Library Advocates

Feb 1

On January 30, 2013 American Library Association (ALA) President Maureen Sullivan joined Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, along with twelve government agencies and organizations, to sign the “Declaration of Learning,” a statement that formally announces their partnership as members of the Inter-Agency Collaboration on Learning. (more)

Photo credit: Maria Bryk/Newseum

Jan 28

Libraries, the digital divide and how we can bridge it.

Over the past year, the ALA Office for Information Technology Policy and the Institute of Museum and Library Services have been working closely with the Federal Communications Commission on broadband adoption efforts, including digital literacy. In recognition of the critical role of libraries in this work, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski recorded a video message for ALA and IMLS to share with libraries. Our shared goal is to raise awareness of libraries in the digital age, particularly as the Ad Council prepares to launch a nationwide campaign to promote the importance of digital literacy in March. We thank Chairman Genachowski for his support, and we hope libraries will be able to use this video in their communities as we move forward with digital literacy initiatives in the coming year.

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Jan 10

The Fiscal Cliff, the 113th Congress and You – How Today’s Economic Uncertainty Might Impact the Library Community

Pundits and politicians from both parties agree that while the 112th Congress may have averted an immediate plunge over the fiscal cliff through its New Years package of tax extenders and sequestration delays, this debate is nowhere near over. That’s where the 113th Congress comes in. With almost 100 new members of the House and Senate, there are a lot of new faces to meet, greet and persuade on the value of libraries.

Your voice is more important now than ever before. Only you can help stop immediate and dramatic cuts to LSTA, IMLS and other critical funding programs. Wait, federal funding isn’t your main concern? How about averting changes to cybersecurity, copyright, broadband and elementary and secondary act policies that will negatively impact libraries around the country?

In short, everyone in the library community should join us for an update on the fiscal cliff / sequestration situation as well as the policy issues most likely to be considered in the coming year. Perhaps most important, we’ll tell you how best to speak up — and make a difference.

Date: Thursday, January 17, 2013
Time:4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EST

Dec 20

IMLS Awards $249,999 to the Chicago Public Library Foundation to Create a Maker Space

How great for Chicago. Congrats, CPL!

Oct 5

Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) was in attendance and remarked on the many needs libraries serve in communities across the country including workforce development. Rep. Holt re-iterated his hope that the principles laid out in the Workforce Investment through Libraries (WILL) Act, which he sponsored, will be included in the authorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) when it is brought to the House floor.

IMLS holds Hill Briefing on Workforce Investment

Jun 14

U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee approves funding for IMLS and School Libraries

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee reported (voted out of committee) the Labor, Health and Humans Services, and Education (LHHS) FY 2013 spending bill this afternoon. This bill contains funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) including the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants, as well as federal funding for school libraries.

Continue reading on District Dispatch.

IMLS Announces Grant to Support Libraries’ Roles in National Broadband Adoption Efforts

Jan 13

“Libraries’ ability to provide public access to the Internet accounts for much of the change in the way people use these institutions. In the 12-month period studied for the IMLS-funded Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries, 77 million Americans aged 14 and older took advantage of Internet access in a public library. That number represents 46 percent of all library visitors during that same period and 32 percent of all Americans over the age of 14.

The ways in which these library visitors use the Internet is illustrative of how vital a public service this has become. The data collected for Opportunity for All show that 42 percent of those using library computers for Internet access used it to advance educational goals; 40 percent had career or employment purposes, with three-quarters of those specifically seeking a job; 37 percent were focused on health and wellness; and 34 percent used the library’s Internet connection to link to government officials, programs, and services. These are not leisurely activities that one may choose to pursue or not pursue; they are central to life and well-being.

” Susan H. Hildreth, “Libraries Succeed by Constantly Evolving” (via thelifeguardlibrarian)

(via thelifeguardlibrarian)

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Library Advocates

IMLS Awards $249,999 to the Chicago Public Library Foundation to Create a Maker Space

U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee approves funding for IMLS and School Libraries

IMLS Announces Grant to Support Libraries’ Roles in National Broadband Adoption Efforts