LISNews: Librarian News

Rosemarie Maldonado writes: Often said is, "Getting from here to there is the journey and that is more important than the destination." While I am no sage, I will tell you a few of my experiences on my journey with research at UB and at the ALA Annual Conference 2005 last month in Chicago, Illinois in which I co-presented a research paper as a University at Buffalo The State University of New York MLS student. I've included som tips if you are thinking about doing a special project, and some tips if you are thinking about going to a conference. -- Read More

emknecht writes "Go to this link for a chuckle (or, adds rochelle, a gross-out or an eye-roll).

AshtabulaGuy writes "It's state budget time in Ohio! The Akron Beacon-Journal reports that the Barberton Public Library is seeking a property tax levy from voters in its district in Summit County. After failing last fall to get a property tax levy passed by voters to shore up its budget, the library is trying again. The article notes that due to state-level funding uncertainty the need for more local funding increases. Meanwhile in Seneca County, county officials made a major attempt to lobby state lawmakers to not cut revenue sharing funds. The article notes that libraries would receive a 5% cut to funds received from the state. It must be noted, though, that the budget briefing by Governor Taft's Office of Budget and Management (Adobe Acrobat document) discusses that funding levels would be frozen at a prior fiscal year's levels. Seneca County Commissioners are attempting to organize a trip of affected officials to Columbus to speak out at a House Finance Committee hearing. Then in Marietta, the Marietta Times notes that Marietta has joined a group of southeastern Ohio municipalities opposing cuts. The article reports that Taft reportedly designed the cuts to reflect reliance by affected entities on state level funds. The article notes that since libraries often rely on state level funds for 95-100% of their operating budgets, libraries were only given a 5% cut. Marietta is already facing budget stresses trying to recover from flooding in recent months. Christine Borne notes that Syracuse University is expanding to Cleveland by creating a program site at Case Western Reserve University even while local public libraries in Cuyahoga County and local governments discuss merging library districts and creating staffing redundancies. Although a consolidation is being initiated by local officials in Cuyahoga County, one state lawmaker is proposing consolidations of various library districts in Warren County with an eye to what other counties have either done or may be planning. American Libraries online provided some background to the matter although such may become dated son. Finally, the Ohio Library Council has started a "Protect Library Funding" effort that notes that a substitute proposal by Ohio House members, which may vary to an unknown extent from Governor Taft's proposal, is expected to be introduced in April. A call to action for Ohioans is posted at the site."

Alice Anderson writes "I'm a parent at Stevens Creek School, the school accused of banning the Declaration of Independence. I thought you might like an update. First, the Declaration was never banned. It is hanging on the library wall, printed in the 5th grade text book, and taught by every 5th grade teacher. Even Dr. Richard Ferrier of the Declaration Federation supports the school, and he recently counseled Alan Keyes to remove a petition from his web site that urged harassment of the school.

So how did this urban legend get started? According to the Alliance Defense Fund, it was sloppy reporting. Their press release is below. When our overly evangelical teacher proposed an over the top 45 minute lesson that included some handouts, the principal rejected his lesson, not the Declaration.

Despite the ADF's lawyer-speak, the man on the street believed that the principal had removed the Declaration from the school and was X-ing out the word God from all historical documents. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Ironically, the principal is a Presbyterian and a Republican. She has strong feelings about God in the classroom herself. -- Read More