Banned Books Week

Can you imagine not being able to decide what books you can read or not read? If you don't believe me, just click on this Google Map which documents books bans and challenges around the United States from 2007-2010. Think it couldn't be possible in a liberal state such as California? Think again!

In 2009, Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" was restricted to students with parental permission at the Ocean View School District middle school libraries in Huntington Beach, Calif. because the “book’s contents were inappropriate for children.” There are other incidents of book bans or challenges in California as well.

So how can you participate? Celebrate by picking up a banned or challenged book this week. If you're not so inclined to pick up a book, watch a movie based on a banned or challenged book. Not sure what titles have been banned, ALA (American Library Association) publishes a list every year. Even classics have been banned or challenged.

Check out the 11 Most Surprising Banned Books. Even more surprising was finding out that the popular Junie B. Jones series would be in danger of being challenged or banned in my search for more information on challenged materials. Check out the commentary in Business & Heritage Clarksville about why this popular beginning readers series would cause such ruckus. Through the month of September and until October 2nd, they are running a commentary on a different book almost every day. Some of the titles included are: "The Face on the Milk Carton", "Rainbow Boys", "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "The Lovely Bones". Kids books include "In the Night Kitchen", "My Brother Sam is Dead", "Summer of my German Soldier" and "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry".

Banned Books Week runs from September 25-October 2 which celebrates the freedom to read. This event is not just sponsored by ALA but by bookseller associations, journalists, authors, and publishers. "Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Held during the last week of September, Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States." (ALA, 2008). For those of you who wonder why books would be banned or challenged, read what ALA has to say.

I love this year's theme: "Think for Yourself and Let Others Do the Same". Currently, I'm taking a Children's Literature class so I re-read "Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret" by Judy Blume. It's hard to believe a classic such as this would be challenged. This book made growing up just a little easier. And it endeared me all over again when I saw now why it was why it was one of my daughter's favorite books as well. It touched both of us for different reasons. It's hard to believe this book made the list for the 100 most frequently challenged books in 2000-2009 and 1990-1999. And it's even harder for me to imagine not being able to read this book. According to ALA, "Books usually are challenged with the best intentions—to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information." Please join me this week in celebrating the right to read by picking up a banned or challenged book you've never read or an old favorite.

Be a Part of the Shatford Library's Snapshot Day on Tuesday, October 5, 2010!

SHATFORD LIBRARY IS TAKING PART IN “SNAPSHOT: ONE DAY IN THE LIFE OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARIES”


The Pasadena City College Shatford Library is joining libraries across the state in participating in “Snapshot: One Day in the Life of California Libraries” on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 to show how important academic, public, school, and special libraries and library systems are to the state of California. This Snapshot Day has been developed by the California Library Association (CLA).

On Tuesday, October 5, 2010, the Shatford Library will compile statistics, customer comments, photographs, and other data chronicling a typical library day. The results collected at the Shatford Library will be added to those of other libraries across California, by CLA, to show how libraries provide invaluable services to California citizens.

Kim Bui-Burton, CLA President and Director of the Monterey Public Library, “I invite all California community members of any age to visit their library on this historic day and be a part of this first ever "snapshot" of California libraries. Every kind of library provides unique and irreplaceable services; we know this because in communities across the state library usage is rising, and demand is growing for books and other resources, knowledgeable staff assistance and computer/Internet access - despite budget cuts, reduced hours and programs. We believe this California libraries ‘snapshot’ will show the essential library services and life-changing experiences that California's communities depend on, especially during these times of severe economic distress. We look forward to capturing this "day in the life of California libraries" to demonstrate to decision makers the extent that our patrons, customers and future leaders rely on California libraries for critical library services, resources and programs - now, more than ever."

The Shatford Library is looking for people who would like to participate in Snapshot Day by sharing their stories about why the library is important to them. If you’d like to volunteer to be interviewed and/or photographed, please contact Diana Lopez, Library Technician at delopez@pasadena.edu. Come be a part of the library’s history!

California Library Snapshot Day is a project of the California Library Association.

Bloglines Shutting Down on October 1, 2010

Just found out that Ask.com is closing Bloglines on October 1, 2010. This means if you have a bunch of RSS feed links stored in Bloglines you need to find them a new home.

If you have an account you need to export your feeds quick, fast and in a hurry. The instructions are on the front page of the Bloglines website.


I know that many people used Bloglines access multiple web locations no matter where they were or what machine that they were using. I certainly used Bloglines for class related sites and to track various types of information. It was very helpful.

