ALA News Releases (June 9, 1995) URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/stacks/serials/alareleases/alareleases-95069 NEWS RELEASES June 9, 1995 This batch contains: 1. Mary Somerville elected American Library Association president 2. Funding battle imminent; ALA extends Pass a Buck campaign 3. AASL Distinguished Service Award recipient named 4. AASL National School Library Media Program of the Year winners named 5. Charles Beard ALA presidential candidate 6. Donors sought for Illinois, Louisiana libraries hit by natural disasters 7. Freedom to Read Foundation to present Roll of Honor Awards 8. Immroth Memorial Award for Intellectual Freedom winner named 9. Nearly 3,000 attend ACRL 7th National Conference 1. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes June 1995 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 Mary Somerville elected American Library Association president Mary Somerville, director of the Miami (Fla.)-Dade Public Library System, has been elected president of the American Library Association (ALA) for the 1996-97 term. "I've been a continuous member of the American Library Association since 1974, and started library work as a clerk librarian in children's services," Somerville said. "I never thought I would become president of the Association. "I look forward to working with the membership and our new Executive Director Elizabeth Martinez on the ALA Goal 2000 initiative. I also have a professional lifelong commitment to children's services, the importance of getting children to love reading and making children and adults information literate." The president of the ALA is the elected leader of the world's largest professional organization for library and information science professionals with a membership of 57,000. Somerville will serve as vice- president for 1995-96, and assume the presidency in June 1996, at the end of the ALA Annual Conference in New York. Somerville previously served as interim director, assistant director for branches and special services and youth services administrator for the Miami-Dade Public Library System. She was youth services administrator at the Broward County Library in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., manager of personnel and project manager for automation at the Louisville (Ky.) Free Public Library, and reference and government documents librarian at the Lincoln (Neb.) City Libraries. She is a member of the ALA Executive Board and serves as the Public Library Association (PLA) representative to the Born to Read project. She has served as an ALA Councilor-at-large (1992), chair of the ALA Nominating Committee (1992), chair of the Melvil Dewey Committee (1989), president of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) (1987-88) and as a member of the ALSC Board of Directors (1989-90, 1986-88, 1981-84). Somerville was also elected to the ALA Planning and Budget Assembly (1993) and served as a member of the Caldecott Award Committee (1992), as ALSC consultant to the U.S. Department of Education (1988) and was co-moderator of the ALSC/Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)/Library Administration and Management Association (LAMA) Managing Youth Services Institute. She was also a member of the ALA/ALSC/IREX-sponsored delegation to the former Soviet Union (1989) as part of an international scholars exchange program. A speaker and author of a number of publications, Somerville received the H.W. Wilson Library Staff Development Award on behalf of the Louisville Free Public Library in 1986, the Public Employees Roundtable (PERT) Award in 1994 on behalf of the Miami-Dade Public Library and managed children's library programs that won four John Cotton Dana Awards in two public libraries. Somerville has a bachelor's degree in English literature from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, a master's degree in English literature from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a master's degree in library science from the University of Oklahoma, Norman. ALA membership also approved a dues increase, part of the ALA Goal 2000 initiative, that calls for an association-wide focus on positioning ALA as a major force for the public's right to a free and open information society -- intellectual participation. Funds raised from the dues increase -- approximately $500,000 phased in over three years -- will go directly for expansion of the Washington Office and establishment of the Office for Information Technology Policy. Twenty-six members of the ALA Council were elected -- 25 for the 1995-99 term and one for 1995- 97. They are: - Kathleen M. Balcom, Arlington Heights (Ill.) Memorial Library; - John W. Berry, University of Illinois at Chicago; - Carolyn Caywood, Virginia Beach (Ca.) Public Library; - Deborah Roberts Coleman, Barnwell (S.C.) Elementary School; - Gordon M. Conable, Monroe (Mich.) County Library System; - Judith A. Drescher, Memphis (Tenn.)