Newspapers in Decline - Continuing Story

The Chicago Suntimes ran a rather disturbing article on the decline of newspapers, 'As Newspapers Close Across The U.S., Study Finds Illinois Is Hard Hit' (link).

Some of the disturbing information:

Since 2005, more than one-third of U.S. newspapers — 3,300 outlets — have closed. In that time, Illinois has lost 36% of its newspapers, or 232 outlets, and Cook County has lost 40% of its newspapers.

Illinois has also lost 54% of its newspaper workers, or about 4,600 positions, in the decade ending in 2023.

There are a few positive developments including a "net increase of 81 stand-alone digital news sites" -- still it's clear: one of our most valuable resources is running into serious difficulties.

Fridge Konks Out

Darn, the fridge konked out. It was my storage point for all those tasty things I acquired (often on sale). What I could save, I moved to the small ice-chest. Yup, living off that till I figure out how to bring the old baby back to life :-( ...

Icebox Blues

Chilly outside (2°) -- good timing since ye olde refrigerator konked out over the weekend. I had to move everything outside to the refrigerator provided by Mother Nature.

Special stuff staying relatively kool by the front window.

Bye-Bye My Friend -- No More C&RL News (in Print)

 

Darn! They just announced on the ACRL listserv that December will be the last time College & Research Libraries News (C&RL News) will appear in print (link). Henceforth, you'll only be able to access it online.

Kind of a bummer. I mean, that plus ALA's more general, American Libraries, are just about the only two journals I still get in print. They're things I look forward to -- things I can toss in my backpack and maybe a day or two later, read while waiting for a bus or whatever. Oh well, no more.

P.S. I actually have an article or two in the thing.

P.P.S. Well, I guess I could start printing the thing out myself.

P.P.P. Update (10/20/2223): So I’ve taken the logical option: our friends at ALA put out a PDF version of both C&RL and C&RL News. I simply take those and print them out on my (very nice) HP OfficeJet Pro 902e printer. One heavy-duty staple on the top left corner of each print-out and voila!

Alas No ALA 2020

 

The news came out on Tuesday (3/24/2020): No ALA in Chicago this year :-(

Already for a couple of days, I was wondering if maybe the organizers were taking a chance: you know, maybe things would clear up by June. Apparently not. Below is the official announcement sent to members already registered for the event. There's always next year, I guess.

Important Update for ALA Annual Conference Attendees

The American Library Association has made the difficult decision to cancel the Annual Conference & Exhibition scheduled for June 25-30, 2020, in Chicago.

We wanted you to be among the first to hear the news. We are grateful to you for registering for the conference and know that you share in our disappointment that we will not be meeting this summer.

We will be in touch in the coming days and weeks to discuss your registration and provide information about potential alternative engagement opportunities.
Thank you for your continued support of ALA and we ask that you be patient with us as we work through this unprecedented situation.

Home Rule

We got the notice last week that the university (library included) would shut down. Students had to move out of dorms. Instructors had to reconfigure their classes -- not just for next quarter (Spring 2020) but for finals happening that very week. For the foreseeable future, we'll be handling library questions from home using email and IM (instant message). At the moment it's all about what to do with borrowed materials and when will the library reopen.

Schools across the country (not to mention world) are experiencing the same. I have absolutely the greatest sympathy for both our students and faculty. This is something none of us will ever forget.

Verdict

[Message sent out to the local Kerry groups after the election results for 2004 had come in -- source]

Thursday, November 11, 2004

I sent out a final listing of new articles and galleries to our Yahoo Groups in Illinois. I still have a few things to add -- mostly photos from events prior to 11/2 -- but as the campaign winds down and we redirect our efforts, there naturally will be fewer updates.

I'd like to thank everyone from Illinois who supplied articles and photos to the site. I'd also like to thank all of those on the various Yahoo Groups across the state who kept us informed and added to our enthusiasm and committment through the example of their own.

We may have lost this round but think of it this way: we have a mandate from all of those who supported us and who we care about to continue standing up for progressive causes, and we have values -- because that's the way we were raised -- not to relent until we eventually win.

See you all,

LEO
webmaster
illinoisforkerry.com