September 17, 2013

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ALA Urges FCC to Accelerate E-Rate Goals

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The American Library Association on Monday asked the Federal Communications Commission to accelerate the goals of E-rate, the program that provides discounted Internet access and telecommunications services to U.S. schools and libraries. ALA’s statement specifically calls for faster deployment of high-capacity broadband and new strategic investments in infrastructure, as well as program changes to save costs and streamline the process so that more schools and libraries can participate in the program.

2014 AASL Awards Season Now Open

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Know a deserving school librarian, media specialist, or teacher-librarian? AASL has many opportunities for recognizing their smarts, bravery, and innovative style through its 2014 Awards program. And the online awards database promises to make the nomination process easier than ever.

ALSC Offers Morris Seminar on Book Evaluation

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The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is seeking applications for its third biennial “Bill Morris Seminar: Book Evaluation Training,” to be held on Friday, January 24, 2014, prior to the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia. This invitational seminar supports and honors William C. Morris’s dedication to connecting librarians and children with excellent children’s books.

YALSA’s Books for Teens Grant Winners Announced

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Teens at the Ypsilanti (MI) District Library’s Michigan Avenue Branch and the Jasper County (MO) Juvenile Detention Center will soon reap the benefits of YALSA’s Books for Teens grant awards, thanks to local dedicated young adult and teen librarians.

Seek the Unknown: Start Planning for Teen Read Week Now

Teen Read Week Seek the Unknown

Don’t procrastinate: get your plans in place now for Teen Read Week, October 13-19, brought to you by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). This year’s theme, Seek the Unknown, has a world of possibilities for libraries and teens to explore.

YALSA Updates Teen Book Finder App with 2013 Titles

Teen Book Finder App

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) has just launched an updated version of its free Teen Book Finder app—which debuted in June, 2012—to include all of the books the association honored in 2013. The first of its kind, Teen Book Finder gives teens, librarians, parents, and young adult literature aficionados access to YALSA’s recommended reading and award-winning titles from the past three years.

ALA Hosts First ‘Declaration for the Right to Libraries’ Signing

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American Library Association (ALA) President Barbara Stripling unveiled the “Declaration for the Right to Libraries” on Monday during a signing ceremony at Nashville Public Library, the first in a series of signing events the ALA plans to host across the country in the coming months.

Ten Websites Added to ALSC’s “Great Websites for Kids”

Ten Websites Added to ALSC’s “Great Websites for Kids”

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Great Websites for Kids (GWS) committee announced the inclusion of 10 additions to its compilation of exemplary websites for children on July 29. These online resources are geared to children from birth to age 14, and range in subjects as diverse as animals and dinosaurs; games and entertainment; history and science; art and music; and resources for teachers and parents.

Maine State Librarian Touts E-Rate Success to Senate

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Linda Lord, Maine’s state librarian, represented the nation’s 16,400 public libraries Wednesday in her call to Congress to provide a “proactive vision for meeting the educational and learning needs of our communities for the next 15 years and beyond.” Her testimony—at a hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation—also detailed the success of the E-rate program in helping serve more than 30 million people every week.

NEA Votes to Support AASL in Lobbying for ‘Strengthening America’s Schools Act’

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The National Education Association this week voted to support the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) in its lobbying efforts with regard to the “Strengthening America’s Schools Act,” the first piece of legislation to recognize the role school library programs play in student learning since 1965, according to the American Library Association.

Amelia Elizabeth Walden Book Award Finalists Revealed

Walden Book Award

The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents (ALAN) of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) has announced the finalists for the 2013 Amelia Elizabeth Walden Book Award for Young Adult Fiction. No surprises here – just some tough decisions to make. Former winners include Lauren Myracle (Shine, Amulet), Francisco X. Stork (The Last Summer of the Death Warriors, Scholastic) and Kristin Cashore (Fire, Penguin).

Printz and the Power of Story: Honorees Get Personal at Awards Reception | ALA 2013

Nick Lake

For many young adult literature aficionados, the highlight of the American Library Association’s annual summer conference is the ticketed reception for the Printz Awards. A central theme emerged at this year’s celebration: the power of storytelling and its ability to connect kids to larger truths about the world.

Youth Librarians Inspired in Chicago | ALA 2013

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There was a spirit of optimism among attendees at the 2013 annual American Library Association (ALA) conference held recently in Chicago, especially among school media specialists and youth services librarians. Members of ALA’s three youth divisions were particularly energized and motivated by the dynamic programming and renewed advocacy efforts, they say.

Kiera Parrott’s Picks from the Best Apps for Teaching and Learning | ALA 2013

Kiera Parrott’s Picks from the Best Apps for Teaching and Learning | ALA 2013

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) revealed its inaugural Best Apps for Teaching and Learning list on Jun 30 at the American Library Association annual conference. Head of children’s services at Darien Library, CT, Kiera Parrott highlights some of her favorites from the 25 winning apps that cover a broad range of subjects, inspire curriculum connections, and can be used for classroom instruction and public library programming.

Tamora Pierce Wows YALSA at Edwards Celebration | ALA 2013

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This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Margaret A. Edwards Award, given by the Young Adult Library Services Association in honor of work that makes a “significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature.” The award, which is sponsored by SLJ, was presented Saturday to Tamora Pierce for her “Song of the Lioness” and “The Protector of the Small” series. As the featured speaker at the event, the feisty and mischievous Pierce did not disappoint.

Costumed Revelers Honor ALSC Youth Media Award Winners | ALA 2013

Maureen

Dressed in book-themed costumes and hats, hundreds of enthusiastic librarians gathered at the Sheraton Hotel in Chicago to honor the winners of the 2013 Caldecott, Newbery, and Wilder Awards, presented by the Association for Library Service to Children.

ALSC Celebrates 75 Years of Caldecott | ALA 2013

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Members of the Association of Library Service to Children celebrated 75 years of the Caldecott Medal this weekend with a welcoming reception Thursday evening honoring authors and illustrators, and a day-long preconference on Friday at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Joyce Valenza’s Picks from the Top 25 Websites for Teaching and Learning

Joyce Valenza’s Picks from the Top 25 Websites for Teaching and Learning

Teacher librarian Joyce Valenza reflects on the 2013 Best Websites for Teaching & Learning, the highly anticipated list chosen annually by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL).

Convention Blues | Consider the Source

Convention blues

The author argues that nonfiction remains marginal–so marginal that neither ALSC nor YALSA seems to notice their bias. The question is, why?

Colorado Librarians Launch Bell Picture Book Awards Program

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Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy (CLEL), an advisory group to the Colorado State Library, is launching the Bell Picture Book Awards, with the first honorees set to be announced on February 5, 2014. The program is designed to celebrate books that foster adult-child engagement around the early literacy practices of read, write, sing, talk, and play.