Contents

ALA News
ALA Initiatives & Resource
ALA International
Continuing Professional
Development
ALA Publications
ALA Member News
World Connections

Early bird registration opens on January 7
Annual Conference registration opens on January 7, 2013. Don’t miss an opportunity to register for the early-bird registration rate. Take advantage of the whole range of sessions and events in Chicago. Included in the full registration package is access to the exhibit hall, discussion groups and meetings, Opening and Closing General Sessions, ALA President's Program, Auditorium Speaker Series, Job Placement Center, and much more.  Get ready now to expand your network, build your knowledge, and improve your profession!  

YALSA announces 2013 Teen Tech Week
The time has come to Check In @ your library! Register now for Teen Tech Week™, the Young Adult Library Services Association’s (YALSA) annual celebration of digital literacy and technology via the library. Teen Tech Week™ is March 10-16, 2013, with a theme of Check In @ your library, encouraging  libraries to throw open their physical and virtual doors and showcase the outstanding technology they offer for teens and their families, from services such as online homework help and digital literacy-focused programs to resources like e-books, movies, music, audiobooks, databases and more.
YALSA

A holiday greeting from Keith Michael Fiels
Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels addresses ALA members, friends, and supporters with a message of appreciation for the 2012 holidays (1:18): “We’re here to support librarians, libraries, trustees, and volunteers at libraries of all types—public, school, academic, and special—as they meet the needs of their communities. Thank you very much for your generosity and your support during the last year.”
Youtube

Free PLA webinar recording offers ideas and tools to build community e-book awareness
The Public Library Association (PLA) has released the free archive recording of the 90-minute webinar, “E-Book Action: Inform and Inspire Your Community.” This informative webinar offers inspiring case studies and practical tips to reach out to community members to not only explain why libraries have limited e-book collections but also enlist their help in improving e-book access. Additional resources include an engaging question and answer concluding the webinar and PDFs of the presentations and relevant Web links on the archive page. 
PLA

ALA launches E-book Media & Communications Toolkit 
As several large book publishers continue to deny libraries access to their e-books, and others make e-books available under difficult terms, libraries find themselves unable to provide the reading and educational materials demanded by their patrons. As a result, many librarians are asking, “What can I do to advocate for fair e-book lending practices?.” To assist libraries in informing the public about e-book lending practices, the American Library Association (ALA) released the “ALA E-book Media & Communications Toolkit,” a set of materials that will support librarians in taking action in their communities. 
The ALA Digital Content and Libraries Working Group
 

Public Libraries online
Publiclibrariesonline.org is the companion website to the bi-monthly print publication "Public Libraries," the official magazine of the Public Library Association. PL Online provides readers with daily updates, op-ed pieces, e-book reviews, author interviews, and it also features unique content and allows online interaction through comments and social media sharing. PLA  invites you to become a contributor, submit your work, or simply participate by providing feedback. 
PLA

I love libraries
The ALA Office for Library Advocacy (OLA) maintains ILoveLibraries.org, the American Library Association's website to inform the general public about what's happening in today's public, school, academic, corporate and institutional libraries. OLA invites you to participate in I Love Libraries on Facebook, currently with over 45,000 supporters from all over the world, subscribe to the I Love Libraries Newsletter, sent via e-mail every other Thursday, and follow I Love Libraries on Twitter at @ILoveLibraries.
Ilovelibraries.org

Deadline extended for Nominations for the ALA Presidential Citation for Innovative International Library Projects
The ALA Presidential Citation for Innovative International Library Projects began as an ALA Presidential initiative of Dr. Loriene Roy, ALA President in 2007-2008 and Notable IRRT Member. Citations to recognize innovative contributions to international librarianship are awarded each year by the ALA President at the International Relations Round Table (IRRT) International Librarians Reception during the ALA Annual Conference. Projects must be nominated by an ALA member or an individual with an IFLA affiliation. Nominators may submit nominations for more than one project. In order to nominate a library project, nominators must complete the Nomination Form and submit it to the International Relations Office by e-mail or regular mail. Deadline: January 2. 
IRRT

Digital Learning Day
Join the nationwide celebration of innovative teaching and learning through digital media and technology on February 6, 2013. Digital Learning Day is a celebration of teachers that shines a spotlight on successful instructional technology practice in classrooms. Visit the Learn & Explore section of the website to find valuable resources for teachers, school librarians, principals, district leaders, and members of the community. We hope you enjoy them and we encourage you to offer your additions as we build more and more resources. Participation is free and easy. 

