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Highlights the issues discussed during the Midwinter Meeting of the American Library Association at San Diego, California from January 9 to 14, 2004. Key concerns raised during the meeting; Updates on legislative issues and association businesses; Feature of the annual Newbery/Caldecott and other youth book and media award; Forums and panel discussions held.

This article highlights the fourth annual conference of the American Library Association's Public Library Association held in San Diego, California on March 20-23, 1991. The 4,282 people who came to the conference were also saturated with public relations (PR) savvy in programs on how to serve special segments of the population, such as latchkey children, the homeless, the illiterate and the aged. PR wizards Arch Lustberg and Kare Anderson packed the rooms for three seminars. If adopted, their effervescent techniques would bring patrons into libraries just to see the librarians perform. Lustberg's dynamic presentations centered on converting into communication and included such assessments as: In 1991 style is more important than substance. James Autry delivered the conference keynote address--his sensitive observations on the power of the word. The poet-president of Meredith Magazine Group and chair of People for the American Way read from his poetry and talked about the two main reading problems in America today: A lot of people who cannot read and too many people who can trying to tell others what they should and should not read. Among the programs that tackled censorship was Ed Volz's Audio Survey of Banned Music, 1870-1990. Tape player in tow, he presented excerpts from everything from La Traviata to Me So Horny by 2 Live Crew, in some instances asking the audience to guess why the music had been banned.

Reports that California community colleges are mounting a statewide campaign to get funding for library materials, instructional equipment, and building maintenance. Hope of college officials that the state assembly will vote to restore the cut funds; Explanation by Governor Gray Davis why the cuts were made; Impact of the cuts on the colleges.

This article reports on some library employees and other union members lobbying at an October 1, 1990 city council meeting in Santa Ana, California, to demand the ouster of Santa Ana Public Library Director Robert Richard. Prior to the meeting, two damning petitions were presented to the council, mayor, and city manager. Leaders of the Santa Ana City Employees Association, Service Employees International Union Local 1939, accuse Richard of cutting bonuses for night-shift staff, reducing clerical staff, preventing employees from using vacation time, and requiring them to work on holidays when other city departments are closed. According to Richard, who attended the council meeting, only 15 library employees actually showed up to demand his removal; the rest of the protestors were union supporters from other city departments. According to an administrative assistant in another city department, tension between Richard and his staff has been building for over half of his four-year tenure as director. Richard said his troubles began about six months after his arrival. Richard explained to the staff of American Libraries in detail how he found gross violations of city policy regarding holidays and overtime. The memorandum of understanding, or contract, under which employees serve is negotiated by the union and the city manager, Richard said, and the director has nothing to do with what's in it. He called the union's representation dishonest.

This article deals with the issuance of a report that recommends an immediate performance review for University of California/Irvine (UCI) head librarian Calvin Boyer. The report also urges UCI Chancellor Jack Peltason to survey the library's professional staff with a view to determining whether Boyer is to continue in his post as the university librarian. Established in April 1989 to investigate charges of bias toward minority and female employees at the campus library, the six-member committee, chaired by English professor Myron Simon, questions Boyer's leadership qualities and recommends that the university libraan, like any chair of a department, director of a program or dean of a school be reviewed at five-year intervals, beginning at once. Audibly disturbed by the report, Boyer said that this report has to be viewed in the context of which it was offered by the faculty, as a statement of issues which deserve full ad thorough review. Based heavily on interviews with library staff and on a survey completed by 40 of the library's 43 professionals, the report alleges several instances of discrimination for which it holds Boyer largely responsible. Minority students comprise more that half of the student body at UCI.

Discusses the investigation of the library at the University of California/Irvine on charges of unfair hiring and promotion practices toward minority and female employees. Details of the investigation, including who complained of the bias; Challenge of the investigation and what the outcome of the investigation could mean; Recent week-long staff work shop on sensitivity to non-English speaking library user; Amount of librarians.