Author Archive: Jason Griffey

AI and Machine Learning

By Jason Griffey | March 1, 2019

For example, Google’s Android operating system records, measures, and collects information and sends that data to servers. These servers use billions of data points collected from tens of millions of users as input for their machine learning systems. When you ask an Android phone to show you pictures from the beach, a complex set of … Continue reading AI and Machine Learning →

3D: A Status Report

By Jason Griffey | September 1, 2017

One thing that has helped the 3D printing business take off is the availability of freely shareable models for just about anything. The most popular online library of 3D models is Thingiverse, a free resource owned by MakerBot Industries. Thingiverse allows anyone who has created a model to upload it to the website and make … Continue reading 3D: A Status Report →

The Handibot in action on the SX Create show floor.

South by Southwest Interactive, Day Three

By Jason Griffey | March 17, 2016

SparkFun is always coming up with cool new educational kits, and at SXSWi users could build its BadgerHack demo boards. Seeing attendees walking around SXSWi with their badges flashing with the SparkFun kit was great. Another company that libraries should be aware of is LulzBot. It makes the LulzBot Mini and TAZ series of 3D … Continue reading South by Southwest Interactive, Day Three →

A user in the NASA booth takes a virtual tour of Mars at SXSWi in Austin, Texas.

South by Southwest Interactive, Day Two

By Jason Griffey | March 17, 2016

The highlight of the speech was about digital initiatives that the White House is promoting to help level the field for access in the US, but the president stumbled over referring to the OpenEbooks Initiative being led by the Digital Public Library of America, the New York Public Library, the White House, and other stakeholders. Luckily, a friendly librarian … Continue reading South by Southwest Interactive, Day Two →

South by Southwest Interactive, Day One

By Jason Griffey | March 16, 2016

One of my first stops at SXSWi was the IBM Cognitive Studio, the showcase for its artificial intelligence (AI), sometimes called machine learning. One of the most famous examples of AI is IBM’s Watson, and the company had a lot of fun showing it off at SXSWi. IBM had an entire floor of a building … Continue reading South by Southwest Interactive, Day One →

Apple Product News: The Spin for Libraries

By Jason Griffey | July 3, 2012

In March, Apple announced the latest product in the evolution of what it calls the post-PC computing world, and called it simply “the new iPad.” While almost exactly the same shape, the new iPad is heavier because of a battery with a far larger capacity. The extra capacity was needed because of two key differences … Continue reading Apple Product News: The Spin for Libraries →

Latest Library Links

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Nick Tanzi writes: “Whenever an emerging technology arises, there are inevitably those who will question the value and relevance of the library. Throughout my career, I have heard some version of the refrain ‘Why do I need the library when I have:’ the World Wide Web, Google, ereaders, the iPad, or ChatGPT. In each instance, the library adopted, and/or adapted to these technologies. As we enter the age of artificial intelligence, we can expect the same skeptical voices challenging the relevance of our institutions. A closer look at the library and our brand reveals that their value has only grown.”

The Digital Librarian, Nov. 7
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Shannon Young writes: “In June, Prince George’s County (Md.) Memorial Library System embarked on a partnership with Maryland Public Television (MPT) to develop programs that empower families and caregivers to cultivate healthy media habits. MPT’s Early Learning Media Ambassador initiative is tailored for early childhood educators interested in helping families and caregivers learn how to use media effectively. The material provided by MPT includes Media STEPs, which outline strategies like selecting appropriate content, talking about what children are seeing, exploring new things that they learned, and playing in both virtual and physical environments.”

ALSC Blog, Nov. 9
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Alejandro Marquez and Brady Niemitalo Woods write: “While loneliness is a common experience, it is not evenly distributed. Some are more likely to experience loneliness. Factors include low income, parenthood, singleness, and age. LGBTQ people, minorities, and women are more likely to experience loneliness than the average. Libraries have long served as community spaces where people can connect, learn, and engage with others. Yet in a digital age, the sense of isolation among library users has become a growing concern. In this blog post, we explore the issue of loneliness in libraries and discuss strategies for librarians to address it.”

ACRLog, Nov. 11
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ALA announced on November 11 the candidates running for ALA president for the 2026–2027 term, and the candidates running for ALA treasurer for 2025–2028. Lindsay Cronk, dean of libraries at Tulane University in New Orleans; Andrea Jamison, assistant professor of school librarianship at Illinois State University in Normal; and Maria McCauley, director of libraries at Cambridge (Mass.) Public Library are candidates for the 2026–2027 presidency of the ALA. Larry Neal, library director of Clinton-Macomb Public Library (CMPL) in Michigan, and Joel Thornton, associate dean of collections and scholarly communication for University of Utah in Salt Lake City, are candidates for ALA treasurer for 2025–2028. ALA also announced 21 councilor-at-large candidates. Members interested in running by petition for ALA leadership positions may do so by completing a candidate biographical information form and a petition form with the signatures of no fewer than 200 ALA current personal members (25 members for Council positions) by December 13.

AL: The Scoop, Nov. 11
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Emily Weak writes: “Something I always hear from hiring managers is that they want to build a resilient, diverse workforce. Sometimes we say we want a resilient workforce, but what we mean is that we want staffers who are willing to go above and beyond, or to do more with less. These concepts are deeply entrenched in librarianship, but I think we’re beginning to see how they can cause problems. Instead of trying to hire people who will do more with less and who will thrive amid adversity, let’s think about resilience as an organizational feature.”

American Libraries column, Nov./Dec.
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Alison Marcotte writes: “In 2023, ALA’s Public Programs Office launched the largest grant initiative in the Association’s history—the Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Accessible Small and Rural Communities grants. During the first round of funding, 240 small and rural libraries, located within towns with populations of under 25,000 people, received awards of $10,000 or $20,000 to improve the accessibility of their facilities, services, and programs. American Libraries spoke with five libraries that participated in the program’s inaugural year about their projects’ impact on those they serve.” Applications for the third round of LTC funding will be accepted through December 11.

American Libraries feature, Nov./Dec.
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“There is some research that indicates winter is the most stressful season of the year: Our environment gets colder and darker, and winter holidays can be major stressors due to finances, family, and more. To usher in fall’s transition into winter, our November booklist has fiction and nonfiction titles all about kindness. That means a lot of things, such as: practicing kindness towards ourselves to promote self-care and wellbeing, practicing kindness towards others to strengthen empathy towards others, and practicing kindness toward our environment to better sustain our world.”

Denver Public Library, Nov.

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