Alternatives to Bloglines

If you have a Google account you can import your Bloglines feeds into Google Reader. This way you can continue to access and track websites from home, work or school.

My problem with using Google Reader is that I don't want all of my RSS feeds in the same place. I have entertainment links, educational and research links that shouldn't be intermingled.

Desktop Readers:

Windows users might want to consider installing Feed Demon and Mac iPhone, iPad and desktop users may want to swing over to installing Net News Wire.

E-Mail RSS Readers:

Your e-mail program may have a News and Groups/RSS reader function. I use Thunderbird as my e-mail program and a supplemental RSS reader. Microsoft Outlook and other e-mail programs have similar functions.

The only problem is accessibility away from your primary computer.

Twitter and Facebook

Yes, this is an option if the website or blog faithfully announces new posts in their feeds. Not all do. And strange as it may seem not everyone has a Twitter or Facebook account.

You really should have some kind of link management or tracking system as long as it supports your online experience and your research needs.

International Literacy Day

Did you know that September 8 is International Literacy Day? Neither did I till very recently. One may think literacy isn't that huge of an issue but according to the International Reading Association, " More than 780 million of the world’s adults (nearly two-thirds of whom are women) do not know how to read or write, and between 94 and 115 million children lack access to education." Without literacy, simple things as such reading a label, filling out a job application, even getting around can be virtually impossible.

Want to get more involved? Check out the International Reading Association, ProLiteracy or even your local library. Often times libraries have literacy programs which they can always use volunteers for. See the Southern California Library Literacy Program website for a list of libraries. Even if you don't see a library listed near you, it's still possible there may be a literacy program there, so ask. For example, I live in Monrovia and even though they are not on the SCLLP list, I know they have a literacy program from looking on their website in the past. Last but not least, ALA (American Library Association) has lots of information on literacy from children's to adult literacy. Check out the Office for Literacy and Outreach.

Feel you just don't have the time, then take the time to sign the ProLiteracy and Literacy Powerline's Declaration for the Right to Literacy scroll which will be presented to President Obama.

new REFORMA scholarship for DREXEL Sacramento new iSchool students

From: "Patty Wong"
On behalf of Roberto Delgadillo,
President, California Gold Chapter, REFORMA and Chair, Drexel California Gold REFORMA Scholarship Committee 2010

Subject: [calix] Announcing a new REFORMA scholarship for DREXEL Sacramento new iSchool students

In partnership with Drexel University at Sacramento, the California Gold Chapter of REFORMA is pleased to announce a new scholarship for incoming students.

The Drexel California Gold Scholarship is a $10,000 scholarship for new students entering the Drexel University at Sacramento's iSchool in pursuit of their MLIS degree. Applicants must be college graduates or college seniors and a member of REFORMA by the time the award is given.
Applicants must also be bilingual/bicultural and/or have a demonstrated commitment to serving the Spanish-speaking community.

Deadline for the first award is September 10, 2010.

Eligibility:
The Drexel California Gold REFORMA Scholarship will be granted only for incoming, eligible first-time students pursuing graduate study in librarianship leading to a master's degree at Drexel University, Sacramento. A single $10,000 scholarship is available per degree. Scholarship winners are notified by the end of the first month of enrollment.

Eligibility of Applicants
Applicants must be college graduates or college seniors and a member of REFORMA by the time the award is given. Applicants must also be bilingual/bicultural and/or have a demonstrated commitment to serving the Spanish-speaking community. Applicants must submit a statement of provisional acceptance by Drexel University.

Application form required.

For more information on the Drexel California Gold REFORMA Scholarship, contact:
Roberto C. Delgadillo, PhD
100 North West Quad
Davis, CA 95616
rdelgadillo@lib.ucdavis.edu
(530) 752-8266

Infopeople's online course "Basic Cataloging andClassification"

Please note: Infopeople is applying for LSSC (Library Support Staff Certification) certification for this course.

Title: Basic Cataloging and Classification

Format: Online Dates: October 12 – November 8, 2010

To register for this workshop: Use the online registration form at
http://infopeople.org/workshop/461

Fee: $75 for those in the California library community and Infopeople Partners, $150 for all others.

Are you looking for an opportunity to learn basic library cataloging and classification? Update your knowledge with new developments in the field? If so, this online course is for you.