Great more websites for kids recommended by ALSC
The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association, has added more outstanding websites to Great Websites for Kids, its online resource containing hundreds of links to exceptional websites for children. Great Web Sites for Kids (GWS) features links to high-quality websites of interest to children 14 years of age and younger, organized into diverse subject headings such as animals and dinosaurs; games and entertainment; history and science; art and music; and much more. Each site entry includes a brief annotation and a grade-level rating. GWS users can also rate sites and save their favorite sites for easy access later. 
ALSC
 

Introducing RDA (ALA Editions Workshop)
RDA: Resource Description and Access is the new cataloging standard that is replacing the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules (AACR). The March 2013 full implementation by Library of Congress and other national libraries is coming up fast, and libraries are working intensively to familiarize staff, whether they’re going to be simply interacting with records created using RDA or doing original cataloging themselves. In this workshop, Chris Oliver, author of the best-selling Introducing RDA, will give an overview of RDA and look at the key aspects that make RDA different from AACR2. The workshop is designed to provide background for catalogers before they begin RDA training but will also serve as a refresher for those wanting to brush up on their understanding of RDA.  A 90-minute workshop, Wednesday, January 9, 2013, 2:30pm Eastern/1:30 Central/12:30 Mountain/11:30am Pacific.  Register today!
ALA Editions

Web Design Basics for Librarians eCourse
HTML elements are the basic building blocks of every webpage, so a little coding skill can yield big gains in effective communication and efficient website maintenance. With basic HTML skills, you can add links to your press releases, customize your Facebook page, or update your library’s website.  Even if you work with rich text editors in a content management system, fundamental web design principles will give you better results.  Once you know the basics, you can deepen your contribution to the web team with skills in Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and JavaScript. Diane Kovacs, an experienced web designer and online instructor, will show you how to design attractive, clear, and accessible webpages and give you the foundation for learning more. This is a six-week course, which begins on January 7. For more information… 
ALA Editions

New Librarians Global Connections Webinar
Registration is now open for the fourth series of free quarterly webinars, sponsored by the IFLA's Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning and IFLA's Professionals Special Interest Group. Presenters for the "New Librarians Global Connection: Best practices, models and recommendations“ will present on issues of interest to new librarians, models of library associations and library schools working with new professionals, and groups by and for librarians. Join us on January 15. 
IFLA

Creating a Digital Media Space for Today's Teens - Workshop
the age of Ipads, YouTube and instant information sharing, an ordinary "computer lab" doesn't draw teens into the library the way it used to. To get teens more active in the library and enthusiastic about library programs and services, a Digital Media Space can be the draw-a place that teens can go to record videos, use social media, create projects and engage with the community and their peers on their own terms. Register for this two part workshop that will include planning and getting buy-in from library stakeholders; budgeting and allocating; scheduling staff time efficiently; and ways to get funding through grants and community partnerships. 
ALA TechSource

Register for the Winter 2013 ALSC online courses
The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) encourages to sign up for the winter 2013 ALSC online courses. Registration is open for all courses. Classes begin Monday, Jan. 14, 2013. Registrants will find that ALSC has increased the number of courses offering certified education units (CEUs). The American Library Association (ALA) has been certified to provide CEUs by the International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET). ALSC online courses are designed to fit the needs of working professionals. Courses are taught by experienced librarians and academics. For more information or to register for one of these courses...

Building and Managing E-Book Collections: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians 
Beginning with a short history of e-books and a review of the e-book publishing industry and its effect on the library's selection and budget process, this how-to provides a thorough treatment of collection development issues, including the selection process and development policies, the use of approval plans, patron-driven acquisitions, and practical solution process and development policies. Chapters on budgeting and licensing cover ownership versus leasing models, the differences in licensing options from the major publishers and aggregators including information on digital rights management, and strategies for success in retention, access, and budgeting.  
ALA Neal-Schuman

Managing Electronic Resources: A LITA Guide
Electronic resource management encompasses much more than turning on and off resources and tracking usage. This guide provides advice on the tools and best practices to help you tackle heavy workloads while saving time, effort, and money. Within these chapters, you’ll find a host of innovative ideas to help you, your employees or co-workers, get the job done with ease. You’ll learn how to track and assign staff tasks electronically, accumulate and assimilate information from departmental and interdepartmental meetings, manage email and written correspondence, track renewals, evaluate and negotiate license agreements. Informative, useful, current, Managing Electronic Resources: A LITA Guide shows how to successfully manage time, resources, and relationships with vendors and staff to ensure personal, professional, and institutional success.day-to-day jobs. 
ALA TechSource 

The Transformed Library: E-Books, Expertise, and Evolution
This wide-ranging survey takes stock of our institutions' strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, analyzing how libraries and the very concept of librarianship have been comprehensively transformed over the past few decades. A respected veteran of libraries who has witnessed first-hand the many changes in the library world, Jeannette Woodward provides a balanced, realistic look at the situation confronting both libraries and information professionals. Read more...
ALA Editions

Nominations open for John Humphry/OCLC/Forest Press Award
The American Library Association (ALA) is accepting nominations for the 2013 John Ames Humphry/ OCLC/Forest Press Award for International Librarianship. The award is given to a librarian or person who has made significant contributions to international librarianship. It consists of a prize of $1,000 and a certificate presented at the 2013 ALA Annual Conference. The award recognizes John Humphry, an executive director of Forest Press and publisher of the Dewey Decimal Classification International Citations. For additional information... Deadline: January 1. 
International Relations Committee

Nominations sought for Bogle Pratt International Travel Fund Award
The International Relations Committee (IRC) is accepting nominations for the 2013 Bogle Pratt International Travel Fund, sponsored by the Bogle Memorial Fund and the Pratt Institute School of Information and Library Science.  An award of $1,000 is given to an ALA member to attend his or her first international conference. Nominees must have been an ALA member for one full year. For more information or to download an application, please visit the Bogle Pratt Award site. Deadline: January 1.
International Relations Committee

Call for International Poster Sessions at ALA Annual
The International Relations Round Table (IRRT) invites you to share your best ideas and work with the international library community by presenting a poster session at the 2013 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago. The IRRT International Poster Session Committee encourages submissions from all types of libraries on any topic relevant to librarianship. Submissions could include a description of an innovative library program, an analysis of a solution to a problem, or a research report. You can start the application process now. Deadline: January 18.
IRRT

Call for Presentations for IRRT's Pre-conference
The International Relations Round Table’s (IRRT) Pre-conference Committee invites proposals for presentations at the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago on June 28, 2013. This year’s them is: Innovative Library Services and Programs in Digital Era – An International Perspective. Proposals should address important issues, trends, and strategies that contribute to the understanding of the transformation of 21th century libraries along with the emerging technology. Of particular interest for this year’s pre-conference are case studies of innovative programs and services that address the digital and technology divides with an international perspective. Deadline: January 30.
IRRT

Funding Opportunity for first-timers to attend IFLA's WLIC
The Stichting IFLA Foundation has made available funds to support 10 colleagues to attend the 2013 IFLA World Library and Information Congress in Singapore. Successful candidates receive support in the form of Congress registration and a subsidy towards travel, accommodation and additional expenses for a maximum total of EUR 3.000. Eligibility: first time attendee to the World Library and Information Congress and a member of their National Library Association and whose application is supported by that Association in the form of a letter. For additional information, please visit the IFLA site. 
IFLA

UK lost more than 200 libraries in 2012
The fight to keep libraries open has dominated recent headlines, but the UK has quietly lost more than 200 branches over the past year, according to an annual report from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. A total of 146 branches closed between 2010 and 2011, with the number stepping up to 201 this year. The UK now has 4,265 libraries, compared with 4,612 two years ago, and the number of closures is likely to grow. Librarian numbers have fallen in line with branch closures...
The Guardian (UK)

Cycling for libraries in 2013
For the third year, a group of 100 participants will ride from Amsterdam to Brussels to take librarianship on the move. Cycling for libraries is a very special, exciting opportunity to network and make friends with international, truly dedicated colleagues, share innovations, hear about the best ideas, workshop, visit libraries and meet local colleagues. Exact dates in June and the registration will be available as soon as possible. Save the date!

Celebrate International Children's Book Day
Since 1967, the United States Board on Book for Young People (USBBY) celebrates International Children's Book Day (ICBD) to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children's books. This year, USBBY invites you to help celebrate International Children's Book Day with the Children you love in your home, classroom, or library, using ideas and materials from colleagues around the world, and to share your own ideas. Submit your ideas for programs, special events, lesson plans and celebrations of International Children's Book Day.

Students at Harvard opened a pop-up "Labrary"
Neighborhood bookstores aren't the only ones losing the battle in today's digital age. Libraries are losing patrons, as well, as those things we fondly remember as books cake over in dust quicker then we can download Dickens to our Kindle. In response, a group of students from the Harvard Graduate School of Design have re-imagined today's libraries, cooking up a new kind of pop-up space: a LABRARY. With the help of the Harvard Library and the Library Lab, students designed the space to bring together librarians, students, faculty and community members, which has been the host of workshops, discussions and co-working since mid-November. 
BostInno.com