U.S. Public Libraries: A Snapshot of Priorities & Perspectives, based on a survey conducted by OCLC, found that most public library staff anticipate that the top reason patrons are using their library will change in five years, though most of those think the change will be modest. Today, however, borrowing books and materials remain the [...]
UPDATED: Toronto Library, Union Reach Deal
March 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment
(This story has updated to report that the deal was approved and to provide details of the agreement.) Toronto Public Library workers and the Toronto Library Board voted on March 29 on a tentative settlement, according to The Star. The contract was approved, according to CBC News, and workers returned to work the following morning. [...]
Library Publishing Report Suggests Partnerships, Creating Positions
March 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The final version of a report on library publishing services was issued on March 12. Titled Library Publishing Services: Strategies For Success, the project was conducted primarily between October 2010 and September 2011, and had four components: a survey of librarians, a report presenting best practice case studies of the publishing programs at the partner [...]
Best Small Library of the Year Reception Honors 2011 and 2012 Winners and Finalists
March 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Who’s Who at the Best Small Library in America Awards | PLA 2012 LJ feted the 2011 and 2012 winners of the Best Small Library in America award, sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, at the Ritz-Carlton in Philadelphia during the Public Library Association Conference. On hand to celebrate were the winners from [...]
Pew: Philadelphia Free Library Should Get Back to Basics
March 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
A recent Pew report comparing Philadelphia’s Free Library to 14 other urban library systems concluded that the Philadelphia system should refocus on users’ top priorities. That means prioritizing providing a safe, educational place for children, a quiet space for reading, health information, job seeking resources, a connection to government services and access to the Internet [...]
Toronto Library Closed by Strike
March 19, 2012 By 2 Comments
This article has been edited to include comment from the union. The Toronto Public Library (TPL)’s workers are on strike, after four negotiation deadline extensions on March 18 failed to produce agreement. The union, TPLWU Local 4948, represents 2,300 workers, about half of whom are full time employees. “There are approximately 1800 FTEs,” Maureen O’Reilly, president [...]
Reports of Reference Death May Be Exaggerated | PLA 2012
March 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment
A double session room filled to capacity at the Public Library Association Conference in Philadelphia got an earful about the difference between Big “R” reference and a more nimble and responsive vision of services anticipating 21st century user needs. The session was presented by Jason Kuhl and Richard Kong of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library (IL) with Celeste Choate of Ann Arbor District Library (MI).
Run It Like a Library! | Blatant Berry
March 16, 2012 By 3 Comments
Movers & Shakers 2012
March 13, 2012 By
Welcome to the 2012 Movers & Shakers. For 11 years now, LJ’s Movers & Shakers has been spotlighting librarians and others in the library field who are doing extraordinary work to serve their users and to move libraries of all types and library services forward. They hail from all corners of the library world. They’ve been nominated by their colleagues, friends, bosses, and just plain admirers. We know there are many more Movers out there, making libraries better and taking them into the future.
Stepping Out of the Library | The User Experience
March 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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