Best Practices For Immigrant Outreach

http://www.urbanlibraries.org/stranger021108.html
ULC Captures Best Practices For Immigrant Outreach in New Publication“Welcome Stranger” Though this new publication may not seem relevant at first blush, it is absolutely on target -- public libraries should provide formal and informal (read government) information about immigrant communities, serve as conduits to local resources and services, and "jump-start" civic engagement. Includes a free download.

ALA on FISA

http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=367

One professional association's take on recent Congressional action pertaining to FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act).

AP and the nation's newspapers

http://www.forbes.com/2008/02/13/media-newspapers-ap-biz-media-cx_lh_0214ap_print.html

The article presents well the tension between AP and the nation's newspapers. Interesting questions about how citizens will continue to get close-up information about their state and local goverment. This reference came from Media Reform - and following the link was well worth the (minimal) effort!

MPR on 2008 Leglislature

Minnesota Public Radio has a literal handful of points of access to the state legislative process. The best thing to do is to check them out and see which best fit your learning style, taste in technology,and tolerance level.

2008 Legislature
Minnesota Legislature collection: The latest news
Votetracker: Follow key legislation
Fantasy Legislature: Draft a team of legislators
Polinaut: Blog exploring politics
Policast: Podcast of political coverage

Walz calls for better access to soldiers' medical records

Minnesota Rep. Tim Walz has just returned from his first trip to Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Germany. Walz said the trip gave him a renewed sense of urgency to improve access to soldiers' medical records. Learn more on MPR.

McCollum Calls for Renewed Investigation of Data Tape Privacy Risks

Notes from the office of Congressman McCollum relating to Imation tape issue:

McCollum Calls for Renewed Investigation of Data Tape Privacy Risks
Tuesday, January 22, 2008 Imation recovers bank account numbers from used data devices that GAO deemed “a low security risk”

Ask-a-Librarian at Government Information Online

Thanks to Karen Thompson and the SLA mailing list for sending the following our way:

Does the prospect of searching for government information give you the heebie-jeebies? Well, I have a pleasant surprise for you. It is a free online information service called Government Information Online (GIO): Ask a Librarian at http://govtinfo.org This live chat and e-mail service began in 2004, so it may already be in your favorites. If it is not, you might take it out for a spin or a five-minute exploration.

"...you can ask government information librarians who are experts at finding information from government agencies of all levels (local, state, regional, national international) on almost any subject..."

"GIO is ... supported by nearly twenty public, state and academic libraries throughout the United States. All participants are designated Federal depository libraries in the U.S. Government Printing Office's Federal Depository Library Program. Many are also official depository libraries for their other types of governments and public agencies."