The photos look like they could have been taken at a bar, a bat mitzvah, or one of those swanky media parties with sponsored vodka. But they weren’t. These photobooth shots were snapped at the New York Public Library as part of a new social media initiative to engage more with the library’s selfie-loving patrons, and the live photostream is making our hearts melt.
See the full story: How Selfies Are Re-Energizing The New York Public Library | Co.Exist | ideas + impact.
A library card may get you more than you think
The library has evolved and checks out more than just books. Patrons also may borrow things like clippers and fishing rods. NBC’s John Yang reports.
See the news video clip here from NBC News.
Shanghai’s Metro Line 2 is turning a new page with a library taking literally an online approach.
Passengers will be able to select a book at one station, and return it to any of the other stations with customized bookshelves.
Readers do not have to pay a deposit or any rent for the books and magazines they take. Instead, they are encouraged to donate 1 yuan (16 US cents) to charity at the bookshelf.
“Now you can read a real book, rather than staring at the cellphone through the metro ride,” said Zou
Shuxian, a spokeswoman for the Aizhi bookstore, which initiated the project jointly with Hujiang.com and Shanghai Metro Line 2.
“This will encourage more people to read on the Metro and improve the atmosphere of the whole city,” said Chen Kuang, a spokesman with Shanghai No 2 Metro Co Ltd.
The Chinese Academy of Press and Publication released a survey recently that said the general public between the ages of 18 to 70 read 4.39 books in 2012, much fewer than in Western countries.
The program announced its official kickoff on Aug 18, after a trial operation over a period of months.
It has been a resounding success with office workers. Waiting lines have developed during rush hour.
“Most people returned the books after reading, and many left a coin for our charity initiative,” said a staff member for Aizhi at the Nanjing Road West Station.
“Even if some books are not returned, we believe the overall benefit is worthwhile,” another staff member surnamed Li said.
All the books have green tape on the cover to inform people about the program. “Also to remind people it is borrowed and should be returned,” Li said.
Hujiang.com, an online education provider, and Aizhi, a bookstore chain, joined hands to launch the project last year. It called on people to donate their used books to the 20 Aizhi bookstores at the metro stations.
The program allows Hujiang to publicize its educational program.
The public offered more than 100,000 books in eight months. Many were given to schools in less well-off areas. The rest, and magazines, were used for the program.
The trial operation began near office buildings in Zhangjiang, a high-tech park in Shanghai, and then expanded to the Metro.
“We also have a few shops along Metro Lines 3 and 4, and we hope to expand the service,” she said.
“It is a great idea to have books used rather than leaving them to gather dust,” said Yue Tingting, a PR official with Hujiang.
“You can’t force people to read by regulations, but it is sensible to encourage people to read,” said Huang Yuning, head of the literature department at Shanghai Translation Publishing House.
The digital age has seen book sales decline, but this shows there may be a twist in the tale, said Feng Tao, an editor and colleague of Huang.
In order to encourage more people to read, the General Administration of Press and Publication of China plans to issue a guideline promoting reading.
via Shanghai Metro offers passengers books to borrow | Society | chinadaily.com.cn.
“These tools work as an alternative to Microsoft’s expensive Office Suite. Choose from the products below to save money on expensive software licensing while also keeping software current with more frequent updates. These Cloud apps may also integrate with automation services (see below) for increased productivity and efficiency.”
35 Powerful Cloud Tools for Modern Librarians | Stephen’s Lighthouse.
It’s designed to assess “the impact of new technology on our global information environment,” said IFLA President Ingrid Parent, introducing the new IFLA Trend Report August 19[, 2013] during the World Library and Information Congress in Singapore.
Commissioned in 2012 and involving social scientists, economists, business leaders, educators, legal experts, and technologists, Riding the Waves or Caught in the Tide? examines “high-level societal trends,” challenging library professionals to be aware that:
Although I’ve been interested in making libraries and archives more accessible to persons with disabilities for a while now, I’ve been spending this summer specifically working on learning more about laws, programs, and first-person perspectives on disability. While it’s a challenge to learn about what’s out there, working with patrons with disabilities doesn’t have to be complex.
See the full story: Basic Tips for Working with Patrons with Disabilities | Hack Library School.
A vast public library planned for Baghdad will be the centerpiece of a new culture hub under an ambitious new masterplan driven by the Iraqi Ministry of Youth and Sport. The drop-shaped building, designed by AMBS architects in London, will house up to three million books, including rare manuscripts.
“The library will be at the heart of the Youth City; a masterplan of 1.2 million sq. m, with over 30 new buildings, including residential, cultural, official and sports venues,” says a press statement from AMBS architects.
See the full story: Library of three million books at centre of Baghdad culture hub | The Art Newspaper.
If you thought the Beastie Boys’ music video for “Sabotage” was already funny, you’ll laugh your fake wigs and mustaches off watching these librarians’ take on the famous clip.
The librarians are on a hunt for their kind of criminals — people who talk too loud, forget to return borrowed items and spill their open coffee on books. Beware because these ladies take pride in serving sweet, sweet justice.
Equipped with suspenders, sunglasses and donuts in hand, the librarians are a force of hilarity to be reckoned with. Complete with projectile-paperbacks and high-speed book cart pursuits, this version of “Sabotage” will remind you that having a library card is one of the most badass things ever.
via Badass Librarians Imitate Beastie Boys’ for ‘Sabotage’ Remake [VIDEO] | Mashable.
Story about a woman challenging adult materials in a library’s collection. This incident would make a great case study for a course assignment in LIS school.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.– The library is a great place for children to explore new books and learn to love reading. However, what if your child came home from the library with an erotic romance novel?
Snips
Deeren said she followed library protocol in an attempt to get books like this removed. “This is what I did. I went through three different people, filled out paper and then they sent this back,” Deeren said, referring to a letter that was sent back to her.
The letter indicated that Night Games has been nominated for several awards and that it’s the guardian’s responsibility to monitor a child’s book selection, which is indicated in the library application for people 18 and younger.
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“There is a place for these books and that’s an adult book store. If they want to keep it at a library, I want them to keep it behind a door,” Deeren said.
She is not giving up.
“I want to get this (Night Games) out of there. I want to just keep talking to people about getting these kinds of books out or putting them behind closed doors. One or the other,” Deeren said.
There is much more content to this story. See the full article: Woman wants changes at library after grandson checks out erotic novel | Fox 59 News – fox59.com.
infophile 