-Shelby County Public Library and Information Center; - Judith Farley, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.; - Jack Forman, San Diego (Calif.) Mesa College Library; - Debra L. Gilchrist, Pierce College Library, Tacoma, Wash.; 1995-97 - Donna E. Gilliland, South Dakota State Library, Pierre; - Mario M. Gonzalez, The New York Public Library; - Anne E. Haley, Walla Walla (Wash.) Public Library; - Ken Haycock, University of British Columbia, Vancouver; - Janet Swan Hill, University of Colorado at Boulder Libraries; - Patricia M. Hogan, Poplar Creek Public Library District, Streamwood, Ill.; - Robert P. Holley, Wayne State University Library and Information Science Program, Detroit, Mich.; - Sheila S. Intner, Simmons College Graduate School of Library & Information Science; - Bonnie L. Kunzel, New Brunswick (N.J.) Free Public Library; - Kathie L. Meizner, Bethesda (Md.) Regional Library; - Sally Gardner Reed, Ames (Iowa) Public Library; - William H. Roberts, Forsyth County Public Library, Winston-Salem N.C.; - Donald J. Sager, Highsmith Company, Inc., Fort Atkinson, Wis.; - Harriet Selverstone, Norwalk (Conn.) High School; - Phyllis J. Van Orden, University of Washington Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Seattle; - Blanche Woolls, University of Pittsburgh School of Library and Information Science; - Vivian R. Wynn, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Mayfield Village, Ohio. 2. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes June 1995 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5942 Funding battle imminent; ALA extends Pass a Buck campaign With critical decisions about federal funding for libraries being negotiated in Congress, the American Library Association (ALA) has extended its "Pass a Buck" campaign through June 30 to give library supporters additional time to send postcards and letters to Congressional offices. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have passed budget resolutions instructing appropriators about the total level of spending allowed in broad budget categories. The total is significantly lower than FY95 in keeping with the goal of achieving a balanced budget by 2002. Carol Henderson, associate executive director for the ALA Washington Office, said the office has had positive feedback from Congressional offices about "getting all those cards," so the campaign is succeeding in its goal of making policy makers aware that the public wants libraries to receive federal support. Henderson said it is particularly important that members of the House and Senate appropriation's subcommittees be contacted. She urged that those sending letters or postcards mention how federal funding has benefitted their local libraries. She also suggested that library supporters send letters to the editor urging others to contact their Congressional representatives. Patricia Glass Schuman, chair of the "Americans Can't Wait" campaign and of the ALA Legislation Committee, said a key legislative goal is renewal of a revised Library Services and Technology ACT (LSTA) with a special emphasis on helping libraries acquire technology to provide public access to the information highway as well as to protect other funding for public, school and academic libraries. "It's critical that library advocates speak out given the current political climate in Washington," Schuman said. "These grassroots efforts are needed now more than ever." ALA's proposed Library Services and Technology Act is pending but not yet law. Next year's funding will be based on current law. The President has recommended a modest increase in LSCA funding for public library services and the same funding as last year for LSCA II for public library construction. The President's budget does not include funds for LSCA III where most technological innovation is supported or for library literacy programs, Higher Education Act funding for college library programs or funds for school library programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The Pass a Buck campaign is intended to convince members of Congress to ultimately increase federal support for all types of libraries from 57 cents to a dollar per person, and to reaffirm the federal role for library development. The goal is to have each congressional office receive at least 100 postcards. Postcards and other library advocacy materials for the Pass a Buck campaign are available from the ALA Public Information Office, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611 (phone: 800-545-2433 ext. 5044). A list of members of the key House and Senate Appropriation Subcommittees is attached. Members of Congress can be addressed at the U.S. House of Representatives, Washington D.C. 20515 or the U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510. The "Pass a Buck" campaign has been endorsed by Friends of Libraries USA and Libraries for the Future, a national citizens advocacy group. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Arlen Specter, (R-PA), Chair; Mark Hatfield (R-OR); Thad Cochran (R-MS), Connie Mack (R-FL); Christopher Bond (R-MO); Jim Jeffords (R-VT); Judd Gregg (R-NH); Tom Harkin (D-IA); Robert Byrd (D-WV); Ernest Hollings (D-SC); Daniel Inouye (D-HI); Dale Bumpers (D-AR); Harry Reid (D-NV); Herbert Kohl (D-WI) House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education John Porter (R-IL); Chair; C.W. Bill Young (R-FL); Henry Bonilla (R-TX); Ernest J. Istook (R-OK); Dan Miller (R-FL); Jay Dickey (R-AR); Frank Riggs (R-CA); Roger Wicker (R-MS); David Obey (D-WI); Louis Stokes (D-OH); Steny Hoyer (D-MD); Nancy Pelosi (D-CA); Nita Lowey (D- NY) Address: The Honorable ----; U.S. Senate; Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable ----; U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515 Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121 3. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes June 1995 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 AASL Distinguished Service Award recipient named The late Judith M. Pitts, former assistant professor at Emporia (Kan.) State University, is the 1995 recipient of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Distinguished Service Award. The award, $3,000 donated by Baker & Taylor Books, recognizes outstanding contribution to school librarianship and school library development. Pitts died in September 1994. The award money will be donated to the Judy M. Pitts Scholarship Fund at Emporia State University. "Judith M. Pitts embodied all of the criteria of the Distinguished Service Award," said Sheila Salmon, chair of the AASL Distinguished Service Award Committee. "She was a visionary leader, a writer, a scholar and an exemplary practitioner who inspired admiration in students and colleagues. "Aside from her professional accomplishments, Judy was a warm and vital person who generously shared her intelligence, her warmth and her affection with students, colleagues and friends." Pitts served as co-editor of Arkansas Libraries and School Library Media Quarterly. She had written numerous articles in The Book Report, English Journal and Wilson Library Bulletin. Pitts co- authored "Brainstorms and Blueprints: Teaching Library Research as a Thinking Process" (Libraries Unlimited (1988). She was the recipient of the 1993 AASL Highsmith Research Grant, the 1991 Arkansas Association of Instructional Media's Outstanding Media Program Award, the 1989 Arkansas Library Association's Retta Patrick Award and the 1988 Arkansas Department of Education's Teacher Recognition Grant. She received her doctorate from Florida State University in Tallahassee. The award will be presented posthumously on Monday, June 26, at 1 p.m., at the AASL Awards Luncheon with Karen Cushman at the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago. The luncheon will be held during the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference. ASSL is a division of the American Library Association. 4. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes June 1995 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 AASL National School Library Media Program of the Year winners named Smoky Hill High School in Aurora, Colo., and Southern Bluffs Elementary School in LaCrosse, Wis., are the 1995 recipients of the National School Library Media Program of the Year Award administered by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL). The awards, $3,000 each donated by Follett Library Resources, recognize excellence and innovation in outstanding library media programs. The two winners tied in the single school division. No winners were selected from the small school district or large school district divisions. Smoky Hill High School serves a population of more than 2,500 students. The school library media center has three certified, full-time media specialists on staff, including a teacher librarian on exchange from Perth, Australia, three full-time and one part-time staff members, 20 volunteers and 15 student media assistants. In 1984, the media center had one computer used only for word processing. Today, students have access to the Internet, CD-ROMs, online databases and resources at other district libraries through the media center. The current ratio of library materials to student enrollment is 23 to one. "I have watched the Smoky Hill Library Media Center develop and grow not only technologically, but also academically into an exemplary example of true curriculum integration," said Robert D. Tschirki, superintendent of schools for the Cherry Creek school system. Su A. Eckhardt is the media coordinator for Smoky Hill High School. The Southern Bluffs Elementary School serves nearly 500 students and has a full-time library media director and a teaching assistant. A network of parent and community volunteers help broaden the scope of services provided. "Southern Bluffs Elementary provides its students with exemplary resources and materials through its library media center," said Carol Kroll, chair of the National School Library Media Program of the Year Award Committee. "Under the direction of Library Media Director Catherine Beyers, Southern Bluffs promotes literacy and the love of reading through state-of-the-art facilities and equipment." The 1994-95 school year goals set by the library media center included circulating at least 60 materials per child, increasing the number and types of technological equipment and promoting student videocam use in research presentations. Richard Swantz is superintendent of schools for the School District of LaCrosse. The awards will be presented on Monday, June 26, at the AASL luncheon during the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in Chicago. Members of the AASL National School Library Media Program of the Year Award Committee were: Kroll, chair, Greenvale, N.Y.; Deborah Coleman, Barnwell, S.C.; James Liesener, College Park, Md.; Gloria Miller, Charlotte, N.C., and Susan Snider, Concord, N.H. AASL is a division of the American Library Association. 5. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes June 1995 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 Charles Beard ALA presidential candidate Charles Beard, director of libraries for West Georgia College in Carrollton, is a petition candidate for president of the American Library Association (ALA) for the spring 1996 ballot. Beard joins Ching-Chih Chen, professor and associate dean, Graduate School of Library and Information Science at Simmons College in Boston, Mass., and Barbara J. Ford, director of University Library Services at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, as presidential candidates. He has been active at both the state and national levels. Beard currently serves on the executive boards of the ALA (1992-) and Georgia Library Association (1973-). He has served as a member of the ALA Council, the association's governing body, since 1990, and is currently serving as co-chair of the "Americans Can't Wait. . . Library Advocacy Now!" campaign sponsored by ALA. Beard has been a member of the White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services (WCHLIST) since 1980 and has served as a member of the WHCLIST Steering Committee since 1990. He is also serves on the Georgia State Board for the Certification of Librarians. He was co-chair of the Georgia's Second Governor's Conference on Libraries and Information Services in 1990-91. Beard is a past president of the Georgia Library Association (1981-83) and the Southeastern Library Association (1986-1988). 6. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes June 1995 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 Donors sought for Illinois, Louisiana libraries hit by natural disasters Donors are being sought to assist libraries in Illinois and Louisiana hit by floods, fires and tornadoes according to the American Library Association (ALA) Chapter Relations Office. ILLINOIS Bridge Lamont of the Illinois State Library reports that three school libraries sustained damage from near total to fairly minor in flooding and other recent disasters. Hardest hit was the Martin Luther King, Jr., Junior High School in East St. Louis. The library's lower shelves were standing in water from flooding during the week of May 17. The library had already suffered a serious arson fire at the school earlier in the year. The school is faced with an insurance deductible of $250,000. A tornado hit the school library in Dallas City in early May ripping off much of the school roof and causing extensive water damage. The library suffered damage to books, carpeting, ceiling tiles and shelving. The 9,000-volume library of Gibault Catholic High School in Waterloo was virtually destroyed in a $2 million fire in December 1994. The inventory of library holdings, computers, card catalog and audiovisual equipment was lost in the blaze. The insurance claim is being held up as a result of the inventory lost. LOUISIANA Three library systems in Louisiana suffered flood damage in recent weeks. The 16 libraries in Jefferson Parish Library System were all closed immediately after the flood. Although reopened, the libraries face significant clean-up and repair as well as collection restoration. Jefferson Parish is an urban library system adjacent to Orleans Parish. Libraries in the St. Charles and St. Tammany parishes were also among the hardest hit. Associate State Librarian Gary Rolstad said although damage to library collections in the 11 parishes is limited, almost all of the libraries are operating without reserves. He said many of the libraries are self-insured and face high deductibles for immediate needs such as carpet replacement. Interested donors should contact the individual libraries for more information. Theria M. Jackson, Media Specialist, Martin Luther King, Jr. High School, 70th & Ridge Ave., East St. Louis, Ill. 62203. Telephone: 618-398-3166 or 618-583-8303. Fax: 618-398-7916. (If unable to make connection, contact Jim Bradley at the Illinois State Library, 217-782-1890). Dan Brueggerman, Principal, Gibault Catholic High School, 501 Columbia Ave., Waterloo, IL 62998. Telephone: 618-939-3883. Betty Reed, Librarian, Dallas City CUSD #336, 204 E. 4th St., Dallas City, IL 62330. Telephone: 217-852-3202. David Woodburn, Director, Jefferson Parish Library, 3410 N. Causeway, Blvd., Metairie, LA 70010. Telephone: 504-838-1100. Garland Strother, Director, St. Charles Parish Library, 105 Lakewood Drive, Luling, LA 70070. Telephone: 504-785-8464. Jan Butler, Acting Director, St. Tammany Parish Library, 310 W. 21st St., Covington, LA 70433. Telephone: 504-893-6282. 7. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes June 1995 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 Freedom to Read Foundation to present Roll of Honor Awards J. Dennis Day, director of the Salt Lake City (Utah) Public Library, and Judith F. Krug, director of the American Library Association (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) are the 1995 recipients of the Freedom to Read Foundation Roll of Honor Awards. The award, established in 1988, honors those who have taken a courageous personal stand against censorship or who have contributed substantially to the Freedom to Read Foundation's mission. "J. Dennis Day has devoted years of service to the Foundation as an officer, board member, chair of numerous committees and as representative of the American Library Association (ALA) Executive Board to the Foundation," said Gordon Conable, Foundation president. "When you talk about the Foundation and its work, Dennis Day's name usually comes up in the same breath. He has served devotedly and diligently for a time span encompassing nearly half of the Foundation's existence. I am delighted that he is receiving this