November 14, 2007
Parcel Tax Approved for Services and Facilities in Davis
Voters in Davis approved increasing a library parcel tax from $42 to $88 annually with 73% voting yes, well above the stiff 2/3 majority required. The measure included a tax on multiple family dwellings at a $44 per unit rate. The supplemental tax measure will maintain current levels of service, add staff, and expand service in a manner yet to be determined in South Davis. It will also provide funds to refurbish and expand the Davis facility and upgrade technology. A $42 parcel tax was implemented in 1989, and this was the first time since then that an increase had been sought.
Davis is a part of the Yolo County Library, and has taxed itself at a greater level than the rest of the County in order to provide a higher level of library service, including a 60 hour, seven day weekly schedule.
The success of this campaign is attributed heavily to support from the Davis Friends of Library, elected City and County officials, the local media, and an ad-hoc support group, Yes On Measure ,http://www.yesonmeasurep.net./
The Davis Branch Facility was recently renamed as the Mary L. Stephens Branch, in honor of the County Librarian who retired a little over a year ago after 37 years of service with the Library. She was honorary co-chair of the Yes on Measure P organization and very active as a volunteer in the campaign.
Roger Pearson Interim County Librarian
California Summer Reading Website
The California Summer Reading Program has a new website!
Here you will find:
- All the latest news about summer reading in California.
- Information about upcoming training workshops, and handouts and videos from previous workshops.
- A new "getting started" section with resources for planning your summer reading program, data you can use when advocating for summer reading, and practical information about the CSLP materials, including ordering deadlines for program incentives.
Coming soon!
A discussion forum where California librarians can ask questions and share information and ideas about summer reading.
Programming ideas and resources will be added through the year, so check back often!
If you have comments or feedback about the website, please contact Natalie Cole at ncole@cla-net.org.
Thank you!
Henry Bates - Mendocino County Librarian 1989-1999
Henry Bates, who spent his life in public service, passed away in Reno, Nevada on October 9th after a brief illness. Henry established the Round Valley Library in Covelo and carried the Mendocino County Library through turbulent financial times.
His wife, Sally, and children request that any donations in his name be sent to the Mendocino County Library (or your local library). Please note "for the purchase of books" with your donation.
September 27, 2007
Third Year Planned for California Summer Reading Program
For the third year, the California Library Association will be providing materials from the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) to public libraries in California. Manuals and order forms for incentives are due to be shipped at the end of October for every public library building. The program is supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.
Two training and orientation sessions on summer reading are scheduled for the CLA conference in Long Beach, and other training is being arranged in cooperation with the library systems.
The program will be directed this year by Natalie Cole. Natalie holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in Librarianship from the University of Sheffield, England. She has worked in both public and academic libraries, and from 2002-2005 was the Director of the California Center for the Book. She has been active in CLA, and has served on the CLA Assembly and on CLA's Membership Committee, Library Education, Recruitment and Mentoring Committee, and Research and Publications Committee.
If you have questions about the Summer Reading Program, contact Natalie at ncole@cla-net.org, or CLA Executive Director Sue Negreen at snegreen@cla-net.org.
September 17, 2007
California libraries joining with PBS to promote Ken Burns' "The War"
World War II "touched every family, on every street, in every town in America," says Ken Burns whose new seven-part PBS documentary, The War, premieres on PBS September 23. The California State Library (CSL) and the California Center for the Book are partnering with PBS to promote the series in California libraries.
Through this partnership, all California public library jurisdictions have been sent "toolkits" with bibliographies, posters, clip DVDs, educator guides, and community partner lists to assist libraries in facilitating community discussions about the series, collecting local histories related to World War II, and encouraging people to read and discuss books and films about war and peace in general. Many of these materials are also available to the public via download from www.calbook.org.
Ken Burns and co-producer Lynn Novick interviewed hundreds of men and women for the 14 1/2 hour series, telling the story through the personal accounts of individuals who served and those who were left at home during those turbulent years. With one thousand veterans of World War II passing away each day, The War offers a unique opportunity for libraries to spearhead collections of their own oral histories of local people who lived during World War II before their stories and histories are lost forever.
Public libraries and public television share a commitment to serving their communities with quality programs and free access to information. November 8th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, the California State Library and the California Center for the Book will again join PBS, along with eight California public libraries (to be announced), to host a videoconference between Ken Burns and California library audiences to address World War II's tremendous impact on California. For additional information please contact Mary Menzel at the California Center for the Book at (310) 206-2464 or mmenzel@ucla.edu.
July 19, 2007
Summer 2007 CSL Connection now LIVE
The Summer 2007 issue of the California State Library's quarterly newsletter, CSL Connection, is now LIVE and available in HTML and PDF on the California State Library website. Just click CSL Connection under Related Links on the CSL home page or go directly to http://www.library.ca.gov/newsletter/index.html.
Enjoy the issue!
June 6, 2007
Volunteers Needed
California State Library - Sutro, one of the great genealogy libraries, would like to invite interested individuals to volunteer and help maintain this magnificent collection.
Duties involve:
Shelving books & assisting staff on a variety of projects.
Please ask for an application at the Reference Desk or contact Sutro at 415-557-0421 or sutro@library.ca.gov.
May 18, 2007
Public Meeting for California State Library's California Civil Liberties Public Education Program set for May 25th
State Librarian of California Susan Hildreth, and the California Civil Liberties Public Education Program (CCLPEP) advisory committee, will meet on May 25, 2007 to review applications for (FY) 2006-07 CCLPEP grants.
CCLPEP, the result of 1999's California Civil Liberties Public Education Act sponsored by Assembly member Mike Honda, provides competitive grants for public educational activities and educational materials stemming from the Japanese Internment experience of World War II.
CCLPEP has $500,000 to allocate in grant funds this year. The program received 73 applications, with a total amount of $2,414,618 requested. An independent panel read the applications and provided initial scores and comments. The advisory committee will factor this information into their discussion and decision-making process.
The CCLPEP meeting, which is open to the public will convene at 10:00 am, in Room 500 of the Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building I, at 914 Capitol Mall in Sacramento. There will be time available for the public to provide input.
For more information please contact CCLPEP's Amy Sullivan at the California State Library at (916) 653-8722 or email at asullivan@library.ca.gov.
March 16, 2007
Spring 2007 CSL Connection now LIVE!
The Spring 2007 issue of the California State Library's quarterly newsletter, CSL Connection, is now LIVE and available in HTML and PDF on the California State Library website under "What's New" at http://www.library.ca.gov/. Or click directly to http://www.library.ca.gov/html/newsletter.cfm.
Enjoy the issue!
March 14, 2007
Barbara Bibel wins RUSA Isadore Gilbert Mudge-R.R. Bowker Award
Barbara Mita Chaikin Bibel, a long-time CLA member and a reference librarian at the Oakland Public Library, is the recipient of the 2007 Isadore Gilbert Mudge-R.R. Bowker Award presented by the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA).
The award of $5,000 and a citation, donated by R.R. Bowker, recognizes distinguished contributions to reference librarianship. The honor is named for Isadore Gilbert Mudge who was a reference librarian, a bibliographer at Columbia University in New York and author of the 1917 revision of the "Guide to the Study and Use of Reference Books."
"The award committee was impressed with Barbara Bibel's contributions in providing training for other professionals and working with local health providers to establish multi-lingual health educational programs for the community," said Don Kenney, award committee chair. "Bibel is perhaps one of the few public librarians who is a member of the Medical Library Association (MLA) and speaks at their meetings."
"As a regular contributor to Reference Books Bulletin, Library Trends, Criticas, Jewish Book World, Booklist, Library Journal, and the Association of Jewish Libraries, Barbara Bibel has expanded not only the knowledge of the profession, but has brought medical knowledge to many in her community," said Kenney.
The award will be presented at RUSA Awards Ceremony on June 25, 2007, from 4 to 6 p.m., during the ALA Annual Conference in Washington.
February 8, 2007
Revised 1040 X Form and Instructions
The Form 1040X (Rev. December 2006), Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, and Instructions for Form 1040X (Rev. December 2006) are being revised. Please immediately dispose/recycle the December 2006 revision of both the form and instructions. The revision date is located under the form number or title on each product.
A small quantity (10-25) of the new February 2007 revision of both the form and instructions will automatically be sent to you in early
March. They may arrive in separate shipments. No action on your part
will be necessary. Please allow time to receive your shipment before re-ordering through normal channels.
The February 2007 revision will be posted to www.irs.gov. If necessary download and print copies.
The Internal Revenue Service apologizes for any inconvenience this may
have caused.
February 6, 2007
Take the Summer Reading Program Survey!
We Need To Hear From You! Take the Summer Reading Program Survey!
Did you participate in the 2006 Paws, Claws, Scales & Tales Summer Reading Program?
If so, the California Library Association would like to know about your experience with the program and materials. Please follow the link below to take our survey.
Your responses are confidential and only aggregate results will be published. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Negreen or Jennifer Sweeney.
Approximate time to complete: 15 minutes
If possible, please have handy approximate information on your library's program attendance and costs.
Click here to start the survey!
January 9, 2007
California State Library Offers Television Listings
Visually impaired Californians can now independently access their local television listings through one telephone call thanks to an expanded service supported by the California State Library's Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL).
The television listings are a new feature of NFB-NEWSLINE®, a free electronic newspaper service for the visually impaired which carries 242 newspapers and magazines including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. By simply entering their zip code, source of television reception, and time zone, visually impaired customers have quick and easy access to their local television listings.
