Looking forward to Isabel Allende coming to town!

I am proud to say this is the library system for which I work...come one and all - it is absolutely free! Isabel Allende in conversation with Michael Krasny, Thursday, October 11, 2007 Keynote Event

The 2007 selection for the One Book, One Community program is Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende. This novel was selected because its themes — immigration, cultural diversity and California history — are directly relevant to our community. We are proud to be hosting Ms. Allende for our keynote event. She will appear in conversation with Michael Krasny, host of KQED's Forum, on Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 7:30 pm at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center. Our first One Book, One Community program was launched last year with The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini. In addition to hosting a personal appearance by the author, the libraries of San Mateo County produced 60 cultural programs and book discussions that explored the themes of the book. During the month of October, Peninsula libraries will produce programs that complement and supply a cultural context for Daughter of Fortune. We will host distinguished speakers, provocative films and other programs that will feature the food, music and art of Chile. All events are free and open to the public. One Book, One Community's ambition is to provide a forum for people in all walks of life to consider the issues that powerful literature can bring to light. Please join us for a fun and enlightening month.

Now I am watching a mini documentary on Snoop Dog

The mini documentary on Snoop Dog going back home and talking about his life was great. I love the way he phrases things...he says he ran into a couple snags along the way, for example - I had an Uncle named Sam show up holding his hand out...i didn't know I had this Uncle, no one ever told me about these things - like taxes. But, we came to an understanding and everything is ok now.

Watching the burning of books in the movie Day After Tomorrow

This is a picture of the NY Public Library - Frozen over in the movie - the Day After Tomorrow.

It is a bit painful that they are in this beautiful library and must burn the books to stay alive but
the movie has some great lines...

A girl complains that a guy is holding onto a book pretty tight and that it should be
thrown into the fire. He says...
Jeremy: The Guttenburg Bible.
Elsa: You think God is going to save you?
Jeremy: No, I don't believe in God.
Elsa: You seem to be holding onto the book very tightly.
Jeremy: I'm protecting it. This Bible is the first book ever published. It represents the dawn of the age of reasoning. As far as I'm concerned, the written word is mankind's greatest achievement. Laugh if you want. But if Western Civilization is destroyed, I want to save one little piece of it.

Also, one of the people trapped in the library is sick and they all assume it is dehydration - then
a woman picks up a book on medical diagnosis and says...no i think you are wrong - books are not just good for burning and makes a diagnosis and finds out that the woman has a leg infection, hopefully it was a librarian - making us look good in film.

I also like the change in status roles in society that come with a catastrophe. The homeless man becomes important because he is accustomed to living outside in the cold and tells a young rich boy how to stay better insulated by coating his body with paper - being rich no longer has any relevance, the poor man has better survival knowledge.

Also, an honor student realizes that she has hyperfocused on her educational goals for a future that are no longer relevant but that love is relevant and can save her through this difficult time.

My Speech quoted in American Libraries

I was notified by the American Libraries writer of the part of the 10 page article "Washington Milestones-- and There Were Many"...that he put a quote from my speech in his article that appears in American Libraries; Aug2007, Vol. 38 Issue 7, p58-75, 18p, 1 chart, 10bw - I think it was very kind of him to do that, thank you Miguel A. Figueroa.

This is the bit on the Spectrum 1oth year Anniversary at the ALA conference in DC and
my little quote -- but it is exciting to be quoted!

SPECTRUM AFTER 10 YEARS: SHINING IN THE FIELD

The conceivers of a 1997 plan to boost minority representation in the profession were honored during the Spectrum 10th Anniversary Luncheon. It was also a reunion for some of the more than 400 graduates who completed their MLS degrees or library media certifications with $5,000 Spectrum scholarships (www.ala.org/spectrum/).

Chief among the honorees was former ALA Executive Director Elizabeth Martinez, who received three standing ovations. Although Spectrum was the brainchild of 1995-96 ALA President Betty J. Turock, she said it was a joint effort that involved many people and called Martinez "a partner in the process" building on the shoulders of "quiet giants" like E. J. Josey. Turock also presented a $10,000 check for Spectrum's new doctoral program.

Poet Nikki Giovanni provided the keynote address. "Librarians are the building-blocks to the art of books," she told the audience. "If it weren't for writing, I think I'd be lost and if it weren't for libraries, I wouldn't have a place to do my work."

U.S. Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) said diversity in public institutions, such as libraries, is "a question of survival and a question of practical smartness."

"Diversity is, was, and will continue to be a critical part of how we shape public policy and how our society evolves over the next decade," Grijalva added. "Libraries are the great equalizers; they don't care how much money you have or where you come from."

"Spectrum is about more than the money. It's about being part of a lineage and reclaiming some of those spaces that had previously been disenfranchised from us," said Tracie Hall, assistant dean at Dominican University's GSLIS, at the Office for Diversity's program, "10 Years Later--Where Are They Now? Spectrum Scholars Shining in the Field."

The panel of speakers, including representatives from school, public, and academic librarianship, talked with an audience of mostly Spectrum alumni, including session moderator Alanna Aiko Moore from the University of California at San Diego.