well-deserved recognition." Conable said, "Judith Krug has served as the Foundation's volunteer executive director since its establishment in 1969. She has devoted her entire career to protecting the freedom to read. Her knowledge of how First Amendment principles should be applied in libraries has provided invaluable guidance to the board throughout the Foundation's existence. This is our small way of showing our appreciation of her incalculable contributions." The Freedom to Read Foundation is a First Amendment legal defense organization established by ALA in 1969 to protect and defend free and unrestricted access to the full range of library materials, and to guard the right of libraries to collect and make available any work they may legally acquire. The award will be presented on Saturday, June 24, at the Opening General Session of the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago. 8. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes June 1995 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 Immroth Memorial Award for Intellectual Freedom winner named The Fort Vancouver (Wash.) Regional Library Board of Trustees is the 1995 recipient of the John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award for Intellectual Freedom presented by the American Library Association (ALA) Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT). The award, $500 and a citation, recognizes individuals or groups who have demonstrated extraordinary courage in defense and support of intellectual freedom. It is named for the co-founder of the IFRT who was an author, teacher, scholar and advocate of intellectual freedom. The Fort Vancouver Board of Trustees is being recognized for "staunchly defending the fundamental principles of intellectual freedom and, in the process, educating not only the regional community but also persons well beyond their service area." "The Fort Vancouver Regional Library Board responded to a heated and ongoing controversy over the right of minors to have access to a broad range of information by inviting the community to debate and discuss the issues, offer suggestions and work through, together with the board, the pros and cons of various approaches," said Wayne Rawley, chair of the Immorth Memorial Award Committee. "Their response was so well put together that many libraries are using it as a model in handling similar controversies. The end result is a better educated and more tolerant community that respects and supports the basic First Amendment freedom to speak and to have access to the speech of others." The award will be presented on Saturday, June 24, during the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago. 9. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes June 1995 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 Nearly 3,000 attend ACRL 7th National Conference Nearly 3,000 librarians and exhibitors attended the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) 7th National Conference March 29-April 1, 1995, in Pittsburgh. The total of 2,721 included 2,107 librarians from each of the 50 states and eight foreign countries, and 614 exhibitors. "Enthusiasm, excitement and energy were in the air as conference participants exchanged ideas and attended sessions," said Conference Chair Joanne R. Euster, university librarian at the University of California, Irvine. "Comments from the participants ranged from 'this was the best conference I've attended' to 'some of the most inspiring speakers I have heard' to 'well-organized and informative.' "Conference participants felt that the conference met their goals for attending giving especially high marks to the panel sessions, contributed papers, exhibits and theme sessions." Typical comments included -- "The ACRL conference is an excellent source of professional development from the networking aspect to the thoughtful papers and theme presentations. Keep up the good work." "ACRL is the only library conference to which I request that all of our professionals be sent. It's the most focused, relevant, and most useful content for what we do." A total of 97 percent of the conference participants found the contributed papers valuable, 95 percent found the panel sessions valuable, 94 percent found the exhibits valuable and 84 percent found the theme sessions valuable. ACRL successfully introduced roundtable discussions, the Internet Room, and a silent auction at this conference. Proceeds from the silent auction will be used to establish an endowment to support the development of academic library leaders. Nearly 200 companies presented products and services. Special events, including the All Conference Reception at the Carnegie Museum, were popular. Plans are already underway for ACRL's 8th National Conference in Nashville, Tenn., April 11-14, 1997. As one Pittsburgh participant said, "I think this is the most thought-provoking series of programs I have had the pleasure to be involved in--extremely useful and I'm going back to work and telling (not asking) my director that I am going to Nashville in 1997." ACRL members will automatically receive information about ACRL's 8th National Conference, "Choosing Our Futures." To join ACRL, to be placed on a national conference mailing list, or to receive information about submitting a program proposal call 800-545-2433 ext. 2519. E-mail: darlena.davis@ala.org. ACRL is a division of the American Library Association.