News
Recession gives N.J. libraries new mission
Dec 14th
http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2010/12/recession_gives_nj_libraries_n.html
…this new mission is one many libraries and librarians recognize. It’s a rare day that I don’t get job help questions at the ref. desk.
Help! Action requested for LSTA reauthorization
Dec 1st
ALA has asked for calls to our Washington Senators asking for support of two pro-library items that just passed out of committee to the full Senate:
- Senate Bill 3984, the Museum and Library Services Act of 2010. This reauthorizes the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the primary source of support for libraries and museums. (Funding is not tied to the vote; that will be addressed when the budget bills reach Congressional debate). The revisions in this bill are worthwhile for libraries.
- The nomination of Susan Hildreth to be the director of IMLS. Urge Senators to support Ms. Hildreth’s nomination in this lame duck session. She has served as California State Librarian and director of several large public libraries, and understands the issues we face nationally.
Please call (202) 224-3121 to voice your support, or use Capwiz to send an online message instead: http://capwiz.com/ala/home/
Public employees, take note: please take action on your own time, using your own resources.
Better News for Buffalo
Dec 1st
The Erie County Legislature snapped its logjam on a 2011 budget Tuesday by restoring $4 million in support for the busy library system and renewing grants for an array of arts groups that would have collected no county dollars next year under the county executive’s proposal.
In a surprise, the library allocation drew unanimous Legislature support as the six-member Republican bloc broke from County Executive Chris Collins.
Collins had wanted to drop the county’s contribution to the libraries to $18 million, from $22 million, next year. But amid a public backlash, the Republicans teamed with rarely united Democrats to deliver the full $22 million.
The would-be recipients, however, should not count on the money just yet. Collins, who never likes it when the Legislature messes with his budgets, vowed vetoes and other steps to nullify what lawmakers did.
“Absolutely there are going to be some vetoes,” he told reporters in his 16th-floor office Tuesday evening as county lawmakers went home. “Whether we veto everything or not will be something we will talk to our commissioners about.”
But he added: “Whatever I do, I will look at cutting the funding for the libraries last. I will cut the culturals before I cut funding to the libraries.”
The Visibility & Invisibility of Librarians
Nov 24th
Jamie LaRue (who I am lucky enough to call “boss”) has a new article in LJ. Great read- how can we build $upport and funding if we linger in the background? How can we fulfill the promise of libraries if we hang back, and fail to connect with and join our community?
Darien Library: The Great Good Place
Nov 17th
Plenty of inspiration here, folks.
Darien Library: The Great Good Place from Darien Library on Vimeo.
Will Your Local Library Lend E-Books? (Or Can They?)
Nov 15th
The ReadWriteWeb story is here. In my mind, library access to first-rate digital content is inextricably connected to the future (and future success) of libraries. We have got to get this right. Wanna get it right? Check out LibraryRenewal.org.
And in related news today… Libraries reinvent themselves as they struggle to remain relevant in the digital age.
Redefining the library in the age of Google and Wikipedia
Nov 4th
Today in the International Business Times: “To stay relevant to the changing needs of the people, the library has to reinvent itself. Today the library is no longer a place, but a space – both physical and virtual. People sitting in the library may be surfing for information outside the library, while people sitting outside the library may be accessing information inside the library.” more…
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