News in Brief

Apr 2, 2020

American Library Association Cancels 2020 Annual Conference Due to COVID-19
The American Library Association’s Executive Board has announced that the 2020 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition scheduled for June 25-30 in Chicago has been canceled due to the COVID-19 epidemic. 2020 will mark the first time in 75 years that ALA has not held an Annual Conference. The last cancellation took place in 1945 as World War II neared its end.

United for Libraries Temporarily Opens Online Discussion Forums to Non-Members
As part of the broad American Library Association effort to provide resources to library communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, United for Libraries is currently making its online discussion forums accessible to non-members. United for Libraries’ four online discussion forums allow Trustees, Friends, statewide Friends groups, and Foundation staff/board members, and library employees who work with them, to share tips, ask questions, get advice, and more.

Our Planet: Earth Campaign from STAR Net
April 22nd marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day! The STAR Net team is celebrating this momentous occasion with the Our Planet: Earth Campaign, focusing on citizen science and earth-science opportunities during the whole month of April. Register to access the newsletter, curated website, a chance to win books, and more!

Call for Proposals for “Small, Rural and Independent Libraries” Online Conference
Submit your proposal for the Library 2.020 free, online conference, “Small, Rural and Independent Libraries.” This mini-conference will focus on innovation and innovative thinking in rural, independent, tribal, and other small libraries–as well as the many unique challenges that they face. Deadline is May 29, but slots may fill before then, so get your proposal in early.

Free Display Commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment
Didn’t get a “Rightfully Hers” pop-up display from the National Archives? More are available! The display contains simple messages exploring the sometimes complex history of the 19th amendment’s ratification, women’s voting rights before and after the 19th amendment, and its impact today.

Summer Reading 2020 with the National Network of Libraries of Medicine
The National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) has partnered with the Collaborative Summer Library Program to bring health programming to your library for Summer Reading. NNLM developed seven new fun and interactive health programs to support this year’s summer reading theme “Imagine Your Story.” The health programs are free and easily accessible.

Report Offers Strategies for Public Libraries to Respond to the Opioid Crisis
OCLC and the Public Library Association (PLA) have issued “Call to Action: Public Libraries and the Opioid Crisis,” a report that offers tested strategies to consider as libraries determine local responses to the nationwide public health emergency. The call to action encourages public libraries to evaluate local health data, seek community partners, educate staff and community members on the issue, consider the need for staff care, and offer programs and services that support local needs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 130 people die every day from an opioid overdose.

New SchoolSafety.gov Provides Cyber Guidance for K-12 Schools
The Federal School Safety Clearinghouse just launched its website, SchoolSafety.gov. This website — a collaboration between the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Departments of Education, Justice, and Health and Human Services — features a fact sheet on Cyber Safety Considerations for K-12 Schools and School Districts. The fact sheet provides guidance to educators, administrators, parents, and law enforcement officials on various online threats to students, including cyberbullying, ransomware, and online predation.

Help Build the 2021 AASL National Conference
The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) invites school library professionals to help plan programming for the 2021 AASL National Conference. Professionals are asked to submit topics needed for professional development during the conference, taking place in October 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Learning at the conference will be organized around the Shared Foundations of the National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries and topics can be shared in these categories at national.aasl.org/crowdsourcing. Crowdsourcing will close at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2020.

If you have a question about this or any other article, please contact us at statelibrary@wyo.gov

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