Learn Globally, Act Locally: World Library Connections
In April, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Global Libraries program hosted in Cape Town, South Africa, the aptly named Peer Learning Meeting (PLM). According to the Gates Foundation, the conference is held roughly every 18 months and is described as “a multiday event where Global Libraries (GL) grantees, staff, and partners meet to exchange ideas and experiences, share success stories and challenges, discuss practical solutions, and build relationships with their fellow professionals in the field.” This year, some 120 librarians from 32 countries gathered to share the challenges they face and the solutions they’ve found.
If You Can Buy It, You Can’t Borrow It? | Backtalk
What would happen to our libraries if the following statement became a reality: “If you can buy a book, you can’t borrow it?” What if I told you that it’s on the verge of happening internationally, and in a way that is pretty despicable? For years, international negotiations have been moving forward on a treaty is to make it possible for people who are blind, or have other print disabilities like dyslexia, to get access to the books they need. At first, private interests were supportive. Then, they realized they could squeeze something out of this treaty that would greatly benefit them—stricter international copyright law.
Uncommonly Open: The New Digital Commons Network
As the new portal to content produced and stored using bepress’s widely used Digital Commons publishing and institutional repository platform, the Digital Commons Network helps users search hundreds of thousands of open access articles and other content.
Data-Driven Libraries Part 3: Decoding Data to Plan for the Future
Tuesday, June 25, 2013, 2:00-3:00 PM ET Data-driven decision making is creating large pools of data around which public libraries are trying to define everything from overarching strategies to granular collection development strategies. Although the analysis of this data is often left to third-parties, some libraries are taking the step of hiring their own data analysts to help administrators decide what the data means, why it matters, and how best to present it to other stakeholders. Register now!
Career Services and Academic Libraries: A Good Fit | From the Bell Tower
The campus library isn’t the only academic unit figuring out how rethink itself for the next generation of students. Career services is also trying to adapt to a changing higher education environment. Tackling our mutual issues together may be wise.
Repurposing Retail | Library by Design
The trend toward putting public libraries in retail spaces such as big-box stores, malls, strip centers, and main street buildings shows no sign of slowing. The McAllen Public Library, TX, main library, which opened in late 2011 in a former Wal-Mart, garnered many awards, including the coveted American Institute of Architects (AIA) Honor Award for Interior Architecture. McAllen residents got a lot of library compared with what they would have gotten building new, reduced their impact on the environment, and turned a blight into a flourishing center of community life.
Learn Globally, Act Locally: World Library Connections
In April, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Global Libraries program hosted in Cape Town, South Africa, the aptly named Peer Learning Meeting (PLM). According to the Gates Foundation, the conference is held roughly every 18 months and is described as “a multiday event where Global Libraries (GL) grantees, staff, and partners meet to exchange ideas and experiences, share success stories and challenges, discuss practical solutions, and build relationships with their fellow professionals in the field.” This year, some 120 librarians from 32 countries gathered to share the challenges they face and the solutions they’ve found.
Latest Articles
Uncommonly Open: The New Digital Commons Network
As the new portal to content produced and stored using bepress’s widely used Digital Commons publishing and institutional repository platform, the Digital Commons Network helps users search hundreds of thousands of open access articles and other content.
If You Can Buy It, You Can’t Borrow It? | Backtalk
What would happen to our libraries if the following statement became a reality: “If you can buy a book, you can’t borrow it?” What if I told you that it’s on the verge of happening internationally, and in a way that is pretty despicable? For years, international negotiations have been moving forward on a treaty is to make it possible for people who are blind, or have other print disabilities like dyslexia, to get access to the books they need. At first, private interests were supportive. Then, they realized they could squeeze something out of this treaty that would greatly benefit them—stricter international copyright law.
Career Services and Academic Libraries: A Good Fit | From the Bell Tower
The campus library isn’t the only academic unit figuring out how rethink itself for the next generation of students. Career services is also trying to adapt to a changing higher education environment. Tackling our mutual issues together may be wise.
Learn Globally, Act Locally: World Library Connections
In April, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Global Libraries program hosted in Cape Town, South Africa, the aptly named Peer Learning Meeting (PLM). According to the Gates Foundation, the conference is held roughly every 18 months and is described as “a multiday event where Global Libraries (GL) grantees, staff, and partners meet to exchange ideas and experiences, share success stories and challenges, discuss practical solutions, and build relationships with their fellow professionals in the field.” This year, some 120 librarians from 32 countries gathered to share the challenges they face and the solutions they’ve found.
Georgia Archives Increasing Staff and Adding More Public Hours
Exciting news especially compared to nine months ago when there was chance the Georgia Archives would end public access. Here’s a summary of the changes coming to the Georgia Archives (via GeorgiaArchivesMatter Blog): Hiring three additional professionals Increasing part-time staff hours Opening to the public on Wednesdays and Thursdays beginning July 31. Weekly hours will be [...]
Begins Today: A HathiTrust and DPLA Partnership
From the DPLA Blog: The HathiTrust Digital Library will partner with the recently launched Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) to expand discovery and use of HathiTrust’s public domain and other openly available content.
Follett Launches $50 Million Education-Focused Venture Fund
From Follett: Follett Corporation today announced the establishment of the Follett Knowledge Fund, a capital funding source for new technologies that have the potential to improve and even disrupt the way educational content is delivered and consumed. Follett has committed $50 million to the fund, which complements and extends the company’s extensive portfolio of digital solutions and tools.
