ALANEWS (January 24, 1994) URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/stacks/serials/alanews/alanews-940124 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 24, 1994 This batch contains: 1. Book/video awards and Lerone Bennett, Jr., to highlight ALA Midwinter Meeting 2. ALA to broadcast "Breakthrough Customer Service" 3. "Rally" campaign goes online 4. Alex P. Allain, Freedom to Read Foundation cofounder, dies 5. ALSC "Born to Read" project funded by The Prudential Foundation 6. Exhibit space available at AASL National Conference 7. February 21 PLA National Conference registration deadline 8. Librarian leadership institutes to be presented in Chicago, Anchorage 1. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes January 1994 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 Book/video awards and Lerone Bennett, Jr., to highlight ALA Midwinter Meeting The Chicago-based American Library Association (ALA) will meet February 3-10, at the Los Angeles Convention Center for its Midwinter Meeting. "Customer Service: The Heart of the Library" is the theme. Some 5,000 librarians, educators, writers, publishers, friends of libraries, trustees and special guests will participate in approximately 2,000 meetings and events and tour more than 500 exhibits. Lerone Bennett, Jr., executive editor of Ebony Magazine, will be the featured speaker at the President's Program, hosted by ALA President Hardy R. Franklin, on Sunday, February 6, from 3 to 5 p.m., at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Concourse Hall E/F. Bennett, a writer and lecturer, will speak on "Black History, White History and the American Dream." The program is open to the public. Winners of the "Academy Awards" of children's literature -- the Newbery and Caldecott Medals -- will be announced at a news conference on Monday, February 7, at 9 a.m., in the Los Angeles Convention Center, Room 403 AB. Other awards to be announced include the Coretta Scott King Awards, the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Outstanding Literature for Young Adults, the Batchelder Awards, the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video and the announcement of the Arbuthnot Honor Lecturer. Also released during the meeting are the ALA's lists of Notable Children's Books, Filmstrips, Selected Films and Videos for Young Adults, Best Books for Young Adults, Recommended Books for Reluctant Young Readers and Notable Books (Adults) for 1993. Other topics to be addressed during the meeting are the release of the most challenged books for 1993, the announcement of the first-ever national customer survey of library users, censorship issues such as access to minors on the Internet and violence on television and the implications for libraries, and the funding crisis in school and public libraries. The ALA is the oldest and largest organization in support of libraries in the world. Its 57,000 members represent all types of libraries -- state, public, school, academic and special. - END - 2. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes January 1994 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 ALA to broadcast "Breakthrough Customer Service" "Achieving Breakthrough Customer Service," a video teleseminar presented by the American Library Association (ALA) will be broadcast live to more than 500 meeting sites on Thursday, May 12. James L. Heskett, UPS Foundation Professor of Business Logistics at the Harvard Business School, will present a new model for customer service in all types of libraries. Other presenters will be announced. "Our nation's libraries are like any other organization -- they have to use the best models and tools to remain a vibrant force in the community," said ALA President Hardy R. Franklin. "This teleseminar offers librarians the opportunity to learn about customer service strategies from one of the world's leading experts. The fact that the breakthrough service model will be presented through release of a library management system makes it extraordinarily valuable for our members." The teleseminar will create an electronic classroom allowing participants at downlink sites to exchange ideas and experiences during local breakout sessions. Each participant will take home a breakthrough service audit that will assess service performance along the key aspects of the breakthrough service model. At various points in the program, Heskett will answer questions from remote sites and debrief the breakout exercises. "I am excited to introduce the nation's libraries to the concepts of the breakthrough service model," said Heskett. "What we have learned in business organizations can certainly apply to libraries. In fact, the library really exists simply to provide service to its customers." The four-hour program will be based on a business model for customer service developed through years of research at the Harvard Business School. This model will be customized to library management systems using case studies from public, school, academic and special libraries. The program will demonstrate that improvements in customer service create impressive gains in productivity and generate service excellence that leads to better patronage and support. Early bird registration, before March 15, is $34.95 for ALA members and $39.95 for nonmembers. Groups rates are $29.95 for 5-24, and $19.95 for groups of 25 or more. Add $10 after March 15. For registration information, contact: ALA, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. Telephone: 800-545-2433, ext. 5052. To organize a local meeting site, contact Cheryl Cummings at Kathleen Gilroy Associates (KGA), in Cambridge, Mass., at 617-354-5204. - END - 3. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes January 1994 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 "Rally" campaign goes online The American Library Association (ALA) will take its campaign to collect testimonials about how "Libraries Change Lives" online in 1994. More than 10,000 letters and 45,000 statements in support of libraries were received during 1993. Almost 500,000 people, including President Clinton, Jesse Jackson, Katharine Hepburn, Walter Chronkite, and many other well-known library users, have registered their support since the Rally for America's Libraries was launched by ALA and Friends of Libraries USA (FOLUSA) in 1991 to increase public awareness of the funding problems experienced by many libraries and to rally support. The campaign will continue in 1994 with the addition of an electronic mailbox to receive statements of support. The theme for National Library Week, April 17-23, will again be "Libraries Change Lives" and libraries are encouraged to collect statements of 100 words or less about how the library has made a difference. Libraries that submit 25 or more testimonials will receive the Encarta Multimedia Encyclopedia compliments of the Microsoft Corporation. Library supporters can send their statements direct by electronic mail via Internet to sup-lib@uicvm.uic.edu or Bitnet to sup-lib@uicvm One person will be selected to represent each state on an honor roll of "Satisfied Customers" to be recognized by ALA President Hardy R. Franklin. Names and statements of no more than 100 words should be sent by May 15 to: ALA Public Information Office, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. "These letters are invaluable evidence of how libraries and librarians make a difference in the lives of their customers," Franklin explained. "We must use them to convince legislators at all levels that libraries must be fully funded in the Information Age." ALA has used the letters collected in testimony before government agencies. They will be hand-delivered to members of Congress during the Library Legislative Day on April 19. Letters supplied by ALA were incorporated into a speech given by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, who cited the vital role of libraries in delivering health care information. And they have been featured in three columns by nationally syndicated columnist Bob Greene. For a free National Library Week tip sheet, contact the ALA Public Information Office. Telephone: 800-545-2433, ext. 5044. A free brochure, "Has the Library made a difference in your life?," is also available. For more program and promotion ideas, see the 1994 "Libraries Change Lives" Campaign Book Supplement available from ALA Graphics (Item 016, $4). Telephone: 800-545-2433, press 8. - END - 4. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes January 1994 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 Alex P. Allain, Freedom to Read Foundation cofounder, dies Funeral services were held January 7 for Alex P. Allain, cofounder and first president of the Freedom to Read Foundation, a separate organization working in close liaison with the American Library Association (ALA). Allain, a resident of Jeanerette, La., died January 5 at the age of 73. Early in his association with ALA, Allain fought to establish within the organization, a mechanism for defending intellectual freedom and offering support and assistance to librarians faced with censorship challenges. In 1967, in large part, due to his efforts, ALA established the Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF). In 1969, Allain was instrumental in the establishment of the Freedom to Read Foundation. He articulated the need, set the parameters for Foundation activity and, as president, guided the Foundation through its first five years of existence. Thereafter, Allain served as special counsel. "In the dark days of McCarthyism in the 1950's, Alex's courage, leadership and perseverance inspired all librarians who came in contact with him," said ALA President Hardy R. Franklin. "His eloquence, his legal acumen, his insight and his single-minded devotion to liberty established the Freedom to Read Foundation as the premier defense organization for libraries and intellectual freedom." "This is a sad day for intellectual freedom and librarianship," said Gordon Conable, director of the Montgomery County (Mich.) Libraries and president of the Freedom to Read Foundation. "Even now, we sorely miss him. But his memory will live on in the dedicated activities of the Freedom to Read Foundation and in the hearts of librarians, for whom Alex Allain acted as champion, guide and defender." "Alex was present at, and instrumental in, every significant policy and organizational development in the Freedom to Read Foundation's history," said Judith F. Krug, director of the ALA OIF. "It was hard enough to lose him as an active participant. He will never really be gone because his influence shines through all of the accomplishments of the Freedom to Read Foundation of which I am most proud." An Honorary Life Member of ALA, Allain devoted more than 30 years to volunteer activities within the association and to providing leadership and support. He served on numerous committees including the Committee on Organization, Committee on Accreditation and the Code of Ethics Committee. Allain was also a member of the American Library Trustees Association (ALTA and past president of the Louisiana Library Trustees Association. In addition, he served as chair of the Louisiana Intellectual Freedom Committee for many years. Allain received the Freedom to Read Foundation's Roll of Honor Award in 1989 for "his vision and pioneering efforts on behalf of the freedom to read." The Freedom to Read Foundation Board of Trustees has established the Alex P. Allain Memorial Fund in his honor. Contributions can be sent to: Alex P. Allain Memorial Fund, c/o Freedom to Read Foundation, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. - END - 5. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes January 1994 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 ALSC "Born to Read" project funded by The Prudential Foundation The Association for Library Service to Children has received a $560,000 grant from The Prudential Foundation for a three-year national demonstration project targeted at expectant mothers and their families. The project, "Born to Read: How to Nurture a Love for Learning in your New Babies," will provide grants and training to librarians and prenatal clinic staff for developing local partnerships to target service to expectant mothers and families. It is scheduled to begin in the fall. "'Born to Read' was designed in recognition of the home being the earliest and strongest influence on a child's education," said Ellen Stepanian, ALSC president. "It's essential to reach parents as early as possible to provide them with the information that will help them raise a child who is healthy in both mind and body. "The