NFB-NEWSLINE®, a service of the National Federation of the Blind, uses Zap2it television listings, a product of Tribune Media Services and the leading source of entertainment listings in the country.
Eric Duffy, a blind parent of two children, says: "It is so important to find quality television programming for young children. Now I can choose appropriate television shows for my children, just like any other sighted parent."
State Librarian of California Susan Hildreth says, "I know that our sight impaired customers will enjoy this new service provided through California State Library's BTBL. Disseminating information to our customers is a key mission of the California State Library and this new feature of NFB-NEWSLINE® gives us an excellent opportunity to do that."
For more information about BTBL's NFB-NEWSLINE® service please contact BTBL at 800-952-5666 or email at btbl@library.ca.gov.
December 19, 2006
Exhibitions and Symposia on Dr. Sun Yat-sen and China's Revolution of 1911
The Chinese American Librarians Association's Southern California Chapter, the County of Los Angeles Public Library, the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library and the Asian Pacific Resource Center of the CoLAPL are co-sponsoring a series of Exhibitions and Symposia in commemoration of Dr. Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925) for his 140th Anniversary and for the 95th Anniversary of China's Revolution of 1911 (also known as Xin Hai Ge Ming). Dr. Sun was a pioneer and leader in the fight for China's democracy. His distinguished achievements and contributions are considered as of the greatest significance in inspiring patriotism in China, and have influenced China substantially. The Symposia and Grand Opening of the Exhibitions were held on November 17 and November 18, 2006 respectively at the two libraries. This is the first California-China international library cooperation in Southern California.
The Exhibitions display more than 400 rare photographs, manuscripts and historical documents on Dr. Sun and the Revolution from the Special Collections Department of the Sun Yat-sen Library of Guangdong Province and the Sun Yat-sen University Libraries of China. The Exhibitions and the Symposia, both in size and content, mark a "First" in the history of Southern California in similar activities. These rare photos and materials were donated to the County of Los Angeles Public Library and the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library on November 17, 2006.
A number of distinguished speakers were invited to present at the Symposia: 1) Dr. Huanwen Cheng, Professor and Chair of the Research Institute of Library and Information Science and Director of the Sun Yat-sen University Libraries, spoke on "Dr. Sun Yat-sen and the Sun Yat-sen University"; 2) Dr. Philip West, Mansfield Professor of Modern Asian Affairs, University of Montana and Ph D in Modern Chinese History from Harvard University, spoke on "Teaching Dr. Sun Yat-sen in the American College Classroom - Dr. Sun's Legacy in China"; 3) Mr. Jun-ming Ni, Head of Special Collections of Guangdong Provincial Zhongshan Library spoke on "An Introduction to the Special Holdings of the Guangdong Provincial Zhongshan Library, Rare and Valuable Photos and Resources of the China Revolution of 1911"; and 4) Mr. Sean Liang, Journalist and Researcher, spoke on "California Bonds: Descendants of Dr. Sun yat-sen".
More than 200 participants extended their warm congratulations for the excellent organization and success of the events. They were impressed by the quality of the presentations at the symposia and the exceptional photos and rare materials on display. Among the letters we received was a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Hilda L. Solis, Member of the Congress, in recognition of our cultural contribution to the community. ALA President Leslie Berger and immediate Past President Michael Gorman, California State Librarian Susan Hildreth, mayors of Los Angeles County, Montebello, Monterey Park, and presidents of the Friends of Libraries, and many more sent in their warmest congratulations in recognition of our contributions to the California-China Collaborative "Exhibitions and Symposia in honor of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's 140th Anniversary" that have provided an educational opportunity to the communities.
The Exhibitions will continue to be held from November 17 to December 20, 2006 at the Montebello Library and the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library in Southern California. For more information, please contact: Ms. Sally C. Tseng, Executive Director of the Chinese American Librarians Association, phone number: 949-552-5615, E-mail:sctseng888@yahoo.com.
December 7, 2006
Berkeley Public Library Director Appointed
The Berkeley Board of Library Trustees (BOLT) voted tonight to name Donna Corbeil as the new Director of Library Services of the Berkeley Public Library.
Ms. Corbeil, currently the Deputy Director of the Solano County Library in Fairfield, was Chief of Branches at the San Francisco Public Library for six years prior to her position at Solano County. She previously served the Oakland Public Library for seven years in a variety of supervisory and senior librarian positions. She brings to her new position solid grounding in the operation of public libraries within the specific context of Bay Area communities.
"Donna emphasized in her presentations that she would focus on collaborative processes with the staff, the management team, the unions, the Board and the community in her work as director," said BOLT Chair Susan Kupfer. "We were impressed with her energy and the breadth and depth of her experience. She has a wonderful manner of relating to others, which we hope will go a long way to easing tensions both within the library and the larger Berkeley community. She is aware of the major issues currently facing libraries, privacy being one such example, and is committed to developing and articulating policies through group processes."
BOLT Trustee Laura Anderson, a member of the subcommittee of the Board overseeing the process, cited Corbeil's experience as Chief of branch libraries in San Francisco as an enormous plus. "BOLT would like to focus its attention in the next years on our beloved branch libraries. Donna's extensive background with neighborhood libraries and her commitment and dedication to invigorating community libraries will serve Berkeley well."
Corbeil, an Oakland resident, told BOLT in her application that she was "honored and excited" to be able to serve the Berkeley community. "As a long time East Bay resident, I am familiar with local issues and the culture of involvement, which makes it such a dynamic and vibrant community," she wrote.
Corbeil, who will serve at the pleasure of BOLT, will begin her new position on January 8, 2007.
September 27, 2006
New MCLS Executive Director
Rosario Garza will be joining the MCLS staff as Executive Director starting November 1, 2006.
Ms. Garza is a graduate of the Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas. She earned her Master of Library Science at North Texas State University and her Master of Business Administration from Regis University in Denver, Colorado.
Most recently, Ms. Garza was employed as Assistant Director for Member Services at Bibliographical Center for Research (BCR), a Colorado-based nonprofit, multistate, library cooperative that includes various types of libraries (academic, school, public, research and special) in 39 states. During her 22 year tenure at BCR, she assisted member libraries, helping them access and share information resources, developing and promoting new technologies, and delivering training and technical assistance in the use of information services. Ms. Garza's strong management and interpersonal skills, coupled with strong technical knowledge, make her an excellent match for the position of MCLS Executive Director.
September 21, 2006
Fall 2006 CSL Connection
The California State Library's Fall 2006 CSL Connection is live. Please check it out at http://www.library.ca.gov/html/newsletter.cfm. Enjoy the issue!
September 13, 2006
Report on League of California Cities Booth
Submitted by Jean Scully, Past President, Public Library Section
The booth at the League of California Cities was a great success. I take pleasure in passing along to all of you the message given to us by so many people as they strolled by the booth: Thank you, librarians, for all that you do.
And thank you to all the libraries who contributed materials for the booth at the League of California Cities. People asked questions and took brochures, bibliographies, fundraising information and the novelty give-aways.
We hereby acknowledge the participants: City, County, County Law, District, and Systems.
City jurisdictions:
Azuza
Benicia
El Segundo
Glendale
Glendora
Huntington Beach
Los Angeles
Moreno Valley
Ojai
Ontario
Paso Robles
Redondo Beach
San Francisco
San Jose
Santa Cruz
Sunnyvale
Counties of:
Alameda
Contra Costa
Fresno
Humboldt
Kern
Los Angeles
Santa Clara
Solano
Sonoma
District:
Palos Verdes
County Law Libraries:
Alameda
Council of CA County Law Libraries
Kern
Orange
Riverside
Sacramento
San Diego
San Francisco
San Mateo
Siskiyou
Systems:
MCLS
Serra
Report on League of California Cities Booth
Submitted by Jean Scully, Past President, Public Library Section
The booth at the League of California Cities was a great success. I take pleasure in passing along to all of you the message given to us by so many people as they strolled by the booth: Thank you, librarians, for all that you do.
And thank you to all the libraries who contributed materials for the booth at the League of California Cities. People asked questions and took brochures, bibliographies, fundraising information and the novelty give-aways.
We hereby acknowledge the participants: City, County, County Law, District, and Systems.
City jurisdictions:
Azuza
Benicia
El Segundo
Glendale
Glendora
Huntington Beach
Los Angeles
Moreno Valley
Ojai
Ontario
Paso Robles
Redondo Beach
San Francisco
San Jose
Santa Cruz
Sunnyvale
Counties of:
Alameda
Contra Costa
Fresno
Humboldt
Kern
Los Angeles
Santa Clara
Solano
Sonoma
District:
Palos Verdes
County Law Libraries:
Alameda
Council of CA County Law Libraries
Kern
Orange
Riverside
Sacramento
San Diego
San Francisco
San Mateo
Siskiyou
Systems:
MCLS
Serra
August 29, 2006
More FREE California Poppy Seeds
Got a California Library Card?
More FREE California Poppy Seeds
Offered by Johnny Poppyseed ©
Library administrators, Friends of the Library and adult library cardholders* are invited to participate in the planting of more California Poppies.
Fall rain will encourage a proliferation of blooms if the seeds are planted immediately. The 104th anniversary of California's State Flower will be celebrated April 6, 2007.
Fall and spring are the best times to plant. The California Poppy Project © is offering one free packet of seeds to adults in all 58 counties of California.
To receive your free packet, send a #10 long business envelope that is self-addressed, with two $.39 stamps affixed. Information about the project will also be included. There is a limit of one request per person/ per address while our supply lasts. Duplicate requests, small envelopes and postcards will be discarded and none will be returned.
You may enclose up to twelve (12) self-addressed, stamped, long business envelopes to be sent to: friends, relatives and business associates (residing at OTHER addresses than your own) including your personal request. It is recommended that you use a large brown envelope for this purpose. Only California addresses will be honored (no out of state addresses, please.)
California Poppy seeds are drought tolerant and recommended in mild climates. They are susceptible to extremes of heat and cold. Poppies should be planted where you want them to grow as their tap root can be up to 15 feet in length. They are particularly efficient on hill sides to help prevent soil erosion. Do not attempt to transplant poppies and they need no fertilizer. You may harvest the seed pods after they have bloomed for broadcasting in other areas. It is illegal to pick California Poppies that grow on public property. It is OK to pick poppies planted on private property however, they will not last long. Enjoy their beauty where they grow with other wildflowers of your choice.
Established in 1987, the group's goal is to "Help preserve our trails, paths, highways, coastal areas, parks and safety rest stops from the blight of discarded litter!"
To date more than 100,000 free packets have been distributed statewide with the assistance of the Native Daughters of the Golden West (NDGW).
Send your request to:
RDavid Herndon, Director
California Poppy Project ©
P.O. Box 2089
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277-1001
------
Additional information about the California Poppy Project:
http://current-news.org/library-card.html
August 22, 2006
Legal Information for California Residents
Submitted by Sarah Houghton-Jan, Information Technology Section President
Librarians walk a tight line between giving our users the legal information they need (which we can do) and giving them legal advice (which we can't do). Here are a few websites to which you can direct your users in good confidence.
- California Courts Self Help Center: California-specific information about the forms and filings for various legal problems, California's Ask-a-Law-Librarian service (through AskNow), information especially for seniors, and much more. Information also available in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese.
- LawHelpCalifornia.org: California-specific resources on a variety of legal problems and issues, including Native American issues, housing, immigration, and more. Information available in a dozen languages.
- EZLegalFile: From the California Supreme Court, EZLegalFile is an interactive program that will help you fill out the forms necessary to request or respond to papers for a variety of legal issues. The site asks you questions and your answers fill out the necessary legal forms.
July 27, 2006
Submit Your PRexcellence Entries Today!
This could be your year!
Tell your Friends and Foundation about the PRexcellence Awards. This year California Friends and Foundations (and other library support organzations) are invited to participate in the awards, along with libraries of all sizes. The Awards are given annually during the California Library Association Annual Conference, including the "Best in Show Award." The conference will be November, 2006 in Sacramento.
There are categories for programming, advocacy, news & information, and "other." Entries may be a single piece or an entire campaign. Don't forget electronic formats (like your web site) - they can be entered too.
With separate budget divisions for small, medium and large libraries there's a way for every California library to participate.
Entries must be received by August 23, 2006. Everything you need to enter is on the CLA web site, take a minute to check it out.
Questions? Contact Deborah Doyle at zorrah@well.com.
July 25, 2006
Waynn Pearson Retiring
Waynn Pearson, City Librarian for Cerritos, CA, since 1981, is retiring at the end of July. Under Pearson's leadership, Cerritos built a new library in 1987 that won the ALA/AIA Award of Excellence, and in 2002 opened the world's first "Experience Library." The award winning Library is viewed as a model for libraries of the future and is regularly visited by library delegations from all over the United States and the world.
Hallmarks of the "Experience Library" include: a strong focus on the user's experience; the organization of library spaces by theming around a strong story line; a concierge-style greeting station; and an emphasis on providing "WOW!" customer service. Many of these concepts came from Pearson's experiences as assistant project manager for the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts and from his strong connection with the themed entertainment industry. He credits Marty Sklar, former head of Disney Imagineering and now Disney Ambassador, and Joe Pine and Jim Gilmore, authors of the book The Experience Economy, as inspirations. Ray Bradbury, a friend and inspiration to Waynn, says that Cerritos has created the library of his dreams, and refers to it as "Waynn's library."
Pearson also created the clioinstitute, the learning arm of the Cerritos library, whose mission is "inspiring libraries to inspire communities." It has received grant awards totaling over one million dollars and has originated a variety of programs which have benefited the library community as a whole.
He has written a number of magazine articles and has been widely quoted in library publications. His "Epilogue: The River of the 21st Century Library Runs through User's Experiences" in the book, Last One Out Turn Off the Lights, by Susan Cleyle and Louise McGillis, has been suggested as a "blueprint" for libraries of the future.
One of his most satisfying moments as a librarian was when he heard several teenage girls in the elevator talking and one said, "This place is cooler than the mall!" As Waynn points out, there is no higher praise from a teenager.
What about the future? Pearson says that he plans on slipping into his racing suit and helmet and driving his Porsche in amateur sport car events. He also will do some special consulting related to library leadership and the future of libraries.
June 20, 2006
Spring 2006 CSL Connection
The California State Library's new Spring 2006 CSL Connection is live!
Please check it out at
http://www.library.ca.gov/ (What's New) or
http://www.library.ca.gov/html/newsletter.cfm or
http://www.library.ca.gov/newsletter/2006/2006spring/index.html
Sarah Dalton
Editor
CSL Connection
California State Library
914 Capitol Mall, Suite 217
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 654-1483
sdalton@library.ca.gov
June 8, 2006
CLA Statement on Proposition 81
The California Library Association is deeply disappointed in the defeat of Proposition 81, the Library Bond Act. A library is the heart of every community, and a necessary cornerstone of learning. This loss is a setback for dozens of cities and towns throughout the state who have no library, or a library that is too antiquated to serve its community's growing need for information. According to the California State Library, more than 500 public library building projects are needed within the next five years to meet the skyrocketing demands for library services. Though we are disheartened by the results of the ballot, the California Library Association will continue its commitment to advocate for California's libraries, and we will work with our elected officials and communities to create 21st century libraries and services throughout our state.
Margaret Miles
President, California Library Association
UPDATE
Prop 81 in the news:
Tougher times blamed for rejection of library measure
Bond failure forces cities to drop plans or seek other funds
Library plans have tragic ending
Bond measure defeat hurts library plans
June 2, 2006
USB Flash Drives on Public Computers
Submitted by Sarah Houghton, IT Section President
To block or not to block, that is the question. Generally, we librarians err on the side of openness. We generally don't like blocking things. But if your library is in the throes of discussing access to the USB ports on your public use computers, so that the public can access their flash storage devices, you may want to read Michael Sauers's summary of a good discussion on Web4Lib on the topic: Are USB Drives a security risk? He does an excellent job of discussing the pros and cons of allowing access, and if you're trying to continue access at your library, this might just give you the talking points you need for discussions with administrators or technology staff.
May 30, 2006
A Guide to CLA Dues Reimbursement for Your Employer
By Kit Willis, Chair, Membership Committee
If you're not the only one benefiting from your CLA membership, then why are you the only one paying for it?
Your CLA membership isn't just valuable to you, it's valuable to your library, too. As a CLA member, you know you receive top-quality professional publications, gain opportunities for essential continuing education, and have access to a unique set of resources to improve your own worklife. But is your employer aware of how these benefits can advance your entire library's mission and work?
By demonstrating how your CLA membership improves your work, and therefore your workplace, you can encourage your employer to pay your CLA dues. Here are 4 simple steps to help you build a compelling case with your boss, board, or library "Friends" group to pay for your professional memberships:
- Make a list of all member benefits that directly AND indirectly benefit your library. We've included some ideas at the end of this article to help get you started.
- Review your library's mission and strategic goals. Match up specific organizational or departmental objectives with CLA resources that help you meet those goals.
- Talk with your supervisor about why membership has been valuable to you, and go through the list of ways that CLA benefits 'match' your library's goals.
- Ask your supervisor to cover all or part of your CLA dues as an investment in your own professional development, and as a benefit to the entire library.
Don't be shy. Remember, for pennies a day in dues, your library gets a well-connected and informed staff member who is up-to-date on new trends around the library world and understands how the latest technology, legislative issues and new media affect your patrons. Plus, you get the personal bonus of an employer who understands and acknowledges this in a special way.
You know how important your membership is. Here are a few facts about membership benefits to share with your employer:
- Your membership will help you stay up-to-date with the latest news focused on the work you do every day through CLA's weblog and new bi-annual journal, Clarion and the list-servs for CLA's Sections.
- CLA offers a members-only discount on conference attendance. This discount helps the library stretch its budget for purchasing and continuing education.
- CLA offers scholarships and awards that can directly subsidize the library budget for conferences, continuing education and special programs.
- You are eligible to serve on CLA committees and work groups that set the course for the future of libraries. Boards and community leadership are proud of, and find added value in, staff members who are recognized by their peers for outstanding service.
- Your own staff development goals can be enhanced through the continuing education, skills training, and mentoring programs offered by CLA. Plus, you bring back new ideas to your coworkers from every outside training.
- Members have unique opportunities to contribute articles, propose new publications, become a reviewer and bring your library's best-practices to a new audience. This brings recognition to your library in the wider community of professionals.
- You and your library have networking opportunities through CLA's online members-only directory that enables you to share experiences, develop professionally, and interact with library leaders throughout California.
