American Library Association Non-Profit Org. 50 E. Huron St. U.S. Postage Paid Chicago, IL 60611 Palatine, IL 60095 Permit No. 27 ALAALAAnnual Conference HighlightsCognotes CHICAGO July 2005 Obama Proclaims Libraries Inside ‘Windows to a Larger World’ ALA President's By Brad Martin wherein the freshman senator Program: Coming Full ABC News from Illinois emphasized both the n the beginning was the historical importance of language Circle, see page 2 “ word.” So begins both the and reading and presented his Bradbury Practices IBook of Genesis and Barak vision of libraries as “windows to a larger world.” His Magic at Obama’s Opening General Ses- sion keynote address June 25, Obama stressed that instilling Videoconference, the value of reading see page 4 at an early age is needed now more ALA Annual than ever, especially Conference in Photos, “at a time when truth and science are being see pages 5 & 9 challenged.” He Actor/Author Henry Winkler wowed the Closing Session crowd. pointed out that, Nancy's Pearls of throughout history, 'The Fonz' Thrills at Closing Session Wisdom, see page 7 those who sought to By Alberta Comer about growing up as the son of im- gain or retain power Indiana State University migrant parents living in New David Sedaris Engages have sought to con- enry Winkler, who York City and of his struggle with trol access to infor- played the Fonz on the dyslexia that was not diagnosed Audience at PLA mation, whether this acclaimed Happy Days until he was an adult. Although President's Program, H has meant banning series and admired by audiences his father wanted him to follow in United States Senator Barak Obama delivered see page 7 of all ages, keynoted the closing the family lumber business, the Opening General Session keynote address. Continued on page 8 session on June 28. He spoke Winkler had known since the age of 7 that he wanted to be an actor. Electrical Sub-Station Fire Starts Annual Conference With A Bang Winkler has received numer- Failure of an underground building took much more time cleared up by about 11:00 a.m. ous letters and mementos from Future ALA transmission cable caused a to bring back. Computers had and the exhibits went on as admiring fans. One in particu- Conferences small explosion and a large fire to be rebooted in ALA Registra- scheduled. lar stood out. It was a metal cut- ting that said, “If you will it, it is 2006 Midwinter Meeting and led to a power outage that tion, escalators had to be fixed, ALA wants to thank all the the air conditioning was out not a dream.” Winkler said, “This San Antonio, TX affected thousands of homes McCormick Place staff, the city and businesses in Chicago, in- and all that pushed back the employees and everyone who is not a motto, it’s a concept you January 20–25, 2006 cluding the McCormick Place opening of ALA Registration. worked on getting the Annual can take to the bank.” An inspi- Information at Convention Center where the The situation was compounded Conference started as on time ration to many, he shared the www.ala.org/midwinter ALA Annual Conference was to by largest registration in ALA as possible. ALA apologizes to story of a 7 year-old girl with autism who, when she met him after August 1 open the next day. history. On Saturday, June 25, those attendees who had to wait The cable failure Friday, lines were long and registration longer than expected to get said, “Fonz.” Her mother, crying, was backed up. However, there explained to Winkler that this 2006 Annual Conference June 24 at 8:40 p.m. plunged their badges and get on the ex- the Convention Center into were many security guards and hibit floor and thanks them for was her daughter’s first word. New Orleans, LA darkness and halted the finish- fire inspectors on site and no their patience. Where ever ALA Speaking about the impor- June 22–28, 2006 ing touches on exhibitor set-up. attendee was ever in danger. holds their conference, cities tance of arts in the school, he Information at The electricians from ComEd, Further, the strict fire rules at always compliment the asso- asserted, “Art is the pillar that gives children a point of view,” www.ala.org/annual the city electric company, got McCormick Place were not vio- ciation on their wonderful at- and pointed out that the “river of after October 1 the power back to McCormick lated. Some nerves were frayed, tendees and this unique situa- place back up after midnight, especially due to the lack of air tion showed how right they are. arts” is what brought him to be but many of the systems in the conditioning, but lines were Thanks to all. where he is today. Continued on page 10 Page 2 • Cognotes 2005 Annual Conference Highlights ALA President's Program: