Category Archives: General

Libraries Transform

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The American Library Association has announced details of its new public awareness campaign, Libraries Transform, will launch in Washington, D.C. and in communities and libraries around the country on 29 October 2015.

The purpose of the new campaign is to increase public awareness of the ways that libraries of all types transform people’s lives and communities; shift perception of the library from “obsolete” or “nice to have” to essential; and energize library professionals and external advocates to influence local, state and national decision-makers and increase support for libraries of all types.

Wherever you are in the world be sure to visit this site and explore the resources.

Libraries at the Crossroads – New Research Released

A new survey from Pew Research Centre highlights the issues currently facing American public libraries and provides food for thought for public libraries globally.

The report show that while citizens believe that libraries are important community institutions and profess interest in libraries offering a range of new program possibilities there are signs that the share of Americans visiting libraries has edged downward over the past three years, although it is too soon to know whether or not this is a trend.

Many Americans say they want public libraries to:
◾support local education;
◾serve special constituents such as veterans, active-duty military personnel and immigrants;
◾help local businesses, job seekers and those upgrading their work skills;
◾embrace new technologies such as 3-D printers and provide services to help patrons learn about high-tech gadgetry.

Additionally, two-thirds of Americans (65%) ages 16 and older say that closing their local public library would have a major impact on their community. Low-income Americans, Hispanics and African Americans are more likely than others to say that a library closing would impact their lives and communities.

Worth a read!

 

 

EIFL Public Library Innovation Award

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EIFL is calling for applications for the EIFL Public Library Innovation Award for public library services contributing to literacy.

The call is open to public and community libraries in developing and transition countries that use information and communication technology (ICT) in creative ways to improve literacy of children or adults.
The prize includes US$1,500 and wide publicity through EIFL’s global communication channels and networks.
The deadline for submitting applications is 12 October 2015.
Applications will be accepted in English, French, Russian and Spanish.
Read more and apply – http://bit.ly/1IYrF8q

There will be more than one award – so please share this information and help us attract applications from as many innovative public libraries as possible.

Library Spaces – Real and Digital

Call for Papers: Library Spaces – Real and Digital
Library Congress in Leipzig (Germany) 2016

Speakers from abroad are explicitly encouraged to submit presentations to the congress. For this purpose, financial support can be applied for at BII – Bibliothek & Information International ( Library & Information International). The program committee is especially asking US-American colleagues to contribute papers to the program, as the United States of America will be the congress’s guest of honor in 2016.
Deadline is September 11!
http://www.bid-kongress-leipzig.de/t3/fileadmin/pdfs_downloads/CfP_Kongress_2016_englisch.pdf

Cologne Public Library Honoured

Congratulations to the Cologne Public Library has been named 2015 Library of the Year award by the Deutsche Bibliotheksverband (dbv) (German Library Association). The award, Germany’s highest honor for libraries, will be bestowed at a ceremony on Saturday, October 24, 2015, on the “Tag der Bibliotheken” (the German national Library Day). The Cologne Public Library is the sixteenth recipient of the award.

The Cologne Public Library was chosen unanimously from among the selection pool. All nominated libraries were judged on the following criteria: quality and innovation of library services, forward-looking approach, sustainable effect, attractive program and service offerings, effective publicity, international engagement and local, regional and international networking.

Further information about the Award is available here https://stadtbibliothekkoeln.wordpress.com/2015/08/14/cologne-public-library-named-2015-library-of-the-year/

Libraries as Gigahubs

The latest issue of TITL has a great article on the Library White Space Project.  This project capitalises on the existing physical infrastructure represented by the public libraries, as well as their importance as an information hub in communities, to act as a Wi-Fi portal using
technology that can be implemented in a very practical way.

The project aims to use the spare capacity of the TV spectrum to extend access to internet and other resources by leveraging a technology that with no physical cabling reach (literally) through walls to act as a gateway for Wi-Fi hotspots and connections. This technology provides a low-cost vehicle for letting the library act as a wide-area Wi-Fi hotspot gateway.

There are some wonderful stories emerging of how this technology is transforming communities in countries such as India and Kenya.

 

Librarians on (motor) bikes

Alan Flores, leader of Biblio Turisimo

Alan Flores, leader of Biblio Turisimo

This year Biblio Turismo is celebrating its tenth year in 2015.

Biblio Turismo is where a group of Australian librarians travel to rural public libraries spreading the word of literature and children’s books and novels. Most travel by motorbike.

This year they will  leave from Campbelltown Public Library on 24 October and will ride to Portland, Victoria by the Great Ocean Road returning via Ballarat and the Snowy Mountains to Canberra on the 31st.

For further information visit their blog