MEA CULPA!

I must apologize that I have neglected my blog since I became ALA president. That was never my intention. However, it has been so busy! I barely get through my email because my inbox has tripled, and almost every message requires a response. I am working at home, in the airports, and [...]

ALA Annual – Chicago 2009

I am making the last of my preparations to attend ALA Chicago.  The programs look terrific.  The challenge for people attending will be trying to pick programs that are scheduled at the same time!   If you are attending ALA, don’t forget the unbelievable exhibits.  The opening of the exhibits is Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m.
I [...]

My Heart Gets Heavier….

This past weekend an icon within our profession, Judith Krug, passed away from a battle with cancer. Judith’s name was synonymous with intellectual freedom. As one mutual friend who is also champion of intellectual freedom wrote:
“I feel like a part of me is gone never to return. She was my inspiration, my [...]

Understanding the Millennials

Greetings!
I just arrived back from the ACRL (Association for College and Research Libraries) National Conference in Seattle. Like the Reforma National Conference this past fall, it was a marvelous conference because it focuses specifically on programs and events that assist academic librarians and other library staff in their professional development.
The speakers were very good. [...]

It’s With a Heavy Heart

The message below is a message I drafted on Wednesday but didn’t post because we could not release the names of the two ALA colleagues who lost their lives here in Denver.  I have revised the original message now to add the names .…
I am just winding down seven days at ALA’s Midwinter Conference here [...]

Si, se puede! (Yes, we can!) – Part 2

Si, se puede! The voters of Jamesburg, New Jersey, have proven that. They defeated a ballot measure that would have turned over the control of the entire operation of the Jamesburg Public Library. This after the borough council had originally proposed the closure of the entire library.
Yes, we can! The Jamesburg Library Board [...]

Campaign Reform!

I want everyone to know that during our campaign for ALA president, Linda Williams and I had a discussion about the need for major campaign reform for the ALA presidential and treasurer elections. As a result of that discussion, we submitted to Keith Fiels, ALA executive director, and Loriene Roy, ALA president, a memorandum [...]

Camila needs volunteers at TLA!

If you’re going to the Texas Library Association Annual Conference in April, or if you’re located in the Dallas area, Camila could use your help! We will have a campaign table there and need volunteers to stand nearby, hand out stickers and flyers, and describe to those who don’t know her the talented, amazing woman [...]

Camila and the School Libraries Question

I posted the following question on the “Your Ideas” section of the website. After reading Camila’s response, I thought it should be posted on the blog – in case some of you don’t get around to reading the “Ideas” portion. As a follow up to Camila’s response, I agree that more advocacy needs to [...]