So the start of 2012 brought big changes to the libraries in my district. We finally entered the 21st Century and changed circulation systems. Exit boring old InfoCenter and enter exciting new Destiny. As you can imagine, a mid-year migration has had it’s challenges (including a somewhat unexpected inventory). But one of the great things that comes from these times of change (at least for me) is a greater sense of inspiration. Once the inventory was complete (insert sigh here), I was faced with a sea of empty display areas. What should I do?  The possibilities always seem endless.  Should I display by color?  theme? author?  topic? I was positively humming with anticipation.    And then it hit me…I had display builder’s block!  But then I got an idea.  An awfully wonderful idea!  What if I finally did something I had always thought of doing? I plopped down on my exercise ball to face my somewhat dusty collection of professional journals. Yes, those back issues that are filled with great ideas that I always intend to use, but never do. Well, no longer. I pulled out a year at random (2006 was the lucky winner) and dove right in. I was finally going to use the articles to build more than my collection.  I was going to build some awesome book displays.

Display #1:
“It’s a Big World After All” by Kathleen Isaacs.SLJ
February 2006

Display #2
“Planet in Crisis” compiled by Eva Elisabeth VonAncken
SLJ April 2006

But that’s not all.  I then used the Resource List in Destiny and created book lists that students (and I) can quickly access right from the catalog.  No more searching next year for the books that I pulled for that “one cool display.”

And I plan to continue.  I’ve decided to mark the outside of each journal once I’ve finished using it and I plan to rotate the displays every two weeks.  Who knew that 2012 would be the year I really am getting it together (at least a bit).

ALA Council passed a resolution this morning in Support of Intellectual Freedom in Tucson Unified School District Mexican American Studies Program.
The full text of the WHEREAS clauses can be found on the Office of Intellectual Freedom site here.

The resolve clause reads:
1. Condemns the suppression of open inquiry and free expression caused by closure of ethnic and cultural studies programs on the basis of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
2. Condemns the restriction of access to educational materials associated with ethnic and cultural studies programs.
3. Urges the Arizona legislature to pass HB 2654, “An Act Repealing Sections 15-111 and 15-112, Arizona Revised Statutes: Relating to School Curriculum.

This resolution was moved by the Intellectual Freedom Committee and supported in principle by YALSA, among other divisions, committees and round tables.

The IFC also recommended that the resolution be sent to the Tucson Unified School District, the State of Arizona Department of Education Superintendent of Public Instruction, each member of the State of Arizona Legislature, the Governor of Arizona, United States Congressman Grijalva, and the United States Secretary of Education.

“What do you say to a Librarian that might not feel empowered to advocate for library services to their legislators or local community?” Rhonda Puntney Gould, ALSC Division Councilor who led the Youth Council Caucus meeting asked this difficult question this morning. (more…)

The Dallas Public Library was definitely the place to be last night. Starting with the reception that preceded his presentation, YA author/rock star John Green was swarmed by loyal readers who were anything but quiet!

In his introduction to John Green, Freedom to Read Foundation, (FTRF) President Kent Oliver shared a general overview of the kinds of cases the organization has been recently involved in; a harmful to minors statute to be applied to the Internet in Ohio, the removal of Vamos a Cuba in Florida, and video game bans in Illinois and Minnesota. FTRF is a legal arm of the American Library Association that John Green thanked several times throughout his presentation for their support to First Amendment Issues. (more…)

Are you new to Midwinter or the ALA conference scene? Wondering what the exhibits are really like? Check out Heather Botelho’s quick video from the exhibits floor here in Dallas.

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Join YALSA with LIVE streaming video of all the YMA announcement, presented jointly by the YALSA Blog and The Hub. Along with the video, we’ll also be offering quick polls and pulling Twitter hashtags like #printz and #alexawards. You can log in to the live session with your Twitter, Facebook, MySpace or OpenID username (which will include your avatar), or just jump right in.

YALSA Blog manager mk Eagle (username pandanose) will be offering transcriptions of all the announcements, with live video from The Hub blogger Jessica Pryde. Coverage begins at 7:30 central on Monday, January 23.

Looking for live coverage of the BFYA teen feedback session, starting at 1:30 central? Look no further than The Hub, YALSA’s young adult literature blog! The Hub will be streaming all the teen feedback LIVE, or you can replay the live session after it closes.

There has been ample buzz at Midwinter regarding signing an online petition initiated by Carl Harvey, 2011-2012, AASL president to “ensure that every child in America has access to an effective school library program.” As of this post, over 14,000 signatures are still needed by February 4 in order for the petition to be viewed by White House Staff.

The petition in its entirety can be read and signed here: Ensure that every child in American has access to an effective school library program. A blog post on AASL with comments about the petition can be viewed here.

Feel free to share your thoughts on the petition as well as how the word can be shared with colleagues and other library supporters. Note that anyone 13 or older can create or sign a petition. This is a great advocacy project for your teens to sign on to!

Who wouldn’t want to get up to catch a 6 o’clock bus (that’s am, folks) to Reverchon Park and jog in place to keep warm while listening to Pumped up Kicks in the dark? (more…)