Some Questions to Ask as Libraries Decide Whether to Stay Open or to Close

Update 3/26/2020 - Your library should be closed. The American Library Association, The Association of College and Research Libraries, and the Association of Rural and Small Libraries have all issued statements. Some of us are working from home. Some of us are just home. Staff should not be required to report to work to get paid. You should … Continue reading Some Questions to Ask as Libraries Decide Whether to Stay Open or to Close

Keynote, Libraries as a Bridge: The Role of Libraries in Closing the Digital Skills Gap

I had the honor of delivering the keynote at the Lexington County Public Library this week. 10/18/2014 update: I was very impressed with the administration and staff at the library. There were so many great things about this trip but I want to point out two. First, each branch provided a passive programming idea that … Continue reading Keynote, Libraries as a Bridge: The Role of Libraries in Closing the Digital Skills Gap

Closing the Digital Skills Gap – PLAN

Presentation for PLAN Closing the Digital Skills Gap from Bobbi Newman Resources I limited my suggestions to just three of each as not to be overwhelming Websites Common Sense Media.org Media Smarts Tech Training for Libraries Blogs Van Meter Library Voice The Daring Librarian A Media Specialists Guide to the Web Twitter @ShannonMiller @gwynethjones @joycevalenza … Continue reading Closing the Digital Skills Gap – PLAN

Working with eBooks? Please Take this Pew Survey

Actually there are two surveys - one for those working in libraries and one for patrons. If you work in a library and work with ebooks please take a few minutes to take the first survey. Please share the second survey with your patrons. The surveys will be live April 16 through May 18. The … Continue reading Working with eBooks? Please Take this Pew Survey

Should Libraries Get Out of the eBook Business?

Or get out at least until there is a better system? I know what you are going to say, I can hear it already - "We can't! Our patrons demand ebooks!" Except the truth is our patrons want a lot of things we can't give them - to always be first on the waiting list … Continue reading Should Libraries Get Out of the eBook Business?

Random House eBook Price Hike Round Up

Normally I would be all fired up and writing a post of my own on this, but right now I just feel defeated. So here's the break down. What Random House said Titles available in print as new hardcovers: $65- $85 Titles available for several months, or generally timed to paperback release: $25-$50 New children’s … Continue reading Random House eBook Price Hike Round Up

Mea Culpa on Penguin and Libraries and An Alternative to OverDrive

I feel I need to make a clarification on yesterday's post title How to Talk to Your Patrons About Penguin & Other Publishers Not Loaning eBooks to Libraries - Penguin did NOT stop doing business with libraries. They stopped doing business with OverDrive. As Publisher's Lunch Points out: As we have reported multiple times, but does … Continue reading Mea Culpa on Penguin and Libraries and An Alternative to OverDrive