FAFLRT President

It’s a shame that even as we need them most, they have the least capacity to serve. Public libraries have always been — and need to remain — institutions that democratize access to information and knowledge. So it’s disheartening to contemplate the reductions in the region, however fiscally necessary.”

Caldwell, Alicia. “Libraries Stressed, yet needed more than ever”, Denver Post (March 22, 2009) http://www.denverpost.com/perspective/ci_11954751

Robert Eshelman’s March 11 article in The Nation entitled “Philadelphia Rising” documents the day the 3-10 year olds spent trying to keep the Charles Durham library branch open.  Their organized effort known as Book-Trek includes reading from a children’s book, bundling up to face the cold, and taking a field trip to local library with the help of police escorts.

I’ll add this grassroots effort to the bibliography of stories that depict Libraries in Tough Economic Times.

FLICC recently published the final report as a Special Project on Planning for Library Spaces (project of the Libraries and Emerging Technologies Working group).   Note the origin of this report was to respond to the situation of the EPA libraries where the federal agency closed libraries anticipating space for a collection was not needed.

This Government Executive story of March 16, 2009, describes the Pentagon’s intent to delay moving any more federal government employees into the National Security Personnel System (NSPS) until the DoD and OPM complete a joint review of the program.

“The “It’s About the Future, Not the Past” podcast from Roberta Stevens is now available for download on her website: http://www.robertastevens.com/

Roberta is a federal librarian and a 2010-2011 candidate for ALA President.   In the podcast, she speaks about why she’s running for president and where she sees the future of the profession in 5 years.  She also addresses engaging new ALA members, electronic participation, the current conference and committee structure of ALA, and making ALA an open and transparent organization.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to listen before casting your electronic ballot!

Michelle Chronister
MS Candidate ‘09
Graduate School of Library and Information Science
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign”

The Careers in Federal Libraries Google Group at:http://groups.google.com/group/careers-in-federal-libraries  is creating a new Resume Review service to meet the needs of our users and to connect seasoned professionals with newbies.

We have created a page that lists our volunteer resume reviewers including their place of employment, preferred contact, and any industry specialties.

We are actively looking for resume reviewers that are current and former librarians and information professionals willing to share their career expertise with others!

Please feel free to contact me off list at kim.lyall@gmail.com if you are interested in being a resume reviewer.  If you are not yet a member of the Careers in Federal Libraries Google Group go to the URL: http://groups.google.com/group/careers-in-federal-libraries and click “Apply for Group Membership.”

Thank you!
Kim Lyall
Careers in Federal Libraries Group Administrator

Sally Bosken, U.S. Naval Observatory librarian, has another photo to share of her with Vice-President Joe Biden’s when he visited that library recently for a media shoot.

Vice President Joe Biden and Sally Bosken, U.S. Naval Observatory Librarian

Here are the slides and handouts from Friday, March 6, 2009 (Libraries in Tough Economic Times event at the very nice NIH facilities).   The content and speakers were extraordinary.    Many thanks to our gracious moderator, M-J Oboroceanu, DCLA President. 

From Don Hagen Libraries in Tough Economic Times: Sharing the NTIS Experience

From Roberta Stevens Making the Case for Libraries in Tough Economic Times: ALA’s Advocacy Toolkit

From Patricia Glass Schuman Making the Case for Libraries: Say the Right Thing

From Greta Southard Turning the Page: Building your Library Community

From Erika Linke Speaking Out, Speaking Up: The ACRL Advocacy Toolkits

Few might even be aware that OPM is working to abolish the one year time-in-grade requirement for federal employees to be promoted.  Rules were to take effect March 9, 2009.    OPM will delay implementation until May 18, 2009 since these rules changes were proposed under the Bush Administration.   A recent article about this decision, as well as the objections by the union to these changes, can be found in Government Executive.

As you know, we’re co-hosting an event (Libraries in Tough Economic Times) March 6 at NIH library.  Take a look at the bibliography that was tossed (yep, in about 20 minutes) together with links to some of the recent stories/video/media clips that have hit the variety of media sources over the past 6 months.  There are many, many more you can find and add to this list. 

