Latest Library Links, February 2, 2015

News from ALA and the profession

February 2, 2015

Ferguson (Mo.) Public Library Director Scott Bonner, after his packed Midwinter talk

The ALA Archives

Building on the Association’s past

Library Leaders Talk Tech

LITA's Top Tech Trends panel tackles big issues

Latest Library Links

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For the first time in more than 70 years, the Gutenberg Bible at the Library of Congress will be moved into a new display case specially designed for the artifact’s long-term conservation and to better showcase the iconic book. To prepare for the new exhibit, the Gutenberg Bible will be taken off view September 21, while the current case is removed. A new display case will be installed in late October, and the Bible will be transferred in late November or early December, once environmental testing is complete.

Library of Congress Blog, Sept. 21
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To help explore the National School Library Standards and promote conversations, AASL has created a deck of cards that can be used by school librarians as a professional development tool. This card game was designed to aid in conceptualizing the standards, developing implementation strategies, considering differing approaches with stakeholders, and promoting conversation among practitioners. You can download, print, and cut your own game deck, along with game instructions.

AASL
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Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Public Library has been selected as one of four Cleveland-based nonprofits to receive $50,000 grants from Google in its Google Impact Challenge Cleveland. The library plans to lend mobile internet hotspots to enable adult learners to obtain high-school equivalency degrees and secure employment with a family-sustaining wage. The organization receiving the most public votes through September 28 will get its funding doubled.

Google Impact Challenge Cleveland
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It’s a common refrain that people in Kuwait don’t read, and modern technology has exacerbated the matter. Yet there are dozens of public libraries scattered throughout the country. They still open every day during the week, though few receive many visitors. At some libraries, if there are no social activities, some days see fewer than four visitors. Yousef Al-Sayegh, a 27-year-old librarian who has been in this job for over two years, is satisfied with his work at the Khaldiya Library.

Kuwait Times, Sept. 20
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Lowell Heddings writes: “There’s a story spreading in the news today that Google is letting companies scan through your email and sell the data, but this is really misleading. So what’s actually going on? The way the story is framed makes it sound like something very nefarious is being allowed. As usual, the reality is a lot different than the headlines, and Google isn’t doing anything wrong here. It’s your choice to give some company access to your email when signing up for a service or app. It’s also a really dumb choice.”

How-To Geek, Sept. 21
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Nick Smurthwaite writes: “Theater posters haven’t always been as eye-catching as they are today. In the Victorian era they were as busy and text-heavy as a restaurant menu. The British Library is in the process of digitizing the majority of its collection of 240,000 historic theater posters and playbills—at present bound into 1,000 volumes—extending public access worldwide and ensuring preservation for future generations. The collection dates back to the early 18th century when posters and playbills first started to be published.”

The Stage (UK), Sept. 21
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Custodians at the Boston Public Library have routinely been paid for overtime hours they did not work, according to a library janitor who said he was terminated in July for leaving work early. Calogero Russo told the New England Center for Investigative Reporting his firing has triggered a police investigation into the library’s overtime practices and the suspension of three of its senior managers. An official from the Boston Police Department acknowledged that there is an ongoing investigation at the library but would not disclose the subject.

WGBH-TV, Boston, Sept. 21