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MPLA > Publications & Documents > Reports > States > Arizona > 24 January 2004
Arizona Library Association Elects New Officers
Betsy Stunz-Hall, Acting Director of the Tucson-Pima Public Library, assumed the office of President at AzLA's annual conference in December. The following members were elected to join her on the Executive Board: President-Elect Laura Sullivan, Tucson-Pima Public Library; Treasurer Denise Keller, Pinal County Library; and Central Regional Representative Terry Morris, Payson Public Library.
Library Legislative Day
Arizona librarians and library supporters will converge on the Arizona State Capitol for AzLA's 2004 Library Legislative Day on February 5th. The event will provide attendees with the opportunity to learn about AzLA's legislative agenda, lobby legislators in support of those issues, and advocate for concerns vital to libraries. Members of the Arizona Legislature will be invited to a special barbeque luncheon. Following the luncheon, attendees will meet with their local legislators to discuss library issues and legislation of importance to the library community.
7th Annual Arizona Book Festival
The Seventh Annual Arizona Book Festival will be Saturday, April 3, 2004, at Carnegie Center, in Phoenix, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Carnegie Center, the home to Phoenix's first public library, will lend a historic backdrop to the event. Last April's festival drew 14,000 visitors to the site. The Arizona Book Festival is designed to celebrate the rich literary traditions of the West and to promote the joys of reading and an appreciation of the book in all its forms. It is presented by the Arizona Humanities Council, in collaboration with the Maricopa County Library District, the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records, and Salt River Project
Four stages will feature engaging presentations, interactive discussions, multicultural programs, cookbook demonstrations, and costumed characters, while an entire area is devoted to children's activities. The Arizona Humanities Council's Main Stage will feature a number of noted authors including U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Ron Carlson, Nancy Farmer, Alan Dean Foster, Diana Gabaldon, Ursula K. LeGuin, and Tom McGuane. The festival also serves at the kickoff event for OneBookAZ, a statewide effort that brings adults together through literature. This year's OneBookAZ selection is Life of Pi by Yann Martel. There will be a number of events at the festival to inaugurate the OneBookAZ program.
Arbuthnot Honor Lecture to be held in Tempe
The Maricopa County Library District will host writer Ursula K. Le Guin when she delivers the May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture on Friday evening, April 2, 2004, at Galvin Playhouse on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe. The Arbuthnot award, an annual lecture administered by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), honors an author, critic, librarian, historian, or teacher of any country who has made significant contributions to the field of children's literature. The lecture is also published in ALSC's Journal of Youth Services in Libraries. Ms. Le Guin is a distinguished writer of science fiction and fantasy for young readers and adults. Le Guin's presentation will be partially underwritten by the Arizona Humanities Council.
Phoenix Librarians Receive National Recognition
Toni Garvey, Director of the Phoenix Public Library, was named 2004 Librarian of the Year by Library Journal. Ms. Garvey was recognized for her efforts that salvaged an embattled urban library system by increasing public access to the Phoenix Public Library through improved hours, development of strong print and digital collections, building new facilities and improving existing ones, and developing a diverse and talented staff. John Berry, who wrote the LJ article announcing her selection, stated that "She has performed with charm and grace and come out of it loving her job, her profession, and her community.
A member of Toni's Phoenix Public Library staff, Kathleen Le Fevre Birtciel, was also named as one of 27 recipients of the New York Times' 2003 Librarian Award. The annual award honors librarians who provide outstanding public service. Ms. Birtciel, director of the Arcadia and Century branch libraries, was nominated by a Phoenix resident for her outstanding work as a partner and leader in making the community a vibrant and self-improving place to live, work and play. The award program recognizes librarians around the country. The 27 recipients of this year's award were chosen from nearly 2,000 nominations submitted by the general public in 46 states.
University of Arizona School of Information Resources and Science (SIRLS) Director to Retire
Director Brooke E. Sheldon has announced her resignation from that position. Dr. Sheldon will leave by no later than May 31, 2004, or as soon as a successor has been named. A search committee, chaired by Chris Segrin, Head of the University of Arizona's Department of Communication is now recruiting for the new director.
Library School Recieves Significant Gift
A gift commitment in the amount of $1.5 million to the University of Arizona Foundation has been established through the estate plans of Duane and Linda Whitaker. The gift is part of "Campaign Arizona", the university's $1 billion fund-raising effort, and the funds will create three endowed professorships in the School of Information Resources and Science. Linda Whitaker graduated from SIRLS in December 2002, and is a project archivist in Special Collections at the main library. Duane Whitaker, M.D., graduated from the U of A Medical School in 1979. He is a faculty member at the University of Iowa College of Medicine and a strong supporter of the Universityof Arizona.
LSTA Provides $3 Million in Support to Arizona Libraries
The Arizona State Library continues to support a number of statewide programs this year with funding through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) program. A portion of LSTA funds will be available to libraries across the state on a competitive basis this spring.
More than half of the state's almost $3 million in 2004 LSTA funds are committed to statewide services such as FirstSearch, digital government initiatives, a cultural inventory project, continuing education classes, the Carnegie Center's Life Options project, network support, ABI/INFORM databases, interlibrary loan, the Arizona Convocation, field travel, and a number of other programs that benefit the entire state. The other half of the money is invested in field-based competitive grants. Currently, LSTA Grants in Arizona are available in five areas: Community Focal Point, Cultural Diversity (programming for or about underserved, diverse audiences), Families and Children (literacy, early childhood, family, children), Information Technology (computer classes, technology, promotional materials), and Strategic Partnerships (resource sharing, joint programming, economic development).