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February 26, 2004

An alternative library for New Mexico

The Millennial Light Library promotes a just, democratic and sustainable society by providing New Mexicans and others with resources and services through its physical and cyber libraries, bookmobile and salon. The website is under construction, but they do have a flyer.

source: Thanks Rebekah

February 21, 2004

Carolyn Anthony: Freedom Fighter

Article in Colby magazine about a librarian fighting the Patriot Act.

source: MLISSA listserv

February 20, 2004

Creative Commons comes to Canada

"The development of a Canadian Creative Commons license is aimed at facilitating the development of online resources to enable creators to better understand and manage their digital rights in Canada."

source: APLA-LIST

February 17, 2004

Art for activism

McGill University is hosting Artivistic, a multidisciplinary event devoted to the exploration of the interplay between art, information and activism. Questions that the event wants to look at are:

Can we question the relationship between information and authority, that is, the concept of "image as reality"?
Art and information together are antagonistic or synergistic?
What is the relationship between fiction and reality?
Does art cloud the pathways or reveal them?
Does, or can, art be at once information and activism?

source: Thanks Judy

February 15, 2004

Info 2004

The Cuban Institute of Scientific and Technological Information is holding the 8th International Congress of Information. Of interest, the themes on "Collaborative alliances in a world without frontiers" and "Toward a equitable sustainable society, from the information economy point of view."

source: Thanks Roberto

Technology for Social Activism

Organizers' Collaborative, an educational and charitable organization furthering the potential of computers and the Internet to increase communication and collaboration among those working for social change, is hosting the fifth annual conference on grassroots use of technology. Check it out if you're in the Boston region!.

source: PLGNet-L

February 14, 2004

Hysterical Librarian...

Kim Antieu, one of many "hysteric" librarians resisting the Patriot Act.

"Whine and Wine"

The New York Library Association is organizing a Library Lobby Day. Legislators are invited to the library for Finger Lakes wine, the only Librarian-owned winery in New York! The association needs library activists, for a big show of support.

source: NYLINE listserv

February 11, 2004

Copyright headaches for Aussie libraries

"Free" trade between Australia and the US is making patrons pay for information that used to be in the public domain.

February 10, 2004

Civil liberties reinstated?

Subpoenas served on Drake University and anti-war activists were withdrawn, according to AP.

source: PLGNet-L

Civil liberties rescinded!

A chilling account of how the government is trying to criminalize dissent in America:

A federal judge in Iowa has ordered Drake University to turn over records about a November 2003 forum and demo of anti-war activists at the school. Subpoenas were also served on four of the activists who attended the forum, which was entitled "Stop the Occupation! Bring the Iowa Guard Home!" Full story…

During the demonstration that followed the forum, a Grinnell College librarian, Christine Gaunt, was charged with misdemeanor assault on a peace officer; she has pleaded innocent, saying she simply went limp and resisted arrest.

Mrs Gaunt is a human rights activist who has also been involved in peaceful protests against the School of the Americas.

In addition to records about who attended the forum, the subpoena orders the university to divulge all records relating to the local chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, a legal activist organization that sponsored the forum at Drake. Full story...

source: Mark Allan, PLGNet-L, Tom Baxter

February 6, 2004

New Yorkers for better libraries.

New York library advocates are getting election fever. A group of them have started the New Yorkers for Better Libraries Political Action Committee (NYLIBS-PAC) It's mission: providing financial support to candidates for state office who are in a position to champion libraries.

source: NYLINE listserv

February 3, 2004

Social Forum of Information

The 1st Social Forum of Information, Documentation and Libraries will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on August 26-28, 2004. The event is free!

"Every act of production, socialization and preservation of information constitutes an act of identity and social responsibility for societies, especially for the professionals related to them. However, the immobility and exclusion of sociopolitical issues from the agendas of library associations at both the local level as well as international have not allowed the creation of new proposals and the reproduction of the world’s recent social transformations within our profession.This Forum is a first attempt to create professional activities, develop and offer products, and promote initiatives conceived as mechanisms of social transformation and improving politics."

source: PLGNet-L

February 1, 2004

Art + Activism = Bookmobile project

The Bookmobile project is a traveling library promoting the distribution of information. The Bookmobile is travelling across North America with a collection of handmade and one-of-a-kind books to photocopied and small press publications. Their mandate: "to fuse artistic production with political activism and community organizing." It may be in your community this summer! Do you have books, zines or other publications to submit?

source: thanks Felicity

Demonstrators protest against library closing

A Montreal area library falls victim to another round of budget cuts. Patrons take to the streets and demonstrate in front of the library. If you're in the area, and you'd like to help, how about showing up at the borough's council meeting. It takes place Feb. 2nd, in Pointe-Claire at 7:30 p.m. at 451 St. John's Blvd.

Montreal area libraries aren't the only ones hit by cuts in services and in need of your support!

source: Library link of the day

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