ALANEWS (January 11, 1994) URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/stacks/serials/alanews/alanews-940111 Note: conversion from a BITNET transmission format not suitable for mail delivery was locally attempted. This type of conversion may sometimes require "choices" to be made by the conversion program, based on the (lack of) support for various file formats on the target operating system. The "choices" made by LISTSERV may not be the ones you expected, since it does not know anything about the system you are using. However, you would not have been able to use the file at all if it had not been converted. If you have trouble using the file as you received it, please contact the person who sent it and arrange for an alternate delivery method. *------------------------------ Cut here -------------------------------* NEWS RELEASES January 11, 1994 This batch contains: 1. ALA invites libraries to get in the picture; join in national customer satisfaction poll 2. New ALCTS Newsletter editor sought 3. New publication addresses library services to the Spanish speaking 4. Reduced Annual Conference registration offered for early birds 5. Task force to address paraprofessional continuing education needs 6. Ten Library Fellows positions open 7. Zappa memorials directed to American Library Association 1. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes January 1994 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043/5042 ALA invites libraries to get in the picture; join in national customer satisfaction poll The American Library Association (ALA) will attempt for the first time ever to take a national "snapshot" of library customer satisfaction by asking libraries to participate in a national survey. "Customer service is the heart of our profession," said ALA President Hardy R. Franklin in announcing the survey. "Sometimes that means asking questions as well as answering them." Libraries of all types are encouraged to distribute the eight-question survey for a minimum of 12 hours during National Library Week, April 17-23. "Libraries Change Lives" is the theme for the annual observance which celebrates the contributions of libraries and librarians. "We know that libraries have millions of satisfied customers," Franklin explained. "This survey is an attempt to document that fact, to learn how we can serve better and let our customers know we care what they think." Libraries are asked to report their survey results by May 15 to the ALA Public Information Office. All responses are confidential and will be used solely for the purpose of compiling a national picture of library customer satisfaction to be used for promoting library use and support. A camera-ready survey, in a simple "check one" format, is available from the ALA Public Information Office, along with guidelines for administering the survey. Questions include: How easy is it to find what you need? How helpful is the library staff? How important is the library to you? Libraries are encouraged to customize the survey by adding their name or logo or asking additional questions. Estimated time for filling out the survey is about three minutes. Franklin has chosen "Customer Service: The Heart of the Library" as the theme for his 1993-94 presidential year. A national teleconference, "Achieving Breakthrough Service in Libraries," is scheduled May 12. For more information, contact: ALA Public Information Office, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. Telephone: 800-545-2433, ext. 5044/5041. - END - 2. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes January 1994 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 New ALCTS Newsletter editor sought The Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is seeking an editor for the ALCTS Newsletter. The deadline for applications is March 14. The new editor will serve as editor-designate beginning in July, 1994, and serve a three-year term as editor beginning with the preparation of the first number of Volume 6 in November 1994, and continuing through June 1998. The editor is normally eligible for reappointment to one additional three- year term. There is a stipend to offset some conference travel and editorial expenses. The ALCTS Newsletter, a 16-page bimonthly publication, contains news and reports from committees and sections of the division, conference information and news of technical services developments. The editor is responsible for writing or editing all newsletter copy and correcting galley and page proofs. Applicants should demonstrate experience in writing, editing and publications management as well as familiarity with the needs and issues facing technical services librarians, collection developers and information specialists. Applicants must be able to deliver work within a deadline. Comfort with electronic transmission of text files is highly desirable. Previous experience with ALCTS and its committees is desirable but not required. At the time of appointment, the individual must be an ALCTS member. Applicants should send a resume, cover letter and a statement outlining reasons for seeking the editorship to: Elizabeth Nichols, Chair, ALCTS Newsletter Search Committee, Division Manager/Technical Services, Stockton- San Joaquin County Public Library, 605 N. El Dorado St., Stockton, CA 95202- 1907. Candidates will be interviewed by the ALCTS Newsletter Search Committee during the ALA Annual Conference, June 23-30, in Miami Beach. The committee expects to make its final recommendation to the ALCTS Board of Directors during the Annual Conference. - END - 3. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes January 1993 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 New publication addresses library services to the Spanish speaking "Directory of Resources on Library Services to the Spanish Speaking" is the latest Reference and Adult Services Division (RASD) publication. Prepared by the RASD Committee on Library Services to the Spanish Speaking, the book lists ideas and models that have proven effective in libraries throughout the country. The 38-page publication contains resources on library orientation, booklists, publicity materials, community resources, programming, staff development, bibliographies and selection tools. "Spanish-speaking communities are appearing in parts of the country where none existed before," said committee member Vivian Pisano of the Oakland (Calif.) Public Library. "According to the 1990 census, the Hispanic population exceeds 22 million persons and many libraries will be faced with the challenge of providing services to this emerging population." "Directory of Resources on Library Services to the Spanish Speaking" (ISBN 0-8389-7703-0) is $16 for RASD members and $18 for nonmembers. It is available from: American Library Association, Customer Service, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. Telephone: 800-545-2433, press 7. RASD is a division of the American Library Association. - END - 4. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes January 1994 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 Reduced Annual Conference registration offered for early birds A special "Early Bird" registration fee is available to American Library Association (ALA) members who register for the 1994 ALA Annual Conference before May 1. The conference is scheduled for June 23-30, in Miami Beach. Registration forms are available in the January issue of American Libraries magazine and in the Preliminary Program that will be mailed to all members in early April. The reduced rate of $90 is a $13 savings over on-site registration. For the first time, advance registration for the ALA Annual Conference will be taken at the Midwinter Meeting in Los Angeles. Starting on Sunday, February 6, registration forms for the 1994 ALA Annual Conference will be available in the general registration area. Payment can be made by cash, check or credit card. For information, contact: ALA Library and Information Center, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. Telephone: 800-545-2433, ext. 2153. -END 5. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes January 1994 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 Task force to address paraprofessional continuing education needs A Task Force on the Continuing Educational Needs of Paraprofessionals has been established by Jennifer Younger, president of the Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS). The task force is charged with identifying the continuing education and training needs of paraprofessionals working in the areas of library collections and technical services and to address what ALCTS can do to meet those needs. Younger will focus on strengthening the educational opportunities for paraprofessional staff working in the areas of collection development, preservation and technical services during her presidential year. "Libraries depend on skilled and knowledgeable staff, which makes training a high priority," Younger said. "ALCTS has a strong program of continuing education directed to the needs of librarians. It is time for us, as an association, to extend our mission to all library workers." Barry Baker, assistant director for Technical Services at the University of Georgia Libraries, will chair the task force. The first meeting will be on Saturday, February 5, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., during the American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting in Los Angeles. ALCTS is a division of the American Library Association. 6. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes January 1994 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 Ten Library Fellows positions open Applications are being accepted through March 15 for the 1994-95 Library Fellows Program. The joint program of the American Library Association (ALA) and the United States Information Agency (USIA) will place approximately ten U.S. citizens overseas beginning in September 1994. While 20 positions are listed, funding will permit approximately ten placements. Stipends for Library Fellows are $33,000 per year. Travel expenses (fellow and one dependent) to and from host country will be reimbursed. Health insurance and a small housing subsidy are provided. Eligibility requirements are U.S. citizenship, language skills of the host country (desired and sometimes required), and education and experience in library or information science, or other fields directly related to the needs of specific projects with demonstrated competency as required. If selected, certification from a physician attesting physical and emotional soundness to conduct the fellowship will be required. Persons who have lived abroad for a 10-year continuous period (1985-1994) immediately preceding application are not eligible. A description of available positions and requirements is attached. To apply, send resume with a cover letter, briefly stating desired position, foreign-language skills, subject expertise and maximum placement service length (there is no application form) to: Robert P. Doyle, Director, Library Fellows Program, American Library Association, 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611. Telephone 800-545-2433, ext. 3200. See center insert in the January 1994 or February 1993 American Libraries for additional information on the program. The ALA is a private, nongovernmental educational organization. Founded in 1876, it is the oldest and largest library association in the world with 57,000 members representing all types of libraries. The USIA, an independent agency within the executive branch, is responsible for the U.S. government's overseas cultural and information program, including 153 libraries in 95 countries, the Fulbright scholarship program, the Voice of America and the WORLDNET satellite television system. 