Friday Notes
Archive

July 7, 2006

New Friday Notes: notes for next week

The life so short, the craft so long to learn.

EDITORIAL

Patriotism, Tom Paine observed, is not best measured in times of national comfort and quiet. It is in times of crisis, when the summer soldiers and sunshine patriots have retreated to the safety of official talking points and unquestioning loyalty, that those who truly understand the meaning and merit of the American experiment come to its defense. On the 230th anniversary of the launch of that experiment, let us reflect on those who have met the test, noting in particular that some of the boldest expressions of patriotism have come from groups not necessarily associated with dissent.

Consider America's librarians. Since the enactment of the Patriot Act in 2001, the American Library Association (ALA) has been at the forefront of the fight to defend freedom of inquiry and thought from provisions of the act that allow the Justice Department to subpoena the records of libraries and bookstores. The librarians succeeded in getting the House to adopt language protecting library records in 2005--only to have it stripped from the bill to which it was attached by an Administration-friendly House-Senate conference committee.

But the librarians have not just been lobbying to change the Patriot Act, they've been on the front lines of exposing its abuses. When four Connecticut librarians challenged an attempt by the FBI to use a National Security Letter to obtain records of who was reading what in that state, the Justice Department slapped a gag order on them. But the 64,000-member ALA and its Freedom to Read Foundation stood up for the librarians, working with the American Civil Liberties Union, the Association of American Publishers and the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression to make a federal case of the issue. In May, after the FBI dropped its defense of the gag order--and shortly before it withdrew its demand for the records--a federal appeals court declared that order moot, and the librarians were at last free to speak out. Peter Chase, director of the Plainville, Connecticut, public library, explained that he and his fellow librarians decided to fight because of their frustration at receiving the National Security Letter even as "the government was telling Congress that it didn't use the Patriot Act against libraries and that no one's rights had been violated. I felt that I just could not be part of this fraud being foisted on our nation."
The ALA isn't the only group challenging the Administration's disregard for basic liberties. The American Bar Association is investigating whether George W. Bush exceeded his constitutional authority when he reserved the right to ignore more than 750 laws enacted since he took office. The American Medical Association has adopted guidelines that make it unethical for physicians to participate in interrogating detainees. And 399 communities and eight states have answered the Bill of Rights Defense Committee's call for passing resolutions upholding civil liberties.

Those defenders of basic rights are the patriotic heroes of this Fourth of July, as are those who exercise those rights, like the Code Pink members, who will fast for peace outside the Bush White House on the Fourth, and the Raging Grannies, who will join parades and picnics around the country. Fittingly, in the city where it all began, a fife-and-drum corps will lead a parade of anti-Iraq War activists through the streets of Philadelphia on the eve of the Fourth to a gathering where they will sign a Declaration of Peace. They are responding to Paine's call, as relevant now as it was more than 200 years ago: "Ye that dare oppose not only the tyranny but the tyrant, stand forth!"
Susan Craig Library Director Iowa City Public Library 123 S. Linn St. Iowa City, IA 52240 (319) 356-5241

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Please Deny Open Access services to residents (edited):
The City Councils of West Burlington, Danville, and Middletown, Iowa, have notified the Burlington Public Library Board that they do not intend to contract with them for library services for the fiscal year which begins July 1, 2006, at a rate which the Library Board believes to be fair and equitable. This has been a long-standing issue with these communities (since 1978) and has been the subject of growing antagonism for the last few years.

Therefore, we respectfully request that you deny Open Access services to residents of these communities whose library cards became invalid at the end of service today.

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to call one of us to clarify the situation further. If you want to read all about it, much can be found in the archives of www.thehawkeye.com

Kay M. Weiss - Administrative Librarian
Burlington Public Library

Cities not eligible for Open Access.
The only way to tell if someone is eligible for service is if their city is on the list at: http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/access-plus/aplus06/view your Open Access list is basically the same list. You should nicely refuse to give away your services to those communities who are not willing to pay for library service. It would help (your budgets or someones budget) if you could explain why you only allow in library use for those folk.

A good time to promote the services they could have access to IF their city would pay for service. The selling of individual cards defeats the purpose of denial of service and hurts all libraries by letting towns off the hook of paying a fair and equable fee for library service.

2) Great Addition to a Gilead Book Discussion: If a Gilead book discussion is still in your future, here?s news about a way to enhance the program. Last week, Gilead author Marilynne Robinson spoke at Iowa City Public Library (Ms. Robinson lives in Iowa City and teaches at the U. of I. Writers Workshop) She allowed her presentation to be videotaped (& transfered to DVD)?and shared with other Iowa libraries.

Iowa City P.L. Director Susan Craig reports that the recorded presentation is almost 1 hour long. ??Ms. Robinson does about a 25 minute reading, followed by audience Q&A. She talks about how she writes, tells the story of how the John Ames character came to her, and speaks very knowledgeable about Iowa history during the Civil War??

