News

  • Bookmark – BookAid International, September 2013 edition. “Book Aid International increases access to books and supports literacy, education and development in sub-Saharan Africa. We provided 548,018 new books to over 2,000 libraries last year alone and have sent more than 30 million books to partner libraries since 1954.”
  • Canadian library month – Canadian Library Association (Canada). “The Canadian Library Association is pleased to announce that October is Canadian Library Month. Canadian Library Month provides an opportunity to celebrate libraries across Canada and the important contributions they make to Canadian life. This year’s theme, Libraries Connect/ Bibliothèques Branchées,speaks to the need that all Canadians have to connect with each other on a personal and social level.”
  • Dublin library open for all – Designing Libraries (Eire). “The City Council received grant aid from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to implement a number of building efficiency up-grades as part of this project, including complete re-wiring and new, more energy efficient lighting and heating systems. As well as continuing to provide all of the services expected of a 21st century public library, further enhanced services will now be available: Bookable access to all library spaces to groups for classes, activities and demonstrations; Increased public access PC provision; Free wifi throughout; Improved  facilities for meetings and events; Self-service facilities; Hot and cold beverages; Upgraded public toilets and baby-changing facilities”

“Due to the temporary shutdown of the federal government, the Library of Congress is closed to the public and researchers beginning October 1, 2013 until further notice.” Library of Congress (USA)

  • Public Libraries: Core Capabilities – Dysart & Jones. “The “it” that won’t explode is the technology, devices, and applications prevalent in our communities but not so prevalent in libraries or among library staff. Not only will “it” not explode, but the “it” is now your new favourite thing. Know about “it”. Experiment with “it”. Many public libraries have missions or brands about being places of discovery, for exploring, for creativity. And, yet, how many library staff see themselves as explorers? how many of the job descriptions or role descriptions outline that the incumbent’s role is to be an explorer or at the very least a “guide” for those who are exploring?”

“Congratulating Donald Ewen Morrison, Mobile Library Champion 2013. hat the Parliament congratulates Donald Ewen Morrison of North Uist on winning the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) Mobile Library Champion award for 2013; notes that the award took place at CILIP’s annual MobileMeet on 14 September in Chorley in Lancashire; understands that Donald Ewen has been the Uist Mobile Library driver for 10 years; believes that, in remote and rural communities, mobile libraries offer an invaluable service to residents and that this award is a testament to Donald’s many years of service, during which he has promoted the Gaelic language and culture through his language skills and knowledge of local history, and wishes him all the best in the years to come.” Scottish Parliament  23/9/13 See here for pictures of the man and his mobile. [He apparently grows great potatoes as well – Ed.]

CILIPS Mobile Donald Morrison Librarian

Donald Ewen Morrison (photo via @Wordshore)

  • Sell-Offs Of New York City Libraries Gets Focus In Public Advocate Runoff Race Between James and Squadron – Noticing New York (USA). “The issue of selling off New York City libraries is now shaping up to be a big issue in the race, getting a lot of spotlighting focus. The Issue?:  Our libraries are being emptied of books (devastating pictures here) in preparation for selling them off in real estate deals intended to benefit developers, not the public.   The Brooklyn Heights Library is one of the first libraries being sold in a deal where it looks like most of the proceeds and most of the benefit of any such sale will go to Forest City Ratner, whether or not Forest City Ratner officially takes over the library as formally-named developer of the site. “
  • Testing Seattle’s Porn-friendly public libraries – Vice (USA).  Warning: contains very graphic language that may not be suitable for work. Regular porn user sees if porn really is acceptable in Seattle libraries – the only intervention he gets is someone asking how to spell “August”. “libraries don’t censor what patrons check out off the shelves, and they don’t tell their patrons what to view on computers. They’re committed to an ethic of facilitating—not monitoring—access to information, and if you’re anything like me, you see this as an ethical win for us all.”

  • The Library (Official Trailer) – For more information see this from Doncaster CVS. “The Library is a full-length feature film set in the mystery/thriller genre. It was shot entirely in Doncaster and engaged a number of talented artists and makers from the area. The film has been generously supported in-kind by the University Centre, Doncaster Council, The Hub as well as other local businesses and organizations. The film aims to create a vital platform to showcase the skills, talent and abilities of local artists, technicians, makers and young people.”

“My research study is examining the impact of national associations that support the library and information profession.  Using the formal impact assessment model provided by ISO/DIS 16439 Methods and Procedures for Assessing the Impact of Libraries, this research aims to: 1. provide evidence of impact that enables librarians to make informed decisions about national association membership; 2. provide national library associations with evidence to enable them to understand what it is that makes a difference to their members, to libraries and to the profession of librarianship; and 3. provide library associations with evidence to use in advocating for their role in supporting their members, libraries and the profession of librarianship.” If interested please contact Sue Henzel (RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia) – (ocean101 at optusnet.com.au)

  • University of London director resigns over plan to sell rare Shakespeare works – Globe and Mail. Senate library director resigns after protests at his plans to sell rare tome, allegedly against the terms of its donation. Director also in relationship of member of staff of auction house engaged for the sale.
  • Walls come down in the modern library – Irish Times (Eire). “turning libraries into multi-purpose community hubs is the goal of the Irish public library service, and it’s one of the few areas of civic society that appears to be benefiting from public funds even in these recessionary times.” … “And, in a year that has seen more than 100 public library closures in the UK due to funding cuts, Irish public libraries are thriving. “

“One key decision that has been made about Irish public libraries is that they will remain free. There are also plans to have a national library card, which will allow people to browse and borrow from catalogues outside their local areas. This initiative requires connected library-management systems, the first of which will be put in place across the four Dublin library services in Fingal, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, South Dublin County Council and Dublin City.”

Local news

“While we understand the situation the County Council is in financially due to the ongoing reductions in funding for local services, we have not been persuaded that innovative solutions have been fully explored or debated which could provide an ongoing library service through different means.”

  • Moray – Library campaigners line up court battle against council – Banffshire Journal. “Save our Libraries Moray campaign group has taken the first steps towards a legal challenge aimed at overturning Moray Council’s widely condemned decision to close seven of the region’s public libraries. Representatives from Save our Libraries Moray (SOLM) met Moray MP Angus Robertson, and Holyrood colleague Richard Lochhead, who are solidly behind the group’s aims, last week. SOLM chairman Alistair Jeffs has, meanwhile, confirmed that the first steps towards clarifying the legal position regarding the library closures have been taken.”

“SOLM campaigners are arguing that the council decision was in breach of the Equalities Act 2010, in that it failed to take proper account of the adverse impact closure would have on the elderly, people with a disability and families with young children.”