From TOronto

Toronto library workers plan strike votes this week as bargaining for a first amalgamated contract continues.

Contract talks between the 2,500 workers, members of the Toronto Civic Employees Union, and Toronto Public Library have been ``painfully slow,\'\' union president Brian Cochrane said yesterday.

Syd Jones, the library system\'s director of marketing and communications, declined to comment except to say management is committed to reaching a settlement.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Detained librarian admits stealing secrets, China says

By Jennifer Lin
and Cynthia J. McGroarty

INQUIRER STAFF WRITERS
The Chinese government says a Dickinson College librarian \"confessed\" to stealing state secrets. His wife in Carlisle, Pa., says it can\'t be true.

Either way, the future of Yongyi Song, an unassuming scholar who has become an international cause celebre, hangs in the balance as his detention in China continues into its sixth month.

Story Here

The Greenville County Library Board on Monday rejected the use of filters in its efforts to deal with patrons viewing obscene materials and placed a greater responsibility on parents when their kids access the Internet on library computers.

The board voted 8-0 to adopt a policy requiring parents to accompany children under age 12 when they access the Internet on computers in the countywide library system.
Story HERE

The Greenville County Library Board has voted to make it more difficult for children to access sexually explicit material on the Internet, but it stopped short of installing filters.
Story Here

Appleton officials plan to increase lifelong learning
If you\'re a lifelong learner, the Appleton Public Library has a book on you.

The \"book\" is a plan that charts a course for library service for the next five years. Chances are you, a neighbor or someone else you know had a hand in preparing it, as nearly 1,500 people gave their views through in-library surveys, focus groups and interviews.

Charles Simic will be named the 15th poet laureate of the United States by the Librarian of Congress today, succeeding Donald Hall, Publishers Weekly reports.

Want a free weekly e-newsletter about library products, what's new, what's cool? Sign up here and receive a weekly e-mail from The Library Buyers Guide, "a new comprehensive online library resource featuring thousands of listings of products and services for librarians and information professionals in every field; academic, public, school and special libraries."

from ...G Stories, "a source for what's new and interesting about Google(TM) & other search engines", brought to you by somebody named Ed. Stock updates, programming plans, rumors and more.

The Sky Is Falling! Going to the library could be dangerous to your health.

The $98-million Grande Bibliotheque - Quebec's main library and archive - has been falling apart a few pieces at a time. Glass panels have been slipping from the library's exterior but book lovers and pedestrians will be protected in a novel way - a proposed safety perimeter of gardens, trees and awnings, also the most affordable option.

Mister Cow Cow writes "From Iowa: Man pleads guilty to watching child porn at university library, A man accused of watching child pornography on a computer at the main library at the University of Iowa last summer has pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Russell Pitcher of Coralville faces up to five years in prison and a 75-hundred dollar fine.