International Declaration of Independent Publishers 2014

by RoryLitwin

From the website: During the closing meeting of the International Assembly of Independent Publishers (Cape Town, South Africa, 18-21 September 2014), 400 independent publishers from 45 countries signed the International Declaration of Independent Publishers 2014. Collectively drafted in three languages, on 20 September 2014, the Declaration 2014 is available in several languages (French, English, Spanish, … Read more International Declaration of Independent Publishers 2014

Statement from French library associations on the Charlie Hebdo attack

by RoryLitwin

Statement from the ABF (Association des Bibliothécaires de France) and the ACIM (Association pour la coopération des professionnels de l’information musicale) on the attack at the Charlie Hebdo offices… The ABF and the ACIM always take a position against censorship. Today, January 7, 2015, a new low was reached: the assassination of those who bring … Read more Statement from French library associations on the Charlie Hebdo attack

Our booth at ALA Midwinter

by RoryLitwin

We’re attending ALA Midwinter 2015 in Chicago, and we hope to meet you there. You can find us in the exhibits hall at booth 1532. This is Litwin Books, Library Juice Press, and Library Juice Academy. And Auslander & Fox, too – let’s not forget that fun imprint. See you in Chicago! #alamw15

CFP: 9th National Conference of African American Librarians

by RoryLitwin

*Call for Poster Session Proposals* 9th National Conference of African American Librarians St. Louis, Missouri August 4-8, 2015 Please submit a poster proposal for the 9th NCAAL Conference, “Meet at the Gateway: Reimagining Communities, Technologies, and Libraries.” The poster session committee is particularly interested in proposals related to: Advocacy/Marketing Assessment Emerging Technologies Health Information Information … Read more CFP: 9th National Conference of African American Librarians

Statement from Information Studies Academics and Professionals on Documentary Evidence and Social Justice

by RoryLitwin

There is a new open statement circulating, written by UCLA Information Studies faculty, led by Safiya Noble. Written in response to the events in Ferguson and the crisis that it has opened up, it expresses the political orientation of members of the LIS field. It is titled, “Statement from Information Studies Academics and Professionals on … Read more Statement from Information Studies Academics and Professionals on Documentary Evidence and Social Justice

What ALA should REALLY do if they want to engage members

by RoryLitwin

The American Library Association has increasingly received feedback from members saying that it’s unclear how to get involved. Over the past couple of years the association has made an effort to deal with this problem by setting up what are called Virtual Town Halls and Kitchen Table Conversations, which are opportunities for members to share … Read more What ALA should REALLY do if they want to engage members

Program at Midwinter: The Social Justice Collaboratorium: Illuminating Pathways between Social Justice Issues and LIS

by RoryLitwin

I don’t often post news about programs happening at ALA conferences, since most people reading this won’t be attending, but this one is kind of flying under the radar, especially from the point of view of people in SRRT, so it deserves highlighting. It is called The Social Justice Collaboratorium: Illuminating Pathways between Social Justice … Read more Program at Midwinter: The Social Justice Collaboratorium: Illuminating Pathways between Social Justice Issues and LIS

Barnard plans to remove 40,000 books from library

by RoryLitwin

More “right-sizing” bullshit. Barnard faculty frustrated by plans to remove 40,000 books from library Barnard’s faculty and staff claim they were shut out of the decision-making process for the new library, which faculty say also led to the resignation of the Dean of Barnard Library and Information Services Lisa Norberg. Administrators outlined the plan for … Read more Barnard plans to remove 40,000 books from library

Inland Editions

by RoryLitwin

Inland Editions is a new publisher out of London that is particularly interested in libraries. They are preparing to publish their first book, which appears to be a beautifully designed art book primarily about library architecture. It’s called Bookspace, and they are running a Kickstarter campaign to fund its production. That seems a little bit … Read more Inland Editions

Statement by Former New Republic Editors and Writers

by RoryLitwin

As former editors and writers for The New Republic, we write to express our dismay and sorrow at its destruction in all but name. From its founding in 1914, The New Republic has been the flagship and forum of American liberalism. Its reporting and commentary on politics, society, and arts and letters have nurtured a … Read more Statement by Former New Republic Editors and Writers