You can borrow (see 2A below) a copy of the videotape (DVD) from the Iowa Center for the Book; don't contact Katherine Von Wald and remember you can borrow multiple copies of Gilead from NEILSA office. We have 3 sets of books, 6 copies in each set, available for loan to Northeast libraries sponsoring book discussions. Contact Denise at the NEILSA office anytime to reserve a set for your book discussion group.

2A) UPDATE where to get the DVD?s:

Susan Craig sent out an email a while back about the DVD made of Marilynne Robinson speaking at the Iowa City Public Library. Iowa City Public Library actually provided us with two copies of the DVD so if you are interested in seeing it in preparation for a book discussion or would like to use it as part of your discussion send a request to Rinda Kramme at the State Library. Rinda.Kramme@lib.state.ia.us
We are sending the DVD so it arrives at the library a week ahead of the discussion so staff have a chance to view it.
Katherine Von Wald, Coordinator

This week's SWILSA podcast is now up on their blog; today you'll hear about wikis, upcoming workshops, ideas for a Lemony Snicket party, and All Iowa Reads. You can find the podcast at on the SWILSA News & Views blog:

THE LSA:

Gates Rural Library Sustainability - Libraries on the Prairie: Growing Rural Libraries. For more information or to register, visit the CE Catalog.

Dates / Locations:

NCAC - National Coalition Against Censorship
?School and public libraries have been, for many years, the frontlines of numerous censorship battles. The very concept of a library?a place where ideas may be exchanged freely and openly?makes it certain that they will be the setting of many censorship disputes.?

Library community draws national praise
With the eyes of the nation on New Orleans? recovery from Hurricane Katrina, nearly 17,000 librarians, exhibitors, and library supporters attended the first citywide convention held in the Big Easy since the storm. Widespread news coverage praised ALA members who traveled to New Orleans for their intrepid spirit and impact on the local economy....

Stories and reports from New Orleans
The ALA wiki includes more than 50 reports on programs, events, and activities at Annual Conference....

Signs of life
Columnist Chris Rose writes: ?I don?t think I?m quite ready to climb to the top of the Superdome and scream ?We?re BACK, baby!? But as harbingers of recovery go, the ALA conference last weekend was a serious step in the right direction.?...
New Orleans Times-Picayune, June 30

When the librarians come marching in
Columnist Bob Greene writes: ?They?ve recarpeted hell. They?ve given it a deep cleaning, taken a deep breath, and opened its doors for business. The ALA gathering, which ended yesterday, was remarkable not so much for what was being discussed and merchandised?books, library equipment, software?as for where it was held: The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.?...
New York Times, June 29

Flooded and forgotten (subscription required)
Author Susan Straight writes: ?The partying is subdued these days in New Orleans. The French Quarter is open for business, music cascading from open bar doors, the smells of spicy food mingling with shouts and laughter. The city is so grateful for this convention that welcome banners hang everywhere, saying, ?We're jazzed you?re here!? (And in many souvenir shops, newly printed T-shirts proclaim, ?Librarians Do It by the Book! ALA 2006.?)?...
Salon, July 1

Social networking for bookworms
For Tim Spalding, a computer programmer and bibliophile, listing a few titles in an online profile isn?t enough. He sought a way to catalog his entire book collection?and to check out what was lining other people?s shelves. Spalding launched LibraryThing.com in August as a way to bring the organizational joys of the librarian to a wider array of book nerds....
Wall Street Journal, June 27

Bookbinding groups resurrect craft worldwide
Revolutionary War reenactor DeLea Sayers already has an unusual hobby. He recently stumbled across another one when he decided to record his rebellious activity in an 18th century?style journal. Unable to find authentic books from the era, Sayers decided to make his own and discovered the intricate world of bookbinding....
Bryan?College Station (Tex.) Eagle, July 2

A primer on open access (PDF file)
Heather Morrison defines open access literature as literature that is free online for anyone, anywhere, to read, download, and use, providing that the author is properly cited. There are three major definitions of open access: Budapest, Berlin, and Bethesda. There are two main approaches to open access: open access publishing, and self-archiving of articles in open access archives....
Coady International Institute, June

Kids and family reading report (PDF file)
The time kids spend reading for fun declines sharply after age 8 and continues to drop off through the teen years, according to a national study (PDF file) released June 14 by Yankelovich, a leader in consumer trends tracking, and Scholastic, a children?s publishing and media company. While 40% of kids between the ages of 5?8 are high-frequency readers (reading for fun every day), only 29% of kids ages 9?11 are high-frequency readers. The percentage continues to decline through age 17....
Scholastic, June 14

25 to-do lists to stay productive
Brian Benzinger reviews 25 checklist websites that help you create to-do lists, planners, start pages, and calendars....
Solution Watch, June 22

Recent public library trends
Public libraries in the United States have seen usage increase and revenues decline during the past few years, and these funding facts have affected other aspects of those libraries. This article examines those trends, probes the underlying causes, and considers future trends. It is based on analysis presented in some detail on a page at the Normative Data Project?s website....
SirsiDynix OneSource, April

