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Library Communications
December 24, 2009
Salinas Public Library and the Library of Alexandria Declare a Literary Peace
December 24, 2009 - Salinas, the City of Letters. Librarians across the world were stunned in November to receive news that the Salinas Public Library had challenged the library of another great City of Letters - the legendary Library of Alexandria in Egypt - to a literary duel through National Novel Writing Month. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina accepted Salinas' challenge on behalf of the novelists of Egypt, and the literary world held its breath as news of this international incident spread. Now, after 21 Salinas novelists wrote over half a million words in November, the two libraries have ended their dramatic literary competition - and declared a literary peace - as the Salinas Public Library and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina engage their citizens in a literary dialogue during the month of December. Salinas Mayor Dennis Donohue and Deputy Librarian Maria Roddy met with Dr. Ismail Serageldin, the founder and Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, to cement the agreement.
In December, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina distributes one thousand copies of The Grapes of Wrath, in Arabic, as Alexandria participates in The Big Read. Throughout December, the Salinas Public Library and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina are engaging their citizens in an English-Arabic dialogue through Steinbeck's classic novel.
Congressman Sam Farr expressed his delight at the resolution of the international literary incident, saying, "Salinas is known internationally as the Salad Bowl of the World largely due to the great works of John Steinbeck. So I'm excited that Salinas and Alexandria, both cities brought to life through books, are using this great author to illustrate the power of literature. Steinbeck, who wrote so vividly about the ability of people to endure difficult times, is a perfect example of the influence of the written word."
In a further development, John Steinbeck's library issued a special Salinas Public Library card to Mr. Adel Ali Labib, the Governor of Alexandria, and Salinas Mayor Dennis Donohue invited Governor Labib to join him in reading The Grapes of Wrath in December. The library checked out a copy of that novel to Governor Labib, renewable forever, and sent it to Alexandria as a diplomatic gift.
Following is the text of the Salinas Public Library's original challenge to the Mother of All Libraries, which was accepted by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and posted to its Facebook site:
Calling Alexandria's Someday Novelists: Salinas, California Challenges You!
Write a Novel in the Month of November!
Salinas California, City of Letters and Birthplace of John Steinbeck,
Challenges Alexandria, Egypt to a Literary Duel through NaNoWriMo
November, 2009 - In an act of irrational literary abandon, the Salinas Public Library has issued an international challenge to the Library of Alexandria, Egypt: Let the novelists of our cities of letters engage in a literary duel during the month of November as they strive to write a 50,000-word novel in one month. Why? Because the world needs more laughter, and everyone loves exploits of remarkable literary ambition. And because November is National Novel Writing Month, lovingly called "NaNoWriMo," when 100,000 people from the far corners of the earth will join in the spirit of daring and unlikely exploits. It is a month of brazen challenges, outsized claims, and international incidents of the literary kind. Join Us!
This is not so crazy! Salinas' native son John Steinbeck wrote his 454-page opus, The Grapes of Wrath, in five short months-at the rate of about 31,000 words per month. If you would like to embark on the most daring literary adventure of your life, sign up to take us on! This will connect you with a worldwide network of someday novelists, a high-humored bunch of writers who will tilt at anything. Particularly the novelists of Salinas, who can't wait to square off against the novelists of Alexandria. Go to www.nanowrimo.org.
www.salinaspubliclibrary.org
The Salinas Public Library. Come Get Us.
This literary incident has brought together two libraries with dramatic histories. The ancient Library of Alexandria, founded at the beginning of the third century BC, was the most famous library of the ancient world, charged with collecting all the world's knowledge. The original Library of Alexandria was partially destroyed on several occasions, and by the Middle Ages was the stuff of legend. In 2002, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina was inaugurated near the site of the ancient library, and now carries the tradition of the Library of Alexandria forward for future generations.
