We’re dying. I’m currently on the side of “no” that we can pull out of this tail spin. I’m not saying that you’ll turn around tomorrow and every public library will be aflame, with neo-conservative Gauls stepping out of the ashes with a copy of “A People’s History” between their teeth, and librarian blood on their axe. Instead it will be a slow death by a thousand cuts, as shown in this article.
I think the hackathon model could provide a very positive way to remake our libraries into innovation centers within our communities, turning anyone into a potential hacker and mentor in the subject area they are most skilled and passionate about.
Penguin Group Terminating Its Contract with OverDrive — The Digital Shift
From the article: “In a stunning development, Penguin Group has extricated itself from its contract with OverDrive, the primary supplier of ebooks to public libraries. Starting February 10, Penguin, which had recently instituted limitations on library lending for ebooks and audiobooks, will now no longer offer any ebooks or audiobooks through OverDrive.”
The bad news is that state funding for California libraries has been completely eliminated. There’s not really any good news about that except that it was expected.
Librarians versus Libraries in Chicago « Annoyed Librarian
Despite being urged to “never read the bottom half of the internet” (thanks, Chuck) I found some of the comments here quite interesting, especially as a former public library employee.
Stuttgart City Library, Stuttgart, Germany. On the one hand, it is a gorgeous library. On the other hand, it is terrifyingly white, like living inside a celebrity’s capped smile.
(Source: bibliothecarum)
Libraries can make this happen by becoming more open than we’ve ever been before. Not only in terms of space (although that is really important), but we need to identify ways that we can remove whatever roadblocks exist between us and community partners who are ready and willing to help us take on our technological challenges.
Nothing to say today. Carry on.
U.S. House Drafts SKILLS Act to Support School Librarians
From the article: “Several key provisions in the SKILLS Act strive to better define and strengthen the future role and federal funding for librarians who work in schools. One provision states that an “effective school library program,” is a program that’s staffed by a state-certified school librarian. The act also strengthens school librarians’ right to gain access to professional development funds under ESEA. In addition, the measure sets aside competitive grants to underserved schools and districts so they can work to develop effective library programs.”
(Source: whereipostthings)
With a Wonder and a Wild Desire: Thoughts after the Harvard Libraries Twitter Panic
This is an excellent post on the Harvard Library mess from withawonder:
Maybe the Twitterverse overreacted to the town hall meetings concerning the next step in the Harvard restructuring project. After all, “It is inaccurate to say that all library staff will need to reapply for their positions,” according to a statement made to Library Journal by Kira Poplowski,…
