that was launched last year by marshalling general for the transition to the next US presi- The Expert teams from all sectors of the library world: aca- dent and Congress. This expert team will iden- in the Library demic, public, school, and special libraries. It will tify and create content on what we as library also include advocacy, management, and lead- professionals do and who we are, to assist us will further ership expert members as they work together now and in the first days of the new adminis- the success of to find and create the best materials to design a tration and Congress and in each state’s politi- 21st-century human resources playbook. cal infrastructures. the Libraries This future-driven human resources I look forward to our expert year as we con- Transform content—developed from a mix of existing tinue to promote how and why our libraries and materials and new materials—will be available library professionals transform our constituents, public for managers in all types and sizes of libraries our communities, and our organizations. awareness and will be housed on the Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment JULIE B. TODARO is dean of library services at campaign. (HRDR) website at ala.org/hrdr. Austin (Tex.) Community College.

4 July/August 2016 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org Bravo #alsc for standing up Teaching Objectivity In response to Jeffrey Meyer’s to injustices column (“The Fact Police,” Mar./ @ELLENSULZYCKI Apr., p. 24), a staple of my job in regard to the is teaching evaluation skills. In a Association for Library time of tenuous library budgets, Service to Children should I spend money on a book (ALSC) canceling its that my patrons will know not 2016 National Institute to cite if they are using the skills in Charlotte, N.C. I have taught them? I think our aim should be objectivity, not Proud of neutrality. #ALSC for Todd Heldt (“Notable Dissertations,” May, stantly working hard, conduct- Chicago p. 44). Thanks to the Office for ing research to better inform making the Research and Statistics for its and improve the profession. decision to Sci-Hub Made Simple work on the article. The range Highlighting some of this new cancel in I absolutely loved Marcus Banks’s of research was impressive and research is an excellent way to Charlotte article on Sci-Hub (“What Sci- truly demonstrates the inter- reinforce these connections. Hub Is and Why It Matters,” disciplinary nature of our pro- Second, as someone who in response June, p. 46). It was well written, fession. Our colleagues in LIS helps train doctoral students, to #HB2 concise, and well researched. education are closer to this I find this article offers an @MLCHRZANOWSKI Professionals, including myself, research. For the rest of us, it excellent and efficient vehicle in regard to ALSC sometimes trip over ourselves helps us understand trends in for comparing and contrast- canceling its 2016 explaining things in ways that library research and areas to be ing various approaches to LIS National Institute make them seem more compli- considering as we function in research. Please consider making cated than they really are. In a day-to-day library operations. this an annual feature in AL. few paragraphs he defined the I look forward to seeing a Anthony Bernier Some dream terms, laid out the issues and the showcase of doctoral research Oakland, California job ideas here! “plumbing,” and commented on become an annual article. In the JERI KNIESS in how Sci-Hub fits into the broader meantime, it would be interest- CORRECTION reponse to “Rock in movement toward open access. ing to engage the community In Marshall Breeding’s “Library the Vault” (May, p. 19) It would be great to see more around the recommendations Systems Report” (May, p. 30), of this type of journalism in from each scholar. Something for the extent of the Salano, Napa, American Libraries. Thank you AL to consider! and Partners (SNAP) Library for publishing it, and thank you Denise M. Davis Consortium’s shift from CARL.X to Marcus for contributing it! Sacramento, California to Polaris was overstated. SNAP Very well done. only partially shifted to Polaris in Frank R. Allen Thank you for Kathy Rosa’s 2015. Also, the Hawaii Depart- Maitland, Florida article. ment of Education uses The First, it’s so important for Library Corporation’s (TLC) Welcomed Research librarians and administrators Library.Solution ILS, not CARL.X. It was so refreshing to see doc- to understand that LIS faculty TLC did not provide detailed toral research showcased in AL and doctoral students are con- sales statistics for the report.

FOLLOW US: @amlibraries facebook.com/amlibraries pinterest.com/amlibraries WRITE US: The editors welcome comments about recent content, online stories, and matters of professional interest. Submissions should be limited to 300 words and are subject to editing for clarity, style, and length. Send to [email protected] and American Libraries, From Our Readers, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611-2795.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | July/August 2016 5 THEThe FUTUREFuture ofOF Innovation- LIBRARIES—Libraries— Books, media, spurring symposium andand 100s100s OFof DEEPdeep DIVES,dives, including futuring AUTHORSauthors preconferences, and innovation and institutes techniques

New products,products, New Unlimited technologies, and and technologies, Unlimited connections with services expert withwith expert services CONNECTIONS with colleagues from all vendors the in in the vendors colleagues from all types of libraries, EXHIBITS exhibits types of libraries, doing doing all kinds of all kinds of library jobs, library jobs, at all at all levels AWARDAward levels announcements and celebrations All the SOCIALIZINGsocializing you’re up for! 2017 “News You Can “NEWS YOU CAN Use,” updates, USE,” updates, policy MIDWINTER policy priorities, priorities, strategies strategies for for engaging engaging decision- decision-makers and makers and Meeting & Exhibits influencers JANUARY 20–24, 2017 influencers Informal ATLANTA, GEORGIA learning, formal LEARNING

INTERESTED IN EXHIBITING? Visit exhibitors.ala.org

Midwinter Meeting Early Bird registration and housing open September 7, 2016 ALAMIDWINTER.ORG INCLUDED in your 2017 ALA Midwinter Meeting and Exhibits registration! A Symposium on the FUTURE OF LIBRARIES Three days of exploring the many futures for academic, public, school and special libraries—Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of Midwinter.

Sponsored by ALA’s Center for the Future of Libraries, this new Symposium will consider the near-term trends already inspiring innovation in libraries, and the longer-term trends that will help us adapt to the needs of our communities.

Discussions with experts and innovative thinkers from allied professions and disciplines sharing their visions for the future, helping us think beyond our current work. Emerging products and services Plenary sessions with the civic, for libraries in the exhibit hall education, and social innovators who and installations throughout the are creating what’s next for cities, conference. campuses, and communities. The Symposium integrates and Insights from the library builds on the Midwinter Meeting’s professionals introducing new popular ALA Masters Series, News services, spaces, collections, and You Can Use updates, and Ignite partnerships. Sessions, which highlight innovations and advances in libraries.

Registration for the 2017 Midwinter Meeting opens September 7th at noon (Central) ALAMIDWINTER.ORG Hayden Approved as Librarian of Congress he US Senate approved encouraged thousands of library advocates to contact their US the nomination of Carla senators to support her confirmation. THayden to serve as the The Senate approved Hayden for the position after an nation’s 14th Librarian of Con- almost five-week delay, despite her nomination being recom- gress on July 13. mended by unanimous vote in a Senate committee in early Hayden, American Library June. The approval was met with praise by the library commu- Association (ALA) past presi- nity and ALA. dent (2003–2004) and director “The library community is elated that Carla Hayden is of the Enoch Pratt Free Library our nation’s new Librarian of Congress,” said ALA President in Baltimore, is the first female Julie B. Todaro in a July 13 statement. “She holds all of the and the first African American professional competencies needed to successfully lead the to lead the Library of Congress. nation’s library. She is also the first professional “There is no doubt that Hayden will have a positive impact librarian to be confirmed in by leading efforts to establish a more modern approach to more than 60 years. She is a Carla Hayden serving members of Congress, researchers, and the public at graduate of Roosevelt University large,” Todaro said. “She holds a profound understanding of in Chicago and received her master’s and doctoral degrees the integral role libraries play in formal education, community- in library science from the University of Chicago Graduate based learning, and the promotion of individual opportunity Library School. and community progress. I believe that through her visionary Hayden’s appointment comes in the wake of the retirement leadership the Library of Congress will soon mirror society’s of James H. Billington and on the heels of a vigorous ALA rapidly changing information environment, while successfully grassroots and social media campaign (#Hayden4LOC) that preserving the cultural record of the United States.” •

PLA Chosen as Global Federation of Library Associations and A 1926 Art Deco building at 320 East Libraries Legacy Partner Institutions (IFLA). The partners will 57th Street was Remarque’s New York The Public Library Association (PLA) share a plan for future work in the fall. City home from 1951 until his death is one of three organizations invited by For more information about the in 1970. The author of All Quiet on the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to Global Libraries initiative, visit gates.ly/ the Western Front lived there with his continue work on the foundation’s Global 29vD0mB. wife, actress Paulette Goddard. His last Libraries initiative as a legacy partner. novel, Shadows in Paradise, was set in After 20 years and more than $1 bil- Two Literary Landmarks the building. lion invested in public libraries around Dedicated in New York City Doctorow, author of Ragtime, World’s the world, the Gates Foundation has On June 18 United for Libraries, in part- Fair, and Homer and Langley, lived at ended its work as a global library advisor, nership with the Empire State Center 333 East 57th Street from 2000 until his collaborator, and funder. As a legacy for the Book, dedicated two new Liter- death in 2015. partner, PLA will receive a $10 million ary Landmarks on the same New York The Literary Landmark program is grant over 10 years to scale up its pro- City block. administered by United for Libraries. grams and build the capacity of library The dedications on the 300 block of More than 150 Literary Landmarks professionals. East 57th Street recognized two apart- across the US have been dedicated since Other partner organizations include ment buildings that were the homes of the program began in 1986. Any library the Technology and Social Change Group authors Erich Maria Remarque and E. L. or group may apply for Literary Land- at the University of Washington’s Infor- Doctorow. They are the 18th and 19th mark status. For more information, visit mation School and the International literary landmarks in New York State. bit.ly/1mfoEug.

