How do library workers provide information services to immigrants and still stay within state laws that place limits on such activities? Next month, the American Library Association (ALA) will address immigration issues librarians face when they host free the webinar titled “Taking Action: Best Practices to Support Librarians and Library Workers Facing Laws Limiting Access to Information and Library Services to Immigrants.”

Register now.

The webinar—which will be hosted by REFORMA, the ALA Washington Office, the ALA Office for Diversity—will take place on May 14, 2013, from 3:00–4:00 p.m. EST. The event is cosponsored by the ALA Office for Library Advocacy.

Today, the American Library Association’s (ALA) Digital Literacy Task Force (which is led by the ALA Office for Information Technology Policy), released “Digital Literacy, Libraries, and Public Policy,” (pdf)  a comprehensive report that provides a broad overview of digital literacy in the context of school, public, and academic libraries.

More on our blog.

What the Election Results Mean for Libraries: An Outlook for the New Congress

Saturday, January 26, 8:30–10:00a.m. | WSCC Room 602-603
In early January 2013, members of the 113^th United States Congress will be sworn in to office. Come hear Cook Political Report Senior Editor Jennifer Duffy—an expert on the U.S. Senate with over 25 years of experience—discuss the ways that the changes in Congress will impact the political landscape for library issues. Duffy will assess the political climate to help library supporters target messages that effectively resonate with legislators. Additionally, she will discuss the upcoming congressional legislation on issues that affect libraries. This event is sponsored by the Learning Express.

Midwinter Meeting Copyright Session

Saturday, January 26, 2013, 10:30–11:30 a.m. | WSCC Room 604
The Committee on Legislation Copyright Subcommittee will host a panel discussion exploring the copyright landscape on Capitol Hill at the start of the 113th Congress. The outcome of the recent elections, as well as activity in the courts will be discussed. The focus of the discussion will be on the potential for legislation being introduced in response to the copyright case before the U.S. Supreme Court, Kirtsaeng vs. Wiley & Sons, Inc.  At the center of the case is the first sale doctrine, which is also at the heart of what allows libraries to do what they do – lending books and other materials to the public. Panelists include Kevin Smith, Scholarly Communications Officer, Duke University, Laura Quilter, Copyright and Information Policy Librarian, University of Massachusetts – Amherst, and Vailey Oehlke, Director of Libraries, Multnomah County, OR.

Starting from Scratch: New Recipes for Ebook Models that Work

Saturday, January 26, 10:30–11:30a.m. | WSCC Room 602-603
Libraries are taking on the e-book challenge by creating their own solutions to get e-books into the hands of library readers. Join members of the ALA Digital Content Working Group (DCWG) on January 26, 2012, as they examine current e-book lending systems and offer perspectives on future directions. Led by school library coordinator and DCWG member Chris Harris, the session will include a discussion by a panel of experts in the field. Panelists will include: Califa staff members Linda Crowe and Heather Teysko; and Jamie LaRue, director, Douglas County Libraries. During the session, panelists will discuss the motivating forces that pushed them to create viable e-book lending solutions. The ALA Office for Information Technology Policy, the leading ALA unit on e-book lending policies, will co-sponsor the session.

E-books and Libraries: Where Do We Stand and Where Are We Going?

Saturday, January 26, 1:00-2:30p.m. | WSCC Room 602-603
Over the past year, the American Library Association has taken significant steps to address the e-book lending issue affecting libraries, including the development of an e-book business models report and the implementation of an aggressive publicity campaign, among other tactics. In this session, members of the ALA Digital Content Working Group (DCWG) will discuss ALA initiatives taken thus far—from reports and articles produced, to in-person discussions with publishers in visits to New York—and discuss ALA e-book policy strategies for the future. The session will be held in the Washington State Convention Center  from

The session will be moderated by Digital Content Working Group member Sari Feldman, executive director of the Cuyahoga County Public Library. Member Bob Wolven, associate university librarian at Columbia University, will discuss e-book licensing business models. Additionally, Alan Inouye, director of the ALA Office for Information Technology Policy, will discuss future directions for ALA leadership on the e-book issue.

Additionally, the session will include a leading panel of experts and practitioners from the e-book publishing ecosystem that will illuminate policy priorities for ALA going forward. Panelists include: Skip Dye, vice president, Random House; Matt Tempelis, cloud library business manager, 3M; and Jamie LaRue, director, Douglas County Libraries (Colorado).

Setting the Agenda on Digital Literacy

Saturday, January 26, 3:00-4:00p.m. | WSCC Room 304
As the library world continues to evolve, how can we ensure that librarians continue to be leaders in the digital literacy arena? Midwinter attendees are encouraged to join members of the ALA Digital Literacy Task Force and contribute to the discussion at “Setting the Agenda on Digital Literacy.” As part of the conversation, task force members will discuss digital literacy and the changing roles of libraries. Additionally, the task force will detail their forthcoming report, dissect past webinars, and develop a roadmap for future work. This interactive session will be moderated by task force chair, Rosanne Cordell, Associate Dean for Public Services University Libraries, Northern Illinois University. Task force panelists include Wendy Stephens (AASL), Toby Greenwalt (PLA) and Emily Ford (ACRL).

In January American Libraries Live will focus on the library job market and challenges that librarians are facing in navigating it. Along with David Connolly, the disussion panel will include Bohyun Kim, Digital Access Librarian at Florida International University Medical Library and Jill Klees, a Career Liaison who works with the San Jose State University School of Library and Information Science.

American Libraries Live is a free, streaming video broadcast that you can view from your home, library, or on the go. These programs allow you to watch broadcasts about library issues and trends in real time. Tune in and interact with our hosts via a live chat for immediate answers to your pressing questions

The programs are easy to view—just go to American Libraries Live. Upcoming broadcasts include: