Category Archives: News from the Field

Libraries and the Affordable Care Act

American Library Association (ALA) President Barbara Stripling issued the following statement:

“The American Library Association anticipates that many Americans will turn to libraries for help in accessing enrollment information when open enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace component of the Affordable Care Act begins on October 1, 2013.

“Our research shows that Americans regularly turn to their local libraries as a trusted resource for information regarding government initiatives and programs. A recent study showed that more than a third of library computer users (28 million people) use library computers and seek assistance from librarians for health and wellness issues, including learning about medical conditions, finding health care providers, and assessing health insurance options. A 2012 ALA study found that 97 percent of libraries reported assisting library patrons with applying for and accessing e-government services.Continue reading→

Will You Stand for Privacy?

A Message to ALA Members from ALA President Barbara Stripling

In early June, reports of the National Security Agency’s secret practices rang loudly around the world. News reports detailed PRISM, the U.S. government surveillance program that obtains the Internet records from ten U.S. companies: Verizon, Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Facebook, PalTalk, AOL, Skype, YouTube, and Apple. It appears that phone records, emails, photos, and social networking activities have been collected and catalogued by the FBI and the NSA over the last seven years.

ALA is saddened by recent news that the government has obtained vast amounts of personal information and electronic communications of millions of innocent people. The extent of the personal information received by the government is very troubling. Those of you who have been long-time members of ALA know that we have always argued that provisions in the USA PATRIOT Act encroach on the privacy expectations of library users. Worse, the surveillance law erodes our basic First Amendment rights, all while undermining the very fabric of our democracy.Continue reading→

Library Accessibility –What You Need to Know

The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies, ASCLA, has a wealth of accessibility information on their website in the form of tips sheets.  Each tip sheet is just a few pages long and contains basic information to help librarians in all types of libraries understand and manage access issues.  Select a tip sheet below to view.

Assistive Technology
Autism & Spectrum Disorders
Children with Disabilities
Deaf & Hard of Hearing
Developmental Disabilities
Learning Disabilities

Continue reading→