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In a different economic climate, the big news of the American Library Association 2003 Midwinter Meeting held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, would have been the progress made by the American Library Association's Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA). The big news could have been the welcome preconference announcement by First Lady Laura Bush, a librarian, that President Bush planned to request $20 million to help recruit and train librarians and $166.4 million for library grants to states. However, the budget cuts faced by so many libraries--from public to academic to state library entities--was the predominant theme in chilly Philly. Indeed, on the first day of the conference, ALA President Mitch Freedman drew nearly 500 people in an urgently planned rally to "Save America's Libraries." Freedman's signature cause, higher salaries, sustained a high profile at the conference, with training sessions and working groups throughout the program. The Better Salaries and Pay Equity for Library Workers Task Force released a new version of the Toolkit. The dark days extended to the show floor, where many exhibitors groused about slow traffic. While in previous years, the conference placement office featured more jobs than applicants, this time 293 registered job seekers competed for 196 openings, with the best chances in public and academic library administration. At the ALA-APA Midwinter Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, Council approved bylaws for the new organization, which will conduct activities--advocacy for library pay and the issuing of postgraduate certification--that ALA cannot do. Councilor Bernie Margolis, president of the Boston Public Library, said he would ask the ALA Executive Board to seek another legal opinion to determine if better salaries advocacy would be possible without jeopardizing ALA's tax-exempt status. INSETS: Library of the Year Nominations Sought;ALISE Meeting Focuses on Technology.

Describes the New Orleans, Louisiana Public Library (NOPL) and the problems facing it. Hours the library is open; Funding for the library; Comparison with other libraries in Louisiana and the United States; Poverty ranking of New Orleans; Population decline, so-called 'white flight' in New Orleans; Description of the library building; Profile of acting library director Tiana Williams; Several problems facing NOPL. INSET: Williams and the Director Search.

This article reports that the New Orleans Public Library (NOPL) has raised $2.4 million for the library, according to NOPL Foundation development consultant Ron Biava. The foundation aims to raise $10 million to help restore library service to a city battered by the after-effects of Hurricane Katrina.

The article reports on the 2006 departure of Geraldine Harris from the New Orleans Public Library. Harris had been hired as the interim director of the library following the 2005 resignation of the library's former director Bill Johnson. A discussion of the factors which led to the departure, and Harris' future career plans is presented.

The article discusses the impact of the two destructive hurricanes which effected the state of Louisiana, specifically relating to public libraries. Of the 339 public libraries in the state, 106 were damaged or destroyed, of those 30 were completely wiped out and 14 lost all contents. The article describes the fund raising efforts by groups like the American Library Association, which are aimed directly at rebuilding libraries and restoring collections.

The article reports on concerns about the American Library Association's conference in New Orleans. While facilities should be open and the French Quarter has been restored, many vendors fear fewer people will attend. Services are returning to Louisiana libraries. SOLINET has partnered with state agencies to run a survey of damage to collections. New Orleans universities are cutting staff.

The article reports that the disaster of Hurricane Katrina forced the New Orleans Public Library (NOPL) to lay off 90 percent of its staff. The first priority of the two NOPL locations still open is to provide Internet service. The NOPL lacks the finances to bring the library back. Some libraries around the U.S. have volunteered to be paired with NOPL through the American Library Association's Adopt a Library program.

Focuses on the damage caused by Hurricane Rita to libraries in Texas and Louisiana. Report that four public library buildings in the Cameron Parish of Louisiana were lost; Damage to a library in Vermillion Parish; Report that the library at McNeese State University experienced significant water damage; Report that a library in Beaumont, Texas, was flooded.

This article reports on how libraries in New Orleans, Louisiana reacted in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The Shreve Memorial Library welcomed thousands of refugees and offered them temporary library cards and access to free printing. The East Baton Rouge Parish Library provided gift books for children and adults and set up a housing information exchange.

Reports that the Jefferson Parish Council in Louisiana passed a law making it a crime to view sexually explicit or obscene Internet sites on library computers. Details of the ordinance; Vote of the council to put filters on library computers.

Reports the nomination of Gertiana Williams as the City Librarian for the New Orleans Public Library (NOPL) by Mayor Marc Morial. Approval of the nomination by NOPL board.

Reports the arrest of Andrew Roberts for viewing child pornography at a computer terminal at the Lafayette Public Library, Lafayette, Louisiana. Recommendation for stricter Internet control by the Director of Libraries; Policy of the American Library Association about child pornography; Action taken by UNESCO and the United States National Action Committee for Innocence in Danger.

The article reports that the Board of Regents in Louisiana has cut back funding for library subscriptions to databases.

The author reports on the assistance that digital billboards gave in advertising a ballot question regarding a tax override in Calcasieu Parish, Lake Charles, Louisiana. The billboards were donated by the company Lamar Advertising. The impact that the tax override is expected to have on the funding of the town's libraries is mentioned.

The article presents announcements related to the staff of the New Orleans Public Library (NOPL), Louisiana, including that director Donna Schremser, Jim Mitchell and Ron Biava have resigned

The article reports that hurricanes in 2008 destroyed public libraries along the the U.S. Gulf Coast. Some of the libraries destroyed were a temporary library in southwest Louisiana, and the Rosenberg Library in Galveston, Texas. Hurricane Gustav blew the roof off of the Pointe Coupee Parish Library in Livonia, Louisiana.

The article reports the 2008 announcement by the New Orleans, Louisiana, public library that it will undertake a major renovation project. Details of the funding for the plan are described. Also noted is the significant effort to include the study and performance of jazz in the new library system and the damage done to the organization by Hurricane Katrina.

The article reports that Donna Schremser of the Huntsville/Madison County Library in Alabama has been named the director of the New Orleans Public Library (NOPL) in Louisiana. Schremser succeeds former director Bill Johnson and his interim successor, Geraldine Harris. The damage to New Orleans' libraries as a result of the Hurricane Katrina disaster is mentioned.

The article reports that the Americans for Libraries Council has awarded $4 million for repairs and rebuilding to four Gulf Coast public libraries still facing issues after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The New Orleans Public Library and Jefferson Parish Library in Louisiana, as well as Hancock and Harrison County Library Systems in Mississippi, all received funds.

The article discusses New Orleans, Louisiana mayor Ray Nagin's decision to not reappoint the New Orleans Public Library board of directors chair Tania Tetlow in order to revitalize the board which is overseeing the reconstruction of the library system following the 2005 hurricane. The decision drew much protest as Tetlow has been instrumental in supporting reconstruction throughout the city's library system.

The article looks at how the Guelph Public Library in Ontario anticipated the request from the New Orleans Public Library (NOPL) in Louisiana for cash over books. Guelph Public Library established a credit account at Baker & Taylor for the NOPL after the 2005 Hurricane Katrina. The article discusses Levee for Life, which is a charitable effort to help rebuild NOPL.

The article reports that the East Baton Rouge Parish Library, in Louisiana, won a vote to renew its millage for another ten years. There is dispute over the location of a future new main library. The library has $26 million saved to build the new library building. Most of the library's users want to keep the main library in its current location. But the library wants to relocate to downtown Baton Rouge because the area is a cultural center.

The article reports that the American Library Association (ALA) will still hold its 2006 annual conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. This will be the first major convention in New Orleans since the disaster of Hurricane Katrina. The ALA will organize two community service days for members who wish to volunteer. The hotels and conference centers that will host the ALA will conduct air-quality audits prior to reopening.

Reports that the Council of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana voted to filter all but one library computer in each branch. Proposal of a law that criminalizes access to obscene Internet sites in a public library.

Profiles the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, and offers advice on appreciating and exploring the city. Nicknames of New Orleans; Characteristics of the New Orleans population and city law; Radio stations in New Orleans; Sights to see, such as Bourbon Street; Activities to do and to avoid.