Featured Stories
Little Libraries Sprout Across the Country
Since LJ reported on the Little Free Library project last August, the idea has begun to spread beyond its home state of Wisconsin. Meanwhile, New York City dwellers create some tiny libraries of their own.
Book Buying Survey 2012: Book Circ Takes A Hit
With the economy still in the gutter, it’s hardly surprising that LJ’s 2012 Book Buying Survey of public libraries nationwide turned up a book budget decrease of more than two percent on average. Nor is it surprising that, as budgets are cut, some respondents have adapted their purchasing policies, particularly in the high-circ area of fiction. And with ebooks taking off, one might expect the materials budget breakdown to shift somewhat in their direction.
A New Player in Marketing: LJ talks with Nancy Dowd, Project Lead for NoveList’s LibraryAware
In today’s world, savvy businesses know that they can no longer just sell a product. Similarly, when a marketplace is roiling with change (like the library field), many companies shift their focus to help it compete—especially (as is the case with libraries) when there is little institutional history to drive that sense of competition. Among [...]
Latest News
Article Argues Academic Libraries Should Give Up Book-by-Book Collecting
To stay robust and relevant, academic libraries may need to abandon hands-on collection development and big deal subscription packages in favor of patron-driven acquisitions (PDA), open access, and curation of campus specialties. College & Research Libraries released a pre-print of From Stacks to the Web: the Transformation of Academic Library Collecting by David W. Lewis, [...]
Northwestern College to Integrate Library into New Learning Commons
Northwestern College, Orange City, IA, plans to build a new “learning commons,” which will include the library. On March 8, Northwestern’s board will hold a final vote on whether to move forward with groundbreaking this year.
Use Pinterest to Promote Your Programs And Services
Have you been invited to “check out my stuff on Pinterest” yet? It’s a social media tool based on recommendations and works like a virtual pinboard. You can aggregate a ton of visuals to tell your story and users browse your pinboard. (Just today I was saying that libraries need to redefine the word “browsing ”.) [...]
Little Libraries Sprout Across the Country
Since LJ reported on the Little Free Library project last August, the idea has begun to spread beyond its home state of Wisconsin. Meanwhile, New York City dwellers create some tiny libraries of their own.
Ambitious NYPL Renovation Back on Track
The New York Public Library is restarting its plan to revamp the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. This month, the library’s board of trustees approved the start of schematic designs by architecture firm Foster + Partners and launched “a citywide public dialogue” about the library’s plan for the future. It is expected to cost about $300 million.
Patron Profiles
"Public Library Power Patrons Are Your Best Customers"
LJ's Barbara A. Genco presents key findings from Patron Profiles at Tools of Change 2012
Upcoming Webcasts
Directors’ Summit: Discover a 21st Century Roadmap for Community Outcomes
Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 2:00 PM EST/11:00 AM PST. Join us as we explore some of the key themes from the Library Journal 2011 Directors’ Summit, held in partnership with Columbus Metropolitan Library. Garry Golden speaks and Patrick Losinski, executive director of Columbus Metropolitan Library (Ohio), will lead a discussion between Garry and the audience. Library Journal’s Editor-in-Chief Francine Fialkoff will give the welcoming introductions. Register now!
Blogs & Columns
Use Pinterest to Promote Your Programs And Services
Have you been invited to "check out my stuff on Pinterest" yet? It's a social media tool based on recommendations and works like a virtual pinboard. You can aggregate a ton of visuals to tell your story and users browse your pinboard. (Just today I … [Read More...]
The Age of Participation | Office Hours
IT’S THE MUSEUM DIRECTOR’S conundrum. She has six brief seconds to grab the visitor’s attention as they walk past each exhibit. Once they pass the exhibit, they’re gone for good. That thought went through my mind as I stood talking with a … [Read More...]
Joining the Movement: A Call to Action | Peer to Peer Review
Something interesting is happening. People are beginning to see connections and patterns and thinking, “It’s not just my corner of the information infrastructure that’s borked. The whole thing is messed up. And I think I can see why.” This … [Read More...]
Get Ready for Alt-Higher Ed | From the Bell Tower
Sometimes you see a new phrase that you wish you’d thought up on your own. That’s how I felt the first time I encountered “alt-career.” The term was foreign to me, but I read on and soon learned about the movement to help Ph.D.’s, who are … [Read More...]
Transferable Skills: Stepping Afield to Get a Foot in the Library Door | Backtalk
Jill Wilson The year was 2009. I had just graduated from SUNY Albany with my MLIS, right around the time the economy went bust and library jobs floated away like helium balloons. Like other newly minted librarians, I applied to multiple library … [Read More...]
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