Repurposing Retail | Library by Design
The trend toward putting public libraries in retail spaces such as big-box stores, malls, strip centers, and main street buildings shows no sign of slowing. The McAllen Public Library, TX, main library, which opened in late 2011 in a former Wal-Mart, garnered many awards, including the coveted American Institute of Architects (AIA) Honor Award for Interior Architecture. McAllen residents got a lot of library compared with what they would have gotten building new, reduced their impact on the environment, and turned a blight into a flourishing center of community life.
Wall St. Journal Reports on Libraries Who are Selling Print and Ebooks
From the Wall Street Journal (subs only) or Access for Non-Subs via Google Cache: At least 75 of the 8,951 public-library systems in the U.S. are offering online patrons the option to buy new print copies of titles in their catalogs, and an additional three dozen are preparing to do so, according to book distributors, library officials and library-software developers.
ALA vs NSA: Reflecting on Libraries and Social Media | Backtalk
The personality, or personomy, or personhood/agency, of Edward Snowden is drawing lots of attention at the moment. He has been attacked and praised. As I have written elsewhere, some of those attacks walk parallel lines to a lie, but here I’d like to consider something that happened way back in the last decade. Forget Snowden for a minute.
Upcoming Webcasts
Data-Driven Libraries Part 3: Decoding Data to Plan for the Future
Tuesday, June 25, 2013, 2:00-3:00 PM ET Data-driven decision making is creating large pools of data around which public libraries are trying to define everything from overarching strategies to granular collection development strategies. Although the analysis of this data is often left to third-parties, some libraries are taking the step of hiring their own data analysts to help administrators decide what the data means, why it matters, and how best to present it to other stakeholders. Register now!
More Webcasts:
- Should “Tweeps” Be in the Dictionary?
- Data-Driven Libraries Part 2: Understanding Customers Through Segmentation Analytics
- Data-Driven Libraries Part 1: Analyzing Data to Manage Print Collections
- Rejuvenate Your Space: Top Building Trends in Library Design
- Behind the Scenes with Gale Publishing Stories
- Sizzling Spring Cookbook Buzz
- eBooks: Exploring the Rapidly Evolving Options
- Some Fine Romance: Spring Titles 2013
LJ in Print
Repurposing Retail | Library by Design
The trend toward putting public libraries in retail spaces such as big-box stores, malls, strip centers, and main street buildings shows no sign of slowing. The McAllen Public Library, TX, main library, which opened in late 2011 in a former Wal-Mart, garnered many awards, including the coveted American Institute of Architects (AIA) Honor Award for Interior Architecture. McAllen residents got a lot of library compared with what they would have gotten building new, reduced their impact on the environment, and turned a blight into a flourishing center of community life.
Growing Room: St. Louis Public Library’s Grand Central Renovation | Library by Design
There was never a doubt that the St. Louis Central Library building would remain a library and be restored, However, what was in doubt was the footprint. The original plan called for a proposed expansion outside the building’s original granite walls. But a local architectural firm took the risk of trying to convince library leaders that was the wrong way to go.
Featured Posts from LJ Reviews
HBO’s Game of Thrones | RA Crossroads
Hidden heirs, dueling families, unfolding powers, one is closer the throne.
Getting Reacquainted with Fiction | Library Journal’s Day of Dialog
Library Journal’s 2013 Day of Dialog ended with a table lined with familiar faces: Amy Tan, with her first novel for adults since 2005′s Saving Fish from Drowning; Richard North Patterson, with a work narrated by a 22-year-old woman; Allan Gurganus, with his first book in 16 years; prolific critic Caleb Crain, with his first ever novel (though second book); Al Lamanda, with Sunrise (Gale Cengage, Aug.), the follow up to his Edgar-nominated Sunset; and of course Library Journal‘s own Barbara Hoffert as moderator.
Pop Culture Advisory: Breaking Bad
A multitude of suggestions, across media and genres, for fans of AMC’s Breaking Bad, especially for fans seeking the DVDs of the fifth season which comes out today.
Gluten-Free Living: Getting Rid of Gluten | Collection Development
An estimated one in 133 people live with celiac disease (CD) today in the United States. Many more cope with nonceliac gluten sensitivity. Awareness about gluten-free eating and gluten-free living has blossomed in recent years. More stores are stocking gluten-free foods now than in the past; more restaurants have gluten-free menus; many people know someone with celiac disease or gluten intolerance (GI) even if they are not eating gluten-free themselves. Thousands of people are seeking information about gluten-free living, and the publishing industry has taken note.
Blogs & Columns
If You Can Buy It, You Can’t Borrow It? | Backtalk
What would happen to our libraries if the following statement became a reality: “If you can buy a book, you can’t borrow it?” What if I told you that it’s on the verge of happening internationally, and in a way that is pretty … [Read More...]
Career Services and Academic Libraries: A Good Fit | From the Bell Tower
The campus library isn’t the only academic unit figuring out how rethink itself for the next generation of students. Career services is also trying to adapt to a changing higher education environment. Tackling our mutual issues together may be … [Read More...]
ALA vs NSA: Reflecting on Libraries and Social Media | Backtalk
The personality, or personomy, or personhood/agency, of Edward Snowden is drawing lots of attention at the moment. He has been attacked and praised. As I have written elsewhere, some of those attacks walk parallel lines to a lie, but here I’d like … [Read More...]
In Praise of Traditional Libraries | Peer to Peer Review
Some librarians like to disparage something they call the “traditional library.” The reasons vary depending on circumstances, and understanding the criticism is made more difficult because no one seems to agree on what a “traditional library” … [Read More...]
Less Noise For More Signal | From the Bell Tower
Using social networks to share information that can benefit or even entertain colleagues is a widely accepted practice, but constant status updates—particularly those of questionable value—ultimately add to the noise and detract from the … [Read More...]
