BTW News Briefs

Chris Finan Honored With Eli M. Oboler Memorial Award

Chris Finan, president of the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, has been named the winner of the Eli M. Oboler Memorial Award, presented by the Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) of the American Library Association (ALA). Finan was selected for his book From the Palmer Raids to the Patriot Act (Beacon Press).

"Christopher Finan demonstrates that free speech has had its share of ups, and many more downs," said Frederick J. Stielow, chair of the Eli M. Oboler Award Committee. "His highly readable journalistic account charts a tumultuous history from World War I into the immediate post-9/11 years. First Amendment principles were largely absent and the control shocking at the start of his narrative. They took time to evolve, but continued to suffer in a balancing act against calls for social order and fears of terrorism. His conclusion joins the spirit and concerns of the namesake of the Eli Oboler Award. Free speech can only survive through the determination of individuals and organizations to maintain the true ideals of America."

Formal presentation of the award will be made at the IFRT Awards Reception on Saturday, June 28, at the ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, California.

Report Says Kids Believe Technology Will Supplement Book Reading

A new study released today finds that 75 percent of kids ages five - 17 agree with the statement, "No matter what I can do online, I'll always want to read books printed on paper," and 62 percent of kids surveyed say they prefer to read books printed on paper rather than on a computer or a handheld device. The 2008 Kids & Family Reading Report, a national survey of children ages five - 17 and their parents, also found that kids who go online to extend the reading experience -- by going to book or author websites or connecting with other readers -- are more likely to read books for fun every day.

The 2008 Kids & Family Reading Report, a follow-up to a similar 2006 study, both conducted by Scholastic and TSC, a division of Yankelovich, a consumer trends research company, found that the time kids spend reading books for fun declines after age eight and continues to drop off through the teen years.

"This year, we wanted to investigate the role technology plays in the drop-off in reading books for fun after age eight, and what we found surprised us," said Heather Carter, director of corporate research for Scholastic. "Despite the fact that after age eight, more children go online daily than read for fun daily, high frequency Internet users are more likely to read books for fun every day. That suggests that parents and teachers can tap into kids' interest in going online to spark a greater interest in reading books."

The study also found that two-thirds of children ages nine - 17 who go online have extended the reading experience via the Internet. These online reading extenders say they learn what other people think about a book, learn new things about an author and connect with other readers. One of the key reasons kids say they don't read more often is that they have trouble finding books they like -- a challenge that parents underestimate. Kids who struggle to find books they like are far less likely to read for fun daily or even twice a week.

De Niro's Game Wins International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award

On June 12, De Niro's Game by Rawi Hage was named the winner of the world's richest literary prize, the 13th annual International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. Hage, who was born in Beirut, lived through nine years of civil war in the city before immigrating to Canada. His debut novel beat off competition from 137 titles, nominated by 162 public libraries from 45 countries. De Niro's Game was nominated by Winnipeg Public Library, in Rawi Hage's adopted home of Canada.

The winning novel, first published by House of Anansi Press, Canada, was chosen by a panel of five international judges from a shortlist of eight, including Patrick McCabe's, Winterwood. De Niro's Game is told through the eyes of Bassam, as he grows up with his childhood friend George, in war-ravaged Beirut. As the young men reach adulthood, they must choose their futures: to stay in the city and embrace a life of crime or go into exile abroad, alienated from the only existence they have known.

Dublin City Libraries, on behalf of Dublin City Council, manage the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. It is sponsored by IMPAC, an international management productivity company with its European headquarters in Dublin. Nominations are submitted by library systems in major cities throughout the world. All the novels nominated can be viewed on www.impacdublinaward.ie.

NFR: May Retail Sales Give Tremendous Boost to Industry

With a little help from Uncle Sam, consumers headed back into the stores in May. According to the National Retail Federation, retail industry sales for May (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) jumped 3.8 percent unadjusted over last year and 0.9 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month. May retail sales released today by the U.S. Commerce Department show total retail sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as autos, gasoline stations and restaurants) increased 1.0 percent seasonally adjusted from the previous month and increased 3.0 percent unadjusted year-over-year. 

"Thanks to the tax rebate checks consumers received last month, the economy got a nice shot in the arm," said NRF Chief Economist Rosalind Wells. "It's evident consumers are feeling a bit more confident about their expenditures, especially with both April and May sales seeing positive increases in many sectors."

Sales at grocery stores increased 0.6 percent seasonally adjusted from April and 8.5 percent unadjusted year-over-year. General merchandise stores sales increased 1.2 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month and 7.4 percent unadjusted from last year. Sporting goods, book and hobby merchandise also benefited, with sales last month increasing 0.7 percent seasonally adjusted month-to-month and 4.4 percent unadjusted year-over-year.