Category Archives: Special

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

New Pew Internet Report: Library Services in the Digital Age

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Patrons embrace new technologies – and would welcome more. But many still want printed books to hold their central place at public libraries.

The internet has already had a major impact on how people find and access information, and now the rising popularity of e-books is helping transform Americans’ reading habits. In this changing landscape, public libraries are trying to adjust their services to these new realities while still serving the needs of patrons who rely on more traditional resources. In a new survey of Americans’ attitudes and expectations for public libraries, the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project finds that many library patrons are eager to see libraries’ digital services expand, yet also feel that print books remain important in the digital age.

“In the past generation, public libraries have reinvented themselves to become technology hubs in order to help their communities access information in all its new forms,” noted Kathryn Zickuhr, Research Analyst at the Pew Internet Project, and co-author of a new report on the survey findings. “While many patrons appreciate being able to access new digital resources at libraries, they also say they value having print books and other traditional resources at libraries and still want a personal connection with library staff. Many libraries are torn between expanding their digital offerings on the latest platforms and still providing quality resources for patrons who may lack experience with technology or the means to own the latest devices.”

 The report explores:
• How Americans use public libraries
• Public priorities for libraries
• What new services people say they would use in the future

“The level of public eagerness for new services seems to be matched by wariness of changes in traditional library activities that patrons have used for years,” said Lee Rainie, Director at the Pew Internet Project and co-author of the report on these findings. “These findings paint a picture of a public that wants its libraries to be all things to all patrons. There is no clear roadmap of public priorities for libraries, so different communities will likely come up with different mixes of services as they move into the future.”

Read or download the full report: http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2013/01/22/Library-services/

Academic, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Need Tips to Simplify Your Life?

wiresJanuary is the time of year I have renewed resolve to get organized, how about you? I found a list of good life hacks, that is, little ways to make our lives easier. These low-budget tips and tricks can help you organize and de-clutter space; prolong and preserve your products; or teach you something that you simply did not know before. Are you game? Offered on the Twisted Sifter site, here is your list of 50 Life Hacks to Simplify Your Life!

 

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

ALA Video – E-books and Digital Content

 

ALAIn this American Library Association (ALA) video, you will hear a special message from ALA President, Maureen Sullivan. She  reinforces how libraries need to be at the forefront of issues around e-books and the digital frontier. She also mentions tools that are currently available and others that are in development. Lastly, she urges librarians to support self-publishing, and help our communities in their self publishing endeavors. Check out the e-content page on the ALA magazine site, where you will find the video too! Sullivan also mentions the availability of the ebook toolkit, which is available at http://www.ala.org/transforminglibraries/ebooktoolkit.

Coming soon….a scorecard of business models in the digital content arena!

Academic, Check this out:, Special

Save the Date for ARLD Day

Mark your calendars; ARLD Day is coming soon!  Join us on April 26, 2013 as we explore Changing Collections: Advocating for our Future.  This annual gathering is hosted by the Minnesota Libraryaward Association’s Academic and Research Libraries Division.

Our keynote speaker, Jenica Rogers, is the Director of Libraries at the State University of New York at Potsdam.  She has taken a stand against unsustainable pricing structures by database content providers, most notably by cancelling the American Chemical Society journal package for 2013 and instituting alternate resources.  In addition, Rogers has said she will not agree to anymore non-disclosure forms with publishers going forward.  Will librarians follow her lead in advocating for our future?  See her blog at http://www.attemptingelegance.com and recent article in the Chronicle of Higher Education at http://chronicle.com/article/As-Chemistry-Journals-Prices/134650/

Look for ARLD’s call for conference session proposals, in both full-length and “lightning round” formats.  We will be calling for submissions on a variety of topics such as: innovations in collection development, publisher/vendor relationships, teaching and learning, mobility and e-learning, e-books in academia, reference and outreach, assessment and impact, advocacy through social media, purchase on demand, patron driven acquisition, open access publishing, and marketing and promotion.

In addition we are seeking nominations for the Innovator’s Award which recognizes librarians or project teams who have made an outstanding recent contribution to advance the mission of an academic library in Minnesota.  More information is available at .http://www.mnlibraryassociation.org/awards/minnesota-academic-innovators-award

We hope you will be able to join us on April 26, 2013, at the beautiful University of Minnesota Arboretum in Chanhassen. Registration information will be available in March.  It’s a great opportunity to share ideas, connect with colleagues, and explore new ideas for your library.

Randi Madisen, Electronic Resources Librarian

Century College Library, 651-779-3292