8 July/August 2016 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org SEPT. National Library Card Sign-Up Month ALA Lauds FOIA Law Signing ala.org/librarycardsignup LA has applauded President to Congress’ bipartisan efforts and SEPT. 23–24 Barack Obama’s June 30 the president’s support,” said ALA Gaming As Meaningful Education | Rochester, New York signing of the Freedom of President Julie B. Todaro in a July 1 A ala.org/aasl/game Information Act (FOIA) Improvement statement. Act into law. “The new law is a win-win for the SEPT. 25–OCT. 1 The bill will improve public access public and the library community,” Banned Books Week ala.org/bbooks to government documents by codi- Todaro said. “Not only will it improve fying the “presumption of openness” government transparency by open- SEPT. 28 declared by Obama in his FOIA ing the window on the workings of Banned Websites Awareness Day memo during his first week in office our government wider, but the law ala.org/aasl/bwad and will strengthen the US Office of also will advance librarians’ efforts in Government Information Services. making that vital information avail- OCT. 9–15 The FOIA Improvement Act also able to the public. Teen Read Week teenreadweek.ning.com harnesses technology to improve the “Nationwide, libraries are often FOIA process and limits the period of the first places that Americans visit to OCT. 16–22 time that agencies may keep records gain access to government informa- National Friends of of their internal deliberations confi- tion, records, and resources. We look Libraries Week bit.ly/Jnyt77 dential to 25 years. forward to working collaboratively “After nearly a decade of pushing with all government agencies to make NOV. for meaningful reforms to FOIA, ALA more of their records available in sup- Picture Book Month picturebookmonth.com and librarians everywhere are elated port of the public’s fundamental right that they will now become law thanks to know,” she said. • NOV. 4–6 Young Adult Library Services Association Young Adult Services Symposium | Pittsburgh bit.ly/1xOnfhU Libraries Invited to Host Slavery Rebellion Lecture Series NOV. 17–20 Library and Information ALA’s Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Technology Association Outreach Services, the United Nations Forum | Fort Worth, Texas Remember Slavery Programme, Fox forum.lita.org Searchlight Pictures, and BazanED invite NOV. 19 libraries to participate in the nationwide International Games Day lecture series and community-building igd.ala.org initiative “The Birth of a Nation: Slavery, A still from The Birth of a Nation Resistance, and Abolition.” NOV. 30 I Love My Librarian Award The series and initiative were inspired Nations’ International Day for the ceremony | New York by the 2016 film The Birth of a Nation, Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its ilovelibraries.org/lovemylibrarian which depicts the slave rebellion Abolition, observed on August 23. JAN. 20–24 launched by Nat Turner on August 21, Participation entails sponsoring a ALA Midwinter Meeting 1831, and maintained until his capture public event that will feature a local edu- & Exhibits | Atlanta on October 30, 1831. cator or historian who will address the bit.ly/1tYA7Ru Lectures will be conducted August 21– topic of slavery, resistance, and abolition JUNE 22–27 October 30 at libraries across the US in and provide an opportunity for commu- ALA Annual Conference observance of the 185th anniversary nities to engage in a timely and coordi- and Exhibition | Chicago

Photo: Bazan Events Photo: of the rebellion, as well as the United nated national discussion. bit.ly/1tYA7Ru

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | July/August 2016 9 Register at BazanEvents.com to list your library’s event as part of the national initiative. The site also provides Wear Your Expertise with Pride resource materials, including an event planning guide, a sample press release, a ibraries are discussion guide for The Birth of a Nation, transforming …. photographs, and video assets. Lbecause of you! Showcase your New Workshop Teaches How to expertise with a reus- Deal with Difficult Patrons able Libraries Transform ALA Editions is hosting a workshop to “I’m an Expert in ...” teach library employees how to deal with badge. The 3" x 2 ¾" difficult patrons. Whether it’s a trouble- vinyl badge (modeled at some group of teenagers, a loud patron, right by consultant and or an angry or dangerous person, dealing former ALA Emerging with someone unpleasant is common for Leader Deana Green- staff in libraries of all sizes and types. field) has a window In “Dealing with Difficult Patrons,” insert that you can cus- library safety and security expert Steve tomize and wear to let Albrecht will instruct how to deal with patrons and colleagues these problem patrons effectively, effi- know your specialities ciently, and without creating major dis- and talents. ruptions in a library environment. Library The badge is avail- employees at all levels will learn strategies able at the ALA Store for dealing with such patrons and effec- (bit.ly/29PNU8q). tively defusing challenging situations. Learn more about The workshop will last 90 minutes the Libraries Transform and will take place on September 7. For public awareness and workshop times and to register, visit advocacy campaign at bit.ly/29ow8qo. librariestrans​form.org. • Nominations Open for IFLA Section Committees The ALA International Relations unit directly for information on their pro- their libraries and meet the needs of their Committee is seeking nominations to cess for nomination. Details on the ALA communities. Institute attendees will section standing committees of IFLA. nomination and selection process can be engage online before the in-person train- The selected representatives will serve found at bit.ly/28QqgYJ. ing in Washington, D.C., October 5–7. 2017–2021. Class size is limited, and interested public All ALA members are eligible to seek New PLA Institute Teaches the library staff must fill out an online appli- nomination to an IFLA standing com- Art of Successful Planning cation for consideration. Applications mittee. Nominees should be experts in PLA is conducting a three-month insti- will remain open through August 5. the field covered by the section standing tute on planning that blends intensive Registration is $800 for PLA members, committee and are expected to attend in-person training with three months $900 for ALA members, and $950 for committee meetings without cost to IFLA of personalized online learning. Run- nonmembers. For more information and or to ALA. ning September–November 2016, the to fill out an application, visit ala.org/ Individuals can serve on only one Dynamic Planning Institute will cover pla/education/dynamicplanning.

IFLA committee at a time. Candidates best practices in strategic planning and Libraries American can serve on a committee for up to two project management with a focus on South Carolina Library to Host consecutive four-year terms. If you wish simple, low-cost measures. Jacqueline Woodson Lecture to be nominated by the representative Participants will learn to engage staff The South Carolina State Library in unit within ALA that is aligned to the and community members to create a stra- Columbia will host the 2017 May Hill

chosen IFLA section, please contact the tegic, actionable plan that will empower Arbuthnot Honor Lecture by author Lomax/ Rebecca Photo:

10 July/August 2016 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org Jacqueline Woodson. The lecture will be P MLA held in spring 2017. Publications of the Modern Language Association of America Woodson is author of the National Book Award–winning memoir Brown Girl The leading journal in literary studies for more than Dreaming, which also won an NAACP a century, PMLA reaches over 26,000 subscribers and Image Award, a Coretta Scott King Author Award, a Newbery Honor, and a about 1,800 libraries—the largest circulation of any Sibert Honor. scholarly journal in the humanities. The lecture celebrates May Hill Arbuth- not (1884–1969), an educator, editor, writer, and critic who served as a strong PMLA Is Online voice for children’s literature. Each year PMLA is available from a lecturer is chosen to prepare a paper all major subscription relevant to the field of children’s litera- services. Library ture. The paper is delivered as a lecture subscribers receive current each spring and published in Children and Libraries, the journal of the Association issues electronically (in for Library Service to Children (ALSC). PDF) and may choose The lecture is funded by the May Hill to receive them in print Arbuthnot Lecture Endowment and as well; 2016 subscribers administered by ALSC. will also receive all issues To learn more about Jacqueline Wood- from 2002 to the present son’s lecture, visit bit.ly/29CHXOF. www.mlajournals.org in electronic form. (An Six University Students electronic archive of PMLA issues from 1884 to 2010 is Awarded ALSC Scholarships available through JSTOR.) ALSC has awarded six scholarships of $7,500 for the 2016–2017 academic year. Upcoming Special Issue ALSC provides the Bound to Stay OCTOBER 2016 Bound Books and Frederic G. Melcher scholarships annually to help advance Literature in the World: reflections the profession of children’s librarianship. on the diversity of dominant and Recipients must complete academic work less-taught languages and of their at an ALA-accredited institution and are spheres of use. expected to accept positions after grad- uation in the field of library service to Value Pricing children for at least one year. A subscription to the electronic Recipients of the Bound to Stay Bound Books Scholarship are Luz Maria Flores format is $190 and to the print and (University of Maryland); Marissa electronic formats is $210 (domestic Guidara (Valdosta State University); and Canadian) or $240 (foreign). Heather Renee Harden (East Carolina University); and Amanda Nicole Neace Free Trial Subscription (University of Kentucky). For a free trial subscription to the electronic version Winners of the Frederic G. Melcher Scholarship are Amanda Vanessa of PMLA, or for more information, please write or call Lopez (University of Illinois at Urbana- Library Subscriptions, Modern Language Association, Champaign) and Krystal Reneé Smith 85 Broad Street, suite 500, New York, NY 10004-2434; (Texas Woman’s University). [email protected]; phone 646 576-5166; fax 646 576-5160. To learn more about the scholarships and the 2016 winners, visit bit.ly/ All prices subject to change. 29w6HFi.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | July/August 2016 11 ethic of literacy. Rap music became Michael Eric Dyson a sphere within which he began to articulate his views of the world. Social commentator sees culture as an entry to literacy Has hip-hop changed during eight years of the Obama eorgetown University professor Michael Eric Dyson is one of today’s most administration? In some ways significant social commentators, provoking wide and engaged discussion on it has. The social critique has been Gcontroversial issues such as religion, gender studies, and racial profiling. Before mitigated a bit because “the man” his Opening General Session address at the 2016 ALA Annual Conference in Orlando, was no longer a white man. And Florida, he spoke to American Libraries about the role of libraries in his life and how yet, during his presidency, Black librarians can engage young people of color. Lives Matter has occurred, police brutality has occurred, and so you’ve seen some resurgence of You grew up in the inner city How did the library help socially conscientious music. Even of Detroit. How did you dis- to shape your experiences under the first black presidency cover literature? My mother growing up? I knew that in the there is a need to have literature was and is an extremely literate volumes and stacks of the Detroit and literacies that address the exis- woman who read voraciously, and Public Library I could ingest and tential, moral, political, and social I picked up that habit from her. My inhale and imbibe all that knowl- crises that this country faces. Sunday school teachers encouraged edge. Librarians were extremely literacy by recitation of set pieces. important as well, pointing me the In your book The Black Presi- My 5th-grade teacher, Mrs. James, right way, providing me a womb dency, you praised Obama as really jump-started my deep and of literacy in which I could gestate an exceptional president. Has abiding love for public recitation for a while until I went clothed into his strategy changed during of poetry, for learning as much as I the world with the knowledge that his last year? In one sense it’s could about black history, and for those libraries brought. The ­libraries changed for the better. He’s finally delving deeply into the ocean of I frequented were not simply places listened to some of the principled knowledge presented in libraries. where people read books; they criticism that has been launched were community centers. They at him, because police brutality is were like churches of literacy, occu- undeniable—smartphones are cap- pying spaces in communities that turing black people, Latino people, gave us a sense of who we were. and poor people being abused. Eric Holder, the first black attorney gen- What are some things eral, had laid out [this] necessity librarians can do to get years before Obama, but the Obama young people of color administration caught up and the engaged in learning about president has begun to address this. their history and culture? I But there are still problems. He goes think you should meet kids where to Newtown and addresses families they are, allow them to read and in the immediate aftermath of the understand what literacy is about, mass murder there, by a young and then transition into other man living with his single mother. forms of literature. Rap lyrics are And yet he had to be prodded, a way to draw people in and teach even cajoled to come to Chicago, them about enjambment, internal where disproportionate numbers rhymes, and iambic pentameter. of African-American people live, Look at Jay Z’s quest for literacy suffer, bleed, and die at the hands and the teachers who were present of people who wield urban carnage. in his life, and look at the social The president rushed to [the site obstacles that prevented the flour- of] Hurricane Sandy but had to be

ishing of the kind of traditional forced to come to Flint, Michigan. Nina Subin Photo:

12 From the 2016 ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, Florida

“You continue to do what you do— underpaid, overstressed, ain’t got enough vacation time. People don’t appreciate what you do, but I do. I love you! I am who I am because you made me who I am! Thank you, libraries! Thank you, librarians!”

