[Libs-Or] Lawyers for Libraries

Tue Jul 22 11:03:23 PDT 2003

The information below is from ALA concerning a Lawyers for Libraries Training Institute to be held in San Francisco in October.  They are very interested in having lawyers attend from our region.  According to Jonathan Kelley from the Office for Intellectual Freedom the cost, "though high, is not out of the ordinary for Continuing Legal Education courses of this caliber.  The fact that the long-term benefits (in terms of sound policy and crisis management) will certainly outweigh the costs is also important to remember."  Please contact Jonathan if you would like to recommend a lawyer for the institute.

NEWS
For Immediate Release						Contact:  Jonathan Kelley
July 2003									    (312) 280-4226

American Library Association presents October lawyer training in San Francisco

The American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce the third in a series of institutes for attorneys to increase their understanding of legal issues affecting libraries-specifically, censorship and privacy matters.  A Lawyers for Libraries Training Institute will be held in San Francisco, California, on October 16-17, 2003.  Participants will be instructed by practicing attorneys specializing in First Amendment law and will be eligible for CLE credits for their participation.

The recent US Supreme Court decision on the Children's Internet Protection Act has many libraries wondering what their options are regarding Internet filtering and other censorship concerns.  At the same time, the USA Patriot Act has made it increasingly important for libraries to protect the privacy of users.  The Lawyers for Libraries Institutes give crucial help to attorneys and libraries as they prepare for emergency situations that will surely occur.

This training features sessions on:

· The Library as a Public Forum
· Unprotected Speech
· Minimizing Liability, specifically regarding Internet filtering as well as "hostile work environment" issues
· Privacy and Confidentiality, especially in light of the USA PATRIOT Act

"Libraries today need committed, informed attorneys to provide clear guidance and expertise," Judith F. Krug, director of the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom, said.

"The Lawyers for Libraries regional training institutes will ensure that attendees know about the most up-to-date, accurate and relevant legislation and case law related to the First Amendment in libraries."

The first two regional trainings, in Washington, D.C., and Chicago, were quite successful.  One participant called it "one of the best CLEs I have attended in 19 years of attending CLEs."  Future institutes are scheduled to take place in the South and in New England in 2004.

The institute costs $500 per person to attend.  While the institute is primarily directed at attorneys and library trustees, librarians are welcome to attend, provided they are accompanied by an attorney.  For more information on Lawyers for Libraries, please visit our Web site at www.ala.org/lawyers.

The San Francisco institute will be held at the Canterbury Hotel, 750 Sutter Street.  The hotel is offering a special room rate of $105.00/night for conference goers.  Call (415) 486-5151 for reservations.

Contact Jonathan Kelley with any questions at jkelley at ala.org, or call (800) 545-2433 x4226.

Heather McNeil
Youth Services Coordinator/Bend Library Co-Manager
Deschutes Public Library
601 N. W. Wall St.
Bend, OR  97701
541-617-7099
heatherm at dpls.lib.or.us

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