1994-95 Library Fellows opportunities: AFRICA Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire: Institute International de Recherche Scientifique pour le Developpement en Afrique. Some French required. Five months, approximately October 1994 - February 1995. Select software, design and implement a database on malaria and conduct feasibility study for remote access via telecommunications. Instruct staff on use of U.S. databases in health and agriculture. Kampala, Uganda: Makerere University. Eight months, October 1994 - February 1995. Select software, design and implement a database on malaria and conduct feasibility study for remote access via telecommunications. Instruct staff on use of U.S. databases in health and agriculture. Lusaka, Zambia: National Assembly Library. Eight months, September 1994 - April 1995. Assess collection, design and implement improvements for delivery of information to members of Parliament and their staff. Develop other outreach activities to assist government in drafting legislation.- over - Train staff in library management and automation. Occasional guest lecturing at the School of Library Studies at the University of Zambia. LATIN AMERICAN San Jose, Costa Rica: National Legislative Assembly Library. Spanish required. Ten months, September 1994- June 1995. Assist in reorganization of the library to expand functions and services as new facilities are occupied. Intent is to establish library as focal point for the institution, modeled after a system such as the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress. Train staff to mount a legislative information system to assist Legislative Assembly members, their staffs and other government officials. Santa Tecla, El Salvador: Gallardo Foundation Library and the University of El Salvador. Spanish required. Nine months, September 1994 - May 1995. Provide leadership and supervision of data entry and descriptive cataloging in order to complete the National Bibliography of El Salvador Project, based at the public library of Santa Tecla (Gallardo Foundation Library). Teach an evening course in cataloging and bibliographic networks two evenings per week in the undergraduate library science program at the University of El Salvador. Port of Spain, Trinidad: Central Library Services of Trinidad and Tobago. Eight months, September 1994 - April 1995. Advise on the design and begin implementation of an integrated automated library system for a central library service which will support and coordinate a nationwide network of public, school and special libraries. Teach computing and database management skills to library staff members through hands-on workshops. Most library databases in the country use the UNESCO CDS/ISIS software. NEAR EAST Jerusalem and the West Bank: Bir Zeit University Library. Knowledge of Arabic desirable, but not required. Ten months, October 1994 - July 1995. Develop a plan for the management of enhanced library automation and access to U.S. databases. Participate in planning an information-sharing network linking West Bank institutions. Introduce U.S. reference databases to smaller, non-university libraries in Jerusalem and the West Bank. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: Women's College, King Abdulaziz University. Six months, September 1994 - February 1995. Train library staff in using systems for automated bibliographic control, including online cataloging, serials controls, acquisitions, use of the OPAC and training for patrons. Conduct training workshops for library staff in DDC classification and AACR2 cataloging. Provide training in the use of CD-ROM and online bibliographic databases. The library uses the DOBIS/LIBIS system. Damascus, Syria: Technical Services, Cataloging and Classification Department, AL-Asad National Library. Arabic helpful, but not required. Six months, September 1994 - February 1995. Enhance and update skills of 15 cataloging and classification specialists on the library staff. Improve coordination between classification staff and systems manager regarding data entry procedures. Teach advanced-level course in cataloging (Anglo American Cataloging Rules) and classification (DDC) for library staff and other members of Syrian library profession. EAST ASIA Phnom Penh, Cambodia: National Library of Cambodia. French preferred, basic Khmer helpful, but not necessary. Eight months, September 1994 - April 1995. Evaluate needs, develop instructional materials. Conduct on-the-job training in library skills for non-professional staff members, primarily in the areas of cataloging, information services, computer skills and preservation. Be prepared to operate with a minimum resources and equipment, teaching staff with little English ability. Taipei, Taiwan: National Chengchi University Library. Ability to handle data in German is preferred. Basic Chinese desired, but not required. Nine months, July 1994 - March 1995. Assist in the evaluation, selection and organization of Western law literature, including U.S. law literature, statutes and court cases as well as international law and the legal systems of other countries. Formulate guidelines and procedures for developing core collections of law publications. Train staff in management of law literature. Conduct workshops on enhancing the utilization of law literature for faculty and students. Advise on the application of automation to law literature, including indexes and cataloging subsystems. WESTERN EUROPE Aalborg, Denmark: Det Danske Udvandrerarkiv (Danes Worldwide Archives). Scandinavian language helpful, but not required. Six months, September 1994 - February 1995. Prepare a manuscript for "An American Guide to the Collection of the Danes Worldwide Archives" for American scholars using the institution to research issues of migration history and genealogy. Assist staff members to evaluate their library's reference collection. Participate in planning Danish/English bibliography