The End Of The Library | TechCrunch

Posted on October 15, 2013 by infophile

A simple link. That’s all it took to unleash a hailstorm of angry emails, messages, tweets, and comments. Why? I dared wonder if libraries will continue to exist in the future.

I mean, it’s not that crazy a notion, right? (If you’re a librarian, you’re not allowed to answer that.)

Read the full story: The End Of The Library | TechCrunch

Opinion piece arguing valid, though not fully informed or researched points. Libraries need support from the public and media to thrive and provide much needed services to their communities…so why not be positive and contribute to their longevity, rather than deride their popularity and continuation as this author is doing.

This Gorgeous Game Teaches You the History of Typography | Gizmodo

Posted on October 13, 2013 by infophile

Do you like type? Did you go see the movie Helvetica and break out in tears of joyful satisfaction at the end credits? Do you have a graphic designer cousin who taught you what sans serif meant, and did you think it was fascinating? You’re going love Type:Rider.

This new game for iOS and Android takes the history of typography and transforms it into a beautifully mesmerizing game.

Then there’s the typography. For each asterisk you collect, you unlock a piece of the history of typography from cave paintings to Comic Sans. Each level represents a different period in human history starting with “Origins” followed by “Gothic” which jumps in around Gutenberg’s time.

Read: This Gorgeous Game Teaches You the History of Typography | Gizmodo.

Type:Rider – TRAILER – EN from Cosmografik on Vimeo.

Librarian Tattoo Calendar Challenges Stereotypes (PHOTOS) | Emily Grace Mehrer | HuffPost Books

Posted on October 11, 2013 by infophile

The Rhode Island Library Association (RILA) is challenging people to check their preconceived library notions at the door. RILA’s fall fundraising plans include the launch of the first ever Tattooed Librarians of the Ocean State 2014 calendar, which features twelve librarians and library workers representing the many working professionals who are proud of their career, their ink, and the stories they tell.

Read: Librarian Tattoo Calendar Challenges Stereotypes (PHOTOS) | Emily Grace Mehrer | HuffPost Books.

Digital Comic Books Offer Students New Ways of Learning | Mashable

Posted on October 11, 2013 by infophile

Comic book lovers and educators got on stage for two different panels at New York Comic Con yesterday to talk both about how comic books can ignite classroom discussion and how librarians can digitally bring those beloved books into schools.

Common Core, a new set of national curriculum standards that teachers nationwide are advised to follow, accepts graphic novels as a medium that instructors can use to teach students. But Nathan Tubbs, a sixth grade science teacher in Brooklyn, is excited by how comic books can turn kids who would otherwise never pick up a book into avid readers, even if that reading isn’t directly associated with class.

Read the full story: Digital Comic Books Offer Students New Ways of Learning | Mashable.

Wiki editing session at Brown University recognizes women in science | Brown University

Posted on October 11, 2013 by infophile

For generations, including this one, women in science have remained underrepresented and underrecognized. On Oct. 15, 2013, from 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m, people who want to change that can gather at a Wikipedia “edit-a-thon” to increase the representation of women in science and technology. The event marks Ada Lovelace Day, named for the 19th-century female scientist who pioneered computational programming.

Read: Wiki editing session at Brown University recognizes women in science | Brown University News and Events

McDonalds to stuff kids books into Happy Meals next month | USA Today

Posted on October 11, 2013 by infophile

McDonalds, the kingpin of fast food and lightning rod for consumer activist groups, plans to distribute more than 20 million paperback books inside its Happy Meals in the U.S. during the two-week period between Nov. 1 and 14.

Snips:

[T]he four books are based on McDonald’s own animated animals, including a goat, ant, dodo bird and, yes, a dinosaur…The books, whose titles include The Goat Who Ate Everything and Doddi the Dodo Goes to Orlando, will focus on nutrition, imagination and active play.

McComb says McDonald’s will partner with literacy non-profit Reading Is Fundamental to give out an additional 100,000 books. The Nov. 1 roll-out is a tie-in with National Family Literacy Day, she says. Each book is 24-28 pages. McDonald’s declined to give a dollar value for each book.

Read: McDonalds to stuff kids books into Happy Meals next month | USA Today.

Kate Spade Library Inspired Goodies

Posted on October 10, 2013 by infophile

Librarians love to celebrate their profession. We spend thousands of dollars getting a Masters degree for what is arguably a notoriously difficult profession to acquire a salary, and even a job, equal to our educational investment. So its great to see designer Kate Spade produce some library inspired goodies. Anything that promotes the profession can only be good. Kate Spade, how about a nice retail discount for librarians, so we can afford to purchase one of these goodies?

Hipster/sexy librarian trope glasses bangle, ring or necklace. There are also studs.