Intellectual Freedom

Duties:

Monitor legislation and other efforts that affect first amendment rights to libraries, librarians, and their clientele.
Encourage libraries to protect those rights by:
1. Adopting ALA’s Freedom to Read Statement, Library Bill of Rights, and other statements adopted by the American Library Association and endorsed by the Missouri Library Association.
2. Adopting selection and collection development policies that protect against challenges.
3. Providing training opportunities with regard to intellectual freedom issues.
Support and implement the MLA Statement on Intellectual Freedom.
Assist and support MLA members in intellectual freedom concerns as requested.

Duties outlined in the MLA Handbook.

2018 Intellectual Freedom Committee:

Tiffany Mautino, CHAIR, 2016-2018, tmautino@mymcpl.org
Andrea Miller, 2016-2018, andreamiller@missouristate.edu
Joe Kohlburn, 2016-2018, jkohlbur@jeffco.edu
Kara Bell, 2018-2020, kbell@scenicregional.org
Ying Li, 2018-2020, yli@stchas.edu
Kris Dyer, 2018-2020, kdyer@mymcpl.org
April Roy ex-officio, 2017, mlapresident@molib.org

Missouri Library Association (MLA)

8 hours ago

Mentors Needed!

CALLING ALL EXPERIENCED PUBLIC LIBRARIANS: WANT TO BE A MENTOR?

The Public Libraries Community of Interest is looking for experienced public library employees who are interested in mentoring new librarians. This is a great opportunity to share your knowledge and give back to the library community. Eligible mentors must be members of the Missouri Library Association and have at least 5 years of library experience with at least 3 years in their current field. Mentors must work or have worked in a public library and must be able to commit to at least one meeting per month for up to a year with their mentee. Meetings can be held via phone, e-mail, or in person. Anyone who is interested in being a mentor is encouraged to fill out a mentoring sign-up sheet by using the following link: goo.gl/forms/9GeBLPL8hSLrjvJ93

Mentors and mentees willed be paired in Jan 2019.

To find out more about the Public Libraries Community of Interest mentoring program click the following link:

molib.org/get-involved/communities-of-interest/public-libraries-community-of-interest-plci/plci-m... ... See MoreSee Less

PLCI Mentoring Program: Sign-up Form

docs.google.com

By filling out this form, you are expressing interest in becoming a mentor as part of the PLCI mentoring program. See guidelines for full details: drive.google.com/file/d/1-HU9qbFbPs8e_Gsd8h8Ot1qmt3dfXf_0/view?usp=sharing

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Missouri Library Association (MLA) shared Kate DiCamillo's post.

2 days ago

Beautiful tribute to the power of story.At the Kansas City Public Library, in Kansas City, Missouri last Friday night, a teacher came through the signing line and told me that she and her class had just finished reading The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane out loud together.
“Did you cry at the end?” I asked.
“We all cried,” she said. “And then one of the kids asked if we could hold hands. And we did. We stood in a circle and held hands and talked about Edward’s journey and it was just the best thing and I think that I will have everyone hold hands at the end of every story we read from now on. Don’t you think that’s a good idea?”
“Yes,” I said. “I think it’s a fantastic idea.”
Teachers, you teachers—I thank you. ... See MoreSee Less

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Missouri Library Association (MLA)

4 days ago

Good Morning All,

We need all MLA members to please call Senator Blunt's Office first thing today. See attached message and talking points on S.1010 below from ALA. This is very important to all Librarians, the Library of Congress and the Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden.

Ask to speak to the staff handling this bill for the Senator's Committee. This may require you to be transferred from the Senator's office to the Committee's office and the staff there that handle the committee's work for Senator Blunt. You may have to be persistent.

Thank you,
Gerald Brooks
MLA Legislative Committee Chair, 2018

Message from ALA:

Hello,

I am asking if you could contact Senator Blunt again. As you know, he is the Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee that oversees the Library of Congress. This committee has claimed jurisdiction over legislation S 1010, the Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act.

This legislation proposes to make the Register of Copyright position one that is appointed by the President instead of Librarian of Congress. ALA has been fighting this legislation as it has bounced around Congress since early 2017. It is scheduled for mark-up next week. We must stop this legislation before it gets to a full Senate vote. The entertainment and publishing industry lobbyists do not want the Librarian to appoint a Register because they believe she would hire someone who is inappropriate for the job – an “information is free,” anti-copyright type which is not true. They also saying that the LC has approved of the current legislation which is not true.

Give Senator Blunt a call at 202.224.5721.

Your talking points:

The current organization of the Library of Congress is working well. Librarian Hayden has testified on the progress of the LC and CO modernization before this committee. Changing the organizational structure of the LC would complicate this progress.

We oppose any legislation that removes hiring authority from the Librarian (even if the Librarian is not a Librarian)

There is no reason to politicize an appointment and transfer the authority of Congress to the President.

The 2015 GAO report on the LC and the CO, GAO recommended that the two entities work together to improve the digital infrastructure of both LC and CO, with LC taking the lead. Librarian has hired a CIO for the entire Library including CO. The Librarian has demonstrated the leadership to make the Library a 21st century library.

