Newsmakers
June 2004
The Oakland Public Library hosted political activist and author, Daniel Ellsberg, at its 12th annual National Library Week Celebration on April 28 at the Oakland Museum of California. Past authors have included such luminaries as Alice Walker, Terry McMillan, Maxine Hong Kingston and the late Jessica Mitford. Mr. Ellsberg discussed his award-winning book, Secrets: A Memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers, to a standing-room only crowd of 300 people, who gave him a standing ovation as he came to the podium. He also discussed current politics and the war in Iraq, as well as signed copies of his book. In addition to this event, the Oakland Public Library also sponsored a variety of other programs, including an author reading by Ayelet Waldman (Daughter's Keeper and the "Mommy-track" mystery series); the Molotov Mouths Outspoken Word Troupe; Darren Shan, young adult Cirque de Freak author; Word for Word Theatre Company's presentation of the "Wonderful Story of Zaal;" and the Stagebridge Storytellers reading of magical, multicultural stories.
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The Daniel Ellsberg event was co-sponsored by the Oakland Public Library's Foundation and The Oakland Tribune/ANG Newspapers. The Tribune donated over $10,000 worth of media coverage for the Library's National Library Week Celebration, as well as published an editorial.
Carmen Hernandez has been appointed the new Library Director for the City of Alhambra, effective May 17, 2004. She was most recently the District Librarian for the Altadena Library District. She previously held positions at Glendora Public Library, the California Institute of Technology and the County of Los Angeles Public Library.
Susan McGlamery is the 2004 Recipient of the LITA/Brett Butler Entrepreneurship Award. Susan has spent the last five years developing the national online reference service known as 24/7. The service can be accessed via the web at http: //www.247ref.org. This LITA award will be given for the first time in 2004 to recognize a librarian (or a library) that demonstrates exemplary entrepreneurship by providing an innovative product or service designed to meet the needs of the library world. Sponsored by The Gale Group, and the Library and Information Technology Association (LITA), a division of the American Library Association, the award includes a check for $5,000 and a certificate of recognition.