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Collections Are for Collisions

October 13, 2014

The title of that tale was The Travels and Adventures of Three Princes of Serendip. The story inspired Walpole to coin the term serendipity. Who among us has never known, how­ever trivial, a serendipitous discovery? More essentially, nearly every librarian has heard at some point in his or her career someone’s story about a serendipitous … Continue reading Collections Are for Collisions


Tracking Ebola in Liberia

October 3, 2014

Information is an important tool in fighting the outbreak. Alison Blaine, a master’s student at the University of North Carolina School of Information and Library Science and a research assistant in the UNC Davis Library’s Research Hub, is part of an interdisciplinary team that developed ebolainliberia.org, a website that provides data and news about the … Continue reading Tracking Ebola in Liberia



#ALLive: Self-Service Software and Devices

October 1, 2014

Self-service software and devices were the focal point of the September 18 episode of American Libraries Live (AL Live). Panelists Karen McPheeters, director, Farmington (N.Mex.) Public Library; Mary Johns, director, Siouxland Libraries in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Matt Bellamy of 3M (which sponsored the episode) answered questions from moderator Dan Freeman, eLearning manager for … Continue reading #ALLive: Self-Service Software and Devices


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Winning the Space Race

September 23, 2014

Still, the books keep coming: Even with increasing numbers of e-journals and ebooks, US college and university libraries collect more than 25 million print volumes every year, on top of the more than 1.1 billion print items already held, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics’ Academic Libraries 2004. Where are these books getting shelved? … Continue reading Winning the Space Race


Travel Grants for San Francisco

September 17, 2014

Deadline: October 1, 2014 Penguin Young Readers Group Award Description: Up to four children’s librarians can receive a stipend to attend their first ALA Annual Conference. Award amount: $600 Requirement: Must be ALSC member Administered by: ALSC Sponsored by: Penguin Young Readers Group Deadline: December 1, 2014 Baker & Taylor Conference Grant Description: Two grants for … Continue reading Travel Grants for San Francisco


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Honoring Excellence and Leadership in the Library Profession

September 15, 2014

Each year, the American Library Association (ALA) recognizes the achievements of more than 200 individuals and institutions with various awards. This selection represents only a portion of those honored in 2014 but who are notable for their contributions to the field of librarianship. New this year, the Lemony Snicket Prize for Noble Librarians Faced with … Continue reading Honoring Excellence and Leadership in the Library Profession


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Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me?

September 10, 2014

Libraries accumulate more piles of things and collections than you can imagine. Pare these down to manageable portions prior to the move. Perhaps it’s the physical space that separates the items to be moved that allows them to seem small. Be aware that, when combined, these piles and collections will grow exponentially when you actually … Continue reading Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me?



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Long Nights Build Library Use

September 9, 2014

The idea of an all-nighter might not hold much appeal past a certain age. Many librarians, however, are using all-nighters to build an enthusiastic audience of student users through the Long Night Against Procrastination. One student at Crozet Library, a branch of Jefferson-Madison (Va.) Regional Library, left a remarkable thank-you note with young adult librarian … Continue reading Long Nights Build Library Use


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The 2014 Library Design Showcase

September 3, 2014

Welcome to the 2014 Library Design Showcase, our annual celebration of new and newly renovated libraries. These libraries are shining examples of innovative architecture that address user needs in unique, interesting, and effective ways. Open Spaces Frederick E. Berry Library and Learning Commons, Salem (Mass.) State University The new learning commons at Salem State is … Continue reading The 2014 Library Design Showcase


Photo: Henry Lim

Bookend: The Right Notes

September 1, 2014

The series has helped position the library as a center for creative cultural ­exchange within the UCLA and Los ­Angeles–area communities and has provided a ­pedagogical opportunity for faculty to perform with their students. “I’m rewarded by seeing the concentration and enjoyment on audience members’ faces, and the relief and excitement from the ­faculty and … Continue reading Bookend: The Right Notes