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During the National Conference of Librarians Serving Blind and Physically Handicapped Individuals in Richmond, Virginia, April 28-May 2, 2002, there will be a "Focus on Native Americans" breakfast colloquy, on May 2, 7:30-9:00 a.m. in rooms Potomac F and C. Ruth Nussbaum, librarian, NLS Reference Section, and David Whittall, network consultant, will be moderators. The time frame allows an in-depth discussion of matters relevant to library services to American Indians and Alaskan Natives. We welcome suggestions for an agenda. Send your ideas via e-mail to Ruth at <rnus@loc.gov> or David at <dwhit@loc.gov>.
The George Heye Center of NMAI, located in lower Manhattan and adjacent to the World Trade Center, survived the aftereffects of the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center. When the twin towers collapsed, the center quickly responded by shutting its building's air vents, thus keeping exhibits and artifacts safe. Fortunately, no staff, volunteers, or board members were injured. On September 19, a blessing ceremony to welcome staff back to the center was performed by Clinton Elliot (Ojibwe), a staff member. It is now rebuilding programs and audience.
At the NMAI's main building, which is under construction on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., a welcome center has been set up to tell about the building and its creation. The welcome center is open Monday-Saturday from 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. An illustrated tour is available online at <http://www.nmai.si.edu/mall/index.html>.
The American Library Association (ALA) has established a scholarship award for American Indian and Alaskan Native students who are enrolled in or have been accepted to and will enroll in a master's degree program in an ALA-accredited library school. The scholarship is designed to encourage qualified American Indians and Alaskan Natives to enter the library profession. One scholarship of $500 will be awarded for the 2002-2003 academic year. The deadline for this year is April 1, 2002. Further information and application forms are available at the AILA web site at <http.www.nativeculture.com/lisamitten/aila.html>.
AILA has formed a task force to define a focus for the planned "Native American Children's Literature Award." Send suggestions for criteria for the award to the AILA web site listed above.
Dr. Lotsee Patterson, a professor in the School of Library and Information Studies, University of Oklahoma, is the 2001 recipient of the American Library Association's Beta Phi Mu Award for her work in promoting Native American libraries. She was also selected as the next Jean E. Coleman lecturer by ALA's Office of Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS). The lecture series is designed to educate librarians about their roles in providing equity of access to information.
AILA will sponsor a program at the annual ALA conference in Atlanta, Georgia, "Santa Fe Indian School Family Album 1890-2000: Digitized Student Database" and cosponsor with other ethnic caucuses a preconference, "Medical Resources for Diverse Communities @ Your Library." Further information can be obtained from the AILA or ALA web sites. The ALA web site is <www.ala.org/events/annual2002>.
Updated December 19, 2002