MICHAEL ERIC DYSON at the Opening General Session.

“Librarians are keepers of the portals to other worlds. That’s a superpower you need to recognize.”

MAYA PENN (PICTURED), teen entrepreneur, author, and activist.

“I always thought of the library as my true home. [It was] a place with markers, like the children’s and adult sections, but no boundaries.”

VIET THANH NGUYEN, winner of the 2016 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction for The Sympathizer, speaking about the San José (Calif.) Public Library.

“There simply has to be a better way “[T]he most helpful aspect of the library this to shore up the county’s budget hits past semester was not just the unlimited rather than slashing branch libraries supply of books and articles, but the people into nonexistence. They’re more than who worked in reference and assisted me in just books—they’re films, games, my searches. They were incredibly patient with meeting places, internet access me as I sometimes struggled with the web page where books and articles are ordered, points, and things for kids to do. No leading them to often offer to order things for libraries means no storytimes. It me, when I (quite frequently) got miserably means no programs like ‘marshmallow caught up with the technology. They seemed engineering’ at Encampment’s branch. to be actually interested in what I was writing It means no internet access for Norma and supportive when I took my research in a Coranado’s mother, who posted to our new, sometimes tangential direction. Thanks Facebook saying that while she didn’t to them, and to OhioLink, I hardly noticed that live in the community, Mom did. And I was working out of a small library housed in Mom doesn’t have a computer and a small college located just miles outside of needs that access.” Cleveland, Ohio.”

Newspaper editor CHAD ABSHIRE, in “Closing Libraries Is Blogger ROSEMARIE EMANUELE, in “Math Geek Mom: In Celebra-

Photo: Cognotes Photo: a Waste,” Rawlins (Wyo.) Daily Times, June 18. tion of Libraries,” Mama PhD, June 23.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | July/August 2016 13 WRAP-UP | 2016 ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition

A N N U A LL RETURNS TO ORLANDO Librarians tackle inclusion, technology, and funding

BY Greg Landgraf

ore than 16,000 people President Sari Feldman and the Gay, Les- and a memorial event with an appear- attended the American Library bian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round ance by US Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) was M Association’s (ALA) Annual Table both released statements leading held Saturday morning. Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, up to the conference about how members Against this backdrop, professor and Florida, to celebrate the work of libraries could support victims and their families political commentator Michael Eric and librarians, discuss issues of impor- and ensure their libraries are safe spaces Dyson addressed the timely and critical tance to the profession, and engage in for all (resources are available at 2016​ interconnectivity of hate, terror, religion, education and networking opportunities. .alaannual.org/orlando-relief-activities), and education at the Opening General The recent shooting at the Pulse Session. nightclub in Orlando was much on the Videos available at youtube.com/ “Here we are in Orlando, where we

minds of members and speakers. ALA AmLibraryAssociation/videos couldn’t even admit that one of the most Cognotes Photos:

14 July/August 2016 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org powerful forms of hate in the modern show For Peete’s Sake on OWN, I wanted Children’s world has to do with somebody’s sexual to show that you can do reality TV for author Avi spoke orientation,” he said. “We would rather good,” she said. “We didn’t see anybody at the American Asso- it be ISIS than us.” (Read our interview else talking about autism, so we knew ciation of School with Dyson on page 12.) we had to.” Peete was joined on stage by Librarians (AASL) Teen author and transgender rights 18-year-old RJ and his twin sister Ryan to President’s Program activist Jazz Jennings declared that answer questions about their new book, about his childhood with “education and visibility are the most Same But Different: Teen Life on the Autism dysgraphia, a learning disorder important things” to countering a climate Express (Scholastic Press, February). characterized by poor handwrit- of ignorance and intolerance. “I’m not Teen entrepreneur Maya Penn’s Audito- ing, spelling, and grammar. He going to stop sharing my story until it’s rium Speaker Series presentation shared was criticized constantly for no longer needed because we’ve come to how the library shaped both her education these things, even though he was a place where everyone is accepting.” and her business. Penn has always been never told about the condition. A tutor She encouraged those who are strug- homeschooled, so she goes to the library he had at age 16, however, read his sto- gling with their identity—or anyone who regularly for learning, but she also uses ries and told him he was an interesting feels different or alone—to find their the library as a resource for marketing, person and better writing would let other tribe, and remarked that there are people branding, and dealing with customers. people know that, which changed his who can help even if families are not sup- Author Margaret Atwood spoke of her motivation for writing. portive. “I look for those educators who relationship to Shakespeare, a nod to He also offered advice to aspiring are open and accepting,” Jennings said. “I her upcoming novel Hag-Seed (Hogarth authors. “Writers have an obligation to think one of the most important resources Press, October), which reimagines The do three things: Write as well as you can, is the love and support of a person.” Tempest in modern times. “People have be honest, and hold out a vision of life been redoing Shakespeare for a long that is both a challenge and an achieve- LOVE FOR LIBRARIES time, often with odd results, and I too ment,” he said. “A good children’s book The conference featured a slate of celeb- have redone Shakespeare, also with odd is a book of promises, and promises are rity speakers who expressed admiration results,” she said. meant to be kept.” for the services that libraries and librarians She also noted that she enjoys writing Actress Jamie Lee Curtis’s Closing provide and the impact librarians have unpleasant characters, observing that General Session talk was full of defer- had on their work and lives. Shakespeare took as much joy in creat- ential praise for librarians. “You are the Author and television host Brad Melt- ing Iago as Imogen. “People who object gatekeepers; the keepers of the keys of zer discussed legacy at his Auditorium to works of literature because people in education and words, and you’ve let me Speaker Series presentation. “If you them are not people you would want to in the gate,” she said. She spoke about figure out who’s going to remember you, marry or have as a roommate are missing her struggles in school as a child and you’ll know how you’ll be remembered,” the point,” she announced. how they have driven her to learn more he said. “The things you do for other people: That’s your legacy.” Four broad categories of people influ- ence your life, he observed: family; teach- ers, mentors, and friends; community; and strangers. “I had my life changed by a librarian,” he said, even though he never knew her name. That unnamed librarian welcomed him into a library in Brooklyn, New York, gestured to the kids section, and said, “These books are yours.” Reminiscent of Sonia Manzano’s Audi- torium Speaker Series presentation last year, actress and author Holly Robinson Peete spoke to her history with Sesame Street: Her father, Matt Robinson, origi- nated the role of Gordon. “My dad is my inspiration for everything, especially for writing books,” Peete said. Conference participants wore rainbow ribbons to honor those who died in the Pulse nightclub shooting Also inspiring her work was her son in Orlando, Florida, and to represent the library profession’s commitment to supporting communities, RJ’s autism diagnosis. “With the reality social justice, and abolishing intolerance.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | July/August 2016 15 WRAP-UP | 2016 ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition

Passes School Library Resolutions, Defers GunCouncil Violence Resolution for More Discussion

hree Committee on Legislation res- for people who are blind, visually Naomi Kietzke Young, Orvin Lee Shiflet, olutions related to school libraries ­impaired, or otherwise print disabled. Richard Sweeney, Dolores Bullock Owen, passed. These resolutions expressed ■■ CD#18.2 on restoring the United Trudy Seidel Jaques, Larry Romans, Tappreciation for congressional champi- Nations Depository Library System. Charles Weld Robinson, and the victims ons of school libraries and librarians in ■■ CD#44 calling for libraries to build of the Pulse nightclub shooting. Tributes the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) more inclusive communities. were passed honoring the 25th anni- (CD#20.5), called for equity for school ■■ CD#39 supporting professional catalog- versaries of the Video Round Table and libraries in ESSA rules (CD#20.6), and ing processing and determinations of the Mortenson Center for International called for equity in all school libraries the Library of Congress. Library Programs at the University of (CD#20.7). Council received reports from Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and thank- Intellectual Freedom Committee the Intellectual Freedom Committee ing Mary Alice Baish for her service as (IFC) Chair Pamela R. Klipsch asked (CD#19.3–19.8), Committee on Legisla- the 30th Government Publishing Office Council to defer a resolution (CD#45) tion (CD#46), Conference Accessibility superintendent of documents. on gun violence affecting libraries, Task Force (CD#37), Policy Monitoring After Council II, all councilors met in library workers, and library patrons, Committee (CD#17.1), and the Freedom the convention center’s lobby for a group saying that IFC and the Committee on to Read Foundation (CD#22.1). It read photo (below) to mark ALA’s 140th Legislation unanimously agreed that it memorials for Ned Vizzini, John Ganly, anniversary. would benefit from further revision and discussion after Annual. After significant discussion, Council voted to defer the resolution. Council also deferred a reso- lution on the Deaf Culture Digital Library to Midwinter 2017 to allow appropriate research to be conducted. Council approved a FY2017 budgetary ceiling of $65,403,215 (CD#13.3). Other resolutions approved by Council include: ■■ CD#19.9, on Religion in America: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights. ■■ CD#20.4, requesting immediate rat- ification of the Marrakesh Treaty to facilitate access to published works

in adulthood and to become a children’s own possessions would be so meaningful language may allow schools to share that book author. that they would have to take them on a data with commercial vendors not subject Her latest book, This Is Me: A Story of similar journey. to the 1974 Family Educational Rights Who We Are and Where We Came From and Privacy Act restrictions. (Workman Publishing, September), TALKING TECHNOLOGY Speaking at the “Student Privacy: reframes the immigrant and transient Technology has radically changed stu- The Big Picture on Big Data” session experience to allow children to perceive dent records, adding metadata about sponsored by the Office of Government it as an adventure of discovery and intro- login times, social interactions, and Relations and the Office for Intellectual spection. In the book, a teacher tells of even financial information. “That might Freedom, Zeide suggested librarians be her great-grandmother who emigrated be nice for adding to well-intentioned mindful in adopting new technology from her home country carrying only a educational resources,” said New York and noted that they can put pressure small suitcase holding a few belongings. University Information Law Institute on companies to rein in their data The teacher asks the class which of their Research Fellow Elana Zeide, but contract practices. “You have the power of the ​

