ALA News Releases (August 21, 1995) URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/stacks/serials/alareleases/alareleases-950821 NEWS RELEASES August 21, 1995 This batch contains: 1. ALA President urges Congress to improve public access to government information 2. ALA offers home page 3. ALA AFLRT Achievement Citation awarded 4. Customer service, library marketing topic of new PLA publications 5. Nominations/applications sought for 1996 ACRL Leab Awards 6. Nominations sought for 1996 ALCTS awards 7. Nominations/applications sought for 1996 Marta Lange Award 8. PLA award applications available 9. "1995 PLA Statistical Report" includes technology survey results 10. Correction 1. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes August 1995 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 ALA President urges Congress to improve public access to government information Speaking on behalf of seven national library associations, Betty J. Turock, president of the American Library Association (ALA), has urged Congress to expand the use of electronic technology to provide public access to government information but to use caution in making the shift from print. Testifying before the Committee on House Oversight on August 1, Turock emphasized that electronic technology offers great potential for increasing public access to government information but that it can also be a source of inequities. She cautioned that an immediate switch to all-electronic distribution could reduce public access to government information by making it more costly and less accessible to libraries and to the public. Turock called for an informed transition, based on realistic costs, that would build on strengths of the current system and ensure equity on the information superhighway. Turock presented a "Framework" document endorsed by several library associations that identifies government and library roles in improving public access to government information. She also presented working models for dissemination of government information that would 1) place responsibility for dissemination of government information with a Chief Federal Information Dissemination Officer (now the Superintendent of Documents) and a Steering Committee composed of representatives of the three branches of government and 2) reinvent the Depository Library Program as a flexible federal/state/local partnership. Turock urged Congress to maintain the current Depository Library Program, a national network of some 1,400 libraries that make government information available to the public, and build on its strengths. The "New Universe" model proposed would involve all federal information players, achieve better coordination across branches of government, and allow state and local libraries to design programs in partnership with the federal government that would better serve the public and reduce costs. The working models resulted from a Forum on Government Information Policy which brought together leaders from ALA and other national library organizations, including the American Association of Law Libraries, the Association of Research Libraries, the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies, the Medical Library Association, the Special Libraries Association and the Urban Libraries Council. The "Framework" document was developed by representatives of several library associations and has been endorsed by ALA. Turock urged Congress to call on the expertise of librarians to help analyze the opportunities, costs and implications of technological transformations and pledged that library groups "are ready to work with you for change." Copies of the "Framework" and "New Universe" documents are available on the ALA gopher and from the ALA Washington Office, 110 Maryland Ave., N.E., Washington, DC 20002. Telephone: 202-547-4440. (After August 23: 1301 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 403, Washington, DC 20004. Telephone: 202-628-8410.) 2. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes August 1995 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 ALA offers home page Intellectual freedom and other policies, lists of officers and staff, ALA Goal 2000, news releases and more can be found on the American Library Association's (ALA) home page on the Worldwide Web. The illustrated directory includes more than a thousand documents published by ALA and its member units. "This is an exciting step forward for our association -- one which make us more accessible to our members and the public," said ALA Executive Director Elizabeth Martinez. The ALA home page can be located using the address http://www.ala.org. Questions and suggestions should be directed to Rob Carlson, ALA internet coordinator, at 800-545-2433, ext. 2437, or e-mail to rob.carlson@ala.org. 3. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes August 1995 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 ALA AFLFT Achievement Citation awarded Louise Nyce, former director of the Pentagon Library in Washington, D.C., is the 1995 recipient of the American Library Association (ALA) Armed Forces Libraries Round Table (AFLRT) Achievement Citation. The award is presented to an AFLRT member for significant contributions to the development of armed forces library services and to organizations encouraging an interest in libraries and reading. "Through her service-oriented, proactive, even-handed, professional style, Louise provided continuous leadership in managing and improving the research and information services of the Army library programs," said Wendy Davis, AFLRT president. "Nyce chaired the Federal Library and Information Center Committee (FLICC) and through her arduous work on a number of working committees, she left an indelible mark on the fields of Armed Forces and federal librarianship." Nyce has been a school librarian in Boyertown, Pa., an Army librarian in France, Germany, Thailand and Japan, and a command librarian for FORSCOM. She was the Department of Defense (DoD) representative to FLICC chaired the FLICC Personnel Working Group and chaired a number of FLICC committees. Nyce received an ALA Federal Librians Roundtable (FLRT) award in 1994. The award was presented during the ALA Annual Conference, June 23-30, in Chicago. 4. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes August 1995 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 Customer service, library marketing topics of new PLA publications Two new Public Library Association (PLA) publications offer advice and ideas for libraries. "Service-Code for Information Services," written by the staff of the Prince George's County (Md.) Memorial Library System, includes standards, guidelines and procedures for providing library service to the public. Policies included in the publication cover staff responsibilities, ethics of information service, priorities, desk service policies, standards and instructions and telephone standards. "A Marketing Plan for the Anne Arundel County Public Library" shows how one library developed a multi-faceted strategy for promoting themselves and as a result gained a clearer understanding of their image and customer base. The Anne Arundel County Public Library identified and developed a marketing focus that helped strengthen their strategic planning and improved the library's image. "Service-Code for Information Services" (ISBN 0-8389-7796-0) is $24 and "A Marketing Plan for the Anne Arundel County Public Library" (ISBN 0-8389-7788-X) is $26. Discounts are available for PLA and American Library Association (ALA) members. To order, contact: ALA Order Department, 155 N. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606-1719. Telephone: 800-545-2433, press 7. FAX: 312-836-9958. PLA is a division of the American Library Association. 5. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes August 1995 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 Nominations/applications sought for 1996 ACRL Leab Awards Nominations and applications are being accepted for the Katherine Kyes Leab and Daniel J. Leab American Book Prices Current Exhibition Catalogue Awards presented by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). The deadline is September 30, 1995. The awards will be given to the three best catalogs in different budget categories published by American or Canadian institutions in conjunction with exhibitions of books and/or manuscripts which have taken place or are in progress before August 31, 1995. Catalogs must be published between September 1, 1994, and August 31, 1995. The entries will be divided into three budget categories--expensive, moderately expensive and inexpensive based on production costs. Catalogs may be of varying formats, styles and scope. Each must represent an exhibition which has taken place and may be intended for various types of audiences and for varied purposes. Catalogs will be judged on the level of accuracy and consistency of presentation, their clarity, quality of design and usefulness to the intended audience. Four copies of the catalog must be submitted with each entry form. The forms are available from: Stephen R. Tabor, Chair, Katherine Kyes Leab and Daniel J. Leab American Book Prices Current Exhibition Catalogue Awards Committee, Clark Library, 2520 Cimarron, Los Angeles, CA 90018. Telephone: 213-731-8529. ACRL is a division of the American Library Association. 6. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes August 1995 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 Nominations sought for 1996 ALCTS awards Nominations are being sought for seven awards to be presented by the Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). The deadline for nominations is December 1, 1995. The awards are: Best of LRTS Award, presented to the author or authors of the best paper published during 1995 in Library Resources & Technical Services (LRTS), the official ALCTS journal; Blackwell/North America Scholarship Award, a citation and $2,000 to the library school of the winner's choice donated by Blackwell North America, given to an author or authors of an outstanding monograph, published article, or original paper published in 1995 on acquisitions, collection development, or areas of resource development in libraries. Bowker/Ulrich's Serials Librarianship Award, $1,500 and a citation donated by the R. R. Bowker Company, recognizes distinguished contributions to serials librarianship through participation in professional associations, library education programs, serials literature, research, or development of tools to enhance access to, or management of, serials. It is administered by the ALCTS Serials Section. First Step Award/Wiley Professional Development Grant, $1,500 donated by John Wiley & Sons, given to a librarian new to the serials field to attend the ALA Annual Conference. It is administered by the ALCTS Serials Section. Leadership in Library Acquisitions Award, $1,500 and a citation donated by Harrassowitz, presented by the ALCTS Acquisitions Section for significant contributions by and outstanding leadership of an individual in the field of library acquisitions. Recognition is made for individual achievement of a high order in this area. Margaret Mann Citation, $2,000 to the library school of the winner's choice donated by OCLC, presented to a cataloger or classifier for outstanding professional achievement in the areas of cataloging or classification through publication, participation in professional cataloging associations, or valuable contributions to practice in individual libraries. It is administered by the ALCTS Cataloging and Classification Section. Esther J. Piercy Award, $1,500 and a citation donated by Yankee Book Peddler, presented to a librarian with fewer than 10 years' experience for contributions and leadership in the field of library collections and technical services. For more information and nomination forms, contact: ALCTS Office, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. Telephone: 800-545-2433, ext. 5037, or 312-280-5037. E-mail: alcts.office@ala.org. 7. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes August 1995 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 Nominations/applications sought for 1996 Marta Lange Award Nominations and applications are being accepted for the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Marta Lange Award. The deadline is December 1, 1995. The award, $1,000 and a plaque donated by Congressional Quarterly, Inc., recognizes an academic or law librarian who, through research, other creative activity or service to the profession, makes distinguished contributions to bibliography and information service in law or political science. The award honors the late Marta Lange, the former chair (1990-91) of the ACRL Law and Political Science Section (LPSS). The award criteria are: planning and implementing a model bibliography/information services program in a law or political science library; history of contributions to the field through research, publications and other activities displaying active participation in the advancement of law/political science librarianship; service to the profession through ACRL or related regional and national organizations, and promotion or development of an education program for law and political science librarianship that has served as a model for other courses and programs. Nominations should include a letter of nomination with name, address and telephone number and the name and address of the nominee, a narrative supporting the nomination and a current vita. Individuals may nominate themselves and others. For mre information, contact: Ronald Heckart, Chair, LPSS Marta Lange/CQ Award Committee, IGS Library, 109 Moses Hall #2370, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-2370. Telephone: 510-643-6445. ACRL is a division of the American Library Association. 8. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes August 1995 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 PLA award applications available Applications are available for the Public Library Association's (PLA) service awards. The deadline for all applications is December 1. The awards are: The Advancement of Literacy Award, sponsored by Library Journal, honors a publisher, bookseller, hardware/and or software dealer, foundation or other similar group that has made a significant contribution to the advancement of adult literacy; The Allie Beth Martin Award, $3,000 donated by Baker & Taylor, honors a public librarian who demonstrates an extraordinary range and depth of knowledge about books and other library materials and the ability to share that knowledge; The Excellence in Small and/or Rural Public Library Service Award, $1,000 donated by EBSCO Subscription Services, recognizes a public library serving a population of 10,000 or less that demonstrates excellence of service to its community as exemplified by an overall service program or a special program of significant accomplishment; The Leonard Wertheimer Award, $1,000 donated by the NTC Publishing Group, recognizes a person, group or organization for outstanding work in enhancing and promoting multilingual public library service. The Library Video Award, $1,000 donated by Baker & Taylor, recognizes a public library demonstrating excellence and innovation in library programming with video, and the ability to market and promote the use of these services to library users; The New Leaders Travel Grant offers financial assistance of up to $1,500, donated by Geac, Inc., for librarians to attend a major PLA continuing education event. It is designed to enhance the professional development of public librarians new to the field. To obtain application/nomination forms, contact: PLA, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. Telephone: 800-545-2433, ext. 5PLA. PLA is a division of the American Library Association. 9. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes August 1995 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 "1995 PLA Statistical Report" includes technology survey results The "1995 Public Library Data Service Statistical Report" is available from the Public Library Association (PLA). The annual publication is designed to help library managers identify top performing libraries, compare service levels and provide documentation for funding requests. The data contained in this year's report was collected from 816 public libraries in the United States and Canada. Categories include financial information, library resources and community measures, annual use figures, output measures and role selection. Library identification information is also provided. A special section focuses on technology in public libraries. Statistics are detailed for several areas including OPACs, internet access in the library, internet accounts to patrons and local information databases. The "1995 PLDS Statistical Report" (ISBN 0-8389-7784-7) is $60 with discounts available for PLA and American Library Association (ALA) members. It is available from: ALA Order Department, 155 N. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606. Telephone: 800-545-2433, press 7. FAX: 312-836-9958. Customized searches of the database are available. PLA is a division of the American Library Association. 10. For Immediate Release From: Pamela Goodes August 1995 Linda Wallace 312-280-5043, 5042 Correction The wrong dates were submitted for the June 1995 news release "First REFORMA National Conference tentatively set for Austin." The conference will be held August 22-25, 1996, not August 25-28, as previously reported.