What we’re trying to find out
We’re NOT looking for a comprehensive list of every digitization effort in libraries. We ARE looking for experiments that can help ALA recommend policies, address issues, or promote information exchange about this emerging area.

Read more on American Libraries.

The American Library Association (ALA) has been selected to participate in “Knowledge and Innovation: Understanding Public Access to Research,” a research panel that will be hosted by the Brookings Institution’s Center for Technology Innovation on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, in Washington, D.C. from 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. The Center will host Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.), sponsor of the Federal Research Public Access Act, to discuss the government’s role in research publications.

Corey Williams, senior lobbyist and associate director of the ALA Office of Government Relations, will sit on the panel at the event. The panel of experts will explore the broader contexts of open access, the role of research publication in innovation and the complexities of government mandate.

Panelists will include Allan Adler, vice president for Legal and Government Affairs, Association of American Publishers; and Elliot Maxwell, fellow, Communications Program, Johns Hopkins University and distinguished research fellow at the Pennsylvania State University eBusiness Research Center.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the American Library Association to participate in the academic discussion,” said Williams.

Learn more about the event.

Jazzy Wright
Press Officer, ALA Washington Office

Lt. Governor Timothy P. Murray and ALA President Molly Raphael

On May 8, 2012, Worcester Public Library, the second largest public library in Massachusetts, enjoyed both political and intellectual support for its strategic planning. ALA President Molly Raphael addressed the Library Board to provide perspectives on directions for public libraries. Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray, a long-time supporter of libraries and a former president of the Worcester Library Board also participated in the meeting.

Raphael addressed broad-ranging topics under the rubric of “The Future of the Public Libraries and National Trends.” Perhaps the biggest lesson from her speech is that while larger trends are critical to understand and translate to the local situation, ultimately public libraries must demonstrate their value to the community. For the most part, funding is locally-based, whether from the government or fundraising.

Worcester Public Library Board Meeting, May 8, 2012

As libraries evolve, we must not lose sight of our professional norms and values. In particular, libraries always have been the resource in the community to level the playing field—the place where all people can come to further their educations, careers, and other interests. In a world with increasing information complexity and commercialization of information access, the role to ensure equitable access—regardless of the ability to pay—is more important than ever.

Molly explained at the event that equitable access is currently problematic in the e-book realm. Some publishers, including four of the six largest ones, will not sell to public libraries—at any price. Individuals who can afford to purchase these ebook titles are free to do so, but cannot access these e-books at public libraries under any circumstances.

Head Librarian, Mark Contois, and ALA President Molly Raphael

Head Librarian, Mark Contois, and ALA President Molly Raphael

Public libraries must change and do so more rapidly than in the past, if we want to not just survive but thrive.  Molly discussed the OITP policy brief Confronting the Future: Strategic Visions for the 21st Century Public Library(PDF) as a useful way of planning. Roger Levien, the author of this report, visualizes each of the following dimensions in which the library can use to decide where the library should position itself:

1. Physical to virtual libraries
2. Focus on the user: Individual to community libraries
3. Collection to creation libraries
4. Portal to archival libraries

I was thrilled that we were able to receive such great strategic advice and political support as we consider the future of our library.

Wei Jeng-Chu,
Member, OITP Subcommittee on America’s Libraries for the 21st Century
Associate Head Librarian, Worcester Public Library

Yvette Sanchez Fuentes, Director for the Office of Head Start

On April 24, 2012 during National Library Legislative Day, Susan Hildreth, Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) director, and Yvette Sanchez Fuentes, director of the Office of Head Start, met at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, D.C. to sign an Information Memorandum between the two federal agencies. Yesterday, the agreement between the three offices became official with the issuance of an “Information Memorandum,” the Administration for Children and Families’  instrument for formal communication with the agencies it funds. This Information Memorandum creates a natural partnership and encourages the collaborations efforts between federally funded early child care programs and public libraries throughout the country.

The Information Memorandum signed by Ms. Sanchez Fuentes and Ms. Hildreth states

Public libraries provide centers for learning in nearly every community in the United States, and it is important for children and families to learn about and recognize public libraries as a valuable resource. Libraries offer rich learning environments for children and their families and caregivers.

This memorandum will allow for greater early learning opportunities for all young students and their families in their local community library.

Jeffrey P. Kratz
Assistant Director, Office of Government Relations, ALA Washington Office

Keep reading at American Libraries.