This is the first step in a process supported by rights holders to make CO an independent agency, creating a jurisdictional nightmare with the Dept of Commerce and United States Patent and Trademark Office who are charged with developing copyright policy for the executive branch, here and around the world.

Why mess with a good thing?

We need Missouri libraries to call Monday in order to help stop this legislation. This bill could come up as soon as Tuesday. Powerful lobbyists are pushing for it aggressively. There may be efforts to “sneak” the bill in omnibus legislation so we must stop it now. VERY important!

Let me know if you have questions.

Thanks very much,

Carrie Russell
Senior Program Director, Public Policy & Advocacy
ALA Washington Office
1615 New Hampshire Avenue, First Floor
Washington, DC 20009
crussell@alawash.org ... See MoreSee Less

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Missouri Library Association (MLA)

7 days ago

Position Posting:
Assistant Manager, Oak Bend Branch, St. Louis County Library, St. Louis, MO

Join an award winning team!

St. Louis Top Workplaces, 2014-2018

Library Journal Four Star Library, 2014-2018

Urban Libraries Council Top Innovator, 2015, 2017

What’s Right with the Region for Demonstrating Innovative Solutions, 2016

Missouri Library of the Year from MLA 2014

Assistant Manager-Oak Bend Branch

Known as the “Gateway to the West”, St. Louis and the surrounding area offers an array of lifestyles. From hip, trendy cafes and neighborhoods to a plethora of outdoor activities with hundreds of parks and trails to popular sporting events and cultural attractions. St. Louis County is a great place to live, work, and play!

St. Louis County Library is a 20 branch system, serving over 860,000 patrons and circulating 14 million items a year. SLCL is in the midst of a multi-year capital improvement project called Your Library Renewed, to upgrade existing structures and open new facilities, as well as enhance library programs and services. Not only do we have state-of-the-art buildings, but our array of programs and partnerships are abundant and diverse. SLCL staff are creative and forward thinking, developing several awarding winning programs geared to enrich individual minds, enhance lives and expand perspectives.

Working in tandem with the Branch Manager, the management team ensures the library’s mission and strategic goals are continuously implemented at the branch while considering the community’s needs and meeting them with relevant library services and programs. We are looking for a dynamic, energetic and innovative individual intent on providing outstanding customer service, reducing barriers to library access, leading our awesome staff, maintaining thriving community relations, and taking pride in being a part of the SLCL team!

Want to work in a library system that is valued by the community?

Do you want to work for this awarding winning library system?

It is a wonderful time to join St. Louis County Library, where facility innovations and creative public services are always growing! Apply today!

Job Purpose:

Assists the Branch Manager with the operation and maintenance of the branch and assumes the responsibilities of the Branch Manager in his/her absence in order to provide quality Library service to all Library customers.

Essential Job Functions:

1.Schedules staff and monitors attendance to ensure adequate staffing.

2.Assists with overseeing branch operations, building, and grounds maintenance so the branch is clean, safe, and attractive.

3.Supervises and participates in public service activities including circulation and reference services to meet the needs of customers.

4.Participates in program planning and implementation to meet the needs of existing customers and to attract new customers.

5.Participates in hiring, training, evaluating, and disciplining staff to ensure the Library staff is capable of giving the highest quality service.

6.Assists in the development and maintenance of the branch collection to ensure the branch meets the needs of the community it serves.

7.Other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in Library Science

Ability to supervise, train, and motivate staff

Must possess a commitment to a high level of public service to Library customers

Must possess good judgment, analytical, and problem solving skills

Must possess excellent communication and organization skills

Ability to work effectively with other Library managers in a professional manner

Hours:

Monday-Friday, two evenings per week

One Saturday and Sunday per month

Salary:

$52,666 and great benefits!

Applications and Resumes can be submitted by visiting www.slcl.org/employment ... See MoreSee Less

Employment | St. Louis County Library

slcl.org

The St. Louis County Library District is an equal opportunity employer. All open positions are posted for a minimum of seven days. All applications for employment with St. Louis County Library remain active for one year; however, qualified applicants must apply for each posted position individually....

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Missouri Library Association (MLA)

7 days ago

Hello Library Friends!

Due to a recent vacancy, I am the incoming chair for the MLA Bylaws and Handbook Committee. We are seeking two new members for 2019/2020. If you are looking to become involved in MLA, this is a great opportunity! To learn more about what the Bylaws and Handbook Committee does, please visit our page at molib.org/get-involved/committees/bylaws-handbook/. If you are interested or have questions, please contact me at rsplain@stchlibrary.org.

Happy Holidays!

Rebecca Splain ... See MoreSee Less

Bylaws & Handbook – Missouri Library Association

molib.org

Bylaws & Handbook Duties: Review the Bylaws annually. Bring to the attention of the Board any items needing revision. At the direction of the Executive Board, prepare proposed revisions. Work with the Nominating Committee to notify membership of proposed changes in advance of vote to be taken at the...

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