16 July/August 2016 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org ­pocketbook. You must require them to of Madison (Wis.) Public Library’s Bub- meet your standards of privacy,” she said. bler makerspace, warned against paying The Association for Library Collec- in “exposure,” arguing that if the library tions and Technical Services hosted a doesn’t have funds, it can offer connec- session on the Government Publishing tions with the community in a new way Office’s Federal Information Preserva- or a free space for projects or exhibits. tion Network (FIPNet) effort to preserve A Library and Information Technol- government information in both tan- ogy Association panel on challenges gible and digital formats. The effort, for women in technology leadership which launched in 2015, welcomes all featured six speakers from the informa- interested libraries. While many tion technology field. Karen Estlund, From left: Elizabeth “Lisa” Esposito from Hun- people expect the Library of associate dean for technology tington Station, New York, and Dee Ann Redman Congress (LC) to hold and digital strategies at Penn from Billings, Montana, take a closer look at a everything ever cre- State University Libraries, model planet with “telescopes” during the “Stel- lar Hands-On STEM Learning Resources” session. ated by the federal recommended several government, almost mentoring practices, any library collection such as using only last has “materials that names to refer to inter- are not held by LC, view candidates, making which is why there is sure ideas are attributed a shared responsibility to the women who voice among federal and other them, and offering training libraries” to maintain a dis- about microaggressions. tributed, accessible collection, Challenging the status quo is a said Jeanne Drewes, LC’s chief of binding valuable practice, noted Brandy McNeil, and collections care. associate director of technology edu- Tasks of the FIPNet partners will cation and training at New York Public Author and television host Brad Meltzer include cataloging and creating meta- Library. “The biggest thing I did for data, digitizing and converting content, myself was not be afraid,” she said. harvesting web content, hosting digital Panelists in a Reference and User content, storing physical copies, assessing Services Association session argued condition, and conserving and preserv- in favor of a data-informed approach ing endangered materials. As important to readers’ advisory. “We need to do it as technology is, several sessions made in a thoughtful way, not a numerical clear that human factors are critical to way,” said Barry Trott, special projects technology implementations. Effective director at Williamsburg (Va.) Regional makerspaces depend more on people Library. He shared how his library uses and relationships than technology—that a comprehensive intake form to ask was the message from a Friday panel patrons looking for reading recommen- and brainstorming discussion. Heather dations the tone, mood, and style they’re Peter Struzziero, director of Belmont (Mass.) Public Library, goes nose-to-nose with Papa Bear Moorefield-Lang, assistant professor at interested in reading. The library has from The Berenstain Bears in the HarperCollins the University of South Carolina School used this information to shape marketing booth in the exhibit hall. of Library and Information Science, and collection building, improve staff observed that while 3D printers are training, and inspire programming. cool, they’re also slow and expensive, Cindy Orr, digital collection advisor at and libraries may be able to invest more OverDrive, said that “it’s incumbent on us wisely in smaller projects. She shared to become more expert than our readers” her research, which has shown a trend by using analytics and distant reading, in away from broadly focused makerspaces which computers and data discover pat- toward themed spaces focusing on fash- terns across text. “Even if you don’t have ion, gardening, or engineering topics. the expertise, Big Data is really hot right The panel suggested finding expertise now,” she said. “There are a lot of uni- from the community, rather than confin- versity students studying it, and maybe ing programming to what the library staff you can form a partnership—they would Several first-time attendees pause for a photo knows. However, Trent Miller, manager probably love a real case study.” during an orientation tour of the conference.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | July/August 2016 17 WRAP-UP | 2016 ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition

Attendees gather at the exhibit hall entrance for the Opening Reception on Friday afternoon. Diane Guerrero, actress and immigration reform advocate, at the ALA President’s Program

EMBRACING DIVERSITY program spread ideas for programming at the library for children with autism Making services accessible and useful to for diverse teens, although step one is spectrum disorder. all people is one of librarianship’s core to involve those teens in the decision Lisa Kropp, assistant director of Lin- missions, and many sessions at Annual making. “It’s good to give them a voice,” denhurst (N.Y.) Memorial Library, deliv- Conference gave guidance to help said Desiree Alexander, instructional ered an Association for Library Service to librarians effectively fulfill this promise. technology supervisor at Caddo Parish Children program on serving tweens in For example, an Office for Diversity, Lit- Public Schools in Shreveport, Louisiana. the library. Giving this audience a sense eracy, and Outreach Services program “I tell them, ‘It is your job to bring people of ownership over their spaces is an highlighted services to incarcerated and in—invite your friends.’ And if it’s not important factor. “You’re going to lug out newly released adults and their families. cool enough for your friends to come to the furniture the way you want it, and Providing these services can be chal- it, then maybe it’s not cool enough to the second you have two kids up there, lenging because of restrictive rules at have it.” they’re going to move it, and that’s got to corrections facilities, lack of budget and YALSA President Candice Mack’s pro- be okay,” she said. staffing, and staff burnout. gram featured six speakers discussing She made program suggestions as well, During a two-year residency at Los successes they’ve had creating inclusive ranging from STEM challenges to laser Angeles Public Library (LAPL), Jacquie and impactful teen programs. Speakers tag, and noted that novelty is always Welsh developed the Pathways program, included Marian Mays, youth services welcome. “If you have programs that are which focused on digital skills and family librarian at the Washington Talking Book not the norm, that’s going to be golden.” reunification for people who had been and Braille Library in Seattle, who used An internationally focused program incarcerated. The program helped to a Teen Tech Week grant to purchase hosted by the Social Responsibilities provide library cards, books specific to Braille board games and playing cards, Round Table and Libraries and Archivists reentry, and brochures and explanations tactile games, and audio games; Court- with Palestine featured Randa Kamal, of resources tailored to recently released ney Saldana, youth services supervising director of the library at Al-Quds Uni- people. The program doesn’t exist in the librarian at the Ovitt Family Community versity in Jerusalem, and Diana Sayej- same form as when it started, but LAPL is Library in Ontario, California, who cre- Naser, director of the library at Birzeit working with the May- ated the Skills for Teen Parents program University near Ramallah, speaking or’s Office of Reentry to help teach teen mothers practical about challenges faced by Palestinian to continue services to skills like performing CPR, evaluating a libraries. For example, books or journals this population. day care, or dressing for a job interview; that “discuss Palestinian culture or the A Young and Renee McGrath, manager of youth Israeli-Arab conflict are prohibited” by Adult Library services at Nassau County (N.Y.) Library, Israeli occupation forces, Kamal said, Services Asso- who worked with local theater groups to as are advanced forms of information ciation (YALSA) produce sensory-friendly performances technology.

18 July/August 2016 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org US Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) Jamie Lee Curtis, actress and children’s book author

Additionally, Sayej-Naser said, “There tured financial options for libraries, by However, state and local officials need are no library schools available to us, no highlighting either specific programs to be educated about library issues, so training courses, and there is a language that provide grants to libraries or strat- librarians should be prepared to tell them barrier.” The Palestinian Library and egies to ensure healthy funding from about the work libraries do. For example, Information Consortium, for which she library communities. said ALA Washington Office Director also serves as coordinator, is focusing on An AASL program emphasized how Emily Sheketoff, “Nobody works with chil- establishing academic libraries as educa- the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) dren before age 5 better than the library.” tional centers and developing the profes- offers opportunities for public, school, ESSA has been signed into law, but sional status of librarians. and academic libraries to collaborate. no appropriations have been made yet. The Literacy Education for All, Results ALA has submitted comments to the US FUNDING POSSIBILITIES for the Nation (LEARN) Act within ESSA Department of Education throughout Budgets are a perpetual concern for specifically lists public and school libraries the legislative process. The Washington libraries. A number of programs fea- as entities eligible for ESSA block grants. Office offers talking points that librarians

