Author Archives: richards

Public Library Satellite Program Released!

Satellite

In a rapidly changing environment please join us explore and examine the opportunities surrounding public libraries.

Hosted by the new and highly anticipated Library of Birmingham, the IFLA Public Libraries Satellite  will provide the opportunity to meet with colleagues from around the world, and explore the synergy between physical and virtual spaces.  You are invited to hear about how colleagues have successfully broken these barriers and positioned new library spaces as drivers for regeneration and community capacity building.

Speakers have been handpicked from leading practitioners around the globe, and the Public Libraries Section of IFLA look forward to meeting you in Birmingham this August (12-13).

Early bird registration now open! Places for this conference are limited therefore we advise you to book early to guarantee your place BOOK NOW.

Important Snail Mail!

Small Library Flame

Over the next few months a small booklet called The Library Flame may arrive in your letterbox. Created by Bournemouth Libraries in Dorset, UK, it was conceived as part of the Holocaust Memorial Day 2014 and reflects this year’s theme of ‘Journeys’. This little book was sent out to the world of public libraries with a request for each library to add its stamp and pass it on. Bournemouth Libraries are keeping track of its progress.

The Library Flame first ventured outside of the UK in late April , sent by a member of the Public Libraries Standing Committee. At the time of blogging it’s resident in Australia but where will it go next? If it comes to you keep the flame alive.

e-lending Landscape Report Released

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In December 2013, the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) commissioned Brussels-based Civic Agenda to produce a worldwide e-lending landscape report, identifying public library-led initiatives to secure ebooks for borrowers. The report is now available.

This report is the latest step in a project, delivered in collaboration with the National and State Libraries of Australasia (NSLA) and the Council of Australian University Librarians (CAUL), that has involved think tanks held around Australia; formal discussions with library leaders, including the ALIA ebooks and elending reference group, and the publication of a series of papers on the ALIA website .

These activities have helped move the conversation with other book industry stakeholders forward, but Australian public libraries continue to experience great difficulty in obtaining ebooks for elending and finding a platform that will meet the desired criteria:

  • A secure, trusted repository that contains ebooks from the big publishers, as well as from authors direct, and from local publishers
  • Content procured at a fair price
  • Providing access to local history content
  • Library branded
  • Providing content that can be accessed from all sorts of devices
  • With a clever discovery layer
  • The options of loan or buy

This landscape report on elending platform developments internationally is intended to help identify practical solutions for Australian public libraries.

For more information about the ALIA ebooks and elending project, please visit our website or email [email protected].

2014 State of American Libraries

 NLW14_Blume_leaderboard

In conjunction with National Library Week in the United States this week (April 13-19) the American Library Association has released its report on the 2014 State of America’s Libraries , detailing library trends of the past year. Its findings include:

  •  More than 90% of the respondents in an independent national survey by the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project said that libraries are important to the community.
  • School libraries continue to feel the combined pressures of recession-driven financial tightening and federal neglect, according to the survey, and school libraries in some districts and some states still face elimination or deprofessionalization of their programs.
  • 96% of Americans agree that public libraries are important because they provide tech resources and access to materials, and the same number find libraries valuable because they promote literacy and a love of reading.
  • More than 90% of traditional public schools have a school library, but public schools continue to struggle with the impact of funding cuts and reductions in professional staffing.

 

AC

Library in the Tram – Tram to the Library

 

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Congratulations to the Jiří Mahen Library in Brno, Czech Republic, represented by Libuše Nivnická
who have been awarded first place in the 12th IFLA International Marketing Award for 2014., for its innovative partnership program, Library in the Tram – Tram to the Library. We’re all particularly excited as Libuse is a valued member of the Public Libraries Standing Committee. Continue reading →

Next Library 2014 – Accelerate Learning

NextLibrary_DazzlingBlue_Hex_web

This year’s Next Library Conference will take place for the first time in North America at the beautiful Harold Washington Public Library in Chicago, IL on June 20-25. Join conference partners, Chicago Public Library, Chicago Public Library Foundation, Aarhus Public Libraries, and the Urban Libraries Council as they present Next Library 2014 – Accelerate Learning.

Throughout the world, libraries are pushing boundaries, leading and accelerating changes to support learning in the 21st century. Accelerate Learning, reflects the rapid pace of change in today’s world as well as the reality that learning in the 21st century is a means of individual empowerment, community well-being and social change. As the experience of learning continues to evolve, libraries everywhere have a vital role to play – as partners in the community learning ecosystem and leaders in advancing strong learning outcomes that improve people’s lives.

This international gathering of forward-thinking library professionals, innovators and decision-makers who are pushing boundaries and making changes that support learning in the 21st century will participate in high-energy and interactive conference sessions, in addition to hearing from inspiring keynote presenters. The following four topic areas will offer sessions that mirror the overall theme:

• PATRON AS THE CENTER OF DESIGN: Explore how Human Centered Design principals can be applied to program and service development. Discover how libraries are involving patrons and communities in their service and program design efforts. These sessions will highlight the critical importance of co-creation in supporting a community of learners.

• LEVERAGING PARTNERSHIPS FOR ENHANCED LEARNING OUTCOMES: Explore libraries’
role in building more effective and comprehensive learning ecosystems within communities. Participants will share ideas, experiences and best practices that help their libraries create collaborative relationships that best support learning for diverse patron groups.

• LEARNING THROUGH CREATION:
Share the experiences, ideas, opportunities and challenges of engaging users in creative activities. These sessions will invite conference participants to connect with and explore emerging practices in connected learning, makerspaces, arts and STEM learning initiatives within libraries and other institutions.

• LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY FOR LEARNING: Identify, explore and discuss technology trends or breakthroughs that are leading to new models of learning, training and connecting – from simulations to gaming or interactive learning to virtual schools. Explore how libraries are using technology to accelerate 21st century learning.
To register for Next Library 2014, and book your hotel, visit:
www.nextlibrary.net. An early bird conference registration rate of $425 USD is available until March 31st.
Questions and comments can be directed to Colleen Bragiel, Urban Libraries Council, at [email protected] .