Judith Krug, Founder of Banned Books Week Dies

EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) -- Judith Krug, a director of the Chicago-based American Library Association and founder of its Banned Books Week, has died. She was 69.
Judith Platt, president of the ALA's Freedom to Read Foundation, says Krug (KROOG) died late Saturday at Evanston Hospital in suburban Chicago following a battle with stomach cancer.
Platt says Krug had been ill for more than a year.
Krug had been head of the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom since 1967.
Banned Books Weeks has been observed since 1982 during the last week of September. ALA officials say the event celebrates intellectual freedom.
Krug is survived by her husband Herbert, son Steven, daughter Michelle, five grandchildren, two brothers and a sister.

More News (Better) about CPSIA Regulation

ALA supports legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Nebr.) March 24 to amend the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act to exempt ordinary books from the lead limit within the act. In August 2008, Congress passed the law to protect children from the real dangers of toys made with lead-based paint; however, the Consumer Product Safety Commission misinterpreted it to apply to ordinary books for children 12 years of age or younger. This is a welcome step toward ensuring libraries will not be adversely affected by the law.

ALA Elections - Support Colorado Candidates!

If you are an ALA member you should have received an email ballot last week allowing you to vote in the 2009 ALA Elections. There are several folks from Colorado that I encourage you to support. The more representation we have from Colorado, the better chance we have to influence policy on a national basis. In addition, this is just a great group of people who deserve your support. Thanks for your consideration!

Best regards,
Shelley Walchak, ALA Chapter Councilor/ Colorado
swalchak@gmail.com

Reese Evenson, Officers/Council, Councilor-at-large
Jody Howard, Officers/Council, Councilor-at-large
Jenny Bowers, ACRL_AFAS, Member-at-large
Gregory Heald, ACRL_LES, Member-at-large
Charlene Kellsey, ACRL_WESS, Vice-Chair, Chair-Elect
Diana Reese, ASCLA, Vice-Chair, Chair-Elect
Valerie Horton, ASCLA_ICANS, Vice-Chair, Chair-Elect
Sharon Morris, CLENE, Vice President, President-Elect
Jennie Gerke, GODORT, State and Local Documents Task Force Assistant Coordinator/ Coordinator-Elect
Sylvia Hall-Ellis, LRRT, Member-at Large
Pam Sandlian Smith, ALSC, 2011 Caldecott Committee
Paul Donald Moeller, ALCTS_SS, Vice Chair, Chair-Elect
Sandra Smith, CLENE, Board

This is the list that has been sent to me by ALA. If you are running for election and are not listed above, please contact me and I will be glad to send out another email.

Please find further information about the ALA elections below. The long url at the end is a pdf. Make sure you copy and paste the entire url into your browser when trying to use that link.
The full ballot calendar is published on the ALA Web site at http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/governance/alaelection/index.cfm
Broadcast emails announcing that the election polls are open will be sent beginning at 9:00 a.m. on March 17, 2009, with the last emails to be sent at 9:00 a.m. on March 19, 2009, to ensure compliance with ALA Bylaws, Article III, Section 4b. Completed ballots must be received by April 24 at 11: 59 p.m. CST. The election results will be published May 1. http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/governance/alaelection/2009/questions_about_the_2009_ala_election.pdf

Early Bird Registration ends on Friday for ALA Annual

The Early Bird Registration deadline for ALA Annual in Chicago is this Friday, March 6th. After Friday, rates go up to the 'Advanced' prices.

http://tinyurl.com/98vtjw
Also, the Group Rate for 4 or more non-ALA members at Member Libraries is going well. If you want to get the best price (an extra 15% off the non-member rate), please register before Friday as well.

Gaming and Literacy Grants

The American Library Association (ALA) Office for Literacy and Outreach Services is seeking applications from public, school and academic libraries interested in developing and implementing innovative literacy gaming services for youth ages 10-18.

This program is part of ALA's Libraries, Literacy and Gaming initiative funded by Verizon.

Ten $5,000.00 grants will be awarded to libraries clearly demonstrating creativity, capacity, sustainability and a strong commitment to literacy-related gaming services. In addition, the winning libraries will receive ongoing support and technical assistance from a team of nationally recognized library gaming experts. Winners will be announced during National Library Week, April 12-18. The grant application is available online at http://librarygamingtoolkit.org/rfp . All applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm, Friday, March 20.

ALA Election Coming Soon!

This year the ALA election will be held online. This means it is important for voters to check with their library information technology personnel or Internet Service Providers to make sure that spam filters will not prefent ALA from emailing the ballot forms. Those who are without computers or are homebound may contact ALA customer service to receive a paper ballot.

Information needed to "White List" the election material email:
From: ALA Election Coordinator
Email Address: 2009election@alavote.org
Subject: ALA 2009 Election

If you need to update your email address, please go to: www.ala.org/membership.

Polls will open 8:00 a.m. MST on March 17, 2009.

Help Shape ALA's Strategic Plan

Members can help strengthen and improve the programs and services that ALA provides by participating in a survey from February 23 through March 15. Log in using your seven-digit ALA member number found on your membership card and on the American Libraries mailing label. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. It will help ALA conduct a five-year evaluation of its programs and services as it creates a strategic plan for the future.