The change to the ACRL Framework from a set of standards that was created in 2000 has been the subject of much debate. The impact on community colleges is considered in this opinion piece.

In 1999, the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) convened a national task force to draft Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education. ACRL has recently launched a revision to those standards. The original standards were influential because they helped advance a national need in higher education at the time: a…

This essay served as the basis for the opening keynote speech during the Library Assessment Conference in Baltimore in 2010. It set the stage by tracing the demands for accountability in the beginning of the century and outlining progress made. It provided important background and context for the following four keynote papers delivered by Megan…

This article presents an interview with Gigi Sohn, president and cofounder, as well as the strategist, fundraiser, and face, of the advocacy group Public Knowledge (PK). Since cofounding the organization in 2001, Sohn has fought alongside major library associations and their allies for the public's interest in the emerging digital world. Sohn is…

Roberta Stevens and Kent Oliver are campaigning hard for the presidency of the American Library Association (ALA). Stevens is outreach projects and partnerships officer at the Library of Congress. Oliver is executive director of the Stark County District Library in Canton, Ohio. They have debated, discussed, and posted web sites, Facebook pages,…

Besides the School Library Media Program of the Year (SLMPY), American Association of School Librarians (AASL) has other awards to honor library media professionals and programs. From the Frances Henne Award for new library media specialists to the Collaborative School Library Media Award for collaborative projects, the awards recognize programs…

Efforts of the Technical Standards for Library Automation Committee (TESLA), a division-wide committee of the Library Information and Technology Association (LITA) of the American Library Association, are described. The current status of suggested technical standards and recommended action are detailed. Five sources are given. (Author/EJS)

A brand is an idea in the minds of one's constituents that is created by what one says or does. The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) describes itself as a professional membership organization, serving the needs of 10,000 school library media specialists in the United States, Canada, and around the world. In this article, the author…

Discusses the role of the American Library Association (ALA) in continuing education for media specialists. ALA objectives in this area are listed, the association's mechanisms for accomplishing these objectives are identified, and recommendations for individuals are offered. Four references are listed. (MES)

The American Association of School LIbrarians (AASL) Legislation Committee presents a general statement of AASL policy and goals. (CMV)

Discusses investigation of librarians by the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) and the status of the Library Awareness Program. An American Library Association (ALA) resolution opposing FBI activities in libraries and demanding release of individual files to persons subjected to checks is described. A model letter for individuals to use in…

Examines certification and licensing of librarians in the United States and Canada from the perspective of differences between the two concepts and through historical analysis of applications of each. A contextual framework for studying applications of these concepts to other professions is provided. (nine references) (MES)

Argues for changes within the library community to better serve the information needs of the ethnic community. (EF)

In-depth interviews with nine individuals identified by a survey of American Library Association members as leaders in the public library field indicated that six traits are important in making a library leader: vision; a commitment to public libraries; courage and risk taking; openness to others; political savvy; and professional involvement.…

Discusses the need for ethical guidelines for library administrators. Five basic ethical principles that could underlie the development of such guidelines and examples of how these principles might apply in a library setting are suggested: (1) respect autonomy; (2) do no harm; (3) benefit others; (4) be just; and (5) be faithful. (27 references)…