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americanlibrariesmagazine.org | July/August 2016 19 WRAP-UP | 2016 ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition

can use and expand upon (ala.org/ United for Libraries presentation and BREAKING NEW GROUND advocacy/advleg/federallegislation/ panel discussion. Kate Park, executive The Sustainability Round Table (Sus- eduleg/schoollibraries/esea). “Nothing director of Friends of the Dallas Public tainRT) hosted a panel discussion is more compelling than a good story, Library, shared how the community’s 23 on how libraries can serve as change except a good story that’s married to passionate but fractured Friends groups agents to promote sustainability within good data,” Sheketoff said. unified in the face of postrecession their communities. Raymond Pun, first- A Washington Office session on the budget cuts. Park and United for Libraries year student success librarian at Califor- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Executive Director Sally Gardner Reed nia State University, Fresno, incorporates Act discussed how public libraries are heard from hundreds of the library’s most campus sustainability as an embedded eligible for a share of $1.5 billion in fed- passionate advocates to determine the librarian for STEM courses. “My role is eral spending on career information and talking points they needed to present to to do workshops for 150 students and to assistance for job seekers and employers. the city council. make it interesting,” he said. Typically “Knowledge of technology is mandatory “We got everyone on message,” Park that incorporates research problems that for most jobs,” said Mimi Coenen, chief said. “Because we went through the simultaneously teach data literacy while operating officer for the nonprofit Career- process together, we had a unified voice, solving real problems, such as “Is air Source in central Florida. “Libraries can and we were able to listen and unlock quality better during winter or spring?” help with tech training, especially since the library’s potential.” Then, when it or “Which kind of tree is most beneficial there are many public libraries in central became clear that city council members to campus?” Florida but only six career centers.” weren’t familiar with libraries in their Another SustainRT presentation, by Stephen Parker, legislative director of districts, the Friends started an edu- Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, coordinator for the Education and Workforce Committee cation campaign that included taking library sustainability at the Mid-Hudson for the National Governors Association, elected officials on tours of the branch Library System in Poughkeepsie, New added that public librarians can “make a libraries; presenting peer-city research; York, and Matthew Bollerman, director good case to governors, state educational and analyzing population, spending, and of Hauppauge (N.Y.) Public Library, agencies, and local school boards” about employee hours. focused on the triple bottom line of why they should be partnering with state The campaign was successful. “In sustainability—making decisions that employment agencies. 2016, we are in a place where we’re not are environmentally sound, econom- The need for libraries to listen to afraid the library’s budget will be devas- ically feasible, and socially equitable. their communities was the focus of a tated,” Park said. One key concept, Aldrich said, is the

20 July/August 2016 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org idea that “local supports local.” That’s a sweet spot for libraries, since librar- Coverage Online ies know their communities and can customize services to fit them—or can More ask community members what they need or more coverage of Annual Conference, including topics such and create allies and increase trust at the as programming, library design, user experience, and the 2016 same time. Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction, visit Three librarians at the University Famericanlibrariesmagazine.org/tag/alaac16. of Virginia (UVA) in Charlottesville Be sure to listen to our Annual Conference–themed Dewey Decibel podcast described their Book Traces project, episode beginning July 25 at soundcloud.com/dewey-decibel-703453552. an effort to discover interesting and valuable modifications and marginalia in UVA’s Alderman Library collection of most likely to contain marginalia. Gradu- “We are negotiating all of our lives, and books published before 1923. For exam- ate students identified marked books on we may not even think of it as such,” ple, a copy of Selections from the Prose the shelves. The library developed a form he said, encouraging the audience to Writings of Matthew Arnold (1897) that that students could fill out that, in con- turn the process from confrontation into once belonged to former UVA President junction with the book’s barcode, could cooperation. (and library namesake) Edwin Alder- transfer metadata into the ILS, although He also recommended a process he man, contained annotations that “offer a some items did require more granularity. called “going to the balcony”—finding striking window into Alderman’s mind,” The Library Leadership and Manage- a place of self-control to relax, think, said Arts and Humanities Director Chris- ment Association President’s Program and determine the action that will best tine Ruotolo. featured William Ury, cofounder of Har- advance your interests. The library has 180,000 volumes pub- vard’s Program on Negotiation, speaking Laurie D. Borman, Amy Carlton, Terra Dan- lished before 1923, so it started with a about the importance of negotiating kowski, George M. Eberhart, Phil Morehart, statistical sampling to determine that reli- skills, particularly with internal audiences Meredith Myers, and Kara Pauley contributed gion and literature were the subject areas like colleagues and family members. to this report.

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americanlibrariesmagazine.org | July/August 2016 21 H O T VENUE, HIGH t E C A cornucopia of products H in the ALA exhibit hall

BY Marshall Breeding

he exhibit hall of the American Library Association (ALA) 2016 STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE Annual Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, Florida, offered In the case of strategic library systems, the attendees a chance to see the latest in an incredible range of booths on the exhibit floor paralleled the T consolidation that has reshaped the indus- technology products and services. Technology pervades almost all aspects try. Key technology products are increas- of libraries—both in their behind-the-scenes work and in the services ingly offered by top-level companies, they provide. The annual conference assembles the largest exhibition of each shaping a strategy based on distinct library vendors globally, providing a unique opportunity to investigate the combinations of content, technology, and metadata services. full range of technologies oriented to libraries. Although the Ex Libris Group brand Though turnout was a bit lighter than usual (16,597 total attendance), remains prominent, its booth adjoined many exhibitors mentioned that traffic was brisk. Vendors appreciated that of ProQuest, reflecting that company’s the opportunity to engage with current and potential library custom- December 2015 acquisition of Ex Libris. The technology products from both orga- ers. Consistent with the consolidation of the industry, there were fewer nizations fall under the Ex Libris brand, booths, and many vendors showed off an ever-expanding portfolio of with Alma as the flagship leading a fleet gadgets and devices. of related products—such as Leganto, Technology products spanned many levels. Resource-management its reading list management tool. On the discovery service front, Primo (developed systems and discovery services represent some of the larger investments by Ex Libris) and Summon from ProQuest for libraries, supporting key activities related to collections and services. both continue to be promoted, though Other technologies enhance in-library services, such as self-service consolidation of their discovery indexes kiosks. This year, products related to makerspaces had a strong presence. and knowledge bases is under way. Ex Libris also came to the conference The sheer quantity of vendors and products on display in the exhibits with an early look at a new mobile app defies a comprehensive treatment; the following highlights will sum for Alma that is oriented to tasks better them up for anyone who was unable to attend the conference or cover the performed untethered to a service desk entire exhibit hall. or staff workstation. Touting its open

22 July/August 2016 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org Products related to makerspaces, like these from TeacherGeek, had a strong presence this year.

qualities, the company announced that announcement of the initiative, including Follett focuses its technology products Alma now routinely receives more than its vision, status, and stakeholders, was and services primarily on the PreK–12 1 million transactions via its application made at the conference. arena. The conference came on the heels programming interfaces (APIs). On the This initiative now has a name: FOLIO of its April acquisition of Baker & Taylor, ProQuest side, the new Ebook Central (The Future of Libraries Is Open). It brings one of the mainstay providers of content platform has been deployed to unify its together a variety of entities, including resources to libraries. Baker & Taylor previously separate ebook offerings. Pro- Index Data, an open source firm com- exhibited separately with no conspicuous Quest announced its acquisition of Alex- missioned to develop the underlying Follett branding. It will be interesting to ander Street at the conference, adding its microservices-based infrastructure, and see to what extent these businesses inte- vast collections of video and multimedia the Open Library Environment (formerly grate by the time of the 2017 ALA Annual content to the company portfolio. Kuali OLE), a group of libraries engaged Conference. The B&T Axis 360 platform EBSCO Information Services featured its in the development and adoption of open supports ebook lending, a service of ever- broad offerings of content and technology. source library software. EBSCO has com- increasing interest in public libraries. Key products include EBSCO Discovery mitted substantial financial resources Gale, a business unit of Cengage Learn- Services (EDS), Full Text Finder, Hold- to the project and promoted it in many ing, maintained a conspicuous conference ings and Link Manager, and Apps and meetings and venues. EBSCO represen- presence as one of the largest exhibitors Cloud Services. EDS ranks as the most tatives touted FOLIO as an alternative to and the sponsor of the shuttle buses. widely implemented of the index-based the current slate of resource-management While its content products fall outside the discovery services, supplementing the products that fall short of the company’s scope of this report, Gale made several company’s offerings of databases and vision of a more competitive landscape. tech announcements, such as the integra- content products. But the loudest EBSCO While still in its infancy, FOLIO is gaining tion of Microsoft Office 365 with its prod- buzz was heard outside the exhibit hall. attention with the full backing of one of ucts. The company recently introduced The recently formed initiative to create a the major forces in the industry. Gale Researcher, designed to ease stu- new open source library services platform Follett, another of the top-tier library dents into college-level work by connect- (LSP) that EBSCO has helped launch gen- companies, had a lower profile at this ing them with citable content resources, erated many conversations. Details of the conference, presenting its Destiny family including items provided by instructors. project were given in my April 22 Amer- of resource-management tools, as well as In support of digital humanities, Gale has

Photos: CogNotes Photos: ican Libraries online feature. The formal its content offerings and integration tools. released a variety of tools that open data

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | July/August 2016 23 EXHIBITS | 2016 ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition

and metadata for research and analysis, providing a hosted and supported environ- ment for institutions that may lack local digital humanities infrastructure. OCLC always brings a large cadre of experts to discuss its diverse array of prod- ucts and services. This year marks the fifth anniversary of WorldShare Management Services (WMS), the organization’s flag- ship LSP, which has now attracted more than 500 libraries across six continents. WMS has become well established as one of the major alternatives for academic libraries and is seeing inroads among public and other types of libraries. All roads at SirsiDynix in recent years lead to BLUEcloud. Positioned as an LSP supporting a hybrid deployment architec- HP showed off its 3D scanner and 3D printer. ture, BLUEcloud enables libraries to shift to modern interfaces and workflows without media management, and integration of improvements in the BiblioCore discovery having to migrate from their existing Sym- other products from its strategic business service for public libraries and its Biblio- phony or Horizon integrated library systems partners. Tech Logic, a wholly owned Web portal, providing a comprehensive (ILS). This suite of web-based products subsidiary of TLC, offers a variety of self- digital presence. supplements, and in some cases replaces, service, sorting, and automated material- aspects of Symphony and Horizon. Though handling equipment and software. OPEN SOURCE ILS making good progress on its BLUEcloud Auto-Graphics discussed the progress Open source technologies could also be development roadmap, the company did on its SHAREit resource-sharing platform, seen throughout the exhibit floor. not make any major announcements. Sirsi- which was recently selected for statewide ByWater Solutions has become estab- Dynix also highlighted its engagement with projects in Indiana and South Dakota. lished as the leading provider of support Zepheira to provide the benefits of linked Despite the increasing demand for inter- and hosting services for the open source data exposure for its customer libraries. library loan and resource sharing, only a Koha ILS. The company has deployed a This conference marks the first since sparse set of products compete within this multitenant hosting environment that the February appointment of James Tall- niche. The company also offers its VERSO enables it to efficiently support its grow- man as the new CEO of Innovative Inter- ILS, popular among smaller libraries and ing base of customers, incorporating tech- faces. The company continues to see strong gaining some acceptance in the midsized nologies such as Elasticsearch and Plack to adoption of Sierra and Polaris, as well as tier. The statewide resource-sharing proj- deliver speedier performance. its Encore Duet package, which integrated ects using SHAREit also open new oppor- Equinox Software, the dominant pro- EBSCO’s EDS. Technical development tunities for VERSO. vider of development and support services includes progress on new web-based inter- Biblionix demonstrated its Apollo ILS, for the Evergreen ILS, featured its Sequoia faces for its staff modules, based on the designed especially for small libraries. hosting services platform. Evergreen was Leap technology developed by Polaris, as LibraryThing is known for its created for large consortia comprising well as a new version of Mobile Worklists. LibraryThing for Libraries service to mostly small-to-midsized public libraries. The Library Corporation (TLC) demon- integrate tags, summaries, cover art, and Equinox also provides services for Koha, strated its diverse line of products and ser- other value-added content into library cat- especially for libraries not within a con- vices for public libraries and schools. Its alogs. This conference saw the debut of its sortium. The company developed and pro- CARL•X ILS targets large urban libraries new TinyCat service, providing a basic cat- vides support services for the FulfILLment and was recently selected by Nashville alog and circulation system for very small consortial borrowing environment. (Tenn.) Public Library to provide a uni- libraries, those with fewer than 10,000 TIND Technologies, a small company fied, collaborative infrastructure with the items in their collections. TinyCat pro- based in Switzerland, demonstrated public school system. Library•Solution vides a clean and straightforward faceted- Invenio, an open source integrated plat- supports midrange public libraries as well discovery interface and makes use of the form based on technology developed at as centralized school districts. The compa- LibraryThing platform for cataloging. CERN. TIND garnered attention when it ny’s offerings extend beyond automation Always focused on user experience, was implemented in the prestigious Cali- to include bibliographic services, social BiblioCommons demonstrated the latest fornia Institute of Technology library.

