digital content Archives | Page 3 of 3 | American Libraries Magazine

Digital Library 2.0: Continued Expansion of the Universe

By Tim McCall | June 1, 2015

Publishers put forward new, innovative business models; platform providers responded by enhancing their services; and librarians waited patiently (or sometimes not) for access to titles while their patrons did the same. It all worked out more or less the way these things should. The commercial market adjusted to digital disruption and did so because all … Continue reading Digital Library 2.0: Continued Expansion of the Universe →

Preserving the Born-Digital Record

By James G. Neal | May 28, 2015

This is an issue of integrity, of the collective adherence to a code and standard of values, of maintaining human records as complete, unimpaired, and undivided as possible. The ability to consult the evidence and sources used by researchers and authors will be lost if those digital records are not available. The ability to research … Continue reading Preserving the Born-Digital Record →

Steve Potash, founder and CEO of OverDrive.

Newsmaker: Steve Potash

By Robert C. Maier | March 27, 2015

Presumably the acquisition of OverDrive by Rakuten will strengthen OverDrive. How will that lead to a better experience for libraries as OverDrive customers and for their users? Steve Potash: The first and the most obvious win for our library and school partners is going to be more content. Because Kobo has been operating globally, we … Continue reading Newsmaker: Steve Potash →

Latest Library Links

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Peter Broadwell and Lindsay King write: “Facing a digital accessibility compliance deadline, we wondered whether and how AI tools could be implemented to generate alt text for existing online images within the Stanford Libraries’ digital exhibits. New large language models called ‘vision language’ models have a sophisticated understanding of the relationship between text and image. Could we bring vision language models’ understanding of the images together with existing metadata to create alt text that would be useful to patrons who need it?”

Choice: LibTech Insights, June 9
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Reanna Esmail writes: “Though commonly imagined to be dusty spaces containing rare objects from the distant past, archives are deeply tied to the present and to questions of knowledge, power, and authority. They preserve some cultural histories, practices, and artifacts while excluding others. Archivists decide which histories are told and which are not, as well as who has access to these resources. The books on this list address problematic archival histories, practices, and structures, while also reimagining the archive as a potential site for community-building.”

American Libraries column, June
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As libraries nationwide begin their annual summer reading programs, discover intriguing statistics, including the number of tote bags Los Angeles Public Library distributed to participants last year, the number of minutes of reading time logged by participants in Hawaii State Public Library System’s Summer Reading Challenge last year, and the amount of time that teen volunteers read with “little buddies” during Skokie (Ill.) Public Library’s Booking with a Buddy summer reading program.

American Libraries Trend, June
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On June 6, a federal judge denied a motion to block the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). ALA issued a statement about the ruling and vowed to continue the case and continue fighting for libraries in every state to receive promised funding. The statement also noted that on May 6, a federal district court in Rhode Island issued a preliminary injunction in a separate case, prohibiting IMLS from shutting down while that case is pending. That decision remains in effect.

AL: The Scoop, June 7
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Leslie Burger writes: “I don’t know about you, but June always seems to mark the end of the year for me. The end of June will also mark the end of my time with ALA as we plan to welcome a new executive director to lead and guide the Association. ALA Forward, a future-facing initiative already underway, includes a new strategic plan, an organizational assessment, and the repositioning of the Association well beyond its 2026 sesquicentennial anniversary. My year and a half as ALA’s interim executive director has been exciting, intellectually challenging, and marked by change.”

American Libraries column, June
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Jeremy Gantz writes: “During the current extraordinary surge of book-banning efforts, committed advocacy by library workers and their allies is stemming the tide of censorship attempts in both school and public libraries, with more and more states enacting anti-book-ban laws. Since 2023, nine states have passed such legislation. This year, at least 19 more states—including Michigan, New Hampshire, and New Mexico, as well as more conservative states like Arkansas, South Carolina, and Tennessee—have already seen new anti-book-ban bills introduced.”

American Libraries feature, June
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Cobb County (Ga.) Public Library writes: “June is Pride Month! These books celebrate diversity, community, inclusivity, and understanding.” This list includes children’s picture books, children’s nonfiction books, chapter books, teen and young adult fiction and nonfiction, and adult fiction and nonfiction.

Cobb County (Ga.) Public Library, June 1

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