Last week I did data entry at my hometown library for stats reported to the Trustees and Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It’s been a while since I’ve helped with this task and it has become even more wasteful. There are more tally sheets with more tick marks to track transactions of every conceivable media type going back
◊ Business of Libraries ◊
Talking ’bout our library systems
A few weeks ago, Library Journal published an essay I wrote highlighting systemic barriers to quality reference service. People from across the country responded and comments touched upon many aspects of library service delivery. I’m pleased the essay prompted an exchange that involved people within and (a few) outside the library community; went into detail
What makes a great library?
It’s hard not to be wowed by the facilities at Anythink Libraries in Adams County, Colorado — but make no mistake — this would be a great library system even if it was located in a set of original Carnegie buildings. Prompted by this month’s Library Journal cover story, I phoned Director Pam Sandlian Smith
What makes library sources trustworthy?
Brigham Young University’s Harold B. Lee Library has produced a set of 3 video commercials to get students to use the library. Their message is simple: trust the library. To underscore the point, the clips open with an outlandish character (used car salesman, hyperactive adolescent boy, tarot card reader) representing untrustworthy sources and then cut over
Auctioning off library heritage and authenticity
For more than 30 years, children in Dyersburg Tennessee have enjoyed reading from the comfort of brightly painted cast iron bathtubs in the school library. A creative librarian installed the first one and “the original tub was so popular that three more were added over the years.” Students have found lasting value in the tubs
Libraries featured on public radio
In October, public radio produced a multi-part series on libraries with Bob Edwards, former host of NPR’s Morning Edition. The series explores the different types of libraries and programs, and concludes with an episode on privatizing public libraries. The complete program is available from this page. Simply click the link below the episode number to
Reader response to a National Public Library Corporation
A kind reader has shared questions and concerns about a National Public Library Corporation via comments to Tuesday’s post. Others within the library community probably have similar reactions and so I wanted to give the discussion visibility by publishing it as a post. Please join the conversation! An anonymous commenter wrote: … in the current
A History of the World: the right way to use digital technologies
Yesterday I wrote about A History of the World in 100 Objects as an example of the extraordinary value that can be produced through collaboration between strong public partners. Today I’d like to touch upon the project’s effective use of digital technologies. Rich Content, Rich Presentation All the material offered by this project is worthy
How librarians can advocate for authoritative sources, part 2
It strikes me that while the methods librarians use to identify authoritative sources are still sound, the sources themselves have become less credible. The industry influence in medical research described by Physician Mark Hyman is but one example. The library community could help restore authoritative sources, I think, with some organization and coordinated sense of
Imagine scarcity – it can save public libraries
What is scarce in what we do? And how do we leverage that to create new value?1 Join me in imagining the future, when information comes to me. Devices Information comes via a device in my pocket, or the tablets lying around my house or in my backpack, large screens on my walls, and computers