24 July/August 2016 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org LibLime, a division of Progressive Tech- lined interface to provide discovery and self-service, security, and vending equip- nology Federal Systems (PTFS), presented self-service loans for both physical and dig- ment. For libraries with busy laptop or its Bibliovation platform for management ital items. Bibliotheca also showed its new tablet lending services, D-Tech offers a of print and digital resources with an portal to enable library staff members to self-service unit that stores, charges, and integrated discovery layer. LibLime also manage and access usage data and reports. enables self-service borrowing. continues to support LibLime Koha and New capabilities in cloudLibrary include LibLime Academic Koha. a self-service patron registration module FOSTERING CREATIVITY Media Flex promoted OPALS, an open that allows patrons to begin borrowing Many libraries, eager to explore new source ILS it developed and supports for items even before they visit the library. opportunities to increase engagement schools and other small libraries. The cadre of other vendors offering with their patrons, provide equipment, self-service and automated material han- software, or other tools to foster creativ- DIGITAL LENDING dling equipment suggests that despite the ity. This year the exhibit hall included OverDrive, the dominant provider of digital consolidation of 3M and Bibliotheca, com- a Maker Pavilion, including an interest- lending services for libraries, presented its petition remains strong within this sector. ing variety of products to help libraries latest offerings, including a preview of its A variety of products related to dif- develop their own makerspace or extend new e-reading mobile app, now in beta. ferent aspects of patron self-service the offerings of a creative commons. The app has been reengineered to provide and productivity were on display at the These vendors, focusing on creativity and a much more streamlined process for first- EnvisionWare booth. The company offers engagement on a smaller scale, added an time users, one of the most critical prob- such products as PC Reservation for interesting layer to the mix of technolo- lems with ebook lending. The company also scheduling public computers and LPT:One gies on exhibit. promoted its new circulation and demand for managing printing, as well as a suite HP was present to show off the capa- analysis service, available to customers of self-check, theft control, and sorting bilities of its Sprout Pro, a 3D scanner to at no cost, including a comprehensive set equipment based on RFID technology. capture physical objects, creating digital of reports assessing the performance of a P.V. Supa, known for its self-service, representations that can be incorporated library’s digital collection, benchmarked to automated-return, and sorting equipment, into creative works or reproduced on a peer institutions. Using an alternative busi- also demonstrated a couple of new prod- 3D printer. ness model, Total BooX enables libraries to ucts. One was a set of two- or four-person Visitors to the Raspberry Pi Foundation offer ebooks to their patrons without large workspace modules, called Smartblocks, booth could experience the flexibility up-front costs. A library pays fees based which are available with a variety of light- and power of these tiny and inexpensive on the actual number of pages read by ing and equipment options for meetings computer units, which can power an its patrons from the platform’s catalog of and personal presentations, reminiscent incredible variety of projects, facilitating more than 50,000 titles. The service offers of a restaurant booth and table. Libraries possibilities to move ideas to prototypes reports and controls that enable the library can make the Smartblock units available and into products. to remain within its allocated budget. to patrons for collaborative projects, TeacherGeek demonstrated some of Odilo demonstrated its OdiloTK plat- meetings, or training sessions. Convergent its components and educational kits that form for ebook lending that supports both Library Technologies, which distributes enable learners to design and assemble library-owned content as well as OdiloPL, Smartblock in Canada, was on hand to their own mechanical creations. its catalog of titles from major publishers. help demonstrate the product. P.V. Supa Nonprofit KaBoom! promoted the OdiloCS enables a consortium to develop also highlighted its new Open Library importance of creative play in childhood content libraries that can be selectively package, which enables access to a library development. shared among their member libraries. after normal opening hours, enabling con- This whirlwind tour of technology in trolled access, video surveillance, alarms, the ALA Annual Conference exhibit hall SELF-SERVICE and other components. provides a glimpse of some of the tech Bibliotheca, which acquired 3M Library Displayed at the mk Solutions booth products and services available. It’s more Systems in October 2015, now ranks as were several of its self-check and sorting difficult to convey the expertise embodied the largest global provider of self-service products. The company offers an extensive by the individuals each organization makes technologies and is a major player in ebook portfolio of products, including self-check available at its booths, so many of whom lending with its cloudLibrary platform kiosks, automated return and sorting sys- are librarians. (previously 3M Cloud Library). Featured tems, dispensers for automated lending technologies include a new family of inter- of materials from remote locations, and MARSHALL BREEDING is faces for its in-library self-check and ebook the LibManager console for library staff to an independent consultant, kiosks. This new QuickConnect software monitor and manage their equipment. speaker, and editor of the website Library Technology has seen significant enhancement in recent D-Tech International featured several Guides. months, with new features and a stream- examples from its product lineup of

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | July/August 2016 25 The Purpose- Based LIBRARYLIBRARY Library Finding your path to survival, success, and growth

BY John J. Huber and Steven V. Potter

“The most meaningful ill Gates’s quote should have you, as a member of the library profession, doing backflips. way to differentiate B Librarians are specifically trained to gather, your company from manage, and use information. If we take Gates’s words at face value, libraries should be the most competitive your competitors, the organizations on the planet. Some of you would argue that your library is a non- best way to put distance profit organization and is not competing with anyone. between you and We beg to differ. Every customer has a choice and chooses whether to go to the library website or Goo- the crowd is to do an gle’s search bar, to either engage the library or order outstanding job with materials from Amazon. Amazon would much rather have its customers buy a book than borrow, and Google This is an excerpt information. How you would much rather have information seekers search its from The Purpose- website than seek out a reference or research librarian. Based Library: Finding gather, manage, and There is no question that libraries compete head-to- Your Path to Survival, use information will head with these for-profit businesses. Success, and Growth Libraries are competing against the most successful by John J. Huber determine whether businesses this planet has ever seen, and considering and Steven V. Potter you win or lose.” this competition, libraries have responded admirably. (ALA Editions, 2015). Embracing self-service technology, adopting one-field, deep-web database search engines, expanding ebook —BILL GATES offerings, creating staffless libraries, and streamlining service-delivery chains are a few examples. However, libraries must face the reality that they have an uphill

26 July/August 2016 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org LIBRARYLIBRARY

battle competing with these impressive and highly ■■ Library staff are well educated and motivated to profit-driven companies. Google has for the most part make a difference. won the “surface web” battle, as the role of the refer- ■■ And most important, libraries and their staff have a ence librarian has become a shell of itself. Amazon is powerful, game-changing common purpose. winning the battle for ebooks, primarily because of its To go beyond survival, to succeed and grow, effective user interface, wealth of offerings, and easy-to- libraries must embrace and leverage these competitive use digital delivery platform. Libraries are hanging in advantages. there and competing effectively, but for how long? They are surviving, but survival is not enough—success and The dedicated profession growth have to be a part of libraries’ survival strategies If you are reading this, you have dedicated much of your or they will eventually lose their relevance. life to helping people. It is why you get up in the morn- To successfully compete, libraries must embrace the ing. You go to work because you know you are going to words of Bill Gates. Libraries must gather, use, and make a difference in someone’s life. It may be as simple manage information in a way that large for-profit com- and subtle as preparing a new book for the hold shelf, panies cannot. So the question is: What competitive suggesting a title someone may enjoy, helping someone advantages do libraries have that these organizations sign on to the internet for the first time, making a child do not? Let us count the ways: laugh during story hour, or perhaps even helping some- ■■ Libraries have more locations across the country one find a job. No matter the size of the task, you are than any other organization. making a difference to that individual and, as a result, ■■ Libraries have a personal presence in every commu- to your community as a whole. Let me repeat that: You nity in the country. are making a difference to the community as a whole. ■■ Library staff interact with their customers However, when we perused most library annual face-to-face. reports, we found cold, static numbers: circulation, gate ■■ Library staff are trained and skilled to gather, counts, computer sessions, program hours, and atten-

Illustration: Shutterstock Illustration: archive, and manage information. dance. These numbers are fine and important to track,