CFP: Justin Winsor Library History Essay Award

by RoryLitwin

Justin Winsor Library History Essay Award: Call for Papers The Justin Winsor Library History Essay Award is presented by the Library History Round Table of the American Library Association annually to recognize the best essay written in English on library history. The award is named in honor of the distinguished nineteenth-century librarian, historian, and bibliographer … Read more CFP: Justin Winsor Library History Essay Award

CFP: Radical Archives (Archive Journal)

by RoryLitwin

Archive Journal Special issue: Radical Archives Deadline: April 15, 2015 “Radical archives” and “radical archiving” are concepts that continue to gain currency among archivists, artists and cultural theorists alike, but to date, discussions of “radical archives” and “radical archiving” often appear to rest on an assumed rather than articulated understanding of what these concepts mean. … Read more CFP: Radical Archives (Archive Journal)

Emily Drabinski reports on the recent Gender and Sexuality in Information Studies Colloquium

by RoryLitwin

Emily Drabinski, co-organizer of the recent Gender and Sexuality in Information Studies Colloquium at the University of Toronto, has done a nice writeup about the event for the Metropolitan New York Library Council: DECIDING WHAT GOES WHERE AND WHY: GENDER STUDIES AND LIBRARIANSHIP By Emily Drabinski, Coordinator of Library Instruction, Long Island University, Brooklyn At … Read more Emily Drabinski reports on the recent Gender and Sexuality in Information Studies Colloquium

CFP: IFLA Call for Papers Reference and Information Services Section: Reference as Service and Place

by RoryLitwin

Call for Papers IFLA Reference and Information Services Section Theme: Reference as Service and Place 11-13 August 2015 University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana Reference and Information Services Section IFLA’s theme for the 2015 congress in Cape Town is “Dynamic Libraries: Access, Development and Transformation” and the Reference and Information Services Section is pleased to announce … Read more CFP: IFLA Call for Papers Reference and Information Services Section: Reference as Service and Place

Remembering Informational Freedom: Clapping for the Wrong Things

by RoryLitwin

by Nathaniel Enright “People always clap for the wrong things.” — J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye Award ceremonies have hit the headlines in recent days. Whilst Ursula Le Guin was honoured with the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters (Arons 2014) and widely celebrated for her acceptance speech which took aim at … Read more Remembering Informational Freedom: Clapping for the Wrong Things

IFLA Internet Manifesto 2014

by RoryLitwin

IFLA approved its first Internet Manifesto in 2002. This provided an early recognition of the vital role that the Internet plays in the work of library and information services, and ensuring that individuals and groups have free access to information and can freely express themselves. The world has changed significantly since 2002 both physically and … Read more IFLA Internet Manifesto 2014

SustainRT Sustainability Database

by RoryLitwin

The Sustainability Round Table is collecting information on books, articles, websites, blogs, social groups, and projects that fall under the umbrella of Sustainable Libraries. Please use this form to suggest resources or projects that will become part of our SustainRT Sustainability Database. Please contact Eileen Harrington (eharring@umd.edu) for more information.

Award for Ongoing Doctoral Dissertation Research in the Philosophy of Information

by RoryLitwin

1. Nature of the Award 1.1 The award shall consist of $1,000, given annually to a graduate student who is working on a dissertation on the philosophy of information (broadly construed). As we see it, the range of philosophical questions relating to information is broad, and approachable through a variety of philosophical traditions (philosophy of … Read more Award for Ongoing Doctoral Dissertation Research in the Philosophy of Information

Ursula K Le Guin’s speech at National Book Awards: ‘Books aren’t just commodities’

by RoryLitwin

“To the givers of this beautiful reward, my thanks, from the heart. My family, my agents, my editors, know that my being here is their doing as well as my own, and that the beautiful reward is theirs as much as mine. And I rejoice in accepting it for, and sharing it with, all the … Read more Ursula K Le Guin’s speech at National Book Awards: ‘Books aren’t just commodities’