For more information on CLA member benefits, or to learn more about the opportunities described above, visit www.cla-net.org or call (916) 447-8541. We are glad that you are a member and support your efforts to gain the recognition from your employer that you deserve.
May 15, 2006
Policy and Management Issues Framework: Statewide Portal Project
The following NEW report from the California State Library's California Research Bureau has just been released and is available on the California State Library's website. Or click directly on the California Research Bureau page.
Policy and Management Issues Framework: Statewide Portal Project
By Deborah Schwartz (CRB 06-005, May 2006)
Electronic government (eGovernment) has become a basic function of state government. California's state web portal was award-winning on its debut in 2001, but has not been maintained and was recently ranked in the bottom five state websites nationally. This report identifies the primary policy and management issues that California needs to address to achieve a state web presence that is focused on customer needs, trusted by the public, accessible and usable by California's diverse citizenry and business communities. The state's website must be flexible to accommodate changes in administrative environment, customer expectations, and new technologies. Issues also include effective governance and sustainable funding. J. Clark Kelso, State Chief Information Officer, requested this report as part of his and the State Portal Steering Committee's efforts create an integrated, enterprise state web presence.
May 5, 2006
Endowment Board Convenes, Reserves Funding for Round Two
California Cultural and Historical Endowment Board met April 27th and 28th, 2006 at the California State Library in Sacramento to hear presentations from 53 grant applicants for the Endowment's second Round of Proposition 40 bond funds. The Board had $43 million of Proposition 40 funds available to award in this second Round.
To ensure more equitable consideration of applications, the Endowment Board grouped organizations into divisions so that the organizations would compete amongst entities with similar budgets. Also in this second round of distributions, two types of applications were accepted, Project Grants for which division groups could apply for funding between $25,000-$3,000,000 for capital projects, and Planning Grants, for which division groups could apply for funding between $10,000-$300,000 for planning activities related to capital projects. The Planning Grants were offered to allow applicants time to seriously consider whether they wish to pursue a capital project, given the budgetary expenses involved in such an undertaking.
At the conclusion of the 2-day meeting, the Board voted to reserve specific allocations for 45 applicants from the Project Grants, and award 34 from the Planning Grants.
The 45 Project Grant finalists by name, funding and county are:
La Plaza De Cultural y Artes, $2,500,000, LOS ANGELES COUNTY
The Outdoor Art Club, Inc., $44,489, MARIN COUNTY
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, $327,500, LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Sunnyvale Historical Society and Museum Association, $600,000, SANTA CLARA LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Vallejo Community Arts Foundation, $220,000, SOLANO COUNTY
Goleta Valley Historical Society, $250,000, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
Casa Romanita Cultura Center and Gardens, $201,000, ORANGE COUNTY
San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, $370,300, SANTA CLARA COUNTY
Tulare County Historical Society, $1,451,870, TULARE COUNTY
Rosie the Riverter Trust, $2,000,000, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Viet Heritage Society, $1,300,000, SANTA CLARA COUNTY
Arte Americas, $500,000, FRESNO COUNTY
Social & Public Art Resource Center, $1,287,585, LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Trinity County Historical Society, $139,532, TRINITY COUNTY COUNTY
Fort Ross Interpretive Association, $85,000, SONOMA COUNTY
Friends of Antelope Valley Museum, $389,500, LOS ANGELES COUNTY
San Diego Archaeological Center, $493,088, SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Empire Mine Park Association, $1,286,220, NEVADA COUNTY
Prelado De Los Tesoros de la Purisima, $310,325, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
Anza Borrego Foundation, $75,789, SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Rancho Los Alamitos Foundation, $1,500,000, LOS ANGELES COUNTY
The Mexican Museum, $2,400,000, SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY
EastSide Arts Alliance, $114,420, ALAMEDA COUNTY
East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, $1,000,000, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Angel Island Immigration Foundation, $622,842, MARIN COUNTY
Sierra State Parks Foundation, $275,000, MONO COUNTY
Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation, $322,685, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
Fresno Metropolitan Museum of Art & Science, $2,500,000, FRESNO COUNTY
Simon Wiesenthal Center, Inc., $2,600,000, LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Northern California Indian Development - Carson Block Building, $1,100,000, HUMBOLDT COUNTY
California State Railroad Museum, $300,000, TUOLOUMNE COUNTY
City of Poway, Kumeyaay-Ipai Interpretive Center, $380,311, SAN DIEGO COUNTY
City of Buenaventura, Oliva Adobe Renovation, $1,076,000, VENTURA COUNTY
City of Calexico, Carnegie Library, $712,000, IMPERIAL COUNTY
City of Pasadena, City Hall, $800,000, LOS ANGELES COUNTY
City of Auburn, Auburn School Preserve, $388,189, PLACER COUNTY
City of San Fernando, Lopez Adobe Preservation, $602,734, LOS ANGELES COUNTY
City of Long Beach, Rancho Los Cerritos Vistor Ed. Center, $680,000, LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Sonoma County, Hood House, $305,290, SONOMA COUNTY
City of Richmond, Municipal Natatorium, $2,081,800, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Wiyot Tribe, Tuluwat Village Rehabilitation, $310,000, HUMBOLDT COUNTY
City & County of San Francisco, South Windmill Restoration, $488,411, SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY
City of Benicia, Arsenal Commandant's Residence, $500,000, SOLANO COUNTY
City of Atascadero, City Hall, $2,000,000, SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
California State Parks, San Diego Casa de Bandini Hotel, $1,808,120, SAN DIEGO COUNTY
The 34 Planning Grant finalists by name, funding and county are:
Geneva Office Building, $200,000, SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY
Mary Burdell Victorian Garden & Grounds, $100,800, MARIN COUNTY
Yolo County Cultural, Historic & Art Center, $200,000, YOLO COUNTY
California African American Museum Expansion Project, $100,000, LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Issues-based Museum on California Indians, $150,000, SONOMA COUNTY
Rehabilitation Marsh House, $200,000, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
California Date History Museum, $193,000, RIVERSIDE COUNTY
Navarro River Redwoods State Park, $280,000, MENDOCINO COUNTY
Conservation Corps State Museum, $33,700, SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
Bing Kung Tong Building, $100,000, SACRAMENTO COUNTY
Save the Light Point Arena Lighthouse Keepers, $200,000, MENDOCINO COUNTY
Plaza De La Raza, $150,000, ORANGE COUNTY
Paul R. Williams Cultural & Historical Community Center, $150,000, LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Implementation of a Master Plan for Angels Gate Park, $160,000, LOS ANGELES COUNTY
California Space Center, $150,000, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
Chinese American Museum Expansion Project, $100,000, LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Herwaldt Urban Leadership Conference Center, $90,000, FRESNO COUNTY
Mexican Heritage Plaza/Alumn Rock Historical District Develop, $150,000, SANTA CLARA COUNTY
Pomo Heritage Village & Museum, $123,000, LAKE COUNTY
18th Street Arts Center, $100,000, LOS ANGELES COUNTY
NTC Officers Quarters & Gardens, $100,000, SAN DIEGO COUNTY
The Way Back Lot-San Jose Discovery Museum, $200,000, SANTA CLARA COUNTY
Fruitvale Masonic Temple Revitalization, $200,000, ALAMEDA COUNTY
Restoration of Eagles Nest Lodge, $76,750, LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Fort Mason Center Historical Interpretation Plan, $100,000, SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY
Balboa Park California Tower Project, $300,000, SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Expansion of the Lomita Railroad Museum, $150,000, LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Harada House Preservation Project, $13,389, RIVERSIDE COUNTY
Orange County Historical Archives Project, $150,000, ORANGE COUNTY
Tannery Arts Center, $240,000, SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Bancroft Roc House, $35,000, SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Kern County Museum, $62,500, KERN COUNTY
Yurok Cultural Center, $120,000, DEL NORTE COUNTY
125 Years of Civic Science-Chabot Space & Science Center, $171,000, ALAMEDA COUNTY
The Endowment Board received 263 total applications this funding Round. The total those applicants requested was approximately $268 million, an amount that shows the tremendous need for this program. The Board was pleased to reserve funding for 45 projects, and to award funding for 34 planning grants, 79 total applicants whose reserved and awarded funding totals approximately $43 million.
Proposition 40 called for the creation of the California Cultural and Historical Endowment to support the "acquisition, development, preservation, and interpretation of buildings, structures, sites, places, and artifacts that preserve and demonstrate culturally significant aspects of California's history and for grants for these purposes." To carry out Proposition 40's mandate, the Endowment will, over the Rounds established by its Board, distribute $122 million in Proposition 40 funds.
For more information about the California Cultural and Historical Endowment, please contact Executive Officer Diane Matsuda at (916) 651-8768 or email at dmatsuda@library.ca.gov.
April 4, 2006
National Library Week
To: CLA Members/ Systems/ Network Contacts
From: Mike Dillon, CLA Lobbyist and Christina Dillon, CLA Lobbyist
RE: News From the Capitol
SENATOR TORLAKSON INTRODUCES RESOLUTION CELEBRATING
"NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK"
At CLA's request, Senate Democratic Caucus Chair, Tom Torlakson, has introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 110, celebrating April 2 through April 8, 2006 as "National Library Week." The resolution "applauds the vital impact of California's public libraries, librarians, and all library workers," and contains several important "WHEREAS" clauses that highlight the numerous contributions that public libraries make statewide.