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | July/August 2016 27 but they do not go to the heart LIBRARY the statement is inspiring, it does of the matter—that is, your not often correlate with the pri- heart. Circulation, gate count, mary services in which staffs actu- and computer hours are not the ally spend their time. Rather than reason you get up in the morn- seek, engage, transform, the default ing and go to work. The purpose-based mission of the modern library If these numbers do not get appears to be to build a self-serve you excited, what makes you library is not just about organization that is quicker, faster, think your community will be better. For libraries to survive, this any more excited? More to the circulation, gate counts, path is correct, but therein lies the point, if these static numbers do and computer hours. It is paradox. When you streamline your not motivate you as a librarian or operations, move to more digital a library staff member, how can about how you and your interfaces, and reduce the face-to- you expect your library board, face time you have with your cus- your city and county managers, library affect people’s tomers, where does the wonderful and your community members lives and therefore the mission statement of “seek, engage, to actively and excitedly support transform” truly fall in the future increased library funding? community as a whole. of libraries’ priorities? How is your The purpose-based library is purpose fulfilled? not just about circulation, gate To survive, libraries must counts, and computer hours. streamline their core operations, It is about how you and your reduce clerical activities, increase library affect people’s lives and self-service, embrace digital con- therefore the community as a tent and interfaces, and become whole. This is your most signifi- quicker, faster, and better. How- cant competitive advantage over ever, to go beyond survival, to Amazon, Google, and Netflix. succeed and grow, libraries must become much more than just self- Living the mission service, efficient suppliers and distrib- Many people who work in libraries have utors of books and media. They must two common threads. First, they have embrace the purpose behind their mission a previous connection to other people ers. It’s a great paradox that lives within statements. NYPL’s mission is to inspire who have worked in a public library. today’s libraries. We propose that library and strengthen its communities, and They understand that working in a public staffs are too valuable of an asset to lose, PPLD’s mission is to build and transform. library is a “people business.” They under- for in our path to automation we lose the These are both good. We believe most stand that it is not about getting to read ability to seek, engage, and transform. libraries embrace and pursue a similar all day—it is work that connects people New York Public Library’s (NYPL) mis- mission. “Quicker, faster, better” is only and resources. They also know about the sion statement reads: the price of admission for survival. warm feeling librarians receive from the What is the difference between a mis- “The mission of The New York Public work that we do. Second, they have a sion and a purpose? A mission is a direc- Library is to inspire lifelong learning, desire to make a difference in the world tion and path to guide, while a purpose advance knowledge, and strengthen around them. This can take on several is the passion that you have within. An our communities.” faces. Sometimes it is about helping people organizational purpose is a passion you create businesses and stand on their own. Our all-time favorite is from Pikes Peak share with others in your organization. Sometimes it is about helping children or Library District (PPLD) in Colorado: A mission can be cold and static, and a adults learn to read. Sometimes it is about purpose is always warm and dynamic. A “Provide resources and opportuni- providing information on the topics of the mission has a start and an ending, but a ties that change individual lives and day to inform the citizenry. purpose has no beginning and no ending; build community. Seek. Engage. While libraries exist to transform com- it just is. A mission is something you are Transform.” munities, they are on a path toward full told to do, while a purpose is something automation, which will eliminate staffers’ “Seek, engage, transform.” Wow. that you can’t help but do. A mission drives ability to have contact with their custom- Simple and to the point. However, while an organization on a determined path; a

28 July/August 2016 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org purpose drives itself. You as a member of partnership with their community that will recreation for people who don’t want to your organization have within you a self- be of such value that libraries’ path to suc- play sports? Is it to provide a spectacle based purpose to help people. However, cess and growth is assured and celebrated. so people can come and see what crazy you are only one person and you can only Libraries are the right resource at the right thing is happening at the library this do so much, but as an organization, where time to recapture the purpose behind week? Libraries are ideally positioned, all of your passions are combined, a power- their mission and lead their communities both physically and virtually, to make a ful compounding effect occurs. A purpose- toward a stronger, healthier state. Libraries great impact on nearly every community based organization can transform entire are apolitical, they fight for the fairness of in this country. The question is what does communities. What a great reason to get information access for all people, and most your community need, and how can your up in the morning. This common purpose important, they are trusted. What other library behave in a purposeful way to help is libraries’ key to competitive differentia- institution in today’s broken society is achieve that community vision? tion with Google, Amazon, and Netflix. better situated to make such a large impact Walmart is one of the most pervasive in its local community? JOHN J. HUBER formed the organizations in the US and, for that management consulting firm of J. Huber and Associates matter, the planet. It has around 4,350 What is your purpose? in 1986. He is author of Lean supercenters, clubs, or retail stores There are more libraries in the US than Library Management: Eleven throughout the country. Walmart also has McDonald’s restaurants—a staggering Strategies for Reducing a huge influence on US manufacturers’ statistic that should make libraries proud. Costs and Improving Cus- pricing policies and the products they Libraries should also be proud of our his- tomer Services (ALA Neal- offer, as well as what consumers buy. tory when adopting new technology as a Schuman, 2011). STEVEN V. POTTER is library director What other organization has a presence in method of information access. It is sur- and CEO of Mid-Continent nearly every community? You might think prising to people to learn how frequently Public Library in Indepen- of the US Postal Service, which has around libraries have been on the leading edge of dence, Missouri. 31,606 locations throughout the US. How- technological adoption. ever, this pales in comparison to the nearly Mid-Continent Public Library (MCPL) in 119,487 libraries throughout the country. Independence, Missouri, launched its first No one even comes close to the geographi- website in 1995, the same year that most cal coverage that libraries possess. of the world “discovered” the internet. Each of these 119,487 US libraries has The whole idea of ordering through an one common purpose behind its mission: online catalog and picking up your order to build a healthy community. It is a pow- at a local store (sometimes called “bricks erful statement. No other organization and clicks,” or what Walmart calls “site has more potential to impact the overall to store”) actually sounds a lot like inter- health and well-being of our nation’s library loan service, and it is something communities than libraries. So what is the MCPL has been doing in some fashion most powerful and influential organiza- since the early 1990s. Libraries are in every tion in the US, Canada, and perhaps even- community both physically and in cyber- tually the entire planet? The answer is space and in greater numbers than any libraries. And more to the point, a library other institution. We are everywhere, but with a purpose. do we really take advantage of that fact? The geographical footprint libraries Too often, libraries become a check- possess is one of the most important, pow- mark on a list of public assets that suppos- erful, and valuable strategic assets of any edly lead to a great quality of life. Do we group, business, or industry. Add to the have a park? Check. Do we have accred- mix a highly educated workforce dedicated ited schools? Check. Do we have a public to serving the public, and you have the library? Check. Is it good enough just to most valuable asset this nation possesses. have a public library in your community, We cannot allow this asset to be gutted, or should your public library be purpose- marginalized, or left to die a slow death. based to truly earn that checkmark? Libraries must leverage their geographical What is your library’s purpose? Is footprint, fully utilize their purpose-based it to check out books? Is it to be a jobs staff, embrace their mission, and create a program? Is it to be publicly subsidized

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | July/August 2016 29 DK Readers develops nonfiction reading programs that use real photography.

Read, for those just starting to read. Level 3: Beginning to Read Alone helps children learn to read inde- pendently. Level 4: Reading Alone suggests books that are suited to a child who is already proficient at reading. The reading levels are based on ability rather than age. To find out more, visit dk.com.

WorldCat for Spanish speakers Nonprofit global library cooper- ative OCLC has partnered with media company Univision Contigo to help Hispanic families prepare Helping Young Readers their children for schoolwork in Updated DK Readers app and integrated WorldCat the United States. Through the partnership of OCLC and Univision Contigo, DK Readers, new make them appealing and infor- Spanish-speaking parents can and improved mative to children. Each book Children are exposed to more in the series contains a glossary images on a daily basis than at any and index to help children easily time before. To help capture and refer to the information hold their attention while assist- presented. ing them with reading, illustrated Librarians can reference publisher DK Readers assess which books has updated its beginner reading are most appropriate program. for each child based DK Readers develops reading on DK Readers’ level programs for all ages. Earlier this system. Level 1: July, DK Readers added 15 new Learning to Read stories to its beginner reading is designed for series, which focuses on readers children who do ages 4–12. The updated program not have prior features stories that combine new reading experi- narrative content on kid-friendly ence. Level 2: subjects such as jungle animals and ­Beginning to Lego stories with eye-catching visu- als such as gold-foil jackets. The beginning readers program WorldCat integrates combines real photography with with “Clave al Éxito” nonfiction stories written and reviewed by literacy experts to

30 July/August 2016 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org SUBMISSIONS To have a new product considered, email [email protected].

make the most of their community libraries. Bookshare Helps Students Univision Contigo’s “Clave al Éxito” enables Spanish-speaking with Print Disabilities parents to more easily partici- pate in their children’s education How do you use Bookshare? with bilingual information and Bookshare is a key ingredient USER: Kate Owen, school resources. in the mix of tools Thetford librarian, Thetford (Vt.) By integrating WorldCat, Academy Library uses to Academy Library OCLC’s global catalog of library serve students with disabil- Bookshare is collections and resources, Hispanic ities. Bookshare helps sup- DETAILS: an online digital library for those with families will be able to access a port those with a disability print disabilities such as blindness, mobile-first digital guide that that affects how easily they dyslexia, and vision impairment. includes a wider range of library can access a printed book. It comes with the ability to listen to materials than before. A student with a physical books using text-to-speech, hear and The integrated guide comes disability who has difficulty see highlighted words on the screen, with a reading log that offers book holding a book and turning read with digital Braille or enlarged recommendations depending on pages suddenly has a huge print, and read directly from an inter- the child’s grade level in school. By library at her fingertips when net browser. clicking on the image of a recom- she loads the titles on her mended book, parents can tap into tablet. Another student with WorldCat’s network and identify severe dyslexia loves to download the MP3 audio recordings avail- nearby libraries with that book. able through Bookshare. Because the WorldCat network Book- draws from individual member How does Bookshare serve your library’s needs? share enables me to ensure that a print-based dis- library contributions, available ability will never stand in the way of a student holdings continue to expand, accessing fiction, nonfiction, a periodical, or a which makes finding the near- textbook. One of the most significant improve- est library location easier. ments over the services provided by State “Clave al Éxito” continues Libraries for the Blind and Disabled is the to expand as well. Earlier turnaround speed that Bookshare offers. this month, Univision Con- tigo released its “Pequeños What are the main benefits? The speed y ­Valiosos” campaign, which of access and the ability to empower stu- adds an early childhood sec- dents so they learn to meet their own needs tion of its product. after they graduate. Of course, Bookshare Parents can access informa- wouldn’t be half so useful if it didn’t have a tion through an online portal tremendous collection of accessible texts. I have about early brain development searched for hundreds of titles on Bookshare and related to bilingualism. The portal only found once, in 2010, a title that wasn’t there. includes tools for parents, care- Yet I requested the book and Bookshare worked with the Bookshare givers, and librarians, including increases publisher to have it available within a few weeks. prompts that allow parents to talk, access and What would you like to see improved or added to their service? read, sing, and count with their empowers I’d love to see human-read audiobooks added. I purchase down- children. students. loadable audiobooks from publishers when they are available, For more information on but there are so many assigned readings that aren’t in print or ­WorldCat’s integration with “Clave aren’t available in a manner my small school library can afford al Éxito,” please visit oclc.org/ or support. worldcat. •

