Earlier this month, the Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICFL) launched the “online @ your library” program, using the Campaign for America’s Libraries’ @ your library brand. The program’s goal is to provide free broadband access to Internet-based resources in public libraries throughout Idaho.

“Online @ your library” provides funding to at least 55 public libraries (about 40 percent of public libraries in Idaho) with broadband Internet access, increased bandwidth, new public access computers, subscriptions to online resources and training for library staff.

“The project is about ‘your library’ as the place to go for access to information, online or on the shelf,” said Gens Johnson, consultant and project manager with the Idaho Commission for Libraries. “Using the @ your library brand makes perfect sense for this project.”

Johnson also remarked that the @ your library brand has strong and positive brand recognition with Idaho libraries.

The ICFL designed “online @ your library” to create more competitive rural communities in a state that is the seventh most rural, with 18.1 people per square mile. “Online @ your library” reminds communities of the role libraries play in helping the public access free electronic information; sixty-nine percent of Idaho public libraries report that they are the only access point to free Internet in their communities.

“Just helping the libraries get the broadband connectivity in place is a giant step in closing the technology gap,” said Johnson.

“Online @ your library” will provide educational resources to promote digital literacy to residents of all ages. A key feature in the program is technology training for adults; each participating library is required to partner with its regional adult basic education center and the Idaho Department of Labor to create workshops introducing adults to educational resources and online job seeking tools.

Another key feature is the training provided to librarians and library staff in building their individual programs. Training will include the maintenance of their public access computing centers, sustainability and online collections and services that will be available as a result of this project.

Funding for “online @ your library” is provided as part of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). BTOP is administered by the National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA). BTOP was created with a goal of expanding broadband access and adoption to unserved or underserved populations. ICFL was awarded more than $1.9 million dollars to create and implement “online @ your library.”

The Campaign for America’s Libraries is the American Library Association’s (ALA) public awareness campaign that promotes the value of libraries and librarians. Thousands of libraries of all types – across the country and around the globe – use the Campaign’s @ your library® brand. The Campaign is made possible in part by ALA’s Library Champions, corporations and foundations.

To download the @ your library brand for use in library materials, visit www.ala.org/@yourlibrary/logos.

For photos of the launch go to the Flickr site.

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In this video interview, Gayle Lemmon, author of “The Dressmaker of Khair Khana,” tells us libraries were where she learned to love books.

According to her website, Gayle Tzemach Lemmon served as a journalist for nearly ten years covering presidential politics as a producer with the ABC News Political Unit and This Week with George Stephanopoulos. Since 2005, she has been researching women entrepreneurs starting small and medium-sized businesses in post-conflict economies such as Afghanistan, Bosnia and Rwanda. Her work on entrepreneurs in these countries has been published by The Financial Times, The International Herald Tribune/New York Times Global Edition, and The Christian Science Monitor, as well as The World Bank and its International Finance Corporation, Harvard Business School, and The Center for International Private Enterprise. Gayle has also written from Afghanistan for National Public Radio and the Huffington Post.

Greg Mortenson, author of “Three Cups of Tea,” writes of “The Dressmaker of Khair Khana,”  “Kamela Sediqi’s unforgettable story shows just how far we are willing to go for those we love, and proves once again the power of girls to remake our world. This is one of the most inspiring books I have ever read.”

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Join thousands as ALA, ALSC and YALSA unveil the best of the best in children’s and young adult literature and media

The American Library Association (ALA) will provide a free live webcast of its Youth Media Awards, a national announcement of the top books and media for children and young adults, at 7:45 a.m. PST on Jan. 10. The award announcements are made as part of the ALA Midwinter Meeting, which will bring together librarians, publishers, authors and guests to the San Diego Convention Center from January 7 – 11, 2011.

The 2011 announcements will consist of 19 awards, including the Coretta Scott King Book Awards; John Newbery Medal; Michael L. Printz Award; Schneider Family Book Award; and the Randolph Caldecott Medal.

The number of available connections for the webcast is limited, and the broadcast is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online visitors can view the live webcast the morning of the announcements by visiting http://alawebcast.unikron.com.

Live results also will be available via Twitter at http://twitter.com/ALAyma (hashtag #alayma). Members also can view live updates via the ALA Youth Media Awards press kit, RSS feed or ALA Youth Media Awards Facebook page.

