Yearlong Shakespeare 400 Chicago Festival Welcomes Estimated 1.1 Million

Shakespeare 400 Chicago , the yearlong festival marking the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare 's death, will wrap up a dynamic year of programming with a full calendar of events in December , having inspired an estimated 1.1 million people to take part in 863 events at 231 locations across the city of Chicago. Spearheaded by Chicago Shakespeare Theater under the leadership of Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson -and in partnership with 60 local cultural institutions-the city's festival is one of the largest Shakespeare quadricentennial celebrations in the world.

Mayor Emanuel, Chicago Public Library Announce Animal, Vegetable,…

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Public Library today announced that the 27th One Book, One Chicago selection is Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. One Book, One Chicago is a citywide program that, for 15 years, has helped bring communities together around one central book and theme through diverse programming.

Carla D. Hayden Confirmed as 14th Librarian of Congress by Wide Margin

In what is being widely celebrated as a historic decision, Carla D. Hayden was confirmed as the 14th Librarian of Congress July 13 by a Senate majority vote of 74-18. Hayden, currently CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore and LJ 's 1995 Librarian of the Year, will be the first woman and the first African American to lead the Library of Congress .

Library of Congress Drops Illegal Alien Subject Heading, Provokes Backlash Legislation

Thanks to the joint efforts of a student group and university librarians at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, with a push from the American Library Association , the Library of Congress announced on March 22 that it would remove the term "Illegal alien" from the LC Subject Heading system, replacing it with "Noncitizen" and, to describe the act of residing without authorization, "Unauthorized immigration." The heading "Illegal aliens" will become a "former heading" reference, cross-referenced with the new terminology; other headings that include the phrase will also be revised or canceled.