Library workers know that public libraries provide essential services. We live it every day. Until Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on tens of thousands in New York and New Jersey in October 2012, we at Queens Library didn’t realize how pivotal our role is in our communities. As the extent of the damage became apparent, so … Continue reading The Library as Lifeline: Getting Past Superstorm Sandy
HathiTrust In a big win for digitization, a federal judge ruled October 10 that the book-scanning program run by the research-library collaborative HathiTrust was fair use, on the grounds of both scholarship and transformative value. The ruling went against the Authors Guild’s contention that it violated the copyright of individual works. Ebooks and … Continue reading 2012 Year in Review
American Libraries is now accepting submissions for the 2013 Library Design Showcase, our annual feature celebrating the best new and newly renovated or expanded libraries of all types. The Showcase will be moving from our March/April issue to our September/October 2013 issue. We are looking for libraries that are shining examples of innovative architecture and … Continue reading Library Design Showcase Has Moved to September/October 2013
Ten dedicated and passionate librarians were honored for their unwavering commitment to patrons, communities, and libraries when they received the I Love My Librarian 2012 Award, presented in New York City on December 18. Patrons nominate candidates for the award, which recognizes public, school, and academic librarians. Sponsored by Carnegie Corporation of New York and … Continue reading 2012 I Love My Librarian Award Winners Honored
Just look at Seattle Public Library, which in July partnered with the University of Washington’s acclaimed KEXP radio station to make its extensive archive of live performances by both local and national acts available for library users. “We see the KEXP offerings as an added bonus to our music collection,” Seattle City Librarian Marcellus Turner … Continue reading Live at Your Library!
But don’t despair, said David Connolly, who compiles ALA’s JobLIST, a resource for career advice and job search information. The market is back to pre-2008, he said. “We may be treading water, but at least, it’s not getting worse.” In fact, according to Connolly, experienced librarians can anticipate a relatively strong job market because the … Continue reading Toughing It Out in a Tight Job Market
These days it’s more important than ever to communicate with people outside of the library world—“civilians,” as library consultant Joan Frye Williams calls them. Community publications offer endless opportunities to share stories of library resources, services, and needs with our users, potential users, and funders. Let’s look at how we can increase the visibility and … Continue reading Writing for Civilians
Specialized health care libraries have been taking it on the chin. The American Hospital Association library budget has been repeatedly cut over the past few years. The American Medical Association’s library quietly closed in March. In July, the American Dental Association’s library budget was slashed, and eight of 13 library staffers expect to lose their … Continue reading American Dental Association Library May Be Set to Close
“We forgot a long time ago what situation constitutes normal and what situation does not,” said Saad Eskander, director of the Iraq National Library and Archives, after almost a decade of war that followed the 2003 US invasion of Iraq. Since the American troop withdrawal last year, “life has not changed for the overwhelming majority … Continue reading Terror Has Not Withdrawn: Daily Life for Librarians in Iraq
While major urban centers like New York, Miami, and Los Angeles have always drawn new immigrants, there are many pockets of new Americans now living in mid-size US cities due to job opportunities and proximity to families and former neighbors from their homes abroad. Some come to the US without significant digital literacy skills, and … Continue reading New Americans and the Digital Literacy Gap
The 40 continuous hours of Library 2.012, the “Future of Libraries” free conference, which ran from October 3 through October 5, featured 150 presentation sessions and more than a dozen keynote addresses from across the globe. Topics ranged from physical and virtual learning spaces to evolving professional roles in today’s world, organizing and creating information, … Continue reading Library 2.012 Conference Explores the Future of Libraries
Terry Kendrick is the guru of strategic marketing in libraries. His book Developing Strategic Marketing Plans That Really Work is a must-read, and he writes, speaks, and runs workshops on marketing libraries all over the UK and in no fewer than 26 countries abroad. He also brings a nonlibrary perspective to the table, lecturing in … Continue reading Marketing Your Library