Coming Full Circle By Alberta Comer uses the library more or less depends Indiana State University on if the library gives them a sense of 2004-2005 ALA President Carol A. place and a feeling of re-engagement. Brey-Casiano chose the topic of library Librarians Susan H. Hildreth and as place because of the many questions Karen J. McPheeters also addressed the she has been asked about the future of topic of library as place. Hildreth said libraries in this age of the Internet and the library should be an exciting loca- Google. One hundred and fifty years tion, “truly a community destination” ago, libraries were community and cul- and gave examples of libraries that pro- tural centers; libraries have come full vide venues for local artists, historical circle and are again serving these needs. centers offering a place for the commu- The keynote speaker, futurist Lowell nity to preserve its history, and a place Catlett, and distinguished panelists re- for teens to participate in video gam- iterated the idea of libraries serving as ing. “The library is still a repository of such centers of their community. books, but needs to go beyond that to a Catlett, speaking about economic promoter of knowledge, moving from a trends, asserted that people are better warehouse to a workshop,” remarked educated and have more disposable in- Hildreth. come than have previous generations. McPheeters emphasized the impor- 2004-2005 ALA President Carol A. Brey-Casiano welcomes Dr. Lowell Catlett as Catlett said, “Starbucks understands tance of including the community in li- keynote for the ALA President’s Program on June 26. Catlett spoke on the history about the importance of place and that brary decisions about creating space for and future of the library as place. is why customers return time and time everyone. She reminded the audience, Carnegie built libraries where people posal that was not embraced by its again to buy a $4 cup of latte.” All of “You must balance building, technology, could read, discuss books, and meet, board until the project was called a this is important to libraries because and people to get a sense of place.” and that in 2005 we are again talking multicultural center. He said of librar- “as people get wealthier, they have the Architects Lonn Frye and Guillermo about the importance of library as ies, “Make the enclosure fun as well as attitude of give me what I want, when, Barajas, Jr. spoke about library archi- place. Stating that many libraries are a learning opportunity. Make every where, and how I want it.” Also as the tecture. Barajas emphasized the impor- joint ventures that merge funding and visit memorable, a place to stimulate baby boomers age they want a sense of tance of consulting with the people who interests for all age groups, he gave an the mind. Their vibrancy needs to ooze being “re-engaged.” Whether this group will be using the library. Frye said that example of one library building pro- out into the neighborhood.” Do As I Do: Practicing What You Preach to Enhance Outreach By Adelaide Myers Fletcher “And it’s not enough to know your com- Pat Wagner of Pattern Research, Inc., raised came from the crowd itself after Louisiana State University munity,” she added. “It is also important brought these ideas together with a dis- hearing what the panelists had to say. “Walking the talk” was the theme of to be known by your community, so cussion of how body language can either “Do you know what this person is in- the June 25 OLOS panel discussion Your people know who they can come talk to.” reinforce or negate the things one says terested in?” asked one person in re- Library’s Community Starts at Home: Yolanda J. Cuesta of Cuesta to their staff. “The message is in the de- sponse to a woman who was having Four Steps to Really Connecting with MultiCultural Consulting put the audi- tails” she said, explaining how with as trouble engaging a certain employee. Everyone on Your Staff, where four ex- ence to work with exercises to illustrate little as an insincere smile, everything Earlier Wagner had given an example perts in library outreach shared their these ideas and she emphasized the ne- that one says may be contradicted. of a colleague who treated each and ev- proven tactics for success. cessity of showing one’s staff with words Discussion very quickly developed ery one of his employees as if they were Suggestions focused on changing one’s and actions that outreach, diversity and throughout the room on some of the dif- the most important person in the library own behavior as a supervisor to set a equity of access are fundamental to ones ficulties that people had had with their whether they were a clerk or an M.L.I.S.