You may recall, Senator Torlakson has carried past legislation relative to ERAF relief for libraries, and has served as the former Chair of the Senate Local Government Committee, where he became one of the principle architects of Proposition 65 (later became known as Proposition 1A), which provided ERAF relief to cities, counties, and special districts. A special "thank you" to Senator Torlakson and his Legislative Director, Jennifer Swenson, for their work on our behalf!
The bill was amended on April 3, 2006 to include an important "WHEREAS" that was crafted in conjunction with the literacy community, and Carey Gross of the CLA Legislative Committee. The bill will head to the Assembly this week so that principal co-author, Assemblywoman Wolk, will have the opportunity to take it up in her house as well, and then it will be returned to the Senate.
You may view a copy of the resolution at www.senate.ca.gov. Click on "legislation" and enter "scr 110" in the subject box.
February 16, 2006
Winter 2006 CSL Connection
The California State Library's new Winter 2006 CSL Connection is live! Please check it out at http://www.library.ca.gov/ featured links or http://www.library.ca.gov/html/newsletter.cfm.
February 3, 2006
Plan Now for the 2006 Read Across America
Mark your calendar for March 2, 2006, and join the National Education Association, the California Teachers Association, and other organizations, including the California Library Association, in celebrating the 9th Annual Read Across America. The nationwide reading celebration takes place each year on March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss, who epitomizes a love of learning. Dr. Seuss's use of rhyme makes his books an effective tool for teaching young children the basic skills they need to be successful.
Continuing the fun from last year, "Happy Readers Come From California... got books?" is California's theme for 2006. Returning to help celebrate the importance of reading and literacy are the fun-loving cows from Farmer McPeepers and His Missing Milk Cows. Farmer McPeepers and His Missing Milk Cows is a story of a nearsighted farmer who has lost his good old milk cows because he can't see without his glasses. Written by Katy S. Duffield and illustrated by Steve Gray, Farmer McPeepers and His Missing Milk Cows is from Rising Moon, a division of Northland Publishing.
Bookmarks, brochures, certificates and other collateral materials are available on the California Read Across America site. Happy reading!
January 24, 2006
Search California - Discover the World!
Libraries Go Global
Californians can now find items in libraries throughout the state and world thanks to the new, online California Libraries Catalog (CalCat), a super-sized catalog that allows customers to view state and worldwide library collections without leaving home. CalCat is part of WorldCat, a global database that lists more than 62 million records of items owned by libraries in the U.S. and 81 countries.
CalCat transforms local libraries into state, national and international resources. "Technology is changing how we do business, but not why we do it," explains California State Librarian Susan Hildreth. "Our goal is to connect all state residents with the riches held by libraries in California and beyond."
To access the service, Californians need only log on at their local public library's web sites or go to www.calcat.org. To make the catalog searching even easier, users can also use Google and Yahoo to look for books and materials located in local libraries.
Hildreth says the new catalog will be a boon to students, business people, researchers and others with special interests and needs, such as history, genealogy, music, film, foreign language, Braille and large print.
CalCat users can find everything from information first recorded on stone tablets to sheet music to MP3 audio books, newspapers, government documents, DVDs and, of course, books. The catalog tells whether materials are available locally, can be borrowed through interlibrary loan or delivered to the user's closest library.
The California Libraries Catalog is supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) administered in California by the State Librarian. WorldCat is a service of OCLC, a worldwide library cooperative.
For further information contact Rushton Brandis, California State Library, at 916.653.5471 or email at rbrandis@library.ca.gov.
January 18, 2006
One Stop for New Library Grant Opportunities
The new Library Grants Blog, by librarians Pam MacKellar and Stephanie Gerding, provides a free resource for finding library grant and award opportunities. This blog is the only single online location where a librarian can find the latest grants from all types of sources - government, foundations, corporations, organizations, and professional associations - as well as additional opportunities for awards and internships.
Examples of current postings include government grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute for Museum and Library Services, foundation grants from the Verizon Foundation and the For All Kids Foundation, awards from the National Library Commission and the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, a corporate grant from the Bank of the West, an internship at Cornell University Library, and grants from the American Library Association.
Visit the Library Grants Blog at http://www.librarygrants.blogspot.com/ for a complete listing of grant opportunities.
December 21, 2005
California State Library offers Spanish-language Newspapers to Visually Impaired Customers
Thanks to the Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL) in the California State Library, visually impaired Spanish speaking Californians can now listen to La Opiníon, the Spanish-language edition of the Los Angeles Times, and Miami's El Nuevo Herald, the sister newspaper of The Miami Herald.
Through BTBL's free daily news service, NFB-NEWSLINE®, Spanish-speaking BTBL customers can now "read" the daily news through a synthetic speech engine at about the same time conventional newsprint editions arrive at newsstands. By dialing a local or toll-free number, visually impaired Californians can listen on the phone to the new Spanish-language papers while the news is still hot. The California State Library helped to support the cost of developing the Spanish NFB-NEWSLINE® service.
Though visually impaired Californians can access books and monthly magazines through an audio recording or a Braille transcription, daily publications are too time-sensitive and of too large a volume to be made accessible by these methods. BTBL's service automatically converts the contents of periodicals to electronic speech, allowing the reader to choose what he or she wants to read, when he or she wants to read it.
State Librarian of California Susan Hildreth says of the new service, "I know that our sight impaired Spanish speaking customers will enjoy this new access to two great national daily papers. Disseminating information to our customers is a key mission of the California State Library and this new feature of NFB-NEWSLINE® gives us an excellent opportunity to do that."
For more information about BTBL's NFB-NEWSLINE® service please contact the BTBL reference desk at 916-654-1357 or email at btbl@library.ca.gov.
December 20, 2005
Victorian Illuminated Manuscripts Shine in California State Library Exhibit
The California State Library has opened a new exhibit, "Illumination and Color Printing in the Victorian Era," in the sleek marble foyer of Library and Courts II at 900 N Street. Curated by Gary Kurutz, director of Special Collections, the exhibit boasts some of the most beautiful books owned by the California State Library.
"Illumination and Color Printing in the Victorian Era" shows visitors how 19th century artists and printers emulated medievalism in the books they made.
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Many of the texts on display at the California State Library, for example, are highlighted in gold leaf, a medieval printing technique. The exhibit also illustrates how the new19th century technology of color printing, or chromolithography, made book illustrations leap from a page. No longer coloring by hand, 19th century artists used a stone for each color in the text. One publication in "Illumination and Color Printing in the Victorian Era," Matthew Digby Wyatt's Industrial Arts of the Nineteenth Century (1851-53) used 1,065 stones in its production and required 1,350,500 press pulls for its 160 plates.
Highlights of the exhibit include: Grapes and Grape Vines of California (1887), arguably the most sophisticated book produced in 19th century California with its ten spectacular chromolithographs of grape clusters; the glorious facsimile of the book of hours commissioned by Anne of Brittany, the most elegant of all French color plate books (1861); and several gorgeous examples by the Englishmen, Henry Noels Humphreys and Owen Jones. The Victoria Psalter (1862) and Sermon of the Mount (1861) rank among the most famous neo-Gothic examples of color printing.
"Illumination and Color Printing in the Victorian Era," will run through April 2006 on the second floor foyer of the California State Library, Library and Courts II, 900 N Street, Sacramento. Hours are 9 AM to 4 PM. For more information, contact Gary Kurutz at (916) 653-0101 or gkurutz@library.ca.gov.
December 16, 2005
California State Library to Address New National Adult Literacy Assessment Report
The U.S. Dept of Education today released its 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) report, the first update of the nation's adult literacy skills in more than 10 years.
State Librarian of California Susan Hildreth states, "We have eagerly awaited this report, and the insights it can hopefully provide. California libraries have been addressing literacy needs throughout the state for over 20 years. In 2004/05, California libraries provided literacy instruction for 20,014 adults, who for any number of reasons, haven't learned to read and write well. These services were provided in 780 California communities, by 103 public library jurisdictions. We provide free one-to-one or small group instruction with trained volunteers to English-speaking adults who request literacy help."
California State Library (CSL) staff is currently reviewing the report. Early next week, the CSL will co-host (in partnership with ProLiteracy Worldwide) a web cast for California Library Literacy Services providers that will cover the CSL's analysis of the report. The archived web cast will be accessible to the public by Thursday, December 22 at http://rurallibraries.org/webcasts/12-21-05/.
For more information, contact Carla Lehn, CSL Library Programs Consultant, at (916) 653-7743 or clehn@library.ca.gov.
November 10, 2005
State Librarian appoints 3 Library Programs Consultants to Library Development Services
State Librarian of California Susan Hildreth announced that she has appointed three new library programs consultants to the California State Library's Library Development Services bureau. The consultants' permanent appointments at the California State Library are effective immediately. The new library programs Consultants are:
Jacquelyn Brinkley, served as the literacy program coordinator at the Escondido Public Library. She has also served as community outreach manager for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in San Diego County, and as the assistant director of NC Kids Adoption and Foster Care Network in Greensboro, NC.
E. Suzanne Flint has contracted with the North Bay Cooperative Library System to coordinate their Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Reach Out and Read (ROR) grant. She has also been the executive director of California ROR and the director of San Mateo County ROR. Flint created one of the country's first pediatric consumer health libraries at Stanford University.