Through practical information and hands-on exercises, you will gain an understanding of cataloging practices, rules, and tools, as well as the nuts and bolts of copy cataloging. New developments―such as Resource Description and Access (RDA), the Library of Congress genre/form headings project, and Book Industry Standards and Communications (BISAC) subject headings―will be discussed as well. Tips on copy cataloging of newly emerging formats, such as e-books, graphic novels, and download media will be offered.

At the end of four weeks you will feel comfortable with the basics of cataloging, classification, and MARC records and be ready to begin copy cataloging items in a variety of formats.

Course Description: This four-week online course will provide an overview of library cataloging and classification and prepare you to do copy cataloging. Through reading materials, short video presentations, an online forum, and individual exercises, you will gain knowledge of basic cataloging rules and tools, commonly used controlled vocabularies, the Dewey Decimal Classification system, and MARC21 format. Applying this knowledge, you will be able to decode MARC bibliographic records and perform basic copy cataloging. The course will briefly discuss some new developments in cataloging rules and practices.

During the course, you will be doing assignments and taking quizzes. You will also participate in discussion forums and online meetings as part of the online learning process.

Preliminary Course Outline: Using your web browser and your Internet connection, you will log in to the Infopeople online learning site and complete the following learning modules:

· Week 1: What Is Cataloging?
Purpose of cataloging
Elements of cataloging: descriptive cataloging, subject cataloging, and classification
General cataloging methods and cooperative cataloging
Introduction to AACR2r and ISBD
Introduction to RDA
· Week 2: Introduction to Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) and Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC)
What is LCSH?
Other controlled vocabularies – Sears, LC Genre/Form Headings, LC Children's Subject Headings, Book Industry Standards and Communications (BISAC) Subject Headings
What is DDC?
Relationship between the subject heading and a Dewey number
Verifying a DDC number for the item in hand
· Week 3: MARC Formats
What is MARC?
Elements of MARC records
Types of MARC bibliographic formats
Summary of commonly used MARC fields for bibliographic data
· Week 4: Basic Copy Cataloging
Tasks of copy cataloging
Which cataloging record to use?
Essential MARC fields to verify
Tips on copy cataloging e-books, graphic novels, and download media

Instructor: Xiaoli Li. Having worked in both public and academic libraries, Xiaoli Li has a wide range of experience with cataloging. She is an active advocate for continuing education and a trainer for "Cataloging for the 21st Century," a Library of Congress initiative. She has made numerous presentations and authored several journal articles on serials control. She chaired OCLC Post Pinyin Conversion Cleanup Project and planed several major projects for the libraries where she has worked, including Yale University Libraries, University of Washington Libraries, and most currently UC Davis.

Time required: To complete this course, you can expect to spend 2 to 2½ hours per week, with options for further study and application. You can work on each module at your own pace, at any hour of the day or night. However, it is recommended that you complete each week's assignments within that week to stay in sync with other learners.

Who Should Take This Course: Anyone from the library community with an interest in learning the basics of library cataloging and classification. This course is particularly focused on the needs of public library staff newly assigned to copy cataloging tasks. Those taking the course must have a working knowledge of the integrated library system (ILS) used in their libraries. The instructor will provide more extensive work with the Dewey Decimal Classification system than with alternatives, but Library of Congress and other classification systems currently in use will be discussed as well.

Online Learning Details and System Requirements may be found athttp://www.infopeople.org/training/learning_details.html.

After the official end date for the course, the instructor will be available for limited consultation and support for two more weeks, and the course material will stay up for an additional two weeks after that. These extra weeks give those who have fallen behind time to work independently to complete the course.

If you would like to subscribe via RSS and be notified whenever new Infopeople training events are available, you can use these links:
**For new on-ground or online workshops: http://infopeople.org/workshop/rss
**For new podcasts: http://feeds.feedburner.com/InfopeoplePodcasts

Other Logistics:

To view a complete list of Infopeople workshops and for general information about Infopeople Training opportunities, go to the main Infopeople Workshops page at http://infopeople.org/workshop

If you have questions about registration, please contact Linda Rodenspiel, the Infopeople Project Assistant, at assist@infopeople.org or by phone at 650-578-9685.

The Library Tech Blog Now Posts to the Library's Facebook Page

If you haven't already, check out the Shatford Library's Facebook page. Be sure to "like" the library's page to get all of our latest news. The Library Technology Blog is now linked to the Shatford Library's Facebook page, so updates will automatically appear there, too! If you don't see the updates on the wall, try clicking on the "Notes" tab. We hope to see you on Facebook!