ala Issue II CognotesAtlanta Sunday—June 16, 2002 ALA President Presents ‘Gatekeepers of the Information Age: From Safety Net to Springboard’ at Conference Join American Library Association the unserved and the underserved. Spark- ton, Texas, and president of the Ameri- Young Black Minds: The Effects of the (ALA) President John W. Berry for a pro- ing the discussion will be lead speaker Rob- can Indian Library Association (AILA). Book Boycotts in South Africa, New York, vocative discussion about librarians, eq- ert Wedgeworth of Laubach Literacy In- Robert Wedgeworth brings 40 years 1989, written jointly with Lisa Drew raised uity and service at the ALA President’s ternational. Wedgeworth will present the experience as a librarian, library educa- serious questions about curbing the free Program, to be held today from 3:00 to equity issues within the context of literacy tor and association executive. He is a flow of information during the struggle 5:00 p.m. in the Georgia World Con- and education, focusing on the “high former ALA Executive Director (1972- to combat apartheid. More recently, he gress Center Auditorium during the touch,” rather than the “high tech,” as- 85) and is a life member of the American produced several studies of library de- ALA Annual Conference in Atlanta. The pect of equity. Library Association, a life member of the velopment in South Africa, Botswana and program, “Gatekeepers of the Informa- Joining President Berry and Mr. National Association for the Advancement Zimbabwe for the Carnegie Corporation tion Age: From Safety Net to Spring- Wedgeworth for the conversation will be of Colored People (NAACP), the Board of New York in 1998 and 2000. board,” is the third in a series of conver- Robert S. Martin, Director of the Institute of Trustees of the Newbery Library and At his Inaugural Banquet, Berry had sations about the role of librarians as of Museums and Library Services; Toni is now President of Laubach Literacy In- a conversation with Thomas Jefferson, a “gatekeepers” initiated by Berry during Garvey, City Librarian at the Phoenix ternational, the nation’s oldest and larg- “gatekeeper” of the 19th century, on li- his term as ALA President. (Arizona) Public Library and president of est literacy advocacy organization. He has braries and the constitutional guarantees The program will challenge librar- the Pubic Library Association (PLA); and also conducted special studies of that still impact libraries today. During ians to move from the concept of librar- Victor Lynn Schill, Assistant Branch/ librarianship and the book trade in West- the ALA President’s Program at the ies as a safety net to that of a spring- Children’s Librarian at the Harris County ern Europe, Latin America and South board in addressing equity issues with Public Library, Fairbanks Branch in Hous- Africa. His publication, Starvation of Continued on Page 18 Moving Forward: PBA Explores the ALA/ Allied Professional Association By Andrew B. Wertheimer could provide a loan to the organization. University of Wisconsin-Madison The collective hope is that ALA/APA will ALA President-Elect Maurice J. become a self-sufficient service organiza- (Mitch) Freedman reminded attendees of tion through accreditation fees and other the Planning Budget Assembly (PBA) that products and services. ALA/APA also “library workers cannot live on love hopes to receive donations from members alone,” and praised the progress of the although the organization will not be a ALA/APA Transition Team for its work member organization or be a tax-deduct- on making this 501(c)6 tax-exempt pro- ible organization. fessional or trade organization a reality. “ALA is not an organization that func- The ALA/ Allied Professional Associa- tions on leaps of faith,” explained transition tion was incorporated after Council ap- team member Leslie Burger, however, she proved its creation in January in order to appealed members to approve ALA/APA “support certification of individuals in spe- plans, adding that if we debate this for years, Matraca Berg, Jill McCorkle, Lee Smith and Marshall Chapman (left to right) perform Songs and Stories from Good Ol' Girls during the new Auditorium cializations beyond the first professional we will retire before we can do anything about Speakers series. This event was sponsored by ALA’s Public Programs Office. degree, and to advocate for higher status, the status of library workers. better salaries and pay equity for librar- Burger recognized, though, that ALA/ ians and other library workers.” APA’s development will be evolutionary, Past President Nancy Kranich, who using interlocking governance with ALA. Chicken Soup for the Librarian’s Soul chaired the ALA/APA Transition Team, Burger also explained how the team’s ini- By Erika James have knowledge of the human factors of explained that her team’s report will be tial objectives and budget are modest, so Plano Public Library System, TX life to connect to others. The stories in presented at today’s Council I meeting the concept can move forward. With this the Chicken Soup for the Soul series at 10:45 a.m. Additional documents are in mind, ALA/APA’s staffing will be mini- Jack Canfield started the first Audi- speak about these factors, putting a hu- available at http://www.ala.org/hrdr/ mal, in order to be able to oversee and torium Speaker Series session on an up- man face on the tribulations of being a ala_ala_apa.htm. Kranich explained how process certification and work on advo- lifting note Saturday morning, providing teenager to the struggle of cancer patients ALA cannot contribute to ALA/APA, but cacy issues. motivating and moving short stories di- with inspirational endings. rected towards librarians and life. Originally an educator, Canfield faced Get Your Bid in for the Silent Auction! “It only takes one voice to stop the over 100 rejections before finally getting Fabulous items are up for bid at this ning quilt made by librarians, furniture, forward progression in a child. It only the first Chicken Soup for the Soul book year’s Exhibits Round Table Silent Auc- signed books and prints and much more! takes one voice to say ‘Go for it.’ Which published. Since then eight million cop- tion. Stop by to bid on items for your- Bidding is open Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to voice are you?” Canfield asked librar- ies have been published in 39 languages. self, your library or for a special gift! 5:00 p.m., and Monday from 8:30 a.m. to ians after thanking them for their contri- There are currently 56 books in the series The money raised goes towards ALA 1:30 p.m. Items will be available for pick- bution to the success of his books. Li- including five picture books, with nine new Scholarships. up by the winners Monday from 3:00 p.m. brarians are often acknowledged by the titles coming out every year. Although Items up for bidding include a digi- to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. contributors of stories for encouraging Chicken Soup for the Librarian’s Soul was tal camera, giant stuffed lion, “library” to 2:00 p.m. The Silent Auction Booth is them to write or continue learning. only the title of the presentation, perhaps a clothing, Atlanta Braves tickets, a stun- on Level 2, next to Room B210. Canfield stressed everyone needs to book is not far behind. Page 2 Cognotes Sunday, June 16, 2002 Librarians and the USA Patriot Act: How to Respond Corrections and When Law Enforcement Comes to the Library Cancellations By Glynis Wray Grau mendations: First, have a plan in place. any business record, which can include a Rutgers University Then, consult local legal counsel and library’s circulation records, now fall • The Closing Session with Barbara Not unexpectedly, issues relating to make them aware of the issues that relate under FISA, or the Foreign Intelligence Ehrenreich will be Tuesday, June 18 life post-9/11 are a major topic at the con- to libraries in regards to privacy. Given Surveillance Act. FISA, in effect since from 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. This is a ference this year. Among several sched- that the problem of terrorism is an evolv- 1968, has itPs own courts which meet in change from the Conference Program. uled programs, one Q&A regarding how ing issue, the need to stay current on leg- private, and libraries receiving an order • AASL President’s Gala, Monday the USA Patriot Act affects librarians and islation is imperative and there is a need from a court dealing with FISA are often at 6:30 p.m. is taking place at the their staffs took place Friday morning. to have an established relationship with instructed to not divulge any informa- Carter Center, not Westin Interna- Attendees had an opportunity to query a lawyer who is familiar with library is- tion about an investigation. tional C. Buses will depart from the staff from ALA’s Washington, D.C. of- sues. The lawyer can then review a sub- Yet another legislative change in- Ballroom entrance of the Conten- fice about how to respond when law en- poena and negotiate what materials are volves trap and trace. Trap and trace tion Center. forcement personnel comes to the library. turned over for investigation. refers to devices that are put on tele- • ALA IFC, The Draft Convention The USA Patriot Act stands for Unit- Other recommendations include ap- phone lines that record incoming and on Cybercrime: What Every Li- ing and Strengthening America by pro- propriate training of all frontline staff to outgoing routing information numbers, brarian Should Know, Monday, viding Appropriate Tools Required to ensure that they understand the library’s but not the conversations.