The press release announcing all ALA Youth Media Award recipients will be posted in the Youth Media Awards Press Kit at http://www.ala.org/yma prior to 10 a.m. PST.

Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, the ALA Youth Media Awards guide parents, educators, librarians and others in selecting the best materials for children and young adults.

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The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) aired a news story today about the financial difficulties facing libraries. The CBN News segment features American Library Association (ALA) Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels.

Entitled, “Shhh! Despite Boom, Libraries Facing Cutbacks,” the story says that libraries may be quiet but they are the busiest places in town. It notes the steady increase in usage during the past decade.

It shows how libraries have stayed up-to-date, embracing the online world. But it also documents how libraries are having trouble staying afloat, due to budget cuts. “That usually results in fewer librarians, fewer hours and, in some cases, closing the doors all together.”

“We’re terribly depressed at what’s happened in some places, and the main reason is because of the impact it’s going to have on the people in the community,” Fiels says, giving the example of the threat faced by libraries in Milwaukee.

The fourth poorest city in the U.S., according to census figures, Milwaukee cut $1.7 million from its library budget last year, with libraries cutting some evening hours and closing on one weekend day.

Cuts in library budgets have a direct impact on citizens who are trying to conduct job searches. In addition, there is an impact on communities where libraries provide the only free access to the Internet.

“When you think about it, a library is the only government entity whose doors are open all the time,” Fiels said.

The CBN segment also examines how libraries are critical to the next generation, showing how parents rely on libraries in helping them to raise their children.

“I think that the library’s role in our educational system is totally underrated,” Fiels said.

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Stand-up comedian and author Paula Poundstone talks about the need for libraries in tough economic times. She says they provide resources for job searches, as well as entertainment resources for children.

As a national spokesperson for the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF), a division of the American Library Association, Poundstone helps to raise awareness for Friends of the Library groups nationwide.

This interview was taped prior to ALTAFF’s “Laugh’s On Us” comedy evening, an annual event featuring top comedians and authors. Paula Poundstone will appear as the headliner of the popular ALA Annual Conference event for the second year in a row.

Poundstone began her stand-up comedy career In 1979 in Boston, before moving to San Francisco. By 1990, she relocated to Los Angeles and starred in several comedy specials for HBO. She later had her own show on ABC, “The Paula Poundstone Show.” Seven years ago, she joined as a regular panelist on NPR’s weekly quiz program, “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me.”

She is an author as well, having written, “There’s Nothing in This Book That I Meant to Say,” published by Harmony Books, a division of Random House, in 2006. She is also the author, along with her high school math teacher, Faye Ruopp, of three math text books for children published by Heinemann Press.

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Each year, at the American Library Association’s Midwinter Meeting, one of the highlights is the Youth Media Awards.

Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, the ALA Youth Media Awards guide parents, educators, librarians and others in selecting the best materials for youth. Selected by committees composed of librarians and other literature and media experts, the awards encourage original and creative work in the field of children’s and young adult literature and media.

The awards include such prominent literary prizes as the Coretta Scott King Book Award, John Newbery Medal, Michael Printz Award, Randolph Caldecott Medal, Schneider Family Book Awards and 13 other distinguished awards for youth literature.

This year, the list of awards has a valued addition, the Stonewall Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award, honoring authors and illustrators of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) literature for youth.

The Stonewall Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award, honoring English-language works for children or teens of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered experience.

“Books for youth regarding the GLBT experience are critical tools in teaching tolerance, acceptance and the importance of diversity,” said ALA President Roberta Stevens. “Our nation is one of diverse cultures and lifestyles and it is important for parents, educators and librarians to have access to quality books that represent a spectrum of cultures.”

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services an estimated 14 million children have a gay or lesbian parent, and the most current U.S. Census data shows that one-third of female partner households and one-fifth of male partner households contain children.

The announcement of the new award was greeted with national coverage, with an Associated Press article entitled, “Kids’ book prizes to include gay and lesbian award.”

The story was picked up by the Washington Post, MSNBC, The Advocate and AOL News.

Thus far, more than 200 news agencies have the article posted to their websites.

You can find the articles by searching Google News

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