May 2003

Educators protest government plan to alter popular research database

“Academics are worried that a popular online database covering virtually every topic in the field of education could become much tougher to use under a Bush administration effort to restructure it.”

“At issue is a Department of Education proposal to consolidate the Educational Resources Information Center.”

“ERIC, as it is called, is a treasure trove of research material about education: It includes abstracts of more than 1 million journal articles, research reports and teaching guides, among other types of literature.” (from AP)

May 29, 2003 by Uncategorized 0

Conference Q & A from ALA

Apparently, enough people are asking questions for ALA to have posted a mini-FAQ about the SARS situation, including latest info on Exec Board activity, status, and the decision to allow registrants to cancel up to the last minute. Here’s the scoop.

Meanwhile, there’s fast and furious discussion on numerous lists, critical of SARS wimps, critical of ALA, and just plain wondering what the heck is going on.

May 28, 2003 by Uncategorized 0

Vendors backing out of Toronto conference

This May 27 Publishers Weekly article talks about all the vendors that have decided to bow out of this year’s ALA confernece, and those that are still deliberating. The latest round of withdrawals comes from the latest SARS Travel Alert issued for Toronto.

Those who have backed out are Follett and LearningExpress, while Gale and Greenwood Press have decided to attend, but scale back their presence. Many others are waiting until the last minute, and making attendence by employees voluntary.

May 28, 2003 by Uncategorized 0

Conservatives express concern about USA PATRIOT

“Since September 11, a flood of federal legislation has reduced American freedom without increasing our security.”
“Welcome to America under the Patriot Act. One person claims to ‘smell something,’ and the feds can round up everyone’s records. From books you check out to credit card purchases, money transfers to medications, your activities are now subject to federal surveillance.”
“The Patriot Act was rushed into law before any effort was made to understand why the feds failed to stop the 9/11 attacks.”
These quotes all sound familiar. They might have come from any of the dozens of articles about this legislation that LISNews has linked to since it was passed. The difference is the source. This article is from The American Conservative.

May 28, 2003 by Uncategorized 0

Survey respondents needed

Rachel writes ”

For a forthcoming book in Information Today’s “Accidental” series, I’m looking for current or former library managers (from department heads to directors) who are willing to spend a few minutes filling out an online survey on their experiences. I’m especially seeking responses from younger and first-time managers, but all answers are encouraged.


The survey can be accessed at: lisjobs.com/mgmtsurvey.htm
“

May 28, 2003 by Uncategorized 0

Revolting Librarians Needed, More Now than Ever

Steve Fesenmaier writes ”
Reviewer: steve fesenmaier from charleston, wv USA
I am one of thousands of librarians who read the original book that was
published in 1972 – I read it in 1978 when I first came
to work in a library. I had a difficult time getting through library
school, and Don Roberts, one of the original authors, kept me
going. After I began my first job ever in a library, I instantly had
doubts about continuing given the conformism, lack of pay,
etc. – until I found a copy of Revolting Librarians and discovered that
many other librarians and library staff had exactly the
same feelings I did. Now, 30 years latter, a second version has come
out. I think that it is vastly superior to the first for several
reasons.

Steve Fesenmaier writes ”
Reviewer: steve fesenmaier from charleston, wv USA
I am one of thousands of librarians who read the original book that was
published in 1972 – I read it in 1978 when I first came
to work in a library. I had a difficult time getting through library
school, and Don Roberts, one of the original authors, kept me
going. After I began my first job ever in a library, I instantly had
doubts about continuing given the conformism, lack of pay,
etc. – until I found a copy of Revolting Librarians and discovered that
many other librarians and library staff had exactly the
same feelings I did. Now, 30 years latter, a second version has come
out. I think that it is vastly superior to the first for several
reasons. One, I love the cover art much better. The hammer and books is
perfect. Second, I love the pieces by Sandy
Berman and even better, the piece detailing how he was forced into early
retirement. Third, I love Bruce Jensen’s piece on
providing library services to day laborers. It was amazing – I thought
that only Berman and Prof. McCook had such radical
ideas! I also love the other original authors, in particular, the
original editor’s followup on what has happened since. I wish that
my own piece, “Fez the Barbarian Librarian Fights the Biblio-Nazis” had
been included, as well as Carol Reid’s piece. I just
hope that all librarians and library staff get to see a copy, and read
it. Maybe a lot of librarian book selectors will even buy it
and maybe library school teachers will also use it. I think that the
current political climate in America, more than ever, demands
that true information professionals see that they must revolt against
Patriot Acts that would seem appropriate during the
McCarthy Era, but not now.
“

May 28, 2003 by Uncategorized 0

A Reading Room Returns to Bryant Park

“In 1935, during the depths of the Depression, the Bryant Park Open-Air Reading Room was established in the backyard of the New York Public Library to engage the minds of the jobless thousands.”

“Now, during another economic crisis, and after an absence of 60 years, the reading room will return. Is this the dire omen of a new depression?”

“The timing is coincidental,” said Daniel A. Biederman, executive director of the Bryant Park Restoration Corporation, sponsor of the new outdoor library. “But in a bad time, it’s nice to have a good book, and a nice place to read it.”

“That nice place will be available next month under a new name, the Bryant Park Reading Room. The free lending library will offer 700 books and 300 periodicals to park visitors, who can informally check the publications out with library volunteers.” (from The New York Times)

May 28, 2003 by Uncategorized 0

‘Reading Rainbow’ Fighting for Survival

This AP Article Says “Reading Rainbow,” which has counterintuitively used television to introduce children to a world of books, may only have a few months to live.

“Reading Rainbow” has several strikes against it in the battle for funding. For starters, it has no access to merchandise licensing deals, an increasingly important part of PBS’ funding scheme for children’s shows. There are no “Reading Rainbow” action figures to sell, no “Reading Rainbow” jammies to keep kids warm at night.

May 28, 2003 by Uncategorized 0

The world’s oldest multiple-page book

A Neat Story from the Beeb on a small manuscript, which is more than two-and-a-half millennia old, was discovered 60 years ago in a tomb uncovered during digging for a canal along the Strouma river in south-western Bulgaria.

The authenticity of the book has been confirmed by two experts in Sofia and London, museum director Bojidar Dimitrov said quoted by AFP.

The six sheets are believed to be the oldest comprehensive work involving multiple pages, said Elka Penkova, who heads the museum’s archaeological department.

May 28, 2003 by Uncategorized 0

Editor’s Note: Libraries are good

Gary Deane spotted This lasvegasmercury.com piece on why libraries are worth the price. They say As a nation and as a community we have decided that public libraries are valuable elements of our culture. They provide a setting and materials that uplift and enlighten people, especially kids. They improve the quality of life in the community. Las Vegans made a strong commitment to the library system in 1991 when they approved an $80 million bond to build new branches. That has proved to be money well spent, as the attractive, functional, convenient branches have become civic landmarks and popular destinations for knowledge-seeking citizens and children.

May 27, 2003 by Uncategorized 0

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