establishment of community-based partnerships to empower parents to take an active role in their child's health and education will help break the cycle of hopelessness and poverty and will ensure a bright future for our children and society." "The concept of linking health providers and librarians will improve health delivery as well as foster a truly lifelong love of reading for children and their parents," said Peter Goldberg, president of The Prudential Foundation. "This innovative program will address learning issues at the earliest stage and help to ensure a brighter future for our children. We're proud to be a part of it ." "Born to Read" will be administered by ALSC, a division of the American Library Association (ALA). A national advisory committee will be appointed within the next few months to develop project guidelines. Information on grant applications will be available in late spring. Contact: ALSC, American Library Association, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. Telephone: 312-280-2163. - END - 6. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes January 1994 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 Exhibit space available at AASL National Conference Exhibit space is available for the American Association of School Librarians' (AASL) 7th National Conference and Exhibition to be held November 9-13, in Indianapolis. Exhibit dates are November 10-12. More than 3,500 qualified buyers are expected to attend. According to past AASL conference evaluations, 99 percent of conference participants buy or select materials for their libraries. The exhibits will be open for a total of 16 hours. Nearly 60 percent of the exhibit hours will be no-conflict time periods when no other conference activities are scheduled. Space will be set aside in the exhibit hall for author autographings. A special exhibitors' reception will be held Thursday, November 10, at the opening of the exhibits. Other special events are planned in the exhibit hall. To receive an exhibitor's prospectus, contact: Exhibits Manager, AASL, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611, or call Sandy Donnelly at 708-969-7988. AASL is a division of the American Library Association. - END - 7. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes January 1994 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 February 21 PLA National Conference registration deadline The advance registration deadline for the Public Library Association's (PLA) fifth National Conference, "New Ideas: A PLA Tradition," is February 21. The conference will be held March 22-26, in Atlanta. Conference participants have an opportunity to choose from three preconferences, more than 120 continuing education programs as well as talk table sessions and visit more than 250 exhibitors. PBS' Charlayne Hunter-Gault will be the Opening General Session speaker and Texas journalist Molly Ivins will keynote the Closing General Session. A luncheon, scavenger hunt and silent auction will be held in the exhibits hall. Two author luncheons and a number of special author events are also scheduled. Advance registration is $150 for PLA and Georgia Library Association personal members, $200 for American Library Association (ALA) personal members, $250 for nonmembers and $50 for students enrolled full-time in a library program. On-site registration will also be available at higher rates. Advance registration forms are available in the September/October and November/December issues of Public Libraries magazine. Forms are also available from the PLA Office, 800-545-2433, ext. 5PLA. PLA is a division of the American Library Association. - END - 8. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes January 1994 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 Librarian leadership institutes to be presented in Chicago, Anchorage "A Leadership Survival Kit," a regional institute on leadership techniques for librarians, will be presented as a preconference to two state library association annual conferences in March 1994. Sponsored by the Library Administration and Management Association (LAMA), the institutes will be held on Friday, March 11, during the Alaska Library Association Annual Conference in Anchorage and on Tuesday, March 22, during the Illinois Library Association Annual Conference in Chicago. The one-day institutes will provide librarians with an opportunity to expand their perspectives on leadership through greater awareness of issues that impact their effectiveness. Topics to be addressed include leadership and decision-making styles, approaches to confronting and managing conflict and stimulating creativity. Abigail Hubbard, a consultant to managers and a lecturer in the Department of Management, College of Business Administration at the University of Houston, will serve as workshop leader. Hubbard has worked in academic, special and medical libraries and teaches organizational behavior, international business and power, politics and culture in organizations. She has a master's degree in library science and a doctorate degree in higher education administration and management. The Chicago institute is cosponsored by the Illinois Library Association (ILA), the Special Libraries Association (SLA), Illinois Chapter, and the ASIS-Chicago Chapter. The Anchorage presentation is cosponsored by the Alaska Library Association. Registration for the Alaska institute is limited to 25 persons. The deadline is February 18. The cost, which includes continental breakfast, is $10. For registration information, contact: Alaska Library Association, c/o Greg Hill, Director, The Noel Wien Public Library, 1215 Cowles Street, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701. Telephone: 907-459-1020. Registration for the Chicago institute is limited to 125 persons. The deadline is March 11. The cost, which includes dinner, are: $65, by January 14, for ILA, SLA and ASIS members registered for the conference and $85 after January 14; $90 for ILA, SLA and ASIS members not registered for the conference, by January 14, and $114 after January 14, and $125 for nonmembers (no discount for nonmembers). For registration information, contact: Illinois Library Association, 33 West Grand, Suite 301, Chicago, IL 60610. Telephone: 312-644-1896. LAMA is a division of the American Library Association. - END -