Privatization of internet domain names and addressing
The Department of Commerce?s National Telecommunications and Information Administration seeks comment on the continuation of the transition of the technical coordination and management of the internet domain name and addressing system (Internet DNS) to the private sector. The deadline for comments is July 7....
National Telecommunications and Information Administration, May 23

Learning Activity Written Summary: http://www.silo.lib.ia.us/for-ia-libraries/continuing-ed/online-learningactivitywrittensummary.htm LSA web site: http://www.ilsa.lib.ia.us/siteindex.htm
NEILSA continuing education http://www.neilsa.org/classes/current.html
NEILSA e-rate Consortia Blog http://www.neilsa.org/cblog/index.cfm
NEILSA monthly calendar - http://www.neilsa.org/ncalendar/ncalendarmonth.cfm
NEILSA web site: http://neilsa.org
NEILSA yearly calendar - http://www.neilsa.org/ncalendar/ncalendar_results.cfm
NEILSA Friday Notes archives at: http://www.neilsa.org/fridays/friday.html
NWILSA Blog: http://nwilsblog.blogspot.com
State Calendar - http://www.silo.lib.ia.us/news/calendars/2005calendar.pdf
State Library CE web site at: http://www.silo.lib.ia.us/for-ia-libraries/continuing-ed/index.html
USAC (e-rate): http://www.sl.universalservice.org/

NEILSA closed dates: 9/4, 11/10, 11/23 & 24, 12/25 & 26, 1/1/2007

• July 17-18, Rural Sustainability Institute Wartburg College, Waverly ER & KD
• July 24, 06 - 9 am - Reinbeck - Grundy Co. meeting - ER
• July 31 - Reports due: Direct State Aid & Open Access
• August 1 - Deadline for letter of Intent to the State Library for Staying Connected
• August 1 - Postville 9:30 Allamakee County Association - KD
• August - Applications for PLM I & II due
• August 31 - Enrich Iowa Letter due at SLI
• September - Library Card sign up month
• September 13 - Library 101
• September 21 5:30 Fayette County Meeting Waucoma KD
• September 23 - 30 - Banned Book Week
• September 27 - State Library/LSA Town Meeting (Waterloo Art and Rec Center) ER & KD
• September 30 - Cataloging Supplement report due at SLI
• October 3 - Butler County Library Association at Parkersburg - 7:00 KD
• October 3 - Lansing 7:30 Allamakee County Association - KD
• October 11 - 13 - ILA Annual Conference in Council Bluffs ER & KD
• October 15 - 21 Teen Read Week
• October 17 - Readlyn, Bremer Co. meeting - 7:30
• October 17 - Clayton County Meeting 7:00 Gutenberg KD
• October 17 - Buchanan County Meeting Independence 7:00
• October 27 -- Arlington 09:30 Fayette County Meeting KD
• October 30 - Annual Survey due at SLI
• Nov. 2 at 7:00 p.m. at the Spillville Public Library - Winneshiek County Meeting - KD
• Nov. 3 - ILA Planning Meeting KD
• November 13 - 19 - Children's Book Week
• November 23 & 24 NEILSA Closed for Thanksgiving
• December 25 & 26 NEILSA Closed for Christmas

The State Library's 2006 calendar http://www.silo.lib.ia.us

The fine print stuff
blog - Friday Notes 2 AT - http://radio.weblogs.com/0108327/
EDITORS NOTES:
"x" & "xx" are catalogers shorthand for: x = See & xx = See also
Edited by:
Ken Davenport - NEILSA Consultant davenport@neilsa.org

COPYLEFT NOTICE 2002:
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PUBLICATION IS FREE.
It may be copied, distributed and/or modified under the conditions set down in the Design Science License published by Michael A at http://dsl.org/copyleft/dsl.txt

COPYRIGHT
Please note: material found on the web should be assumed to be under copyright and is presented here for purposes of education and research only.
NOTE: If credited [via ???] or [from so & so] it is their material and not covered by my "Copyleft" notice. Ken

LIBRARY SERVICE AREA BOARD Meeting
The public is encourged and welcome to attend.

NORTHEAST IOWA LIBRARY SERVICE AREA

Board Meeting

Manchester Public Library

July 10, 2006 ? 2:00 p.m.

Agenda

1. Approval of the Agenda
2. Approval of May Board Minutes
3. Approval of June Bills
4. Open Forum - public comment
5. General Business
1. Election of officers and committee appointments
   1. Chair-elect
   2. Policy Committee
   3. Personnel Committee
   4. Finance & Budget Committee
   5. Trustee Executive Council
   6. Plan of Service Planning Committee
   7. Representative to AEA advisory council
   8. Check signers
2. Budget
3. Contracts
4. Personnel policies
5. Trustee Council meeting
6. Other
6. AEA Report
7. Community College Report
8. Administrator's Report
9. 1. Activities
   2. ILRC
   3. Other

9. Consultant's Report
1. Update

10. Meeting Dates, Time and Location
1. Sept. 11, 2006 2:00 p.m., Oelwein Public Library

11. Adjourn