The Salinas Public Library, John Steinbeck's library in Salinas, California, received worldwide attention in 2005-06 when Salinas nearly became the first city in the United States to vote to close its library. An international uproar ensued: citizens, writers and celebrities worldwide mobilized to save the Salinas Public Library. This outcry demonstrated the critical importance of the Library in the life of the city, and when the citizens of Salinas passed ballot Measure V to support the library as part of essential city services, the story of the saving of the Salinas Public Library was heard around the world.
"The Salinas Public Library has much in common with the Library of Alexandria," said Elizabeth Martinez, Library Director of the Salinas Public Library. "Both libraries faced great challenges, and their demise was mourned across the world, but both libraries rose triumphantly to recreate themselves. The Salinas Public Library may be small, but it's resilient."
This program launches "Salinas: City of Letters," the second year of the collaborative programming presented by the Salinas Public Library and the National Steinbeck Center. This program is funded by a National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and will include the Centennial year of the Salinas Public Library, founded in 1909, and celebrating its 100th birthday in fall 2009. www.salinaspubliclibrary.org
Submitted by Lori Wood
Salinas Public Library
The Salinas Public Library is an Institutional Member of CLA and directly supports our advocacy programs. Click here for more information on Institutional Membership.
Posted by claadmin at 8:42 AM
December 11, 2009
California Library Association Names New Chief Executive Officer
FOLSOM, CA - Kim Bui-Burton, 2009-2010 California Library Association (CLA) President, has announced the selection of Michael M. Reyna as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective December 1, 2009.
Mr. Reyna was most recently the Chief Executive Officer of the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC). Prior to his time with CAOC, Michael was appointed and confirmed by the U. S. Senate to serve on the Farm Credit Administration Board of Directors for a six-year term, concluding in 2004.
In making the announcement, CLA President Bui-Burton stated that she is "delighted that Mr. Reyna will serve our association as our new executive. Michael brings extensive association and management experience to the position, which will be a real asset for us."
According to Mr. Reyna, "I look forward to working with the California Library Association Board to advance the Association's agenda on behalf of California's libraries, librarians and the people who depend upon them."
Mr. Reyna takes over for Interim Executive Director Claudia Foutz, who had assisted the California Library Association Board during its search for a new executive. California Library Association President Bui-Burton said, "Ms. Foutz's assistance during this transition was invaluable and on behalf of the Board, we wish to thank her for her service."
About the California Library Association
Established in 1895, the California Library Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit association that provides leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library services, librarianship, and the library community. CLA helps its 3,000 members excel in a fast-changing job market and is a resource for learning about new ideas and technology. Furthermore, CLA is a leading advocate on all statewide library issues and actively works to influence legislation affecting libraries and librarians. Governed by an elected Board of Directors, CLA is headquartered in Folsom, California.
More information may be obtained at www.cla-net.org
Printable Press Release (113 k)
Posted by claadmin at 3:11 PM
November 23, 2009
CLA-Drexel Online Partnership Benefits CLA Members
Members receive a 20% tuition reduction on top-ranked information science programs
Drexel University Online recently formed a new educational partnership with the California Library Association. Through this partnership, CLA members are entitled to receive a 20% tuition reduction on online programs offered through The iSchool at Drexel (College of Information Science and Technology). Drexel Online is pleased to offer CLA members the opportunity to advance their education in a convenient online format at reduced tuition rates.
Drexel's MS in Library and Information Science is ranked among the top 10 library science programs in the nation by U.S.News & World Report. This ALA-accredited program is available to CLA members online as well as face-to-face at Drexel University's Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento. With access to classes online 24/7, CLA members can earn a distinguished degree without career interruption.
"We are thrilled to partner with such a forward-thinking organization and we look forward to supporting CLA's commitment to improve library service and education throughout California," said Dr. Kenneth Hartman, Academic Director of Drexel University Online. "This non-exclusive partnership offers CLA members a convenient and affordable way to advance their education and develop the skills necessary to move up in the field of library science and information systems."