Very Quick Bibliography

Saulny, Susan and Karen Ann Cullotta. “Downturn Puts New Stresses on Libraries”, New York Times ( April 1, 2009). http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/02/us/02library.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

Caldwell, Alicia. “Libraries Stressed, yet needed more than ever”, Denver Post (March 22, 2009) http://www.denverpost.com/perspective/ci_11954751  

Eshelman, Robert. “Philadelphia Rising”, The Nation, March 11, 2009. http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090330/eshelman

Hughes, Sandra, “In Recession, Libraries are Booming”, CBS Nightly News, February 2, 2009. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/02/eveningnews/main4770599.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_4770599

Gowen, Annie, “Business Brisk at Area Libraries“, Washington Post mobile, February 2, 2009. http://mobile.washingtonpost.com/news.jsp?key=346145&rc=me

Couric, Katie, “Notebook: Libraries“, CBS Evening News, December 31, 2008. http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4692037n%3fsource=search_video

“Libraries Shine in Tough Economic Times” All Things Considered, National Public Radio, July 29, 2008. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93041368

“Librarians become Unofficial Job Counselors“, Day to Day, National Public Radio, January 23, 2009. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99800264

Fields, Keith Michael, “ALA’s Tools to Help Libraries in a Bad Economy” video on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7na3jit0vac

“Libraries offer Free Relief from Tough Times“, NBC Nightly News report on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qCcjHTYpvQ

Doyle, Jessica, “Run on the Libraries:  Recession Has Many Running for the Libraries”, CBS Los Angeles,   February 11, 2009.  http://tinyurl.com/awps94

“Economic Slump drives Surge in use at Acton Memorial Library“, video on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrJJVMZ3jxA

“Kent District Library on WXMI“, Fox News in Kent County Michigan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEwSqQvCUCs

Oder, Norman, “Library Gets Cameo in Obama Speech to Congress“. Library Journal (2/26/2009) http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6640257.html

Breach, Chris, “Libraries more vital during lean times“. The Daily Journal [Kankakee county], February 26, 2009 http://daily-journal.com/archives/dj/display.php?id=436152

Siebert, Rob, “CH Library sees increase in Checkouts“. The DoingsClarendonHills February 19, 2009. http://www.pioneerlocal.com/clarendonhills/news/1437758,ch-library-012209-s1.article

Larque, Jimmy, “Libraries in Demand“. News Virginia, February 11, 2009. http://www.newsvirginian.com/wnv/news/local/article/libraries_in_demand/35574/

“Libraries get More Customers in Tough Economy“, KOAT ABC 7 Albuquerque. March 2, 2009. http://www.koat.com/money/18840127/detail.html

Yates, Kristina, “Hard Economic Times a boon for Libraries“. CNN February 28, 2009. http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/02/28/recession.libraries/

Nadvornick, Doug, “Library Use Up in Tough Economic Times“, Oregon Public Broadcasting, February 19, 2009. http://news.opb.org/article/4307-library-use-tough-economic-times/

“More People Turning to Libraries in Tough Economic Times“. MSNBC, February 11, 2009. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/28165432#28165432

“Libraries report increase in borrowing“. Chicago Tribune, March 3, 2009. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-in-libraries-economy,0,3280499.story

Breen, Tom, “In an Economic Bind, Families turn to Libraries“. Boston Globe, September 1, 2008. http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2008/09/01/in_an_economic_bind_families_turn_to_libraries/

Laidler, John “Library Use Rises as Economy Falls“. Boston Globe, October 16, 2008.  http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/10/16/library_use_rises_as_economy_falls/

Harlow, Tim, “Checked out: Libraries to the Rescue“.  Minneapolis Star Tribune, December 29, 2008. http://www.startribune.com/local/36824794.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

Rettig, Jim. “Libraries Stand Ready to Help in Tough Economic Times”. HuffingtonPost. December 11, 2008. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-rettig/libraries-stand-ready-to_b_150268.html

Harlow, Tim, “Economy Sends Frugal Bookworms to Libraries” Minneapolis Star Tribune, December 19, 2008. http://www.startribune.com/local/36452374.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU