This article features Naturita Community Library (NCL), winner of "LJ"'s 2011 Best Small Library in America Award, sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The library is the largest straw bale library in America. It sits on the western slope of the Rockies, across the Uncompahgre Plateau from the county seat in Montrose,…

This article profiles Craig Buthod, director of the Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL) who is named "LJ"'s 2010 Librarian of the Year. An ability to convert setbacks into opportunities is the key to the successful career of Craig Buthod. Buthod possesses a unique combination of optimism, managerial talent, political savvy, and a…

This article presents an interview with two effective spokespeople, notable school librarian Sara Kelly Johns and retired public library administrator Molly Raphael, who compete to be American Library Association (ALA) president. One of them will be elected president of ALA for a year's term beginning in July 2011. Each candidate comes from a…

The feelings of librarians planning for the American Library Association (ALA) conference at Disneyland (aka Anaheim, California, June 26-July 2) range from moderate pleasure to dread. Some remember the joys and difficulties of Orlando, especially the exorbitant cab fares and mediocre restaurants. Others quail at screaming kids and tourists in…

Steve Roskoski's accomplishments during his tenure at Multnomah County Library touch upon almost everything the library does: developing employee training, introducing chat reference, supervising a branch while the manager is on leave, conducting story times, mentoring new staffers, working on interlibrary loan and hiring, and even serving on a…

This article profiles "Library Journal's" (LJ) chosen 2008 Librarian of the Year. Librarians and officials in education and government all recount the leadership and creativity brought to library service in New Jersey by State Librarian Norma Blake. She has sparked proactive, collaborative initiatives that have taken libraries of all…

Public library service is a critical service that must be preserved. Despite a current (FY08) budget cut of $5 million and the threat of reductions of nearly $20 million more in the next budget, the Queens Library has maintained massive and excellent programs of service and incredibly high levels of use by a public that lines up at every one of…

One candidate for president-elect of the American Library Association (ALA) is a woman, the other is a man. One can tell them apart by looking at them. But Nancy Davenport and James Rettig are not that far apart on the issues that confront the old association and the profession it serves. They have selected slightly different emphases for their…

Describes the new library at the University of Arizona that is part of the Integrated Learning Center, a comprehensive learning environment focusing on undergraduate students. Topics include access to computers; support staff; and a management model to meet the needs of a new library organizational structure that puts the user at the top. (LRW)

Describes the role and activities of Susan Kent, City Librarian of Los Angeles, who was named librarian of the year by Library Journal. Discusses political aspects; improving and expanding Los Angeles Public Library branches; public and private funding; the staff and union issues; national and international organizations; and career influences.…

Toni Garvey, director of the Phoenix Public Library (PPL) and LJ 2004 Librarian of the Year, has practiced her profession in a Western county jail, for the politicized board of a Southern public library, in the children's room of a university community, and through the up and down economics of a major American city. She has managed branches and…