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LSSI Loses Challenge to Florida Rule Mandating Full-Time Directors

By Gordon Flagg | February 3, 2010

A judge has dismissed a legal challenge brought by Library Systems and Services (LSSI) against a proposed rule that would require Florida’s public library systems to be administered by a full-time librarian employed by the library’s governing body. Proposed by the Florida Division of Library and Information Services as an amendment to the State Aid … Continue reading LSSI Loses Challenge to Florida Rule Mandating Full-Time Directors →

Libraries Take Disproportionate Hit in New York Mayor’s Budget

By Gordon Flagg | January 29, 2010

New York City’s three library systems took a disproportionate hit in the $63.6-billion budget proposal released by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg January 28. In order to close a $4.9-billion deficit for FY2011, the plan makes $1.6 billion in reductions to city agencies. Of the 834 job cuts, 299—more than one-third—would come from library staff, prompting … Continue reading Libraries Take Disproportionate Hit in New York Mayor’s Budget →

I Blog, Therefore I Matter

By Will Manley | January 29, 2010

I find it fascinating that so many people try to put a sad face on retirement. Just think of the common terms we use for retirement: "over the hill," "being sent to the glue factory," "hanging up the spikes," "riding into the sunset," "being put on the shelf" (presumably intended for librarians), and "being put … Continue reading I Blog, Therefore I Matter →

ProQuest, Thomson Reuters, among Software Industry Award Winners

By Leonard Kniffel | January 28, 2010

The Software and Information Industry Association, the principal trade association for the software and digital content industries, announced the winners of the CODiE Awards for products and services January 27. Among the winners were a number of prominent library vendors, including ProQuest and Thomson Reuters. Presented at a special event held in conjunction with the 2010 … Continue reading ProQuest, Thomson Reuters, among Software Industry Award Winners →

Gilded Age

By Mary Ellen Quinn | January 27, 2010

The phase “Gilded Age” may conjure up visions of Newport mansions, but the era was a formative time for libraries. Librarianship in Gilded Age America: An Anthology of Writings, 1868–1901 compiles articles, letters, and other documents from familiar names in library history, among them Charles Ammi Cutter,  Melvil Dewey, and John Cotton Dana. Also here are … Continue reading Gilded Age →

Olympic Sponsorship Rules at Library Raise Vancouver’s Eyebrows

By Gordon Flagg | January 26, 2010

As the city prepares for the upcoming Winter Olympics, local media—on the lookout for games-related malfeasance—pounced on a request from the Vancouver (B.C.) Public Library administration asking staff to adhere to the sponsorship rules of the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) when holding Olympics-related programming. A memo (Word file) sent to branch heads and supervisory staff … Continue reading Olympic Sponsorship Rules at Library Raise Vancouver’s Eyebrows →

EBSCO, Gale Spar Over Exclusivity

By Leonard Kniffel | January 26, 2010

Two major database companies are at loggerheads over exclusivity in the provision of periodical content. EBSCO published an open letter (PDF file) to the library community January 25 in response to an open letter Gale Cengage Learning published the week before. At issue is what EBSCO calls mischaracterization of its actions and intentions by Gale, … Continue reading EBSCO, Gale Spar Over Exclusivity →

Change at American University

by Brian Mathews | January 25, 2010

Bill Mayer imagines a library without librarians. The way he sees it, his campus is filled with activity and he wants his librarians to be a part of the action. “Their role isn’t to simply go out and generate more visibility” he explains, “but to become more involved with everything that is going on around … Continue reading Change at American University →

Behind the Awards

Rachel Yoke | January 25, 2010

Each year, the American Library Association seeks to honor those who have rendered distinguished service to libraries and librarianship. Such recognition is made for individual achievement of a high order in some area of librarianship. The winners of ALA awards for individual achievement constitute a "hall of fame" for librarianship. But the men and women … Continue reading Behind the Awards →

Branch-Closing Threat Galvanizes Northwestern University’s Neighbors

By Beverly Goldberg | January 24, 2010

The determination of grassroots activists in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois—home to Northwestern University—has motivated the city council to put off shuttering two beloved public library branches as of March 1, and to agree instead to study the efficacy of creating a third branch in an underserved part of town. “This is an unofficial … Continue reading Branch-Closing Threat Galvanizes Northwestern University’s Neighbors →

Best of Midwinter Meeting 2010

Rachel Yoke | January 21, 2010

ALA's Midwinter Meeting 2010 gave conference attendees a chance to socialize while attending events and gathering information.  The meeting contained speakers, receptions, and signings, as well as time for relaxation and fun. This essay brings together the best of the photos from the Day In the Life essays, in attempt to tell the complete story … Continue reading Best of Midwinter Meeting 2010 →

Google Settlement Opponents Ask Congress for Nonprofit Alternative

By Gordon Flagg | January 19, 2010

A month before the February 18 final fairness hearing for the proposed settlement of lawsuits challenging Google’s Book Search project, the Open Book Alliance called on Congress to instead help establish a digital book database operated by a neutral, nonprofit organization. In a January 19 letter sent to members of Congress and digitization advocates, OBA … Continue reading Google Settlement Opponents Ask Congress for Nonprofit Alternative →