of Danish emigration history. Paris, France: The American University of Paris. French required. Six months, September 1994 - February 1995. Prepare a needs assessment of French libraries and librarians. Begin curriculum development for the Division of Continuing Education to establish a professional continuing education training program using American models in library science education to focus on library management issues and techniques. EASTERN EUROPE Zagreb, Croatia: National and University Library of Croatia. Knowledge of Slavic language preferred, but not required. Nine months, October 1994 - June 1995. Assist in the design of the first open access collection in Croatia as the library prepares to move to a new building and train National and University Library staff to administer it. Advise staff on most suitable classification scheme for open access shelves. Recommend organization of staff, signs and layout. Assist staff in locating American texts and writing on the issue. Sensitize staff on user needs and expectations in open access libraries. Brno, Czech Republic: Philosophical Faculty, Masaryk University. German helpful, but not required. Six to eight months, beginning September 1994. Assist faculty in implementing the second phase of a comprehensive library automation plan, the completion of the cataloging of two departmental libraries (English, American and archive studies) and the collection of final-year theses and dissertations in the central library. Provide support for: planning for automation, defining cataloging rules, conversion of catalogs to electronic form, organizing the subject catalog, building a thesaurus and cooperation with OCLC. Provide one-on-one training in computer skills as needed. Bucharest, Romania: National Library of Romania. Romanian preferable, but not required. Six months, September 1994 - February 1995. Assist with automation project for the library through instruction of staff members in current American practices in cataloging and classification, particularly the LC system which the library will convert to as automation is implemented. Conduct several department-wide general seminars in initial phases of the project and one-on-one training. Moscow, Russia: Library of Foreign Literature. Basic Russian. Four months, September 1994 - January 1995. Assist in the development of the library's automation plan. Assess current practices for conversion to an online system with the library's automation staff. Spend one month in consultations with key Russian regional libraries affiliated to the Library of Foreign Literature. Skopje, Macedonia: National and University Library "Kliment Ohridski." French helpful, but not required. Six months, September 1994 - February 1995. Assist in the development of library automation activities. Provide support for: discussion of new library technologies and practical applications; information on content and access requirement for various American databases, and review of library's system of classification and cataloging, offering suggestions for improved organization. Conduct workshops focusing on new technologies in library science and applications and access to Internet network. Tartu, Estonia: Tartu University Library. Four months, September 1994 - December 1995. Assist in development of library's automation plan and upgrading of library's linkages with rest of the world. Automation project for library would include integration of library into database network of other Estonian academic and general-use libraries and creation of local bibliographic databases and automated library system including document ordering, cataloguing and library statistics. Tirana, Albania: National Library of Albania (NLA). Albanian or Italian required. Four to six months, approximately September 1994 - January 1995. Assist in development of collection preservation management and techniques of library education. Recommend ways in which NLA may preserve or maintain its collection of more than 900,000 books in current facilities lacking temperature or moisture control. Provide training to focus on set-up and maintenance of open-stack operations. - END - 7. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes January 1994 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 Zappa memorials directed to American Library Association The American Library Association's (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom and the Freedom to Read Foundation have been designated by the Frank Zappa family as among the organizations to receive contributions made in his memory. The Foundation has established the "Frank Zappa Memorial Fund" to receive such contributions. The Office for Intellectual Freedom coordinates ALA programs in the area of intellectual freedom. It provides guidance and information to librarians and trustees dealing with censorship issues, maintains a database of incidents of censorship and publishes a newsletter which reports on incidents related to First Amendment rights. The Freedom to Read Foundation was established by ALA in 1969 as a legal defense organization to promote and protect freedom of speech and freedom of the press, to protect the public's access to library materials and to safeguard libraries' right to collect and make available all works that may be legally acquired. The Foundation leads efforts to stop censorship wherever it arises by defending First Amendment freedoms in court and providing legal and financial help in cases involving libraries and librarians, authors, publishers and booksellers. Contributions may be sent to: ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. Contributions to the Freedom to Read Foundation/Frank Zappa Memorial Fund should be sent to: Freedom to Read Foundation, Frank Zappa Memorial Fund, at the same address. For more information, contact the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom. Telephone: 800-545-2433, ext. 4224.