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | July/August 2016 31 In June Karla Trout became execu- ON THE MOVE tive director of Adams County Library System in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Matt Bird started as manager of special collections at Vigo County (Ind.) Public Linda Holtslander, who retired John M. Unsworth became university Library June 1. in May as programming division librarian and dean of libraries at the manager for Loudoun County (Va.) University of Virginia in Charlottesville July 1 Andrea Bunker became director Public Library, received the first June 25. of Woburn (Mass.) Public Library. Friends of Fulbright Finland Alumni Enrichment Award for her research June 6 Chelsea Weibley became exec- June 12 John Y. Cole was named the utive director of the Palmyra branch of and planning for Helsinki City first Library of Congress historian. the Library System of Lebanon County, Library during and since her 2008 Pennsylvania. May 24 Luren E. Dick- Fulbright fellowship in Finland. left as director of inson In May Robert Timothy Shaker Heights (Ohio) Ruth J. Person, chancellor emer- ita at Indiana University Kokomo, Wilson joined Bridge- Public Library to become water (Mass.) State principal librarian at received an honorary doctorate University’s Clement Beaumont (Calif.) Library from the university in May. C. Maxwell Library as District. At the Suffolk School Library Media emerging technologies Association Awards Ceremony May and systems librarian. Lindsey Dorfman left Allegan (Mich.) District Library May 27 as director to 18, Alice Robinson, West Babylon become director of branch services and (N.Y.) Junior High School librarian, operations at Kent District Library in received a Dr. Joette Stefl-Mabry PROMOTIONS Comstock Park, Michigan. Honorarium Donation for creat- ing a makerspace program at the Melissa Barber was pro- moted to manager of The University of Wyoming Libraries in school library. • Laramie appointed Ivan Gaetz as dean the Patterson branch of effective July 1. Lubbock (Tex.) Public Library April 16. Julie Ann Garrison has joined Western Gitte Peng joined Queens (N.Y.) Library Queens (N.Y.) Library promoted Nicolas Michigan University in Kalamazoo as as chief of staff and senior vice presi- dean of university libraries. Buron to chief librarian and senior vice dent in May. president in May. July 1 Alexia Hudson- July 1 Colin Rhinesmith joined Simmons Ward became Azariah Boston Public Library’s Board of Trust- College School of Library and Informa- Smith Root director ees named Interim President David tion Science in Boston as senior lecturer. of libraries at Oberlin Leonard as president in June. (Ohio) College. Rebecka Sheffield became a senior Michael Levine-Clark was named dean lecturer at Simmons College School The Library of Congress appointed Pam and director of university libraries at the of Library and Information Science in Jackson director of the Center for the University of Denver, effective June 1. Book, effective June 12. Boston July 1. Kelvin A. Watson has been promoted to In May Siobhan Koch was named direc- Kathy Shields became research and chief operating officer and senior vice tor of Denville (N.J.) Free Public Library. instruction librarian for history and president at Queens (N.Y.) Library. social sciences at Wake Forest Univer- Katy Lenn joined the sity in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, University of Oregon March 14. RETIREMENTS Libraries’ Knight Library in Eugene as head of Margie Stern became director of Indian Mary Alice Baish, US Government Pub- research and instruc- Valley Public Library in Telford, Pennsyl- lishing Office superintendent of docu- tional services June 1. vania, in June. ments, retired in April.

32 July/August 2016 | americanlibrariesmagazine.org SUBMISSIONS Send notices and photographs to Amy Carlton, [email protected].

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In June Linda Beck retired as director of Indian Valley Public Library in Telford, Pennsylvania, after 28 years with the library. Robert J. (Bob) Havlik, 90, director emeritus of the Architecture Karen Boyarsky, head librarian at Beverly and Engineering Libraries at the University of Notre Dame in Hills (Calif.) High School, retired in June. South Bend, Indiana, died February 29. Havlik was part of the Notre Dame library faculty from 1973 until his 1992 retirement. May 27 Lance Chaffee retired as direc- He had previously been a librarian at Purdue University in West tor of Olean (N.Y.) Public Library. Lafayette, Indiana; Iowa State University in Ames; Union Carbide Drew Harrington retired as dean of the in Buffalo, New York; and the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare and University of Portland (Oreg.) Clark the Abraham Lincoln Group in Washington, D.C. He was also a lifetime member Library in July. of ALA and contributor to the book Argon, Helium, and the Rare Gases (1961).

June 30 Kathleen O’Doherty retired Carolyn Willa Kohler, 72, head of the Government Documents Department as director of Woburn (Mass.) Public at the University of Iowa Libraries from 1971 until her 2004 retirement, died Library. May 5 after a short illness. Kohler was active in ALA’s Government Documents Round Table and received ALA’s James Bennett Childs Award in 2003 for her John Popko retired as university lifetime contribution as a documents librarian. She served as executive editor librarian at Seattle University in July. for United Nations and Foreign Government Documents for Government Publi- cations Review from 1980 to 1985. Kohler also worked on the Iowa State Library June 30 Kaiping Zhang retired as busi- ness/economics librarian at the Univer- Commission and helped the US Government Printing Office with programs for sity of Oregon Libraries in Eugene. libraries that contain federal documents. Charles Martell, 79, dean and university librarian at California State Univer- sity Sacramento (CSUS) until his 2000 retirement, died April 23. Martell had AT ALA previously been an associate librarian at several universities. He wrote more than 85 articles on library science and served as associate editor of the Journal In May Annie Bostrom became associ- ate editor, adult books, for Booklist. of Academic Librarianship and editor of College and Research Libraries. He also established CSUS’s Friends of the Library group, its Japanese American Archival Jimmie Bowens retired as supervisor Collection, and its Cambodian Oral History Collection. of the ALA Distribution Center April 29 after more than 40 years with ALA. Harold Geddes (Hap) Morehouse, 88, dean emeritus of the University Libraries at the University of Nevada at Reno (UNR), died May 5. He started at UNR in Russ Damian has been promoted to 1961, became director of libraries in 1969, and served 24 years in that position. operations manager for ALA Editions. He continued cataloging books at UNR after his retirement until 2007. Geddes also mentored many librarians at the university and throughout Nevada during Niharica Deb joined the Young Adult his career. Library Services Association (YALSA) • May 9 in a position supporting Teen Read Week, summer learning, Teens’ Top Ten, and the Teen Book Finder app programs. Hannah Gribetz joined ALA Production Nicole Gibby Munguia, YALSA program Services as production editor June 6. officer for continuing education, left Karen Sheets de Gracia, director of ALA May 17. Jamie Hennelly was named director of design, layout, and composition for ALA digital reference in June. June 20 Christopher Murphy became Editions, left June 10. publisher for ALA Editions. Samantha Imburgia was promoted to Dan Freeman was named director of associate editor for eLearning Solutions Eugenia Williamson joined Booklist as ALA’s new eLearning Solutions unit in in June. associate editor, digital products, on June. May 23. May 24 Chris Miklius joined the Public Sarah Grant became marketing associ- Programs Office as program officer for Melissa Wood became marketing direc- ate for Booklist in May. data applications. tor for Booklist in May.

americanlibrariesmagazine.org | July/August 2016 33 34 on June20,2016. in theL during aBarbershop James Trautman’s hair Kenneth Clayton cuts

July/August 2016 ibrary event

| americanlibrariesmagazine.org and cutshairwhilekidstalkabout where alocalbarbersets upshop in theL that experience withitsBarbershop Chicago PublicL The West Englewood branch ofthe the neighborhoodcomes together. personal stories, aplace where versation aboutcurrent events and haircut more thanjust aplace to get a T Edge The Cutting to to consideration, pleasesend press material their work, andtheir work spaces. For THE BOOKEND things intheirpersonal lives.” them to seek better ways to do is important,” Abioye says. “It’s led having aspace intheircommunity on theirlives. “They’re realizing that wise usethel neighborhood whowould notother ment,” hesays. “Teens from the Abioye. “It’s abeautifulenviron whelming success, according to his services for eachsession. shop inWest Englewood, donates Clayton, owner ofLongevity Barber Monday ofeachmonth. Kenneth ber 2015andisheldthethird catalyst to get themtalking.” barbershop concept was usedasa and facilitates theprogram. “The Englewood branch whoorganized teen program director at theWest communities,” says Adewole Abioye, about what was happeningintheir and sports. economic strife to school,music, thing from localpolitics,crime, and issues affecting theirlives, every americanl It’s alsohaving apositive effect The program hasbeenanover T “ Teens wanted aspace to talk he program debuted inDecem American community. It’s nificant place inthe h —it’s aspotfor opencon e barbershop holdsasig ibrary ibrari program for teens, ibrary showcases l [email protected] ibrary are coming in.” replicates ibrari . African ans, ------

Photo: Rebecca Lomax/American Libraries Banned Books Week September 25 – October 1, 2016

Celebrate the freedom to read in your school, bookstore, or library during Banned Books Week with these designs that remind us to stand up for our freedom to read. Banned Books Week highlights the benefi ts of free and open access while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted banning of books from across the United States. Use these products to help emphasize the importance of the First Amendment and the power of unrestricted literature. For more information about Banned Books Week, please visit www.ala.org/bbooks.

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