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Librarians moving up the value chain

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Here are some great examples of librarians moving up the information value chain:1, 2

ItLwtLP authorsThe team at In the Library with the Lead Pipe just keep on doin’ it.  Brett Bonfield’s recent post about the publication’s first year is a veritable primer on collaboration, editorial practice and the WordPress publishing platform.  And the latest by Hilary Davis, Not Just Another Pretty Picture is a thoughtful reflection on data analysis with a review of online visualization tools.  Like all the ItLwtLP articles, these are rich in personality, accessibility, multimedia and references.

iLibrarianAnother shout out goes to Ellyssa Kroski of Barnard College. I came upon Ellyssa’s outstanding work through iLibrarian, her discriminating surveillance of information tools and trends.  It’s been invaluable to me professionally, as a blogger and as a volunteer tech consultant for libraries and municipalities.  Her presentation on NexGen Libraries is the best of the dozen or so I’ve seen like it.

View more documents from Ellyssa Kroski.

Some of the library websites referenced in the presentation:
Library of Congress
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
Nashville Public Library
Darien Library
The British Library
Orange County Library System

1I’ve offered ideas for how public libraries can move up the value chain here:
An Inflection Point for American Public Libraries, Sept 2009
Being ‘Better Than Free’, May 2009
My town election/library/school dream, April 2009

2The value chain graphic is from a good article by Zern Liew, Beyond Selling Information.

1 in 4 American children on food stamps

In a must-read article, the NY Times reports 12% of Americans and 1 in 4 children receive food stamps. Click on the map for more graphical data on food stamp usage in America.

As professionals who already do so much for the health and welfare of our youngest citizens, I urge public librarians to share this information with colleagues and friends.  Also, let us speak up to our elected officials to increase their focus on this national calamity.
Contact your US Congressional representative
Contact your US Senator

Children on food stamps June 2009

Library Photo Friday 5

Welcome to photo Friday! Click on image to enlarge.
View the entire collection here.

Radical Patron Library Photo Friday #5