Ida Z., catalog librarian for San Mateo County (Calif.) Library System, reflected on the transformational power of her experience. "Before Spectrum, I saw heritage as a liability instead of an asset," she said. "My Spectrum Institute was where I first realized that my bilingual abilities had a special value."

As Spectrum begins its 11th year, it expands its influence in the profession with a recently funded doctoral fellowship program.

My 15 minutes of fame!

ida

Ben Bova - good read

I just finished reading my first Ben Bova book - Wow! I read City of Darkness - here is the excerpt so that you will get excited and want to read it too.

"Ben Bova, a master of futuristic novels, presents a dystopian Manhattan, where a dome covers the city's decay and decadence and is only "open" two months a year to the outside world of programmed, ordered society".

A teenage boy has just scored in the top 3pct nationwide in his exams which will determine his future career and schooling that the government will allow him to pursue (sounds a bit like communist China, but also has its relevance here)...he wants to study science but his father tells him Business is where the money is - so he runs away to NYC and finds himself trapped the day after labor day when the dome of Manhattan is again sealed...blah, blah, blah - and then at the end. Ron has befriended both white and black gang members. He is told that when the goverment put up the dome, the white people were allowed to leave (some decided not to) but the people of color were forced to stay. It was chilling - ethnic cleansing in a novel, but sickeningly- it has happened in this real world of ours as well.

List of the newest 2007 Spectrum Scholars

List of the New 2007 Spectrum Scholars

http://www.ala.org/ala/diversity/spectrum/spectrumscholarsb/scholars07.htm

List of the oldies (Spectrum Scholars)
http://www.ala.org/ala/diversity/spectrum/spectrumscholarsb/spectrumscholars.htm

Jena 6 - protest against racisim Sept 20th!

I was at home one day and heard on NPR the injustice of what is happening in the
small town of Jena, Louisiana. There, some African American students
were admonished by Caucasian students for sitting under a white student
only tree. The next day they had a Lynch noose on the tree.

As many of the African American students were top athletes, a lot of the
problems did not escalate until after the football season was over. Then
a full racial battle ensued including the burning of the school and arrests of
black students for battery when they were protecting themselves and no
arrests of the white students.

I was sickened when I heard about this. I hope I have all the facts straight...
this is what I remember from the NPR interview.

Here is a link for more information and a September 20th protest arranged.

http://www.revcom.us/a/100/jena-edit-en.html

Thank you - Jose Aponte to run for Spectrum Funding

I did not meet José Aponte, one on one, but heard him speak twice
at ALA in Washington D.C. He was one of the most inspiring speakers
that I heard there. He is the one who told everyone to something
terrifying every day. Now he is also challenging himself physically
and to provide funding for the Spectrum Scholarship.

Thank you Jose Aponte - You are awesome and an inspiration!

ida


ALA Press release

For Immediate Release
September 11, 2007

Library director’s run to benefit ALA: Spectrum Scholarship Program

CHICAGO - San Diego County Library Director José Aponte announced today that he will be running in the Chicago Marathon to raise awareness and funds for the Spectrum Scholarship Program of the American Library Association (ALA). The 26.2 mile race will take place on October 7, 2007.

The Spectrum Scholarship Program’s major drive is to recruit applicants and award scholarships to American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino or Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander students. Spectrum provides a one-year $5,000 scholarship and over $1,500 in professional development opportunities to eligible students planning to attend an ALA-accredited graduate program in library and information studies or school library media program. There have been 495 scholarships awarded through the Spectrum Scholarship Program to date.

The Mission of the American Library Association Spectrum Scholarship Program is: “Improving service at the local level through the development of a representative workforce that reflects the communities served by all libraries in the new millennium.”

Aponte is a formerly ranked national duathlete and continues to participate in endurance sports, most recently completing the Barcelona Marathon in March 2007.

"The marathon and Spectrum have a nexus in my own life experiences,” said Aponte. “Simply, the marathon stretches us to the limits of our physical human potential, while the gift of the Masters in Library Sciences has opened my life to the inherent promise and potential within us all to create institutions that transform our communities, while building social capital that benefits us all in safer, healthier, prosperous futures."

Please join Aponte and his family in contributing to the Spectrum Scholarship, by sending a check or pledge to: ALA Development Office, Spectrum, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL, 60611. Please make checks payable to the ALA Spectrum, memo Aponte Chicago Marathon.

To learn more about the Spectrum Scholarship Program, please visit: www.ala.org/spectrum or contact Gwendolyn Prellwitz at 312-280-5048, gprellwitz@ala.org.

All in all - Life is Good!

All in All - Life is Good!

I can't believe it is September already...there were so many things I was going to write about and life just moved swiftly ahead. It reminds me of when I was a little kid and I begged my mom to buy me one of those kid diaries with a secret lock. She said, I will, but you will probably only write in it for a couple of days.

I say - that is fine, let kids get diaries and write them in a few days...later their moms will toss them in a goodwill bag and they will be found by artists and put together in books as found art...you never know.

The end of the August was quite lovely with a 3 day labor day weekend in S.F. visiting my old crew....and several weeks of occasional dinners, although I am supposed to be on a diet. All in all, life is good.