LC’s Thomas Mann on LC-commissioned report recommending elimination of LCSH

by RoryLitwin

The Library of Congress Professional Guild writes… In “The Changing Nature of the Catalog and Its Integration with Other Discovery Tools,” Karen Calhoun recommends the elimination of Library of Congress subject headings and the establishment of “fast turnaround” time as the “gold standard” in cataloging. In his critical review of the Calhoun report, Thomas Mann, … Read more LC’s Thomas Mann on LC-commissioned report recommending elimination of LCSH

Librarian Activist blog looking for a new blogger

by RoryLitwin

The person behind the LibrarianActivist.org blog (whom I have communicated with by email but who blogs anonymously) has stopped blogging and is looking for someone to take over the project. I would say that that blog has been somewhat unique among progressive library blogs for its Canadian perspective and somewhat anarchist sensibility. (If the blogger … Read more Librarian Activist blog looking for a new blogger

2006 Amelia Bloomer List

by RoryLitwin

After searching through hundreds of current titles, the Amelia Bloomer Project of the Feminist Task Force of the Social Responsibilities Round Table of the American Library Association honors 30 titles for the fifth annual Amelia Bloomer List. The criteria used by the Amelia Bloomer Committee in selecting books include: Significant feminist content Excellence in writing … Read more 2006 Amelia Bloomer List

Good News from LC

by RoryLitwin

A friend writes… Colleagues- This just in from the Library of Congress. It’s about time. CATALOGING POLICY AND SUPPORT OFFICE SUMMARY OF DECISIONS, EDITORIAL MEETING NUMBER 13 Vietnam War, 1961-1975 The heading “Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975” is being revised to Vietnam War, 1961-1975 on this list. Changes to references on headings for individual battles and operations … Read more Good News from LC

Fear & Favor 2005?¢‚Ǩ‚ÄùFAIR’s Sixth Annual Report

by RoryLitwin

From the March/April 2006 edition of FAIR‘s Extra!, “Fear & Favor 2005?¢‚Ǩ‚ÄùFAIR’s Sixth Annual Report” gives an informative run-down on how the news media was compromised by money last year. Important reading for an understanding of the latest developments in media monopoly and for getting a good reminder of how our “free press” is constrained … Read more Fear & Favor 2005?¢‚Ǩ‚ÄùFAIR’s Sixth Annual Report

Support EPA Libraries! Oppose FY 2007 Budget Cuts

by RoryLitwin

ALA’s advocacy folks have created a web page designed to make it easy to tell your Congress members of your opposition to the proposed budget cuts to EPA libraries. The page gives some useful background information and “talking points” about the situation, but leaves out the important fact that the proposed cuts are so severe … Read more Support EPA Libraries! Oppose FY 2007 Budget Cuts

SRRT Newsletter

by RoryLitwin

The December, 2005 SRRT Newsletter (the latest one) is on the web. It’s recommended reading for those who wonder what SRRT as a group mainly does. Occasionally the SRRT Newsletter features an article that comes from outside the group, which the editor wants to share with SRRT members. This issue has an interesting article about … Read more SRRT Newsletter

Okay, who will say they still haven’t gone too far Now?

by RoryLitwin

Interested in using a phrase like “Feel Free,” “General Knowledge,” “Freedom to do what you want” or “That’s a great idea” but can’t because it would be trademark violation? Well, fear no more, Rentamark.com is here, with thousands of words and phrases in stock, ready for you to license for business purposes. “Thank God”?¢‚Äû¬¢ for … Read more Okay, who will say they still haven’t gone too far Now?

EPA Librarians’ Union Demands to Bargain Over Proposed Closings

by RoryLitwin

AMERICAN FEDERATION of GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO COUNCIL 238 (EPA) CHARLES ORZEHOSKIE, PRESIDENT P.O. Box 1127 Chicago, Illinois 60690 March 16, 2006 Ruben Moreno, Director Labor and Employee Relations USEPA Headquarters Ariel Rios Building Mail Code:3631M 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N. W. Washington, DC 20460 Dear Mr. Moreno, This constitutes the American Federation of Government Employees National … Read more EPA Librarians’ Union Demands to Bargain Over Proposed Closings

Annenberg Center’s (Compromised) Principles for Net Neutrality

by RoryLitwin

Last month the Annenberg Center for Communication at USC, an industry-centered think tank that focuses on the networked society, convened a group of scholars and industry insiders to discuss the hot issue of net neutrality, and recently released a statement that they say is intended to balance public and industry interests. Their statement, in my … Read more Annenberg Center’s (Compromised) Principles for Net Neutrality

Information Literacy versus “The Librarian’s Stamp of Approval”

by RoryLitwin

Ten years ago, in the Spring of 1996, I was learning of my acceptance to library school and introducing myself to the world-expanding wonders of the internet. (I intend that sentence to be read without irony, as I can recall clearly what a revelation it was when I first browsed the web, sent and read … Read more Information Literacy versus “The Librarian’s Stamp of Approval”

Political Data-Theft at the Brecht Forum

by RoryLitwin

“Two principal computers at the Brecht Forum were removed last night in what appears to be a politically targeted theft. The Brecht Forum is a 30- year old community-based center that offers seminars, lectures and classes in political organizing and progressive analysis to local activists, organizers, students and the public. The computers taken contain the … Read more Political Data-Theft at the Brecht Forum