David E. Fenske, Dean of the iSchool, adds, "We value our relationship with the California Library Association, and are pleased to be in the state offering another educational choice to California residents. The iSchool maintains a physical presence in California through the Drexel University Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento, as well as the online program, providing students with both online and on-campus course options."
For more information about Drexel University Online and to apply online at no cost, visit www.drexel.com/cla. CLA members, be sure to enter "CLA" as your partner affiliation code on your application to receive your reduced tuition rates.
Please contact your partnership liaison with any questions:
Valerie Malinowski
CLA-Drexel Online Partnership Liaison
(215) 895-0915
www.drexel.com/cla
Posted by claadmin at 3:49 PM
November 4, 2009
CLA Announces New Host for CALIX Listserv
The California Library Association announces that it will be soon relocating the CALIX listserv to its new host, thanks in part to UCLA's Graduate School of Education and Information Studies. Our organization is grateful to San Jose State University for hosting CALIX since 1995.
The previous CALIX listserv is no longer accessible. However, both CLA and UCLA staff & leadership are working quickly to reinstate the free flow of communication between California's library community.
Posted by claadmin at 4:54 PM
Response to Dr. Ken Haycock's Open Letter
Dear Library Community,
I was shocked and deeply saddened to read the CALIX posting regarding the San Jose State University School of Library and Information Science severing its unique relationship with the California Library Association. We very much regret that the senior management team has come to this conclusion.
The CLA Board is committed to building bridges and strengthening relationships with all providers and supporters of library services across California, and engaging new leaders in the future of CLA. As the 2009-2010 CLA President (and a proud alumnus of SJSU School of LIS) I look forward to finding ways to work with SJSU administrators, faculty and students to re-establish effective relations.
From Dr. Haycock's most recent communication to the previous Board, I believe that this issue is now closed. Our work as the new Board will be to move CLA forward for the future. I am excited and energized to be working with all of you, as I noted in my speech to the General Membership, demonstrating integrity, clarity and transparency in everything we do for the future of California libraries and communities.
Again, I am happy to be contacted with any follow-up questions you may have. My cell is 831-601-0934 - I will be heading into the Grand Canyon and Zion areas for the next few days so will respond as soon as I am able.
Many thanks,
Kim Bui-Burton
CLA President
Posted by claadmin at 10:33 AM
September 16, 2009
UCLA MLIS Information Session in San Francisco
An informational meeting for the UCLA MLIS program will take place in San Francisco on Sunday, November 8th from 2-4 pm in the 3rd Floor Conference Room of the main San Francisco Public Library at 100 Larkin Street.
The UCLA Department of Information Studies encourages applicants and prospective MLIS applicants to attend Group Information Meetings. At each meeting, the IS Student Affairs Officer will present an overview of the program and then respond to questions regarding MLIS degree requirements, program structure, the library/information science profession, and the admissions process.
Please contact the Student Affairs Officer to indicate which information session you plan on attending by phone (310) 825-5269 or by e-mail Susan Abler at abler@gseis.ucla.edu if interested in attending this meeting.
More information about this session and others at UCLA is available by clicking here.
UCLA Department of Information Studies is a CLA Institutional Member. For more information on Institutional Membership, please click here.
Posted by claadmin at 12:41 PM
May 5, 2009
ALA Millennial Survey
The American Library Association's Emerging Leaders Program is asking CLA members born after 1978 to participate in an online survey. The findings of this survey will help CLA and other library professional associations understand the needs and wants of the "millennial generation" and better serve its members. The results of the survey will be presented at the 2009 ALA Annual Conference.
This survey will take about 15-20 minutes, and is available at:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=l2y9vQxaMRF6OSNMyjdJTQ_3d_3d
For additional information about the Emerging Leaders Program, please visit http://wikis.ala.org/emergingleaders/index.php/Main_Page.
Thank you in advance for your participation!
Posted by claadmin at 3:01 PM