I have
had a busy travel-filled summer. The American Library Association
Conference in Anaheim in late June was a great success: the
weather was good, and Disney characters, tasty restaurants, and
Orange County hospitality were abundant. California State Library
(CSL) staff and California librarians participated in many
interesting conference programs, and many CSL staffers enjoyed a
fascinating back-stage tour of Disneyland. Several of us also
attended the Urban Libraries Council Fast Forward Conference
during which we focused on imagination, learning and innovation
for libraries.
In early
July I traveled to Washington DC where, by participating in an
exciting meeting on the future of libraries and museums and
potential collaborations, I was fortunate to meet library and
museum professionals from all over the country. California’s own
Gary Strong, UCLA’s current Library Director and the former
State Librarian, was an adept co-chair of the collaboration
advisory panel in DC. The Institute of Museum and Library Services
(IMLS) plans to commission the National Academy of Sciences
(NAS)
to do a study on collaborations. It will certainly be a landmark
effort as highly respected studies from the NAS often serve as the
basis for future legislation. On a personal note, while on the
East coast, I attended my 40th high school reunion in upstate New
York. Yeah class of 1968! I know some of you celebrated your 40th
reunions this year as well!
In early
August I had the honor of giving a hearty California welcome to
the International School Librarians Conference in Berkeley at
which I heard the keynote address by Dr. Stephen Krashen, a
University of Southern California professor and passionate reading
advocate. Krashen is an entertaining and inspirational speaker,
and I encourage everyone to attend one of his talks. On August
7th, the Library of California Board met and approved
consolidating of a number of public library systems into three
major units – greater Los Angeles (including Orange County),
greater Bay area, and the far north. Models that we saw in the
initial Library of California legislation are evolving naturally
as time goes on.
Although
I did not travel as much in August, I worked on many upcoming CSL
initiatives and projects we’ll be rolling-out soon! Here are
just some. We’ll shortly announce a new volunteerism initiative
and a partnership with Family Place, a model early learning
program. Our partners at the Gates Foundation, whom we have been
advising, will soon be implementing a new investment phase which
will expand broadband connectivity for rural and low-income areas.
We have been meeting with staff from the Drexel University
Information and Library Science programs. Drexel, with its main
campus in Philadelphia, is opening a graduate level campus in
Sacramento, and will offer a Master’s in Library Science
beginning in January 2009. Finally, we have been preparing for our
move from Library and Courts I (LCI) in early 2009 which will be
quite an effort! The building’s restoration will make all the
work worthwhile.
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California
State Library,
Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building
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In
late August I could luckily zip down to Pasadena to participate in
the Statewide Information Services Think Tank. Thanks to Stacey
Aldrich, Deputy State Librarian, Rosario Garza, MCLS Executive
Director, futurists Michele Bowman and Sandy Burchsted, and all the
participants, for an exciting two days. We really pushed ourselves
to envision the library world in 2020. We’ll expand on this
process at CLA in November.
At
Google’s Mountain View headquarters in early September, I
participated in an enlightening discussion on social networking.
Although I hadn’t been to Google’s “main campus” before,
the place felt oddly familiar to me - maybe I will come back in
another life as a Googler! The Google presentation was developed
for the expert advisor panel (of which I am a member) of the
California Emerging Technology Fund, the entity responsible for
allocating $60 million from telecommunications mergers slated to increase broadband connectivity in California.
I was
proud to attend the opening of the Redwood Shores Branch of the
Redwood City Public Library on September 6th, a long-awaited
event for that community. The branch is “nautical chic” with
lots of green, sustainable features! Redwood Shores is a winner on
all counts and is a great investment of Library Construction Bond
funds.
Also in
September, I returned to Washington, DC for a meeting of the
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Advisory Committee.
This committee is providing input to library consultants Bill
Wilson and Ethel Himmel who are analyzing the use of LSTA and
identifying trends as part of a review required by IMLS. This
information will be useful in preparing for the reauthorization of
LSTA which is anticipated to occur in early 2009.
September
19th through the 21st was the Association for Rural and Small
Libraries Conference in Sacramento, a “western” first for
this event which is usually held in Ohio. We had great attendance
and everyone enjoyed the conference. A real highlight was the
reception in Library and Courts I in Sacramento, one of the last
big soirees in this historic building before it closes for
renovation.
As I
write this column, the Governor has just signed the 2008/09
budget; and the California State Library’s funding has been
reduced by 10% in both operations and local assistance (Public
Library Fund, Literacy, Direct Loan/ILL). In light of some of the
scenarios that had been suggested, we are glad to still be here
and to have a budget in place.
Have a
great fall and holiday season!
