Tag Archives: public libraries

Q&A: Makerspaces, Media Labs and Other Forums for Content Creation in Libraries

From the ALA:

Statement of Purpose: This Q&A can be used as a guide by libraries as they create policies for makerspaces or other content creation forums within their facilities. It is not intended to be a template for such policies but rather a source for answers to questions that are likely to be asked as libraries formulate content creation policies. This document should not be construed as legal advice but may serve as insight as to when a library may need to seek legal advice.

Is a library really an appropriate space for hands on creative activities? 

Historically libraries have often included in their functions the creation, as well as the preservation and dissemination, of content in many different formats.  Libraries have supported and encouraged scholars, writers, inventors, artists and artisans, and provided study rooms, carrels, meeting, exhibit and performance spaces, as well as tools and equipment for individual and group use.

Providing 3D printers and other tools and technology in makerspaces, tech labs, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) or STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) labs, media labs, exhibit and performance venues, as well as other physical and virtual spaces for creative endeavors, is only the latest manifestation of the library’s natural role in encouraging and facilitating the creativity and ingenuity of its community of users. Continue reading Q&A: Makerspaces, Media Labs and Other Forums for Content Creation in Libraries

Let’s Move! Libraries

International Space Station replica
“Hello everyone,

I am announcing a new project: “Let’s Move! Libraries.” At the project website you will find information on movement-based programs in public libraries throughout North America (think yoga/tai chi/Zumba in the library, StoryWalks, music and movement, walking groups, etc.). The overall goal of this project is to strengthen work already underway in public libraries that seeks to get our communities up and moving.

If you work in a public library in Minnesota, please consider taking a few minutes to fill out this short survey about any programs or services your library provides, has provided in the past, or is planning to provide in the future. The results from this survey will be shared on the project website in Fall 2017.

Please share this message with others you think may be interested in this project. Thank you for your time! I look forward to your feedback.

Noah Lenstra
Assistant Professor
Library and Information Studies
University of North Carolina Greensboro
njlenstr@uncg.edu
http://www.noahlenstra.com/

Mayor Craig Petersen: Library Hero!

 

The Mayor of Logan, UT is a supporter of libraries, and he’s not afraid to put his money where his mouth is – literally!

“Mayor Craig Petersen proposed Friday that he will work without pay for the remainder of the year and donate his salary to the Library Building Fund.

Last month, Petersen recommended to the City Council that a new library and community center be built at the site of the old Emporium building, 55 N. Main St.

New libraries aren’t cheap. The city is looking at a $12 million price tag, but most of that would be paid through existing resources without raising taxes. The remaining $2.8 million would be raised from private donations, including about $93,000 from the mayor’s salary and benefits.

“I want Logan to move forward with a library and a community center Logan can be proud of. And we just don’t have that right now,” Petersen said.”

In a time where too many politicians do not see enough value in libraries to fund them (#SaveIMLS!), it is great to see a Mayor who understands the value a good library will bring to his community!

At CMLE Headquarters, we nominate Mayor Petersen as our latest Library Hero, and we join his community in thanking him for his work on behalf of libraries!

Library suggestions for game night

Video Game Barnstar Hires
A library person is looking for suggestions for video games to play in the library for game night. We are sharing the initial question, and the responses. Check them out to see if you can use them in your library. And if you have other suggestions, share them in the comments so we can all try new things!

“We used to have Call of Duty gaming nights to get kids in to play together on our PCs. We were using Call of Duty 1 which worked as it was not particularly over the top graphic.

This version is super old and now fails on our PCs. Do you all have any suggestions on similar group play games that aren’t intensely graphic?  These game nights happen out in the open in a room shared with all age ranges so it can’t be too too.”

Continue reading Library suggestions for game night

Seattle Public library circulation data

2009-0604-19-SeattleCentralLibraryFrom the latest “Data is Plural” newsletter:

“A decade-plus of Seattle library checkouts. Last month, the Seattle Public Library released a dataset tracking the total number of checkouts for each title by year and month from April 2005 to December 2016 (so far). The dataset isn’t limited to physical books; it also includes e-books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, and more. Last year, the three most popular physical books were Paula Hawkins’s The Girl on the Train (2,355 checkouts), Lauren Groff’s Fates and Furies (2,151 checkouts), and Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Between the World and Me (2,134 checkouts).”

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