Cynthia Mediavilla, most recently the director of the California Center for the Book, has spent several years working for the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Department of Information Studies as a lecturer and as associate director of Special Projects. Mediavilla has worked as a librarian for the cities of Downey and Orange and for the San Diego County Library and has a Ph.D. in Library Science from UCLA.
Brinkley, Flint, and Mediavilla will work under the direct supervision of new LDS assistant chief, Gerry Maginnity, who joined chief Tom Andersen in administering the bureau in October.
Of the new appointments, Hildreth says, "Jacquie, Suzanne, and Cindy bring a great variety of talents and new energy to the California State Library. We are excited to have these talented professionals on board!"
State Librarian appoints assistant chief of Library Development Services
State Librarian of California Susan Hildreth today announced that she has appointed Gerald "Gerry" Maginnity assistant chief of the California State Library's Library Development Services (LDS) bureau. Maginnity has been coordinator of the Sacramento-based Mountain Valley Library System since 1989. His permanent appointment at the California State Library is effective immediately.
Maginnity will work with LDS chief Tom Andersen, administering various state and federal programs, including the Public Library Fund, the California Library Services Act, and California Library Literacy Services. Maginnity will have direct oversight of the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant program and will supervise LDS consulting staff.
Maginnity was assistant county librarian in Fresno for seven years, before which he worked for the Solano County Library, the Serra Cooperative Library System, and the Lassen County Library.
Andersen says, "Gerry brings to LDS excellent management capabilities as well as outstanding knowledge of LSTA grant activity at the local level. His experience with California Library Services Act (CLSA) system operations and his background with California public libraries will make him an asset to the California State Library."
October 19, 2005
Teen Zone at Mountain View Public Library Recognized for Excellence
The Teen Zone at the City of Mountain View Public Library has been awarded a 2005 Helen Putnam Award of Excellence by the California League of Cities. The Teen Zone was one of 28 winners out of more than 200 applicant projects for this prestigious State-wide award.
The Teen Zone opened in the Mountain View Public Library in May 2003 as a dedicated location within the Library for teens and includes an expanded collection of materials of interest to teens, a rotating display of teen artwork and a meeting place where teens can talk and work together on school projects.
Since 2003, services to teens at the Teen Zone have been enhanced to include a part-time teen services Librarian and two grant-funded after-school homework assistants.
Library Teen Advisory Group members worked closely with staff throughout 2002 to develop the project and make it a reality. The ongoing Library Teen Advisory Group meets monthly to plan programs and share ideas about teen services.
The area's computers and seating are reserved exclusively for teens after school and all Library hours during evenings, weekends and school vacations.
"The City of Mountain View is extremely pleased to have this recognition for our efforts to serve the youth in our community," said Mayor Matt Neely. "The Teen Zone provides teens with a place in our Library where they have access to the information they need to grow academically, artistically, interpersonally and creatively. This City project is a clear demonstration that Mountain View is a community that values its youth—a key factor in teens' development and future success."
The League of California Cities honors a select number of California cities each year with a Helen Putnam award in recognition of outstanding achievement and innovation by those cities whose contributions to community residents and businesses have resulted in lower costs and/or improved service delivery.
October 17, 2005
Fall Issue of CSL Connection Online
The fall 2005 issue of the California State Library's CSL Connection is up on the California State Library website at www.library.ca.gov. Or you may go directly to http://www.library.ca.gov/html/newsletter.cfm.
September 23, 2005
Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library Welcomes Katrina Survivors
The Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library has made arrangements to provide special assistance to San Joaquin County's newest residents arriving as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Each library branch will have additional computers dedicated for use by Hurricane Katrina survivors seeking refuge in San Joaquin County. These workstations have full internet access so that survivors can contact family and friends, search out community services, and even look for jobs. Access will be available to anyone identifying themselves as part of the groups of displaced individuals from the Gulf Coast. Survivors will be able to directly access the library's computer reservation process and will receive temporary library cards for access to full library services and resources. In addition, the Library will also be extending services through some mobile deliveries of reading and other materials to areas where housing arrangements have been made. Arrangements of the extended mobile deliveries are currently being finalized and further service details will be advertised separately.
These arrangements are a collaborative effort of the City of Stockton and San Joaquin County. For more information, please call the library at 937-8221 (from Stockton) or 1-866-805-7323 (toll-free within San Joaquin County). Upon reaching the library's call router system, select option #3 for Reference and then select option #1 to speak with a live person.
August 24, 2005
Tribal Librarians Boot Camp June 2005
Submitted by Liana Juliano, Co-chair Native Libraries Round Table
Tribal librarians from all over California gathered at Pala Reservation for a unique event sponsored by the State Library and Infopeople. The training was made possible by a grant from the State Library, under a provision of the federal Library Services and Technology Act. Workshops on cataloging, archiving, library promotion, book repair, and more were conducted by state and San Diego County library officials and experts. The historic event at Pala Reservation was made even more special when State Librarian Susan Hildreth came to speak on the final day and presented completion certificates to all those who attended.
Participants gave rave reviews to the boot camp. Gary Walker, from Chemhuevi Indian Reservation, was thrilled to have the opportunity to exchange ideas and resources with other librarians. He said, "We are finding out how they are solving the same problems and (resolving) the same concerns we are, and also what the resources are in the public library system and at the state and federal levels." Doretta Musick, from Pala Library, said the skills they developed from the workshop would make it easier to assist patrons "no matter what the topic."
The state library in New Mexico has long partnered with tribal libraries providing assistance with funding and training, but this has not been case in most other states, California included. For the past several years, the state and tribal libraries have been working together networking and sharing resources. One of many positive outcomes has been the creation of CLA's Native Libraries Roundtable in 2003.
August 23, 2005
State Librarian of California Announces New Initiatives in August 3, 2005 Web Cast
On August 3rd, 2005 State Librarian of California Susan Hildreth gave the second in her series of quarterly webcasts thanks to the services of Infopeople.
In the webcast Hildreth focused on Internet use in libraries. She announced the California State Library (CSL) and CSL Foundation's "Staying Connected" Gates Foundation grant that will fund web casts and workshops in some California libraries, and she announced two new initiatives--one funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Public Access Computing Hardware Upgrade Program (PAC HUG), and a partnership with OCLC to make use of Open WorldCat, a project she sees increasing library visibility and usage throughout California. On a related note, she talks about the creation of the California Libraries Catalog that contains over 15.8 million records representing the holding of over 1,200 libraries on OCLC. Before concluding with questions from viewers, Hildreth discussed the future of resource-sharing and cooperative services in California.
For more information please visit http://infopeople.org/training/webcasts/08-03-05/qwebcast.html then click on "View Archived Webcast."
August 9, 2005
News from the UCLA Department of Information Studies
UCLA Reception at SAA:
If you are planning to attend the 69th Annual Society of American Archivists meeting in New Orleans, please consider joining Anne Gilliland, Chair of the UCLA Information Studies Department and the UCLA SAA Student Chapter at the UCLA Mixer on Thursday, August 18, from 7:30-9:00 p.m., in the Pelican Room, Hilton New Orleans Riverside. To RSVP to this event, please contact Rachel Delgadillo (rpdelgad@ucla.edu).
Upcoming Fall 2005 UCLA Friday Forums:
Registration for the Fall 2005 UCLA Friday Forums will begin shortly. For additional information, please contact Rachel Delgadillo (rpdelgad@ucla.edu).
Writing Grants for Library Programs
Date: October 14, 2005
Time: 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Join the UCLA Information Studies Department, the California Center for the Book and the Nonprofit Resource Library of the Center for Nonprofit Management for a hands-on workshop designed to help librarians develop grant writing skills and introduce participants to the resources of the Nonprofit Resource Library. Participants will learn how to identity their grant needs, how to research potential funders and how to write grant proposals. Registration is limited to 15.
Cindy Mediavilla is Director, California Center for the Book and a lecturer at the UCLA Department of Information Studies. Marcia Schmitz is the Director of the Nonprofit Resource Library at the Center for Nonprofit Management.
Down the Rabbit Hole: What's Up with Children's Literature
Date: October 28
Time: 9:30 AM-12:30 PM
This workshop provides an overview of children's literature, including basic storytime favorities for the children's services novice and new titles for the veteran children's librarian. Learn tips on evaluating children's books and about children's trends and developments.
Maida Lin Wong is the Senior Librarian in charge of the Children's Department at the South Pasadena Public Library. She currently serves on the 2006 Newbery Award Committee.
Cataloging for the Non-Cataloger
Date: November 18
Time: 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Learn very basic descriptive cataloging and re-cataloging in this overview of descriptive cataloging principles and procedures. Skills to be covered include reading a bibliographic record, performing basic copy cataloging, and recognizing and correcting minor cataloging errors. This workshop is designed for the person with no formal training in cataloging. Subject cataloging and classification (call numbers) will not be included. Introductory subject cataloging will be taught in a winter Friday Forum and classification will be taught in a spring Friday Forum.
Suzanne Stauffer, MLS, Ph.D. is an experienced print and non-print cataloger and a lecturer at the UCLA Department of Information Studies and San Jose State University.
Developing a Better Website
Date: December 2
Time: 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (noon)
Bored with your website? Is your web content difficult to manage? If so, then join us for this session where you will learn ways of jazzing up your website without detracting from your content as well as methods of efficiently administering your site. From using cascading style sheets to planning content to keeping your site current, you will look at techniques that will make it easier to enhance the user experience.
