Featured Story
Data-Driven Libraries: Moving From Outputs to Outcomes
Something special happens when 150 public library directors, deputy directors, and trustees gather in one room to talk about what their communities get from their libraries. The ideas and examples whip back and forth, as do equally intense questions about roadblocks to all sorts of challenges and strategies for overcoming them. The headiness of this to and fro was palpable at LJ’s third Director’s Summit, held at Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML), OH, December 5–6, 2011.
Latest News
A Hard Act To Follow | Editorial
It came as a shock to hear that Mary Dempsey had resigned as head of Chicago Public Library (CPL) this week after 18 years as the city’s library commissioner. San Francisco Public Library’s Brian Bannon (an LJ Mover & Shaker) will take over March 1. I shouldn’t have been surprised, though—not only because of the continuing budget woes Dempsey’s had to deal with over the last couple of years but also because we’d talked about her future plans.
Library of Congress Officials Say MARC Transition, Implementation of RDA ‘On Track’
The American Library Association’s recent Midwinter Meeting in Dallas provided a number of updates on the immensely complex and significant transition away from the MARC communication format as well as the implementation of the Resource Description and Access (RDA) cataloging code.
Joining a Noble Profession | From the Bell Tower
Despite the uncertainties of the academic library job market, the loan debt incurred from a library education, and the slim odds of a big salary payoff, people still want to be academic librarians. Why?
ALA Midwinter 2012 Tech Highlights: iPad Kiosks, Social Integration, Freading, and More
At the 2012 American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting, held January 20-24 in Dallas, LJ was on the exhibit floor taking a look at library tech companies’ latest wares. Here are a few of the highlights.
Kaufman Named ACRL Academic/Research Librarian of the Year
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Paula T. Kaufman has been recognized as the 2012 Association of College & Research Libraries’ Academic/Research Librarian of the Year, the ACRL announced on January 24.
Patron Profiles
Library Journal Releases Groundbreaking Publication on Who Uses Libraries and Why
First Issue of Patron Profiles, Library Patrons and Ebook Usage, Now Available
Upcoming Webcasts
Your library at Webscale: How radical collaboration is redefining library management services
During this session, Andrew Pace, Executive Director, Networked Library Services, will provide an overview of OCLC’s vision for connecting the world’s libraries to operate and innovate at Webscale. You’ll also hear directly from library automation experts and members of the OCLC WorldShare Management Services community about how the move to WorldShare has eliminated traditional operating silos, allowing them to focus more attention on the communities they serve. Thursday, February 21, 2012, 12:00 PM EST/9:00 AM PST. Register now!
Blogs & Columns
A Hard Act To Follow | Editorial
It came as a shock to hear that Mary Dempsey had resigned as head of Chicago Public Library (CPL) this week after 18 years as the city’s library commissioner. San Francisco Public Library’s Brian Bannon (an LJ Mover & Shaker) will take over March … [Read More...]
Library of Congress Officials Say MARC Transition, Implementation of RDA ‘On Track’
The American Library Association’s recent Midwinter Meeting in Dallas provided a number of updates on the immensely complex and significant transition away from the MARC communication format as well as the implementation of the Resource Description … [Read More...]
Joining a Noble Profession | From the Bell Tower
One strong message that emanated from the Occupy Wall Street movement was the tremendous disparity in American household income. The one-percent slogan may actually have been an overestimate. According to New York Times columnist Paul Krugman, “If … [Read More...]
Making Sense in a Digital World | Peer to Peer Review
There are lots of things we do that no longer make sense. For example, consider the phrase “call numbers.” How long has it been since we had to call for our books? I’m pretty old, but none of the libraries I used as a student had closed stacks. … [Read More...]
ALA Midwinter 2012 Tech Highlights: iPad Kiosks, Social Integration, Freading, and More
(This story has been updated from an earlier version.) At the 2012 American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting, held January 20-24 in Dallas, LJ was on the exhibit floor taking a look at library tech companies’ latest wares. Here are a … [Read More...]
Library Journal Social Club