David Cappoli is the Digital Resources Librarian for the UCLA Department of Information Studies and has taught courses and workshops at the UCLA Department of Information Studies.
Starting and Maintaining an Archive: A Basic Workshop
Date: December 9
Time: 9:30 AM-3:00 PM
This session reviews the essential elements of a successful archives program. We will explore the challenges of deciding when and how best to collect archival materials as well as techniques for establishing institutional and external support. The session introduces the archival "fundamentals" of arrangement, description and preservation, and the reasons for developing and maintaining detailed, relevant collecting and access policies.
Jessica Silver, MLIS is a Certified Archivist based in San Diego and Education Chair for the Society of California Archivists. She has experience managing archival collections in repositories including the San Diego Historical Society, the Japanese American National Museum and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
July 8, 2005
Director Announced for Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library
Natalie Rencher will be joining the Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library as Director of Library Services in early August 2005. She replaces Nicky Stanke, who retired in March. Rencher is currently Deputy Director of the San Diego County Public Library. Congratulations, Natalie!
July 7, 2005
Facing Tough Times, Public Libraries Turn to Online Fundraising
Submitted by Sarah Houghton, IT Section President
When the going gets tough, the tough turn to shopping. That's the attitude of the folks behind Shop for the Library, an e-commerce venture which has opened an Internet shopping mall as a way to help libraries and Friends groups make up for budget cuts and freezes.
The Shop for the Library website features more than 700 merchants, including big names like Target, Macy's, The Gap, and Circuit City. Every purchase initiated through the website generates a commission for the library or library support group of the shopper's choice.
There is no added cost to the user for making purchases through Shop for the Library. Nor is there any charge for libraries or Friends groups to participate, other than the cost of promoting it locally. The Shop website has made promotion easy by providing a number of templates for local press releases and other marketing tools - click on the "About" link at the bottom of the Shop website, then click on "Get Marketing Tips and Templates."
First-time visitors to the Shop for the Library website can choose a beneficiary library from a database which includes the main library location of all public library systems in the US. Other library types, branch libraries, and Friends groups which want to be listed in addition to or instead of the main library should contact Shop for the Library at support@shopforthelibrary.net.
New Infopeople Events Calendar
Submitted by Sarah Houghton, IT Section President
Infopeople is always trying to find new and better ways to keep you informed of what's happening. And in that spirit, they now offer the Infopeople Events Calendar, a handy dandy one stop way to see what's happening in the Infopeople world and the world at large. The calendar offers month, week, or day views, and contains events pulled from the California Library Training Clearinghouse (another useful tool to make note of). You can sort by on-ground workshops, online training, webcasts, library events like CLA, US hoildays, or look at the whole shebang at one time. Enjoy! Oh and as an added cool feature, you can subscribe to the RSS feeds for the calendars as well! Not sure what an RSS feed is? Check this entry in the Wikipedia.
July 1, 2005
News from the UCLA Department of Information Studies
Dean Aimee Dorr is pleased to announce that Anne Gilliland will become Chair of the Department of Information Studies effective July 1, 2005.
Professor Gilliland began her academic career at UCLA in 1995 and has taken the lead in establishing UCLA as pre-eminent in the field of archival studies. In addition, Professor Gilliland has helped sustain the Information Studies Department's early renown for bringing advanced technology into library and information studies. Anne is an excellent teacher and respected mentor. In assuming the Chair's position, Anne brings with her distinction, energy, vision, and deep commitment to the success and well being of the Information Studies Department.
Professor Gilliland succeeds Virginia Walter, who has served as Information Studies Department Chair since July 1, 2002. Professor Walter, who specializes in library services for children and children's literature, is the author of children's books and numerous scholarly and professional works. As Department Chair, Professor Walter has been responsible for hiring the three new faculty members, successfully re-accrediting the department's programs with the American Library Association and establishing the interdepartmental Moving Image Archive Studies master's program.
Past CLA President Cindy Mediavilla has been appointed Director, California Center for the Book effective June 1, 2005.
Dr. Mediavilla has been active in professional associations, and she is especially known for her dynamic leadership role in the California Library Association. Cindy has held numerous offices in CLA and served as president of the association in 2001. For the past five years Dr. Mediavilla has worked as Associate Director of Special Projects for the UCLA Department of Information Studies, where she has also taught classes. Cindy is also a freelance consultant and has presented numerous workshops on topics related to leadership, collection development, and young adult services.
Dr. Mediavilla replaces Dr. Natalie Cole who had been with the California Center for the Book from 1999, serving as assistant director and then as director. Dr. Cole was instrumental in developing new programs and relationships between public libraries and the Center for the Book. Dr. Cole and her husband, Dr. Jonathan Furner, a professor in the UCLA Information Studies Department, have moved to Washington, D.C. where Dr. Furner is working on revising the Dewey Decimal System at the Library of Congress.
June 29, 2005
Mark Parker Named Library Director for Placer County
Placer County hired a new Director of Library Services Tuesday, selecting a deputy director at the Sacramento Public Library whose 30-year career also includes a stint at the California State Library. County Executive Officer Jan Christofferson hired Mark Parker, long-time CLA member, to fill the top management post at the Placer County Library, and the County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to concur with her decision.
"We're pleased to hire someone with Mark's broad range of experience," Christofferson said. "Throughout his career, he has demonstrated leadership and administrative skills that will serve him well as director of our library system."
A resident of Smartville in Nevada County, Parker is scheduled to start his new job July 18. He will replace Elaine Reed, who retired this spring after 13 years as Placer County's Director of Library Services.
"I'm delighted to be here - it's a great opportunity," Parker said Tuesday. "I look forward to working with staff and the Friends of the Library support group to provide the best possible public service."
He currently is Deputy Director for Administrative Services at the Sacramento Public Library and was that library's deputy director responsible for the Information Technology Department from 1992-97. From 1998 to 2002, he worked as a consultant, assistant bureau chief and then chief of the Library Development Services Bureau at the State Library.
He started his career as a librarian at the Fresno County Free Library from 1975-82 and, from 1982-89, worked at the Mountain-Valley Library System, a network of libraries spread throughout Northern and Central California.
Parker has a bachelor's degree in history from the University of California at Berkeley and a master's degree from the School of Library and Information Science at San Jose State University. He has been a CLA member since 1977.
The Placer County Library has branch libraries in Auburn, Applegate, Colfax, Foresthill, Granite Bay, Kings Beach, Loomis, Meadow Vista, Penryn, Rocklin and Tahoe City. It also operates a law library in Auburn and a bookmobile that serves many small communities.
June 13, 2005
Support Yes! for Libraries
Submittted by Ann Cousineau, Chair, Yes! for Libraries
The campaign for the next library construction bond bill is swinging into high gear. No surprise, we need money to help us fund the campaign effort. To make it as easy and painless as possible to give, our web site is up and ready to accept online contributions. Go to yesforlibraries.com. You can give (no dollar amount is too small) as well as volunteer and/or sign up to be on on email list.
Passage of this bond bill is crucial to fund new public library buildings or remodel existing ones. Remember up to half of the $600 million in the bill can be used for projects that were left unfunded in the 3rd cycle of the Prop 14 bond bill.
Please help by making a contribution today and tomorrow and as many times as you can over the next year. It's a great cause and it will result in better libraries and better service for our communities.
June 10, 2005
Summer Issue of "CSL Connection"
The summer 2005 issue of the California State Library's CSL Connection is up on the CSL website at www.library.ca.gov. Or you may go directly to http://www.library.ca.gov/newsletter/2005/2005summer/index.html.
May 20, 2005
Endowment Board Approves Funding for 13 Projects
The California Cultural and Historical Endowment Board met May 18, 2005 at the Ronald Reagan State Building in Los Angeles to approve funding for 13 of the 33 projects for which the Board had reserved funding in December 2004. This is one of the major phases in the Endowment's first cycle distribution of Proposition 40 bond funds.
At the conclusion of the May 18 in Los Angeles meeting, the Board approved funding for the following projects:
Endowment Finalist and Awarded Funds
California Museum for History, Women, and the Arts: $375,000
City of Santa Monica: $113,241
Imperial Valley College Desert Museum Society: $244,642
City of Watsonville: $300,074
Bay Area Electric Railroad Association: $310,520
Monterey County Redevelopment Agency: $380,060
Mojave Desert Heritage & Cultural Association: $499,500
Angels Flight Railway Foundation: $996,350
City of Brentwood: $819,839
Knight Foundry Corporatio: $50,000
San Diego Natural History Museum: $2,887,500
Cesar E. Chavez Foundation: $2,500,000
Capital Unity Council: $2,200,000
TOTAL: $11,676,726
The 13 applicants to whom the Endowment Board awarded funds were selected from 276 total Endowment grant applicants. The finalists most clearly demonstrated the Endowment's purposes and goals.
Proposition 40 called for the creation of the California Cultural and Historical Endowment to support the "acquisition, development, preservation, and interpretation of buildings, structures, sites, places, and artifacts that preserve and demonstrate culturally significant aspects of California's history and for grants for these purposes." To carry out Proposition 40's mandate, the Endowment will, over the cycles established by its Board, distribute $122 million of $276 million in Proposition 40 funds.
May 19, 2005
Library Weblogs
Submitted by Sarah Houghton, IT Section President
Libraries and blogging seem to be a match made in heaven for sharing information. Below is a list of California libraries we know about with weblogs, with links to the weblog itself and to the RSS feed (if there is one).
- Escondido Public Library
(http://escondidolibrary.blogspot.com/)
Feed (http://escondidolibrary.blogspot.com/rss/escondidolibrary.xml) - Institute of Industrial Relations Library's Labor & Employment Weblog
(http://radio.weblogs.com/0126851/) - Marin County Free Library
(http://www.marincountyfreelibrary.blogspot.com/)
Feed (http://marincountyfreelibrary.blogspot.com/atom.xml) - Pacifica Graduate Institute Research Library
(http://www.online.pacifica.edu/pgl/) - Redwood City Library
(http://www.rcpl.info/services/liblog.html)
Feed (http://www.wcc.vccs.edu/services/rssify/rssify.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rcpl.info%2Fservices%2Fliblog.html) - Rio Honda College Library
(http://riolibweblog.blogspot.com/)
Is your library's weblog not on this list? Then it means that we couldn't find your blog on Library Weblogs Directory (http://www.libdex.com/weblogs.html), the Open Directory Library Weblog List (http://pscontent.com/od2/opendirectory.php?browse=/Reference/Libraries/Library_and_Information_Science/Weblogs/Organizational_Weblogs/), or in Globe of Blogs (http://globeofblogs.com). To make it easy for patrons and other librarians to find your weblog, submit it to these sites!
May 6, 2005
Hildreth Confirmed as State Librarian
The California State Senate confirmed Susan Hildreth as State Librarian of California on Monday, May 2, 2005 when all present (37) voted Aye to confirm her. She is the eighth State Librarian since 1900. She was appointed to the position by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in July 2004, and started at the California State Library on Monday, August 2, 2004.
April 26, 2005
SJSU, School of Library and Information Science, Appoints New Director
The School of Library and Information Science at San Jose State University has appointed Dr. Ken Haycock as Director beginning in August of this year. Dr. Haycock holds a B.A. in political science from the University of Western Ontario with a diploma in education. His career began as a secondary school librarian and history teacher. He holds a M.Ed. in curriculum and educational foundations from the University of Ottawa and an A.M.L.S. at the University of Michigan. His doctorate is in educational leadership at Brigham Young University. He recently completed an Executive M.B.A. degree.
In addition to serving as a school librarian, Dr. Haycock was coordinator of school libraries for the Vancouver, British Columbia School Board, principal of an elementary school, and a tenured professor and director of the School of Library, Archival and Information Studies at the University of British Columbia.
Dr. Haycock has been active in professional associations. He was the youngest president of both the Canadian School Library Association and the Canadian Library Association. He has served on the ALA Executive Board and is presently a member of the ALA Council. He is serving this year a term as President of the Association for Library and Information Science Educators.
In his career he has served as a public library trustee, school board chair, and union local president. He has served on more than two dozen government and community boards as diverse as federal publishing juries, community information, elimination of Sexism, race relations, and community services.
Dr. Haycock has held research grants recently for the study of the characteristics of directors of large urban public libraries, staff development, youth services in public libraries, and the effectiveness of the teacher-librarian. This past year, he delivered papers in four countries on staff development practices in large public libraries, censorship of the Internet, graduate education, and public library branch managers. Dr. Haycock will be arriving on campus on August 1 to launch the new Executive MLIS program.
April 8, 2005
Salinas Meets Fundraising Goal
With a $75,000 donation from the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, the city of Salinas met its fundraising goal of $500,000, allowing it to keep its three libraries open with limited hours through December. Contributions also came from local businesses, community groups and individuals. In addition, local high school students sold t-shirts and wristbands to raise money while younger children sold lemonade. Donations also poured in from around the country, with one of the largest coming from a woman in Virginia who donated $25,000.
After three tax measures were rejected by voters last November, the Salinas city council voted to close all three libraries, a move that drew national attention and criticism. Rally Salinas, a committee put together to help save the libraries, will be meeting today to set a new fundraising goal and determine their next steps.
March 18, 2005
Salinas 24-Hour Read-In Scheduled
A coalition of community based groups has scheduled a 24-hour Emergency Read-In at the Cesar Chavez Library, 615 Williams Road, Salinas on April 2-3, 2005 to draw attention to the funding crisis in library and to help people recognize the cost of war to communities. The event, planned to culminate with the yearly Cesar Chavez Holiday march and cultural celebration in Salinas, will include Hector Elizondo, Maxine Hong Kingston, Salinas Mayor Anna Caballero and other authors, poets, celebrities, elected officials, community folks and book lovers from all over the state. It is sponsored by the United Farm Workers of America, AFL-CIO, Salinas Action League, CodePink: Women for Peace, La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), Global Exchange, Vote! and The Citizenship Project.
Organizers will be calling on Governor Schwarzenegger and other elected officials to find equitable solutions to pay for the operating costs of libraries in poorer communities, and will be asking why is there money to send California's National Guard to fight in Iraq, but not money to fund our libraries. Participants are invited to bring family, sleeping bags and their favorite books. The event will run from 1:00 pm April 2 to 1:00 pm on April 3. For more information, visit www.codepinkalert.org, contact sam@bayareacodepink.org or call 510-524-2776.
March 14, 2005
California Libraries Launch On-the-Go Service for Downloadable Audio Books
Submitted by Sarah Houghton, IT Section President
Now millions of California library patrons can download popular titles to their Smart Phones, PDAs, and PCs. How? With the Califa Digital Library! In mid-February, Califa's Digital Library Consortium launched an online digital library that offers patrons immediate access to hundreds of eBook and Audiobook titles. The online collection is available at http://califa.lib.overdrive.com. It serves patrons of seven participating library systems including Contra Costa County Library, Downey City Library, MARINet, Palo Alto City Library, Peninsula Library System, Pleasanton Public Library, and Sunnyvale Public Library. According to Linda Crowe, Executive Director, Califa, "Digital audiobooks and bestsellers are the next step in library services. The number of people using portable devices like Smart Phones and PDAs is growing exponentially - and now our libraries are here to serve them."
The portable digital format of eBooks and Audiobooks offers countless advantages for business travelers and students. It's valuable tool for those learning to read and gives the visually impaired even greater access to materials. Users also find the fact that there is no need to return items extremely convenient; when the loan period is over the file expires and the materials are automatically checked back in. Anthony Costa, Operations Manager of the Califa Digital Libraries said, "Access couldn't be easier. Using existing library cards, library users can checkout and download a variety of popular fiction, self-help, business and reference titles and read them on their phones, Pocket PCs or listen to them on their MP3 players. It's incredible."
Similar digital libraries are now in use by other library systems like Seattle's King County Library System and the San Jose Public Library. OverDrive, Inc., a leading worldwide digital media vendor, developed the technology and supplies eBook and audio titles to Califa's new digital library.
Patrons of the member libraries can explore the service using their local library website or they can visit the Califa site at http://califa.lib.overdrive.com.
March 11, 2005
State Library Launches New Online Newsletter
The spring 2005 issue of the California State Library's NEW online newsletter, CSL Connection, is now on the California State Library's website at www.library.ca.gov. Or you may go directly to http://www.library.ca.gov/newsletter/2005/0405/index.html.
March 10, 2005
Long Beach Public Library Wins Putnam Award
Submitted by Barbara Will, Chair of the Services to Restricted or Disabled Persons Round Table
The Long Beach Public Library won its city the prestigious Helen Putnam Award for Excellence from the League of California Cities. According to the citation, "The City of Long Beach, through its Public Library, has created a unique partnership with several local agencies serving people with disabilities to open the doors to a wealth of resources with the creation of an Information Center for People with Disabilities (ICPD). Staffed by peer volunteers, this state-of-the-art technology center offers computers with software and hardware designed to help people with disabilities. In addition to technological resources, large print books and audio books are also available."
The Long Beach Public Library opened its Information Center for People with Disabilities on October 21, 2003 during Disabilities Awareness Month. The Friends of the Library built the 420 square foot Center in the Main Library; it includes state-of-the-art computers with adaptive technology, a printer, a scanner, and a variety of assistive devices. The Center also houses a reading area with books for adults and children, videos, and magazines on topics related to disabilities.
Over 1533 people used the Center during its first year. The library now identifies services for people with disabilities as one of its "core services" and plans to expand the program to its branches, creating mini-Centers in each.
March 4, 2005
Salinas Libraries to be Open Two Days a Week
On Tuesday, March 1, the Salinas city council voted to keep its three city libraries open for two days each week, beginning in June. Previously, they had committed to only one day a week during the summer. Last December, the city council voted to close all three libraries, a move that drew national attention and criticism. In February, a delegation of library leaders from CLA and ALA, along with Susan Hildreth, California State Libarian, visited with the mayor and city manager of Salinas to offer support and discuss options.
The new schedule was approved with the expectation that library supporters will reach their fundraising goal of $500,000 by June. So far, they have raised more than $175,000. To contribute, visit http://www.savesalinaslibraries.org/ or click on the "Save Salinas Libraries" button.
March 3, 2005
Jose Aponte Named as New San Diego County Library Director
CLA Member Jose A. Aponte, a former Oceanside Library Director and nationally recognized leader in his field, has been selected director of the County of San Diego Library system.
County Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Alex Martinez announced Aponte's appointment today. Aponte, 54, is replacing Marilyn Crouch, who retired in December.
"I am very pleased to welcome Jose to the County f